Curious about trying CBD? We’ve created the ultimate beginner’s guide to cooking with CBD oil so you can incorporate its benefits into your daily routine.

Cooking with CBD is a culinary trend that is taking over kitchens – and it’s no wonder.

The American Psychological Association’s 2022 report on Stress in America shows a “battered” American psyche. From pandemic after-effects, societal divisiveness, historic inflation levels, and more, it’s safe to say adults are balancing a lot.

Known for its health benefits, CBD or cannabidiol is a non-intoxicating compound derived from the hemp plant that can help combat or at least manage these stress levels and the ways in which they manifest. For instance, CBD has been shown to:

• Help manage mental health, including anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, and more
• Improve acute stress
• Decrease symptoms of insomnia
• Controls stress levels (anxiety, fear, depression, and burnout)
• Be a safe and effective sleep aid

Incorporating CBD into your daily routine is a great way to tap into these potential benefits, especially when you have a busy lifestyle – and what better way than by elevating your cooking?

Whether you are a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, adding CBD oil to your meals is a simple way to integrate this beneficial supplement into your daily routine. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about cooking with CBD so you can use your favorite tinctures safely and deliciously.

Storing Your CBD

First thing’s first: storing your CBD correctly is the best way to ensure you get good results and shelf life from your supplements.

Similar to olive oil, you’ll want to store your tincture in a cool and dark location, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Try not to place your bottles near your stove or oven. We recommend inside your pantry or in a cabinet and drawer that is easily accessible to you while you cook.

You can also always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines for specific storage recommendations. Different CBD products may have different requirements, so it’s important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Cooking with CBD

Do choose high-quality CBD products and oils.

Lucky for you, with CBD being such a popular supplement these days, there are a lot of products to choose from. Unfortunately, that also means there are plenty of opportunistic companies that are making sub-par products.

It’s important to choose high-quality CBD, especially when you’re adding them to your daily routine through recipes. If you’re overwhelmed by all the options, here are three questions you can ask before choosing a CBD company.

At Drops of Life, we pride ourselves on making a best-in-class suite of products. We work directly with local Texas farmers to yield source ingredients that are tested by a third-party laboratory to ensure a superior standard of quality.

Moreover, we won’t hesitate to help you understand what you’re getting in each product. Our main priority is to be a resource for others to learn and enjoy CBD.

No matter what type of product you choose to incorporate into your cooking, be sure to vet it thoroughly before adding it to your recipes.

Don’t expose CBD to high heat for extended periods.

Heat lowers the effectiveness of CBD, as it can eliminate vital cannabinoids and terpenes, which work together to produce the synergistic effect of the compound. It is therefore essential to avoid exposing the oil to direct heat.

In fact, CBD begins to break down between 320 and 356 degrees Fahrenheit. So, stick with recipes that bake at 350°F or less. For recipes that may use a stove, we recommend adding CBD to your food after it has cooled down; it should be below 190 degrees Fahrenheit when adding tinctures to the mixture.

For instance, if you are making pasta sauce or soup, wait until it is done cooking and cooled down slightly before stirring in your CBD.

To avoid heating it, try adding your products to no-bake treats or drinks like a Green CBD Smoothie or Strawberry Açaî CBD Lemonade.

Do understand proper CBD dosage.

CBD dosage can sound complicated, and this is because everybody’s internal endocannabinoid system is different. How much you need in your recipe will depend on so many factors, such as:

• Body weight
• Individual sensitivity to CBD
• Frequency of cannabis and CBD use (tolerance)
• Method of administration
• Desired effects
• Number of servings you’re making
• Strength of the CBD supplement you’re using

As with most cannabis and CBD products, it is recommended that you start low and go slow. In other words, start with a smaller dose (around 10-20 mL) to determine what works best for you.

Many people can tell a difference after just taking 10 mL, while others may find that they need more to feel an effect. If you need more concrete guidance, use our blog on how to determine what CBD dose is right for you to discover some tools to calculate exactly how much to start out with.

We recommend any of our Trio of Life tinctures, which come in a 1,000 mg dosing. Our recommended serving size when consumed by itself is 1/4 dropper (making it approximately 8.3 mg CBD per serving). You may find that some experimentation is needed to get the right dose.

