Cooking With CBD – Best Recipes & Techniques

Famous chef Jose Andres once said: "I love to talk about cooking and recipes, but what I love even more is talking about how food and cooking can change the world." 

Cooking is an art, and there is something magical about creating a meal that can delight and nourish. The same could be said about cooking with CBD, as it adds a whole new level of depth to the process of creating something special.

Although it is easy to feel intimidated by new ingredients, let this blog explain how to use CBD in your cooking for the best results. We will also introduce some relevant and fun CBD recipes you can try in the future.

Beginner's Guide To CBD

Researchers have identified over 113 cannabinoids in cannabis plants, including CBD. "CBD" is an acronym for "cannabidiol:" i.e., a cannabinoid (chemical compound) found in the cannabis plant. This compound can help with stress and anxiety. It can also relieve pain and combat cancer. Additionally, CBD oil is thought to help boost the immune system, improve sleep, and reduce inflammation.

People can consume CBD by direct ingestion, topical creams, vaporizers, or in baked goods. Some even use CBD for their pets to help them cope with stressful events, like moving into a new house.

Check Out Fusion CBD Products

Hemp vs Marijuana

Hemp and marijuana are the only two types of cannabis plants. While marijuana contains high levels (>0.3 % by weight) of tetrahydrocannabinol, hemp contains less than 0.3% THC. Hemp plants usually produce higher amounts of CBD, providing multiple benefits without getting users "high."

Hemp-derived products are legal in most countries, while marijuana-derived products may be illegal in some states and countries. It is important to check the laws and regulations of each particular state before consuming CBD. 

Note that a drug test usually checks for the presence of THC in the body, so if you are using CBD products derived from hemp, it should not interfere with the results.

CBD & THC

You can find two major cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. The first, and perhaps the most popular, is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis. This compound is associated with the "high" sensation/feeling when marijuana is ingested or smoked. 

The second essential component is CBD, which isn't psychoactive and will not get you high.

How's CBD Oil Made?

CBD oil is distilled from the cannabis plant (mainly hemp) via alcohol. The alcohol solvent can also extract all other valuable cannabis components, such as bioflavonoids or amino acids.

Producers let the hemp leaves and flowers seep into the solvent, which evaporates afterward. It's the most natural and purest way to get botanicals and thus provides the best oil. The CBD oil is then tested and filtered to ensure it is free of contaminants and other toxic substances. The oil is later packaged and sold.

Benefits Of Using CBD Oil

Ancient cultures have cultivated and consumed Cannabis plants for medicinal, recreational, and practical purposes. Many civilizations were aware of the plant's soothing, therapeutic, and intoxicating effects ages ago.

Nowadays, hemp-derived CBD oil is legal, and for good reasons. Clinical research has shown us that CBD offers various benefits, including the potential to improve overall well-being.

Reduce Pain And Inflammation

CBD oil is thought to interact with receptors in the body that regulate pain and inflammation, allowing for pain relief and reduced inflammation. Athletes, in particular, may benefit from the use of CBD oil, as it can help reduce pain, inflammation, and other conditions that may be caused by intense physical activity.

Ease Anxiety 

CBD oil is believed to have anxiety-reducing effects due to its ability to interact with the body's serotonin receptors, which affect mood, emotions, and behavior. This could be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety, as it has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind.

Promote better sleep

CBD oil is known to have a calming effect on the body, which may help with relaxation and improved sleep quality. Additionally, research has shown that CBD can reduce the amount of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, in the body, which can further aid in achieving a good night's rest.

Reduce Nausea And Vomiting 

CBD oil is known to have anti-nausea and anti-vomiting properties due to its ability to interact with the body's serotonin receptors and its anti-inflammatory effects. This can provide relief to those suffering from nausea and vomiting, especially those caused by chemotherapy.

Reduce Seizures 

CBD oil has been shown to reduce seizures in people with epilepsy, which have an effect on the brain's electrical activity. Furthermore, CBD oil has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties that can reduce the severity of seizures.

Fight Cancer

CBD oil possesses anti-cancer properties due to its ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and reduce tumor size.

Improve heart health

CBD oil is thought to improve heart health by reducing blood pressure, protecting against artery blockage, and reducing inflammation in the body, all of which can help to improve overall heart health.

Reduce Acne 

CBD oil is believed to reduce acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, CBD oil is thought to reduce sebum production, which is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands that can lead to clogged pores and acne.

Reduce the risk of diabetes

Using CBD oil reduces the risk of diabetes by helping to regulate insulin levels and reduce inflammation in the body. Additionally, studies have shown that CBD can increase the body's sensitivity to insulin, allowing it to regulate blood sugar levels.

