Edible Recipes and Food Pairings

There are few things better than creative edibles and delicious food pairings. Snacks. Candies. Gourmet meals. Cannabis-infused food has created its own innovative culinary movement – much to the delight of canna-gastronomes everywhere. Keep reading to discover our favorite cannabis and food pairings!

Before We Begin…

First things first: cooking with medical marijuana isn’t quite like cooking or baking with other herbs. You don’t just mix it into edible recipes. You must decarb or activate the THC by heating it – usually in the oven. Otherwise, you won’t experience any effects!

1. Grind your cannabis using a grinder
2. Spread on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet
3. Bake for approximately 30 minutes at 250°F

You’ll also need cannabutter or infused oil. Most cannabis recipes use butter or oil because THC needs to bind to a fatty ingredient – coconut oil, olive oil, butter, etc. – to have an effect.

How to Make Cannabutter and Oil

1. Add 1 cup of oil to a saucepan or melt 1 cup of butter on low heat
2. Add ¼ oz. decarbed cannabis and stir
3. Simmer for 2 to 4 hours
4. Remove from heat and strain through a cheesecloth into a jar. It’s now ready to add to your edible recipes!

Creating Balanced Cannabis and Food Pairings

You wouldn’t pair just any wine with a dish, so why would you do the same with cannabis? Cannabis strains possess their own unique flavors because of their terpenes. Some are earthy and herbal. Some are citrusy or fruity. Pair foods and strains that complement or contrast one another for an exceptional culinary experience. Need help?

Citrusy Strains (Ex. Super Lemon Haze) – Go well with light, refreshing foods like salads or seafood.

Fruity Strains (Ex. Cherry Pie & Spritzer) – These pair nicely with desserts or spicy foods.

Earthy or Herbal Strains (Ex. Stardawg) – Complement these strains with edible recipes like creamy pastas or or even desserts.

The Best Canna-Guac

This instant classic is quick to make and a guaranteed palate-pleaser! Here’s what you’ll need:

• 4-5 Avocados
• 1 Lime
• 2 Tablespoons (1 oz.) Cannabis-infused Oil – Lemon Haze is excellent for this recipe
• 2 Garlic Cloves (more if you really love garlic!), minced
• ½ Small Red Onion, diced
• 1 Cup Tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

1. Start making this edible recipe by mashing the avocados in a medium mixing bowl
2. Stir in your onion, tomatoes, and minced garlic
3. Cut the lime and squeeze its juice into the bowl
4. Add spices and cannabis-infused oil
5. Stir until combined and add salt and pepper to taste
6. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and serve

Sweet Cannabis Caramels

Craving something sweet? Cannabutter makes cooking and baking sweet edible recipes easy. Try these cannabis caramels! They’re delicious on their own or with ice cream…

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Cannabutter
• 1 Cup Light Corn Syrup
• 1-14 oz. Can Condensed Milk
• 2 ½ Cups Brown Sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• Dash of Salt

Directions

1. Melt your cannabutter in a medium-sized pot on low heat
2. Add in the brown sugar and salt; stir until combined
3. Stir in the light corn syrup and condensed milk
4. Turn heat to medium and cook for 12-15 minutes until it reaches a gooey, thickened consistency
5. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract
6. Pour into a pan and let cool (if you can!) before cutting into small squares and eating!

Marijuana-Infused Balsamic Vinaigrette

Looking for simple cannabis and food pairings? No worries – not all edible recipes require standing over a stove and cooking like a professional chef. This vinaigrette is tasty and requires zero cooking!

Ingredients

• ½ Cup Cannabis-Infused Olive or Avocado Oil
• ¼ Cup Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Garlic Clove, minced
• 1 Shallot, minced
• 1 Tablespoon Honey
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except for salt and pepper in a glass jar with a tight lid
2. Shake until thoroughly combined
3. Remove the lid and season with salt and pepper to taste
4. Serve on salad or use it on your edible recipes – brushed on sandwiches, pasta salads, grilled vegetables, and more!

Crispy Cannabis Treats

Consider ideal cannabis and food pairings with this treat by choosing a sweeter strain in your cannabutter, like Gelato Cake.

Ingredients

• ½ Cup Cannabutter 
• ¼ Cup Butter
• 9 Cups Crispy Rice Cereal
• 2-10 oz. Bags of Mini Marshmallows
• ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Pinch of Salt

Directions

1. Lightly grease a 9” x 13” pan with (regular) butter or non-stick spray
2. Melt the cannabutter and butter in a large pot or saucepan on medium heat
3. Add marshmallows; stir until completely melted
4. Remove from heat and immediately stir in vanilla extract and salt
5. Fold in the crispy rice cereal 
6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. It will be sticky!
7. Press down with a spatula or spoon until secure
8. Let cool and firm before cutting

This edible recipe can be modified to suit your tastes by adding sprinkles, using chocolate crispy rice cereal, drizzling with chocolate, and more.

Experiment with Cannabis and Food Pairings with DNM

Looking for more delicious canna recipes? If you’re feeling confident in your cannabis culinary skills, you can add cannabutter/oil to any of your go-to recipes, including:

• Steak with Cannabutter Sauce
• Classic Brownies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chewy Gummy Candies
• Cannabis French Toast and Pancakes
• Popcorn
• Salad Dressings
• Anything you’d typically add butter to!

Ready to make your cannabis-infused creations? Pick up high-quality and tested cannabis flower from Dispensary Near Me and start cooking! If you don’t want to make these edible recipes, you can contact us for recommendations and order cannabis edibles online for pickup at DNM.

byFlo S.

Florence Sumaray grew up in the DC area and is passionate about creating dynamic marketing and communication for the cannabis community. As a key component of the Dispensary Near Me staff, Florence is dedicated to promoting their Washington, DC based licensed medical marijuana dispensary and top of the line products they carry. Her years of marketing experience, along with her incredible enthusiasm and energy, are of great value to our team. She enjoys brunching with friends, exploring festivals and museums, and writing food reviews about hidden gems in the city. Florence thrives on community engagement and spreading awareness about the medical benefits of cannabis.