Danksgiving 2021: A Guide to Cooking with Cannabis
Share
Thanksgiving is all about gathering with friends, family, and plenty of incredible food. For cannabis enthusiasts, there's another holiday worth celebrating alongside it: Danksgiving.
Danksgiving is exactly what it sounds like—a cannabis-inspired take on the traditional Thanksgiving feast. From infused side dishes to medicated desserts and beverages, it's an opportunity to combine great food with your favorite plant and create a memorable holiday experience.
Whether you're hosting a cannabis-friendly gathering or simply looking to experiment in the kitchen, these recipes can help you put a unique twist on your Thanksgiving menu.
Important: Cannabis-infused foods can take time to take effect. Start with a low dose, label infused dishes clearly, and ensure all guests understand what they're consuming.
The Foundation of Every Danksgiving: Cannabutter
Cannabutter is one of the easiest and most versatile cannabis infusions you can make. Once prepared, it can be substituted for regular butter in countless recipes.
You'll Need
- Large saucepan
- Spoon
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Storage container
Ingredients
- 4 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 ounce decarboxylated cannabis
Instructions
- Grind your decarboxylated cannabis.
- Melt the butter over low heat.
- Slowly stir in the cannabis.
- Simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat.
- Strain through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a storage container.
- Allow to cool before refrigerating.
Your cannabutter is now ready to use in your favorite recipes.
Cannabis-Infused Simple Syrup
Looking for a way to infuse drinks, desserts, or breakfast favorites? Cannabis simple syrup is a versatile option that's surprisingly easy to make.
You'll Need
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Storage container
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 grams decarboxylated cannabis
- 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
Instructions
- Grind the decarboxylated cannabis.
- Combine water and sugar in a saucepan.
- Heat while stirring until dissolved.
- Bring to a gentle boil.
- Add cannabis and cover.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add vegetable glycerin.
- Continue simmering for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Strain and transfer to a storage container.
- Cool completely before use.
Yukon Gold Potatoes with Cannabutter
A simple holiday side dish elevated with rich, infused butter.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- ½ cup melted cannabutter
- 3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
- Cover with water and add a pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 10–12 minutes.
- Drain thoroughly.
- Toss with cannabutter, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Ganja Green Beans
Fresh green beans paired with garlic, honey, and infused butter create a flavorful holiday side.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon cannabutter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Optional: toasted almond slivers
Instructions
- Heat cannabutter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add green beans and toss to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 5–6 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Remove from heat.
- Drizzle with honey.
- Top with toasted almonds if desired.
Medicated Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes bring a touch of sweetness that balances the savory flavors of Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
- 5–6 sweet potatoes
- ½ cup cannabutter
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup cannabis simple syrup
Instructions
- Boil sweet potatoes until tender.
- Drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Slowly add milk while mixing.
- Blend in cannabutter, maple syrup, and cannabis simple syrup.
- Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Serve warm.
Herb-Infused Dank Dressing
A classic Thanksgiving stuffing loaded with fresh herbs and rich cannabis-infused butter.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cannabutter
- 10 cups day-old bread cubes
- 2½ cups chopped onion
- 1½ cups sliced celery
- ½ cup chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped sage
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
- 1 tablespoon thyme
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F.
- Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and dry in the oven for about 1 hour.
- Melt cannabutter in a skillet.
- Sauté onion and celery until lightly browned.
- Combine bread, vegetables, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Add 1¼ cups broth and mix.
- Allow mixture to cool.
- Increase oven temperature to 350°F.
- Whisk eggs with remaining broth.
- Combine with bread mixture.
- Transfer to a baking dish and cover.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 40–45 minutes until golden brown.
Orange Cranberry Cannabis Mocktail
A refreshing, alcohol-free holiday drink with a cannabis twist.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup cannabis simple syrup
- Sparkling water
- Orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Combine cranberry juice, orange juice, water, and simple syrup in a pitcher.
- Stir thoroughly.
- Fill glasses about three-quarters full.
- Top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with fresh orange slices.
Mary Jane's Ginger Snaps
The perfect cannabis-infused dessert to end your holiday meal.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cannabutter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons molasses
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream together cannabutter and sugar.
- Mix in egg and molasses.
- Combine dry ingredients separately.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
- Roll dough into one-inch balls.
- Coat lightly with sugar.
- Place on a baking sheet and flatten with a fork.
- Bake:
- 8 minutes for softer cookies
- 12–15 minutes for crisp cookies
Allow to cool before serving.
Celebrate Responsibly
A successful Danksgiving isn't about consuming as much cannabis as possible—it's about enjoying good food, good company, and creating memorable experiences.
If you're serving infused dishes:
- Clearly label cannabis-containing foods.
- Start with low doses.
- Give edibles plenty of time to take effect.
- Keep infused and non-infused options separate.
- Store leftovers safely and responsibly.
Most importantly, enjoy the holiday, appreciate the company around you, and have a happy Danksgiving. 🌿🦃🍽️