Whether you’re new to CBD or you just want to shake things up when it comes to getting your daily dose, you’re in the right place. Here, we’re talking about cooking with CBD oil – everything you need to know about baking and cooking with tinctures and oils, and creating delicious dishes infused with your ideal dosage.
What Kind of CBD Oil Should I Be Using for My Cooking?
One of the best things about cooking with CBD oil is the freedom. You can use any kind of CBD oil that you like! However, we recommend using the highest quality oil that you can get your hands on. The CBD industry is still largely unregulated, and so, opting for cheaper oils may mean you’re not getting the cannabinoids that you want.
We suggest purchasing oils and tinctures from reliable sources, brands that supply you with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). This COA basically acts as a stamp of authenticity. It’s a report that shows the product has been tested by a third-party lab. It will show you the list of cannabinoids present in the product, along with the potency of each. Therefore, you know you’re getting exactly what is advertised.
Once you have found a reputable retailer, you’ll need to choose an oil. Unflavoured CBD oil will have a distinctive natural taste – it is slightly bitter and very earthy. However, don’t let this turn you off!
You can still use it in your cooking if you’re preparing a meal with other strong flavours. For example, a dish with lots of garlic or spices will mute the natural flavours of hemp oil.
Alternatively, you can opt for a flavoured tincture when cooking with CBD oil. Tinctures come in many flavours, you’ll just need to make sure you choose one that will complement the dish you’re making. Don’t worry too much about this though, if you’re only using a couple of drops, the flavour won’t be overpowering and should blend with the other ingredients in your dish.
You should also check the CBD oil to make sure it’s the right dosage for you and your needs. If you’re new to cooking with CBD oil, you should opt for lower strength and work your way up over a couple of weeks, until you see the results you want.
Unlock the Refreshing World of CBD Drinks: Dive In and Discover Their Incredible Benefits!
Featured Products
CBD Tincture Mixed Berry 10ml
CBD Oil Tincture Peppermint 10 ml
CBD Capsules Vs CBD Oil – Which One Should You Choose?
How Much CBD Oil Should I Use?
That leads us nicely onto the topic of how much oil should you use when cooking with CBD oil. This will really depend on your usual dosage. If you’ve been taking CBD for a while, you’ll know that finding your ideal dosage can be a long process of trial and error. We suggest sticking to the amount that you’re used to taking when you’re adding it to your food.
If you’re cooking for yourself, and you’re making one single-serving meal, you can simply add in your normal single dosage. However, if you’re batch cooking and you’re preparing a meal that will provide 4 servings, you can multiply your usual dosage by four to make sure there is one serving of CBD per portion of food. Just make sure that you don’t go back for seconds!
As we mentioned, you should take it slow if you’re new to CBD. Start off with a lower dosage and gradually increase it over the course of a couple of weeks. This will give you time to adjust to the new addition to your diet.
If you’re unsure about how much you should take, you can always talk to your doctor. Your ideal dosage will depend on your body type, metabolism, body chemistry and the results that you hope to achieve. Therefore, it will greatly differ from person to person. Speaking to a medical professional will provide you with more accurate information for you, your lifestyle, and your needs.
Also, take a look at: CBD Dosage – How Much CBD Should I Take
What Can You Cook With CBD Oil?
As we said, one of our favourite parts of cooking with CBD is the freedom. You can add it to practically any dish. CBD is a fat-soluble substance, like many vitamins. Therefore, it won’t dissolve in water but it will dissolve in a fat like oil or butter. Similarly, it will dissolve in a fatty substance like milk. This isn’t a drawback though, we tend to use oil or butter in most of our cooking anyway!
It is worth noting that heat will impact the effectiveness of CBD. We suggest avoiding exposing your CBD oil to high heats, to get the most out of your oils. For instance, instead of sauteing vegetables in CBD oil and olive oil, we recommend adding a couple of drops of CBD after the veg has been removed from the heat. This will protect the CBD oil, meaning you get the full benefits.
Alternatively, you can create a sauce or dressing using CBD oil, thus not exposing it to any heat. Many salad dressings are made with a base of olive oil or sesame oil. You can simply add in a few drops of CBD oil when you’re combining the ingredients together.
Personally, we like the jar method for making salad dressings. Grab a clean jar with a lid and add in your dressing ingredients along with your CBD oil. Screw the jar on tightly and get shaking. This vigorous shaking will cause the ingredients to emulsify. Then you can store the leftover dressing in the jar, in the fridge for up to a week.
