Instead of throwing out that leftover cannabis flower pulp from making cannabutter or infused oil or even tincture, learn how to store it, save it, and use it in one of these delicious recipe ideas for using leftover cannabis pulp.
What Is Leftover Cannabis Pulp?
I recently received a question over in my Well With Cannabis Facebook Community from a reader who said:
"You've got the best cannabis cookie recipe and the easiest way to infuse coconut oil! Is there anything I can do with the leftover pulp?"
The answer: YES! Don't throw out that pulp!
Leftover cannabis pulp, also called sludge, is the cannabis flower material that is leftover after making an infusion or tincture.
When making any of the following, there is leftover plant material from the straining process:
- Cannabutter
- Cannabis-infused coconut oil
- Cannabis-infused MCT oil
- Cannabis-infused olive oil
- Cannabis alcohol tincture
How to Reclaim the Remaining Oil
If you have already made an oil infusion, you can try to reclaim any remaining oil from the leftover pulp using boiling water.
To do so, pour boiling water over the leftover pulp and let the butter or oil and water separate and cool.
Once cooled, the remaining butter or oil will solidify and rise to the surface.
Remove the remaining solid fat or oil slab and discard the water and remaining plant material.
Note, this process only works for oils that solidify when cold, like coconut oil and butter.
This process will not work for infused olive oil or infused MCT oil.
Or you could skip this process and try one of these awesome tried and true ways to use up leftover cannabis pulp below!
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Is There Anything Good Left?
Some folks argue that the spent cannabis flower is 'garbage' after the extraction process.
Many counter-argue that the leftover weed material is full of beneficial nutrients, compounds, and even a few cannabinoids and terpenes.
Chances are, there is some good stuff (i.e., CBD or THC) stuck in the leftover plant material, making it worth saving and enjoying.
I value all parts of the plant, especially for a full-spectrum experience.
Anecdotally, many members of my Well With Cannabis Facebook Community report that they find it beneficial to save the leftover pulp and use it with various effects.
As long as you like the taste and enjoy it, it's great to reuse and recycle cannabis plant byproducts wherever possible.
How to Store Leftover Cannabis Pulp
After the infusion and straining process, you will be left with a ball of plant material leftover in your filter, cheesecloth, strainer, or French press.
If you don't plan to use it in one of these recipes right away, there are many different ways you can store it, including refrigerating, freezing, or drying it out.
I recommend refrigerating or freezing for oil infusions, and for alcohol extractions, I recommend drying it out.
Just keep in mind what you may want to use it for, and store accordingly!
Breakdown For Immediate Use
If you plan on using your leftover cannabis pulp in a recipe right away, one suggestion is to break down the material before adding it to a dish.
This is because, oftentimes, the cannabis flower is not ground before infusing into an oil.
This means that the leftover pulp can have a coarse consistency, which may not be palatable for use in some of these recipes.
To overcome this problem, break down the leftover pulp in a blender or food processor first before adding the material to a recipe.
This will help to ensure no large buds or stems are caught up in the delicious recipe you're about to enjoy.
Store in the Refrigerator
If you plan on using it within the week, you can store the leftover pulp in an airtight container in the fridge.
Remember that if you store it in the refrigerator for longer than a week, you run the chance of it molding or spoiling.
Store in the Freezer
If you want to store your leftover cannabis pulp for longer than a week, simply store it in the freezer.
Freezing does not dilute or destroy any remaining potency, and if anything, helps to retain it.
Leftover pulp can be stored in the freezer for a long time, months even.
From personal experience, I do recommend storing it in ¼ cup or ½ cup portions so it's easier to pull from the freezer and use it when you want.
If you freeze it in one big block, you will have to thaw it all out at once together too.
Just remember, when thawing to never thaw it out in the microwave, as the microwave can destroy the potency of any remaining cannabinoids.
Dry For Long Term Storage
If you've made a cannabis alcohol tincture, it is easy to leave the leftover cannabis pulp out to dry to evaporate off any remaining alcohol.
Spread the leftover pulp out on a large surface - like a lined baking sheet or large pan.
Leave uncovered and allow to air dry for a few days, stirring frequently.
Feel the material to see how moist or dry it is.
Once it is completely dried, you can store it in an airtight container.
Note: this method will not work for oil infusions as the oil does not dry out completely.
Members of my Well With Cannabis Facebook Community have further reported putting this dried-out material in tea bags, capsules, and more.
How Much Pulp Should I Use?
If you're brand new to cannabis edibles or making cannabis recipes, it's important to note that it can oftentimes be difficult to estimate your final product potency.
It will be even more difficult to estimate the potency because many cannabinoids will have already been extracted during the infusion process.
Ultimately, the potency of your leftover weed material will depend on many variables.
Specifically, two things, the potency of your starting material (i.e., buds, flowers, or trim, regular vs. CBD flower) and the cooking process you have already used.
For these recipes featuring cannabis pulp, it is recommended to start low and go slow.
We recommend starting with just a ¼ cup of leftover flower pulp addition and going from there.
This will give you time to experiment with not only the potency but the taste too, as the spent cannabis flower can have a very strong taste to some individuals.
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Recipe Ideas To Use Up Leftover Cannabis Pulp
Discover all of my favorite ways to use up the leftover pulp, with general ideas to try and recipes to guide you.
Make Cannabis Capsules
Even though it’s great to reuse and recycle cannabis plant byproducts wherever possible, the taste and texture of leftover cannabis pulp may be offputting to some.
That makes filling capsules with leftover cannabis pulp a perfect solution.
While not as strong, because most of the cannabinoids have been removed through the infusion process, it is believed the leftover weed material contains nutrients and even a few cannabinoids and terpenes.