Particularly if you are new to CBD, we suggest starting with the lowest dose (1 dropper full) and experimenting with that before increasing your intake when cooking with CBD.

Don’t go overboard with adding CBD; moderation is key.

Aside from careful dosage, you’ll want to use moderate amounts of CBD oil in your recipes. Adding too much oil – CBD or not – will affect the final food product’s consistency. It’s therefore best to use CBD oil sparingly when incorporating it into any dish.

Rather than adding too many dropper-fulls of tincture, we recommend opting for products with higher dosages to get the most out of your recipes. We recommend using our CBD Isolate Tincture which comes in both 1,000 mg and 2,000 mg doses.

Do experiment with no-heat CBD recipes, such as dressings, smoothies, and sauces.

No-heat CBD recipes are a great way to incorporate the benefits of CBD into your diet without the fear of losing any of its potency. These recipes do not require any cooking or baking, making them perfect for those who are new to using CBD in their food.

Some popular no-heat CBD recipe options include adding CBD oil to salad dressings, smoothies, or even raw desserts like energy balls or truffles. These recipes are quick, easy to make, and offer a delicious way to incorporate CBD into your daily routine.

Additionally, they can be customized to suit your preferred taste and dosage, making them an ideal option for those who want to experiment with the potency of CBD.

What’s even more exciting is that Drops of Life has tinctures formulated with different purposes in mind. From our CBG Tincture for Energy and Drive and CBD Tincture for Balance to our CBN-CBD Tincture for Sleep, you can get creative with different recipes, tincture types, and more.

That means you could use a Sleep Tincture for a drink before bed, an Energy Tincture in your breakfast smoothies, and so on.

Our Favorite CBD-Infused Recipes

Quick and easy CBD-infused recipes are perfect for a busy lifestyle. Whether you’re meal prepping or just need a quick pick-me-up before you rush out the door, we have the best CBD recipes for you.

Green Smoothie

Made with energizing greens like spinach and avocado, some bananas, and a healthy dose of Drops of Life CBD, this is the perfect Green CBD Smoothie recipe for anyone looking to elevate their daily wellness routines.

Strawberry Acai Lemonade

Bursting with the flavors of sweet strawberries, tangy lemonade, and the added benefits of CBD, this Strawberry Acai CBD Lemonade is sure to quench your thirst and lift your spirits. This delicious combination of flavors is not only the perfect thing for a hot summer day but also offers great health benefits.

As you can see, CBD is such a versatile ingredient to add to your recipes. If you use Drops of Life in your cooking, be sure to tag us on Instagram (@drops_of_life_cbd). We want to see what you come up with!

Cooking with CBD in a Busy Life: The Power of Meal Prep

Balancing a busy schedule with healthy, nourishing meals can be a challenge. That’s just a fact. However, meal prepping with CBD can be a game-changer for your busy schedule. Not only will it save you time and energy throughout the week, but it will also give you that consistent, extra boost of CBD benefits.

By prepping CBD-infused ingredients or dishes in advance, you can effortlessly infuse the potential wellness benefits of CBD into your busy lifestyle. To make the most of meal prep with CBD, consider these few key tips and strategies:

• Ensure proper airtight storage of CBD-infused ingredients to maintain their freshness and potency.
• Portion out your CBD servings ahead of time, so they’re ready to incorporate into your meals without the hassle.
• Label and date each container or package to keep track of freshness and potency.
• Avoid meal-prepping CBD dishes that require refrigerating and later reheating. Instead, add CBD-infused ingredients after heating or just before serving.

With these meal prep techniques, you can savor the benefits of CBD while managing your busy schedule.

Shop Drops of Life CBD for Your Cooking Adventures

Cooking with CBD is a fantastic way to increase your day-to-day wellness routines. From workout recovery to improved sleep, there are endless benefits to using it – and you don’t have to be Gordon Ramsey to have fun with making CBD recipes.

Shop our Drops of Life CBD tinctures and products to elevate your meals with the benefits of CBD and explore our blog for more recipe ideas every month.