Whilst adding CBD oil to drink can be tricky unless you opt for a water-soluble CBD product, you can add tinctures to thicker drinks. For instance, you can pop a couple of drops into your morning smoothie or your lunchtime cup of soup. Because the liquid is thicker, and usually contains a fatty substance like butter or milk, the CBD oil shouldn’t separate and rise to the top.
Here are some of our favourite CBD-infused recipes:
- Hearty winter soups with root vegetables, lentils, and grains
- Spaghetti with chestnut mushrooms and a creamy CBD-infused sauce
- Nut roast with all the trimmings, and CBD-infused honey roasted carrot and parsnip
- Summer salads with CBD-infused salad dressings
Unlock the secrets of CBD’s journey within you. Dive deeper into the question: How long does CBD stay in your system? Discover now!
How to Use CBD in Baking?
You might be wondering how to use CBD in baking without ruining the oil with too much heat. Don’t worry, we have some tips for you!
The vast majority of pastries, cakes and biscuits will have butter or oil in them. So, you can simply add in your CBD oil when you’re adding the butter or oil to the mixture. That way, it won’t change the texture or consistency of your bake. Generally speaking, CBD oil should be okay if it’s baked at under 180° C, in a cake or pastry. Luckily, the majority of baked goods go into the oven as well below 180° C so you’re good to go!
Alternatively, when cooking with CBD oil, you don’t have to add to the cake or pastry part of the dish. If you’re baking a pastry, you can add a couple of drops of CBD tincture into the filling. Or, you can add it into buttercream frosting, which you can use to decorate. Infusing CBD oil into a sauce or syrup is another way you can use CBD in baking. For example, you can make an infused salted caramel sauce that you could drizzle over the top of your brownies – viola!
Some of our favourite CBD-infused desserts include:
- Classic CBD-infused brownies with a salted caramel twist
- Double chocolate CBD cookies
- Profiteroles fitted with CBD-infused cream
How to Start Cooking With CBD Oil: Our Top Tips
When you’re baking or cooking CBD oil, go for recipes that have fat or oil in them. Adding CBD oil into a dish that doesn’t have any oil in it already could affect the texture and consistency, leaving you with an oily mouthfeel. By choosing a recipe that already has oil in it, you won’t be changing the texture of the dish by adding a couple more drops of oil.
Using a recipe that has fat, butter, or oil in it will also help boost bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to how well your body absorbs CBD. As we know, CBD, like most cannabinoids, are fat-soluble. Therefore, pairing them with a fatty substance, in your cooking or baking, will help your body absorb the substance better. This means you get the most out of your CBD oil.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you’re searching for CBD-infused recipes online, you might be faced with tonnes of complicated recipes that professional chefs would struggle with. But one of the best things about cooking with CBD oil is how fun it is.
If you’re not going to be giving Gordon Ramsey a run for his money any time soon, stick to the basics. This will help you build your skills and confidence. Over time you can get a bit more adventurous in the kitchen. For starters, why not try our delicious CBD tea recipes!
When it comes to cooking with CBD oil, you don’t necessarily need to cook anything. There are loads of no-bake options where you can add CBD oil into healthy protein balls, smoothie bowls, or even ice cream! Let your creative juices flow and think outside of the box!
Storing CBD Oil Correctly
If you have already purchased your CBD oil, you might have noticed that the bottle is tinted brown or blue. This is because CBD is sensitive to light, just like it is with heat. Exposure to heat or light can denature the CBD molecules, making it less effective.
If you’re cooking with CBD, we suggest storing the bottle in a dark, dry, and cool cupboard. When you’re finished cooking, make sure the lid is on firmly to make sure your CBD oil stays fresher for longer.
CBD oils and tinctures tend to last for a year or two. However, this will depend on the ingredients. You should always check the label on your products to make sure they’re in date and stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Conclusion
Cooking with CBD oil is a wonderful way of getting your daily dose into your diet, whilst having a little fun. One of the best things about cannabis cooking is how easy it is. You can add a couple of drops of your favourite tincture into any dish where you would normally add butter or oil.
Baking with CBD oil is just as easy as most baking recipes call for fat or butter at some point. You can add in your daily dose without having to worry about changing the consistency of your cake batter.
Alternatively, you can add Mixed Berry Tincture into buttercream icing to provide a subtle flavour when you’re decorating your cupcakes. You can even get a little creative by infusing syrups to drizzle over desserts or add into your morning flat white. The options are endless!
You may also like to read: Canndid’s Gift Guide for 2021’s Holiday Season
About author
