For many of us, a daily wellness routine is about finding small, enjoyable moments of self-care. It’s a quiet cup of tea, a mindful stretching session, or a few deep breaths before a busy day. In this search for balance, a growing number of people are turning to natural, plant-based supplements. One of the most creative and enjoyable ways to incorporate these into your life is by cooking with them.
While you can find plenty of pre-made edibles, making your own at home is a surprisingly simple and empowering process. The key is to start with a high-quality, versatile ingredient, like a premium CBD oil, and to follow a few crucial rules. By making your own CBD-infused creations, you have complete control over the ingredients, the flavor, and, most importantly, the dosage, allowing you to perfectly tailor the experience to your own needs.
If you’re ready to bring the benefits of CBD into your kitchen, here is a guide to doing it safely and effectively.
Respect the Heat
This is the most important rule of the kitchen when it comes to CBD. Cannabinoids and the beneficial terpenes found in a full-spectrum CBD oil are delicate compounds. Exposing them to direct, high heat—like in a sizzling frying pan or during a high-temperature bake—can cause them to degrade and evaporate. This not only reduces the oil’s effectiveness but can also give your food a bitter, unpleasant taste.
To preserve the full benefits, think of your CBD oil as a finishing oil, not a cooking oil.
- Whisk it into a salad dressing after all the other ingredients are combined.
- Stir it into a soup, a curry, or a pasta sauce after you’ve taken the pot off the stove and it has cooled slightly.
- Blend it into a smoothie or a post-workout protein shake.
- Mix it into the frosting for a batch of cookies after they have cooled completely.
Fat is Your Friend
CBD is a fat-soluble (or “lipophilic“) compound. This means that for your body to absorb it most effectively, it needs to be paired with a source of dietary fat. The fat acts as a “carrier,” helping to transport the CBD through your digestive system and into your bloodstream.
This is why CBD oil is always sold in a carrier oil, like MCT or hemp seed oil. To maximize the effectiveness of your homemade edibles, make sure the recipe you are adding the CBD to contains a healthy source of fat.
Good carrier fats include olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, butter, and full-fat yogurt. A perfect example is a classic vinaigrette, which is an ideal, fat-rich base for your CBD oil.
Master the Math for Accurate Dosing
When you ingest CBD in an edible, it is processed by your body differently than when you take it under your tongue. It can take much longer to feel the effects (often 60 to 90 minutes or more), and those effects can be more pronounced and last for much longer. Because of this, it is absolutely essential to be precise and patient with your dosing.
Always calculate the total milligrams (mg) of CBD per serving in your recipe. For example, if you add one full dropper (1 mL) of a CBD oil that has 25mg of CBD per mL to a batch of salad dressing that makes 5 servings, then each serving will contain 5mg of CBD (25mg ÷ 5 servings = 5mg/serving).
If you are new to edibles, always start low and go slow. A 5mg dose is a great starting point. Wait at least two full hours before even considering having another serving.
A Simple Recipe to Get You Started
One of the easiest ways to start cooking with CBD is with a simple, no-heat recipe like a salad dressing.
Calming Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Your desired dose of a high-quality CBD oil
- Salt, pepper, and your favorite fresh herbs (like dill or parsley), finely chopped
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except the CBD oil in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until the dressing is completely emulsified. Then, add your CBD oil and shake again to incorporate.
Cooking with CBD is a fun and creative way to make it a seamless part of your wellness routine. By following these simple rules, you can confidently create delicious homemade edibles that are both safe and effective.