Neuroprotective Effects

CBD oil is known to have powerful antioxidant properties, which can help protect the brain from oxidative stress and free radical damage. Additionally, studies have shown that CBD oil can reduce inflammation in the brain, which can protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Cooking With CBD Oil

Yes, you can cook with CBD oil, but with caution. In addition to the potential benefits, CBD oil can improve your cuisine. Not only can users take advantage of CBD in health and beauty products, but they can also use this substance in the culinary arts. The taste of CBD oil is quite earthy and nutty. It will add an interesting flavor to your dishes, so it's important to use it sparingly and consider how it will affect the overall flavor of your meal.

Nowadays, people are beginning to use CBD oil instead of olive oil. The former also contains the beneficial omega fats found in olive oil. Remember CBD oil isn't frying oil. So, excessive heat can make CBD lose its potency. Therefore, it's not a good idea to pour it into the pan on high heat and add your favorite ingredient later.

Combining CBD oils with fat is the best way to cook with it. Cannabinoids bind well with oil-based ingredients. This explains why it's best to cook with CBD oil by mixing it with coconut oil and butter.

CBD oil is incredibly versatile as you can try baking it with CBD butter or adding it to healthy vegan meals. But if you insist on using CBD oil as cooking oil, you can fry your food with hemp seed oil instead. This oil has traces of CBD and is suitable for cooking.

How To Use CBD Oil In Your Food

Nowadays, CBD oil is replacing olive oil as a popular alternative. CBD also contains the beneficial omega fats found in olive oil. Remember, CBD oil isn't frying oil. So, excessive heat can make CBD lose its potency. Therefore, it's not a good idea to pour it into a pan on high heat and add your favorite ingredients later.

Combining CBD oils with fat is the best way to cook with them. Cannabinoids bind well to oil-based ingredients. This explains why CBD oil is best cooked by mixing it with coconut oil and butter.

CBD oil is incredibly versatile as you can try baking it with CBD butter or adding it to healthy vegan meals. But if you insist on using CBD oil as a cooking oil, you can fry your food in hemp seed oil instead. This oil has CBD traces and is suitable for cooking.

Taking Your Food To The Next Level

CBD provides many benefits on its own, but they can be amplified or made more efficient when you add CBD to your favorite dish. The vegetables, herbs, and spices used in these dishes already have therapeutic effects, and hemp-derived CBD can enhance their effects.

Plus, meals rich in fat allow the body to absorb CBD better. This is because CBD is insoluble in water but highly lipophilic, meaning you can infuse oils with CBD.

A recent study showed that epileptic patients who ate rich-fat food before taking CBD metabolized it faster than those who didn't. This conclusion is critical, demonstrating that fatty ingredients can bring CBD's effects into play most efficiently.

Motivations For Cooking With CBD Oil

CBD provides many benefits on its own, but they can be amplified or made more efficient when you add CBD to your favorite dish. The vegetables, herbs, and spices used in dishes already have therapeutic effects, and hemp-derived CBD can work with them.

Plus, meals rich in fat allow the body to absorb CBD better. This is because CBD is insoluble in water, but it's highly lipophilic, meaning you can infuse oils with CBD.

A recent study showed that epileptic patients who ate a rich-fat food before taking CBD could metabolize it more quickly than those who fasted. This conclusion is critical, demonstrating that fatty ingredients can bring CBD's effects into play most efficiently.

How Does CBD Oil Taste?

CBD oil has a distinct and organic flavor since it's derived from hemp. However, the taste can vary depending on the oil extraction method. The flavor stems from the plant's volatile terpene profile.

Those who taste CBD oil may find it a bit strange initially because it's an acquired taste. However, the flavor can improve your meal's overall taste.

Many don't like hemp's earthy taste, and CBD is no exception. If you add CBD to your dishes, you better know that it can leave a strong taste. 

To get the most out of your CBD cooking adventures, explore and experiment with different CBD products and cuisines. You can start by adding small amounts of CBD oil to your dishes to get a feel for its taste and effects. 

Additionally, you can try different recipes from around the world to see which ones you like best. Moreover, you can also consider adding CBD oil to your smoothies and shakes or using it to make your own homemade CBD-infused snacks. With a bit of creativity and a willingness to experiment, you can take your cooking with CBD to the next level.

What's The Best CBD Oil For Cooking?

When choosing CBD oil for cooking, the best options are broad-spectrum organic products. Broad-spectrum CBD products use all of the beneficial components of the hemp plant. These components include CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, healthy fats, and more.

