Are you looking for a great way to make the most of your product and re-use the leftover plant matter leftover from making cannabis-infused butter or cannabis-infused oils? Instead of throwing out that leftover cannabis flower pulp, learn how to save it, store it, repurpose it or use it to make your own cannabis edibles with one of my delicious recipe ideas.

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  • Tips and tricks for using spent flower
  • 15+yummy recipes to try with leftover pulp
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Why This Method Works

I recently received a question over in my Well With Cannabis 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 is YES, don’t throw out that pulp!

Leftover cannabis pulp, also called sludge or raffinate, is the cannabis material that is leftover after making an infusion or tincture.

Many people believe that this material still contains many medicinal properties, making it worth saving and using in a variety of ways.

In this guide, we will explore all of the different ways you can store and use up these leftovers in tasty, delicious recipes – so nothing goes to waste!

We will also talk about recommended dosages and why it’s a good idea to start with just a little bit until you know the right dose for you. 

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Is There Anything Good Left?

If you make your own infusions, you know that there is leftover plant material from the straining process:

Now, some people argue that the spent cannabis flower is ‘garbage’ after the extraction process.

Others counter-argue that the leftover weed material is full of beneficial nutrients, compounds, and even a few cannabinoids and terpenes.

Chances are, there are small amounts of cannabinoids like CBD, THC, or CBG 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 Well With Cannabis Community members report that they find it beneficial to save the leftover pulp and use it with various effects ranging from a sleep aid to providing pain relief.

As long as you like the taste and enjoy it, it’s great to reuse and recycle cannabis plant byproducts wherever possible.

Lets explore all of the ways you can reclaim the good stuff and create some tasty cannabis-infused treats!

Leftover Cannabis Pulp by Emily Kyle

Reclaim the Remaining Oil

If you have already made cannabis butter or an oil infusion, you can try to reclaim any remaining oil from the marijuana flowers using boiling water. 

To do this, all you need to do is pour boiling hot 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. You can then 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!

Leftover Cannabis Pulp by Emily Kyle

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 edible options 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 I have is to break down the material before adding it to a dish.

This is because, oftentimes, the cannabis flower is not ground into a fine powder 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, for best results I recommend you store it in the freezer. 

Freezing does not dilute or destroy any remaining potency, and if anything, helps to retain it.

The 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.

It is recommended to let it thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature. If you need use use heat, use low heat.

Dry For Long Term Storage

If you’ve made an alcohol tincture, like Green dragon or Golden dragon, 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, cookie 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.

My community members have also reported putting a tiny amount of this dried-out material in tea bags, capsules, regular brownies, and more.

Leftover Cannabis Pulp by Emily Kyle

How Much To Use?

If you’re brand new to 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 a high concentration of 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. flower buds, fan leaves or trim, regular vs. CBD flower) and the cooking process you have already used.

Ultimately, it will be impossible to know the THC content of this material without lab testing. That is why I recommend exercising caution when you use leftover cannabis pulp.

For recipes featuring cannabis pulp, it is recommended to start low and go slow.

I recommend starting with just a ¼ cup of leftover flower pulp in addition to a recipe 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 people.

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.

A picture of homemade cannabis capsules.

Make Cannabis Capsules

4.74 from 15 votes
Even though it’s great to reuse and recycle cannabis plant byproducts wherever possible, the taste and texture of leftover cannabis pulp may be off-putting to some. That makes filling capsules with leftover cannabis pulp a perfect solution.
Get the Guide
A picture of a cannabis smoothie with a cannabis leaf.

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. Find some great ideas for recipes here!
Get the Guide
A white plate with three cannabis brownies stacked on top, garnished with a cannabis leaf

Make Weed Brownies

4.69 from 1364 votes
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.
View Recipe
A white teacup full of cannabis tea with a cannabis plant

Make Weed Tea

4.79 from 85 votes
Making cannabis tea is the most popular way for many of my Well With Cannabis 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 tea ball or tea bag and steep it in your mug. 
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Cannabis Coffee Emily Kyle

Make Cannabis Coffee

4.85 from 20 votes
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 tea ball inside your hot cup of coffee. This cannabis coffee option is good for using up the pulp from either oil infusions or alcohol extractions. Pair with a scoop of cannabis-infused sugar for a great way to start the day. 
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A picture of a glass of cannabis infused golden milk.