Many of my Well With Cannabis Facebook Community members report that there is definitely some good stuff (i.e., CBD or THC) stuck in the leftover plant material, making it worth saving and enjoying.
Make a Cannabis Smoothie
Instead of throwing out leftover cannabis flower pulp from making cannabis oil or tincture, many people choose to use it up in a delicious smoothie recipe.
For smoothie recipes featuring cannabis pulp, I still recommend starting low and going slow.
I recommend starting with just a tablespoon of leftover flower pulp to your smoothie and going from there.
This will give you time to experiment with not only the potency but the taste, too.
You can get my ultimate guide to making a cannabis smoothie here.
Cannabis-Infused Coffee
Everyone knows that the best way to wake up is with cannabis in your cup.
To do so, steep the leftover cannabis pulp in a teaball inside your hot cup of coffee.
This cannabis coffee option is good for using up the pulp from either oil infusions or alcohol extractions.
Cannabis-Infused Tea
This is the most popular way for many of my Well With Cannabis Facebook Community to use the leftover pulp.
The best way to add cannabis pulp leftovers to your tea is to place the leftover plant material in a teaball and steep it in your mug.
Cannabis-Infused Golden Milk
Cannabis golden milk is a creamy, delicious warm beverage made with anti-inflammatory superfoods like turmeric and cannabis.
Traditionally made with infused coconut oil, alternatively, you can pack a teaball with your leftover cannabis leaves from oil or butter and steep them directly into this delicious healing beverage.
This cannabis golden milk option is good for using up the pulp from either oil infusions or alcohol extractions.
Cannabis-Infused Pumpkin Spice Latte
It doesn't need to be Fall to enjoy a delicious cannabis-infused pumpkin spice latte.
The best way to add these cannabis pulp leftovers to this drink is to place the leftover plant material in a teaball and steep it in your finished drink.
Zesty Cannabis-Infused Lemon Vinaigrette
This cannabis lemon vinaigrette is a perfect recipe to use up that leftover cannabis pulp.
Its flavor profile blends in well with the other ingredients, and the use of the immersion blender helps to break down the plant material, so it is not too coarse.
This option is good for using up the pulp from either oil infusions or alcohol extractions.
Strawberry Cannabis Vinaigrette with Burrata Salad
The vinegar in this strawberry cannabis vinaigrette will act as a solvent to help remove the remaining cannabinoids from the plant.
We recommend adding just a small amount, around 2-3 tablespoons, to the entire batch for this recipe.
From there, you can choose to pair your vinaigrette with our deliciously creamy strawberry burrata salad or your own personal favorite.
Its flavor profile blends in well with the other ingredients, and the use of the immersion blender helps to break down the plant material, so it is not too coarse.
This option is good for using up the pulp from either oil infusions or alcohol extractions.
Homemade Creamy Cannabis Ranch Dressing
This delicious, tangy, creamy homemade cannabis ranch dressing comes with various cannabis infusion options to fit any taste and preference.
We recommend adding just 2 teaspoons of leftover flower pulp in addition to the other ingredients of this recipe and going from there.
This will give you time to experiment with the potency and the taste, too, as the spent cannabis flower can have a powerful taste for some people.
Easy Homemade Cannabis Pesto
Making a quick and easy homemade pesto is one of the best ways to use up that leftover pulp.
The leftover cannabis pulp will not be nearly as strong as your infusion would be, so you can use your discretion as to how much you want to use.
It will depend on how much you have, how strong the flower you started with was, and your desired end experience.
Storebought or Homemade Salsa
Spice up your Taco Tuesday with this tasty infused salsa made using leftover cannabis pulp.
The leftover pulp mixes well into an already made salsa or your own personal favorite recipe.
For a delicious medicated salsa we recommend mixing ¼ cup leftover cannabis pulp per 1 cup of salsa.
Paired with your favorite tortilla chips, you'll have to be careful not to eat too much.
Storebought or Homemade Guacamole
Just like with your medicated salsa, you can spice up your Taco Tuesday with this tasty infused guacamole made using leftover cannabis pulp.
The leftover pulp mixes well into an already made guac or your own personal favorite recipe.
For a delicious infused guacamole, we recommend mixing ¼ cup leftover cannabis pulp per 1 cup of guacamole.
Paired with your favorite tortilla chips and maybe even some infused salsa from above.
Storebought or Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Spaghetti sauce is a great place to add in that leftover cannabis pulp.
It is already herbaceous, and the pulp's flavor and texture blend well with the traditional Italian herbs used to make spaghetti sauce.
We recommend adding ¼ cup leftover cannabis pulp to an entire batch of either homemade sauce or your favorite storebought sauce.
Homemade or Store Bought Chili
Who says cannabis-infused recipes can't be delicious and savory?
This delicious chili made with leftover cannabis pulp will make this hearty wintertime comfort food everyone's new favorite.
For this recipe, you can either add ½ cup of spent cannabis flower to the entire batch by stirring it in and simmer just before serving.
Or you can stir in a teaspoon at a time into each person's bowl to individualize the dosages.
Cannabis Pulp Garlic Bread
What better way to use up those spent cannabis flowers leftover from making cannabutter than to make a delicious infused garlic bread?
Likely, your cannabis flowers are already saturated with remaining butter from your straining process, making them perfect for this recipe.
You can either use your already made cannabutter here or mix 1 tablespoon of plant matter with 2 tablespoons of softened butter and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic to taste.
Mix well and apply to your bread of choice and then bake until warm and toasted and enjoy!
Homemade Cannabis Brownies
It’s not my favorite way to make brownies, but yes, you can absolutely add the leftover cannabis pulp from making butter to your brownie mix.
I would recommend using the infused butter or oil as called for and then adding a ¼ to ½ cup of the leftover pulp as an additional ingredient.