And the term "organic" is self-explanatory, meaning plants are grown without pesticides. After all, you don't want nasty chemicals in your CBD oil or food, do you? Once you find an oil that's both broad-spectrum and organic, the rest is simply about finding a reputable brand you can trust.

After finding the highest quality oil, the next step is mixing it with fatty or oily food, which makes it easier to consume (for ingestion).

Essential Tips For Cooking With CBD Oil

Here are some essential tips and tricks to ensure you're utilizing CBD oil effectively. When cooking with CBD oil, pay attention to the following factors:

Make It Fun

Experiment and enjoy. Cooking with CBD oil isn't that hard. You can add CBD oil to multiple recipes, so be adventurous and let your inner chef shine!

Oil Quality

Use high-quality CBD oil. We recommend products made with THC-free products like CBD isolates sourced from natural, non-GMO, and organically farmed hemp plants grown on vetted farms.

Mind The Temperature

Don't expose CBD oil to high temperatures. Incorporate it into your recipe without frying it. CBD loses effectiveness when exposed to temperatures above 143°C (290°F). Direct heat can also change CBD oil's composition, losing its best properties.

That said, avoid exposing CBD to direct flame and light if you want to maintain its integrity. Exposing CBD oil to too much heat can break down its phytonutrients, like terpene, making it lose most of its benefits.

Bioavailability

CBD oil has higher bioavailability when taken with fatty ingredients. Even if you use coconut-derived MCT oil in your CBD mixture, it'd be better if you didn't skimp out on the highest-quality fats in your CBD recipes. You can opt for healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or grass-fed butter.

Mind The Serving size

Be careful about serving sizes. How much CBD oil you add to each recipe is a key factor in how the food turns out. The amount of CBD oil you add to a recipe depends on the strength of the oil, the type of dish you are making, and the desired potency of the finished dish. Start with a low dose and gradually increase the amount until you reach the desired potency.

Counsel Your Doctor

Speak with CBD experts. Consult a nutrition specialist or an eligible CBD expert before incorporating it into your dishes.

Be Patient With The Effects

When you infuse CBD oil in food, a phenomenon comes into play called the "first-pass effect." This means that anything digestible should pass through your liver and gut first before entering your bloodstream. Therefore, taking CBD in food will not be as quick-acting and visible as other consumption methods. However, it lasts longer than other CBD types and offers a premeasured dose in each serving.

A Little Goes A Long Way

People use CBD to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and relieve pain. Whatever your need is, observe the effects and gradually increase the dosage until you feel it's working. Remember that everyone responds to CBD oil differently. If you don't know the correct dose for you, you can start with 10 -15 mg/day during your first week of CBD consumption. 

If you don't feel the effects you desire, slowly increase the dosage. This way, you'll also avoid overusing the pricey CBD product and save money while working out the perfect dose for you.

Eat On A Schedule

If you have your CBD-infused meals on a set schedule, you will enjoy the benefits better. If you have difficulty sleeping, try using it as a snack before you go to bed. And if you experience pain or discomfort that routinely flares up in the evening, add CBD oil to your dish at lunch.

Knowing when you wish to reap CBD benefits can help you plan when to incorporate it into a meal. Mixing CBD with your morning coffee is another method of integrating CBD into your daily routine.

How To Properly Store CBD Oil 

It is important not to overlook the importance of storing CBD oil correctly. Your CBD oil probably came in an amber or blue bottle. They use these bottles because exposure to light can cause cannabis compounds. 

In other words, your oil won't be as effective if you leave it sitting in the light. Store your CBD bottle in a dark, cool, dry place like the pantry.

Furthermore, it'd be wise to place the CBD oil container away from moisture. Storing your oil in a refrigerator is also a good idea to prolong its shelf life.

A Compilation Of Best Recipes & Techniques

Sadly, one blog post can never be enough for introducing the best CBD recipes. So, we mentioned some general information about the recipes and provided you with their links. 

Guacamole with CBD

Guacamole comes from Mexico and is one of the world's most popular dips. The main ingredient, avocado, is filled with healthy fatty components, making it a perfect base for CBD oil. You can enjoy this gourmet snack– with a remarkably beneficial effect thanks to its CBD ingredient– in a friendly atmosphere. The prep time is from 15 to 20 minutes.

CBD-Infused Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

There are good reasons why chocolate chip cookies are always good options to make with CBD oil. For example, the sweetness of the sugar and the taste of chocolate can mask the unpleasant taste of CBD oil. Moreover, the butter will help the body absorb CBD much faster.

