AVB Cannabutter Recipe
Make potent cannabutter from your already vaped bud. No decarboxylation step required — the vaporizer already did it. This recipe extracts the remaining THC cleanly into butter for use in any edible.
Prep
10 min
Cook
3 hrs
Yield
1 cup butter
Rating
4.7★ (58)
Ingredients
- 5–15g already vaped bud (amount depends on potency goal — see dosing chart)
- 227g (1 cup / 2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 240ml (1 cup) water
- 1 tsp sunflower lecithin (optional but recommended)
Dosing Chart
Estimated potency per tablespoon (14g) of finished butter. Based on 85% infusion efficiency. Use the BatchCraft calculator for your exact batch.
| AVB Input | Yield | mg / tbsp |
|---|---|---|
| 5g blonde (7%) | 227g butter | ~21 mg |
| 7g light brown (5%) | 227g butter | ~20 mg |
| 10g medium brown (3%) | 227g butter | ~17 mg |
| 15g dark brown (1.5%) | 227g butter | ~13 mg |
| 20g dark/black (0.5%) | 227g butter | ~6 mg |
Instructions
💧 Optional: Water cure
Soak AVB in cold water 24–48 hrs, changing water 3–5× until clear. Dry at 200°F (93°C) for 20 min. Removes harsh taste compounds without removing THC.
🧈 Combine butter + water
Melt 227g unsalted butter with 240ml water in a saucepan on the lowest heat. Never skip the water — it prevents scorching.
🌿 Add AVB (+ lecithin)
Stir in your measured AVB and 1 tsp sunflower lecithin if using. Lecithin acts as an emulsifier and noticeably improves potency.
⏱️ Simmer 2.5–3 hours
Keep heat very low — 160–180°F (71–82°C). Stir every 20–30 min. No aggressive boiling. More time = better extraction but diminishing returns after 3 hrs.
🧺 Strain through cheesecloth
Pour through cheesecloth-lined strainer into a bowl. Let it drip fully. Gentle squeeze — don't force plant matter through.
❄️ Chill and separate
Refrigerate 2+ hours. Butter solidifies on top, water below. Lift out the butter disk, discard water, pat dry.
🧮 Calculate and label
Weigh finished butter. Use BatchCraft to confirm mg/tbsp from your starting AVB. Label with potency and date.
Pro Tips
- →Use a thermometer — the single biggest improvement. Keep butter at 160–175°F.
- →More AVB doesn't always mean stronger. There's an extraction ceiling; quality of material matters more.
- →Sunflower lecithin is worth it — 15–20% higher bioavailability in most reports.
- →Store individual tablespoon portions in an ice cube tray for consistent dosing.
- →AVB butter tends to taste earthier than flower butter. Use in strongly flavoured recipes (chocolate, peanut butter) or do a water cure first.
Calculate Your AVB Batch Precisely
Enter your AVB colour, amount, and target portion count — BatchCraft tells you exactly how many mg per tablespoon you'll get.
Open AVB Calculator →FAQs
How much AVB do I need for cannabutter?
For medium brown AVB (2–4% THC), use 7–10g per cup (227g) of butter for moderate-strength edibles at 10mg per tablespoon. For lighter AVB (blonde, 6–9%), 5–7g may be sufficient. Use the BatchCraft calculator to calculate exact amounts for your batch.
Does AVB butter need decarbing?
No. AVB is already decarboxylated by the vaporizer heat. You can go straight to the infusion step. This is one of the main advantages of cooking with AVB versus fresh cannabis flower.
Why add water when making AVB butter?
Adding water stabilizes the temperature and prevents the butter from burning. It also helps extract and separate some of the water-soluble compounds (including some that cause harsh taste). The water and butter separate naturally when chilled, so it's easy to remove.
How long does AVB butter last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, AVB butter lasts 3–4 weeks. In the freezer it keeps for 6 months. Label with the date and estimated potency to avoid confusion.