Believe it or not, people have been cooking with cannabis as far back as the 10th century. A drink made in India called “bhang” was and still is, a popular drink made with pulverized weed, clarified butter, milk, and a mixture of spices. It was used for many things like a cure for insomnia and an appetite enhancer. Sounds a lot like what we use weed for today.
But although the uses may be similar, the cannabis culinary landscape has completely transformed from its humble beginnings. As the stigma around cannabis slowly begins to shift, chefs feel more empowered to come out of the shadows and use their skills in the world of weed—and we’re ravenous for at-home recipes that we can create at home.
Whether you’re an aspiring cannachef, want to impress your friends with a weed-infused dinner party, or simply want to learn more about cooking with weed, check out our Top 10 Cannabis Cookbooks to get you started on your way.
The Art of Weed Butter by Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey
If you want to cook with cannabis, it all starts with cannabutter. While you can, of course, infuse THC into your kitchen using other methods, nearly every cannachef under the sun starts here. The reason being, butter is the perfect carrier for THC and can easily be used in an array of recipes, like classic pot brownies or a simple brown butter sauce to coat your pasta.
Once you master “The Art of Weed Butter”, you can move on to more complicated techniques or apply what you’ve learned to make your own cannabis-infused coconut oil or olive oil. This step-by-step cookbook will teach all of the tricks of the trade so that you can become a cannabutter expert in no time.
The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook
Now that you’ve whet your appetite with the basics, it’s time to move on to actually cooking some of your favorite dishes. This beginner-friendly cookbook, courtesy of the High Times editors, is a simple collection of over 50 irresistible recipes that range from Sativa Shrimp Springrolls to Pineapple Express Upside Down Cake. It’s the perfect place to start your cannabis culinary journey.
Bong Appetit
Based on the groundbreaking Munchies and Viceland television series Bong Appétit, this cannabis cookbook features an array of high-end recipes for sweet and savory dishes and even a handful of cocktails.
Bong Appétit is the cannabis cooking Bible for a new generation of chefs interested in making serious, sophisticated food with our favorite herb. This approachable cookbook breaks down the science of at-home cannabis infusions (oils, butters, milks, alcohol, and more), and provides easy-to-follow recipes ranging from cannabutter-basted chicken to weed chimichurri to weed-infused brownie sundaes.
Cannabis Cuisine by Andrea Drummer
Chef Andrea Drummer is a legend in the cannabis scene. She’s been doing high-end cannabis dinners with her company, Elevation VIP, long before it was cool. Now, she’s sharing her knowledge with us in this luxurious cookbook.
Unlike many cookbooks that are all about getting high and catering to our munchies, this book takes a much classier approach. Instead, Chef Drummer aims to teach us about how to use cannabis as a medicinal herb in your cooking. She shows us how to perfectly pair the buds with your meal (like a fine wine), how to properly dose your edibles, and how to elevate every meal to a new level of lit. Pinkies up, friends.
High Tea by Diana Isaiou
Now for the fun part you’ve all been waiting for—dessert. But we’re not just talking about your Grandma’s pot brownies. We’re talking regal and luscious desserts fit for teatime. To paint you a clearer picture, some of the recipes included in this book are Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies, S’mokey S’Mores Bars, Proper Scones, and show-stopping creations like a THC-infused Banana Toffee Cake.
This book also explains the basics of making herb butters, oils, and other essential cannabinoid baking basics. Best of all, the THC in each of these desserts can be pumped up, dialed down, or removed completely, depending on your desired potency
Edibles by Stephanie Hua and Coreen Carroll
The aptly named Edibles focuses on low-dose, bite-sized treats for the modern cannabis kitchen. With both sweet and savory recipes in its pages, this cookbook is great for anyone looking to entertain. Learn the basics of cannabis cooking with a touch of flair in this fun-sized cannabis cookbook.
Baked Italian by Yzabetta Sativa
Few things are more comforting than a classic Italian meal—with cannabis, of course. In the latest edition in the Baked series of high-end marijuana cookbooks, Baked Italian features over 50 savory gourmet meals for canna-curious chefs with discerning palates.
This is the marijuana cookbook is for the celebrity chef generation, complete with step-by-step directions that enable even the timidest of cooks to create a variety of mouthwatering meals, including every course in a traditional Italian meal: Aperitivo, Antipasto, Primo, Secondo, Contorno, Dolce, Caffee and Digestivo. Sounds like a dinner party just waiting to happen.
The Vegan Stoner Cookbook by Sarah Conrique
We couldn’t leave our vegan friends out of this list. Crafted with stoners in mind, this collection of cannabis-infused recipes makes vegan cooking simple. Each page is highly illustrated to prove that going vegan can be fun, affordable, and easy.
With an irreverent attitude, this take on veganism proves that beginners and professionals alike can whip together delicious, filling meals with just a few ingredients, a little effort, and a few spare minutes. Their foolproof recipes for every meal and munchie craving include Mean Green Smoothies, Aspara-Guy Sushi, Bahnwiches, Animal Cookies, Churro Chips, and more. Going vegan doesn’t sound so bad now does it?
The Ultimate CBD Cookbook by Eric Provencio
To round out our list of top cannabis cookbooks, we wanted to focus on something for all you CBD lovers out there. Similar to many of the THC-friendly cookbooks above, you’ll find recipes for both sweet and savory recipes and even a few for our furry friends.
If you have an anxious dog or cat, CBD may be able to help ease their woes. This book includes a handful of recipes so they can chill out alongside their owner.
Cannabis Drinks by Jamie Evans
Perhaps better known as the Herb Somm, Jamie Evans shares her insider tips to creating both CBD and THC-infused drinks at home. If you want to learn everything you need to know about making your own cannabis beverages, this book will get you started on your journey with infused mixology.
Offering recipes and for anyone that wants to sip on soothing CBD or those who wish to infuse with psychoactive THC, you can choose the path that fits you best. In addition to craft cocktails, you’ll discover tantalizing recipes for other beverages like coffee, tea, smoothies, and juices. Cheers to cannabis!
The Final Step
Nearly every recipe in all of these cookbooks begins with the best buds—and JARS is here for all of your flower needs. Whether you’re a professional cannabis chef looking to stock your kitchen or just trying to get lit, we have what you need.