Cocoa is high in magnesium and a healthy source of fat. It can help ease muscle tension. Furthermore, cocoa can synergically work with CBD. When combined with the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, cocoa can relieve cramps and other muscle pains.

CBD Citrus Kale Salad

Whether you want to make this salad for your dinner later or for lunch the next day, you won't regret it. Moreover, it's easy to make and takes less than 15 minutes. BTW, CBD oil is an entirely different thing than hemp oil. So, be careful!

Strawberry CBD Smoothie

This super-easy CBD smoothie is made entirely of plant-based ingredients. Before blending, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt to give this smoothie some kick.

CBD Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

This recipe incorporates grain-free flour, and thus all ingredients are gluten-free. You can also use CBD-infused coconut oil instead of CBD oil in making this dessert.

Lemon, Garlic & CBD Salad Dressing

Preparing a CBD-infused dressing is one of the most efficient no-heat recipes. If you're in a pinch, you can add a few drops of CBD oil to a basic vinaigrette or a pre-made salad dressing.

CBD Pesto Pasta With Spicy Shrimp

The meal is replete with healthy unsaturated fatty ingredients, complex carbohydrates, high-quality proteins, and a pesto packed with CBD. You can enjoy seafood and pasta together with this recipe.

CBD-Infused Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potato is the primary ingredient of a quintessential dish for many people. Incorporating CBD isolate with this traditional recipe is a helpful and straightforward way to develop new CBD meals.

CBD-Infused Chocolate Latte

It's tempting to brew another cup of coffee when you yawn in the afternoon. But too much caffeine can make you jittery, and you'll end up having trouble staying focused. You could trade that coffee for a CBD-infused chocolate latte.

CBD Pizza

Pizza contains various ingredients that can mask or complement the taste of CBD oil. Furthermore, it has plenty of oils to help with CBD's bioavailability. This recipe uses fresh, healthy, and natural ingredients.

Where To Buy CBD Oil

CBD oil is popping up everywhere, and it's essential to do your research to find a quality CBD product. Note that the Food and Drug Administration– responsible for protecting public health– doesn't regulate CBD since it's sold as a supplement.

We recommend organic varieties of CBD oil. When buying a CBD product, you should carefully consider the following factors:

• Raw material
• Extraction methods
• Additional ingredients
• Lab testing

Ultimately, independent third-party lab testing is the most critical factor. It proves that what they claim to be in the product is really in it. Fusion CBD products are a great way to enjoy the natural benefits of CBD. Their products are made with organic ingredients, extracted using safe and effective methods, and tested for purity and potency by independent third-party labs. With Fusion CBD, you can feel confident that you are getting a high-quality product.

CBD Oil Prices

Choosing the best product for your needs from so many CBD dispensaries might become overwhelming. CBD oil's quality, price, and potency are three essential factors you should consider before purchasing.

Typically, CBD oils contain between 5-10% CBD. The higher the CBD content, the more expensive it becomes. But with CBD oils richer in cannabidiol, you'll need fewer drops to get the same effects.

If you're a beginner, you can choose either of the products and take the lowest recommended dosage to get the best outcomes. After that, increase the dosage gradually and incrementally over time if you need to.

Get In Touch

We hope this blog article can help you better experiment with your homemade CBD-infused dishes. However, if you're seeking more recipes, check out all of our recipes!

FAQ 

What type of CBD oil should I use for cooking?

When cooking with CBD oil, it's important to select an oil that has been extracted without the use of harsh chemicals. The best options are typically those that use CO2 or ethanol extraction methods. These methods tend to preserve the natural cannabinoids and terpenes present in the oil, allowing for maximum health benefits. Additionally, you should look for an oil that has been independently tested for purity and potency by a third-party lab. This ensures that you know exactly what is in the oil and can verify the concentration of CBD.

Is it safe to cook with CBD oil?

Yes, it is generally safe to cook with CBD oil. However, it is important to remember that CBD oil is not suitable for high-temperature cooking, as this can degrade the cannabinoids and terpenes present in the oil. Therefore, it is best to use CBD oil in recipes that require low to medium-heat cooking or to add the oil to food after it has been cooked. Additionally, it is important to remember that CBD oil is not a substitute for regular cooking oil and should not be used as a cooking oil on its own.

How long do the effects of CBD oil last?

The effects of CBD oil can last for several hours, depending on the dosage, the form of CBD taken, the user's metabolism, and other factors. Generally, the effects of CBD oil are typically felt within 15-30 minutes and can last up to 4-6 hours.