Make Golden Milk

4.61 from 33 votes
A great alternative to coffee, cannabis golden milk is a creamy, delicious warm beverage made with anti-inflammatory superfoods like turmeric, maple syrup, and cannabis. Traditionally made with cannabis-infused coconut oil, alternatively, you can pack a tea ball with your leftover cannabis leaves from oil or butter and steep them directly into this delicious healing beverage. This option is good for using up the pulp from either oil infusions or alcohol extractions. 
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Cannabis Pumpkin Spice Latte

Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

4.95 from 19 votes
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 tea ball with the other dry ingredients and steep it in your finished drink.
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Zesty Cannabis-Infused Lemon Vinaigrette

Make Lemon Vinaigrette

4.67 from 6 votes
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.
View Recipe
Cannabis Strawberry Vinaigrette with Burrata Salad

Make Strawberry Vinaigrette

4.88 from 8 votes
The vinegar in this strawberry cannabis vinaigrette will act as a solvent to help remove the remaining cannabinoids from the plant.  I 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.
View Recipe
Homemade Cannabis Ranch Dressing

Make Ranch Dressing

4.93 from 13 votes
This delicious, tangy, creamy homemade cannabis ranch dressing comes with various cannabis infusion options to fit any taste and preference. I 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. This is also a great way to use just decarbed cannabis flower. 
View Recipe
Cannabis Pesto by Emily Kyle

Make Pesto

4.84 from 25 votes
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.
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A finished bowl of cannabis infused salsa

Make Salsa

4.84 from 6 votes
Spice up your Taco Tuesday with a tasty infused salsa made using leftover cannabis pulp. The leftover pulp mixes well into an already made salsa or our own personal favorite cannabis salsa recipe. I recommend mixing 2 tablespoons of leftover cannabis pulp per 1 cup of salsa for a delicious medicated salsa. Paired with your favorite tortilla chips, you'll have to be careful not to eat too much.
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A bowl filled with guacamole garnished with a cannabis leaf

Make Guacamole

5 from 5 votes
Just like with your medicated salsa, there are various ways to spice uo taco night, like 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, I recommend following our delicious cannabis guacamole recipe paired with your favorite tortilla chips and maybe even some infused salsa from above.
View Recipe

Other Ideas

Members of my Well With Cannabis Community are always sharing their best ideas for how to use leftover pulp. Here are a few of the most creative!

  • Spaghetti Sauce: It is already herbaceous, and the pulp’s flavor and texture blend well with the traditional Italian herbs used to make sauce. 
  • Homemade Chili: Chili made with leftover cannabis pulp will make this hearty wintertime comfort food everyone’s new favorite.
  • Cannabis Pulp Garlic Bread: 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!

Conclusion

There you have it, – the ultimate guide to not letting a single leaf of your precious plant go to waste.

Whether you’re a seasoned cannabis culinary expert or just dipping your toes into the world of cannabis-infused creations, I hope you’ve found something in this guide that sparks your interest.

Remember, it’s all about creativity, a bit of trial and error, and, most importantly, having fun in the process.

I’m always here to support your cannabis culinary adventures, so don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or share your own tips and tricks in the comments below.

Together, we’re building a community that celebrates every part of the cannabis plant, with sustainability and enjoyment at the heart of it all.

About Emily

Hi, I’m Emily Kyle and I teach people just like you how to use cannabis to find joy, enhance productivity, improve relationships, and naturally support your overall health and wellness.

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16 Comments

  1. I’m so glad you found the information useful, Jen 😊 It’s wonderful to know that we share the same values when it comes to reducing waste. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need further guidance!

  2. I melt chocolate and stir in the chopped up pulp with some coconut, dried cranberries, nuts, whatever I have. I also add the scraped of bits from the pan after making gummies. It makes a yummy chocolate bark!

  3. Belle, your chocolate bark recipe sounds absolutely delicious 🍫😊 Incorporating fruit pulp and scraped bits from the pan is such a creative and sustainable way to ensure nothing goes to waste. I can’t wait to give it a try myself. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. If you have any other ingenious recipes or tips, we’d love to hear them 🌟

  4. This info is so great! I love that I can use my left over pulp and not just put it into the compost bed. Thank you so much for this great video and the recipes.

  5. Cheryl, I am so thrilled to hear that you found the video and ideas helpful! 🥳 It’s always a joy to find new ways to use leftover pulp, isn’t it? I’m glad you’re making the most out of it. Thanks for being a part of our community!