Hemp seed butter takes 1½ cups of hemp hearts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt and a food processor. Expect 5 to 15 minutes of processing, depending on your machine. This guide gives the base recipe, the timing, flavor variations, fixes for dry or gritty batches, and storage. It also covers the other thing people mean by “hemp butter”: butter infused with hemp flower.

TL;DR

• Base recipe: hemp hearts, a little oil, salt. Process, scrape, repeat until creamy.
• Plan on roughly 5 to 6 minutes for a spreadable butter and up to 15 minutes for a very smooth one, depending on the machine.
• Too thick: add oil a little at a time. Too runny: add more hemp hearts.
• Keep it in the refrigerator. It lasts up to a month, or about 3 months frozen.
• Hemp seed butter is made from seeds and has no flower in it. Flower-infused butter is a separate project with its own rules.

Table of Contents

• Two kinds of “hemp butter”
• What hemp seed butter is and why people make it
• What you need
• Step-by-step: basic hemp seed butter
• Fixing common problems
• Flavor variations
• How to use it
• Storage
• Can hemp seeds upset your stomach?
• Perspective: where seed butter and flower part ways
• Hemp flower butter: what to know first
• Shop hemp flower from Oregon Hemp Flower
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

Two kinds of “hemp butter”

Searchers use the phrase for two different things.

1. Hemp seed butter. A spread made from hulled hemp seeds (hemp hearts), like a nut butter. It is a food, and it is what most recipes under this name describe.
2. Hemp flower butter. Butter that has been infused with hemp flower, often called cannabutter. It uses the plant’s flower, not the seeds, and it behaves differently.

The first half of this article covers seed butter in full. The section near the end explains flower-infused butter, what to know before trying it, and where to read more.

What hemp seed butter is and why people make it

Hemp seed butter is ground hulled hemp seeds, sometimes with a little oil to help the texture. The seeds are soft and high in fat, so they turn into a spread without the roasting and long grinding that harder nuts need. It is also a common swap for people who avoid peanuts and tree nuts.

On nutrition, Harvard Health notes that hemp seeds provide about 1 gram of fiber per tablespoon and roughly 5 to 9 grams of protein per ounce. Michigan State University Extension adds that hemp seeds contain a complete profile of essential amino acids, comparable to meat, eggs and dairy.

Per 100 grams, 2018 USDA data for hulled hemp seeds lists about 553 kcal, 31.56 grams of protein, 48.75 grams of fat and 8.67 grams of carbohydrates. It also lists 700 mg of magnesium, 1650 mg of phosphorus and 1200 mg of potassium. That is a dense food, so a tablespoon or two goes a long way.

Hemp seeds are not hemp flower. Seeds are used as food and carry no meaningful cannabinoid content in the way flower does. If you want to understand how flower differs, our guide on whether hemp flower will get you high covers the U.S. rules and the 0.3% threshold.

What you need

Ingredients

The simplest version, as one recipe from a hemp foods maker lays it out:

• 1½ cups hemp hearts
• 2 tablespoons cold-pressed virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste

Other recipes use different oils. One home recipe uses 1 cup of hemp seeds with 2 teaspoons of melted coconut oil. Another dietitian recipe treats vegetable oil as optional, there only to help reach a smooth, creamy consistency. You can also make it with seeds alone, which takes longer.

Equipment

A food processor or a high-powered blender both work. A small chopper may struggle with the thickness of the mixture, so use a full-size machine if you have one. You also need a spatula for scraping and a clean jar with a tight lid.

Step-by-step: basic hemp seed butter

1. Measure. Put 1½ cups of hemp hearts in the processor bowl. Keep the oil and salt nearby.
2. Start processing. Run the machine on high. The seeds first turn into a crumbly meal, then clump, then slowly loosen.
3. Add oil. Drizzle in the oil while the machine runs. Add salt toward the end so you can taste it.
4. Stop and scrape. Every couple of minutes, turn the machine off and push the mixture down from the sides. Skipping this step is the most common reason for uneven texture.
5. Keep going until it flows. The butter is done when it pours slowly off the spatula and looks glossy, not dusty.
6. Jar it. Scoop it into a clean jar and refrigerate.

How long it takes

Timing varies by machine, and the sources disagree a little:

• One blender-based recipe says about 5 to 6 minutes, with a break every 2 to 3 minutes to scrape the sides.
• The hemp foods maker’s test reached a rough butter in about 5 minutes in a Cuisinart, and a perfectly creamy texture after 15 minutes, with four scraping breaks.
• A seeds-only version recommends at least 15 minutes on high.

A practical reading: 5 to 6 minutes gets a spreadable, slightly textured butter. Go to 15 minutes if you want it silky. Give the motor rests so it does not overheat.

Fixing common problems

Two habits prevent most of these: scrape often, and add oil in small amounts. It is easy to add more oil and hard to take it out.

Flavor variations

Make the plain butter first, then flavor it. Once it is smooth, sweet additions include maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon or cocoa powder. Savory versions can use herbs, spices, vegan cheese or garlic-infused olive oil.

Sweet and cinnamon

The Glossychic recipe pairs 1 cup of hemp seeds and 2 teaspoons of melted coconut oil with ½ teaspoon of sweetener and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Vanilla (¼ teaspoon) or a pinch of cinnamon is optional. Another home recipe lists maple syrup, honey or maple sugar as sweeteners, with cocoa or cinnamon for flavor.

Chocolate hemp butter

One Food.com recipe blends 1 cup of hulled hemp seeds with ¼ cup of unsweetened cashew milk, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of cacao powder and 1½ tablespoons of pure maple syrup. It blends until smooth and the blender is scraped as needed. Because it contains liquid, this version is looser than the base recipe and should be eaten sooner.

Savory

Stir herbs, a little garlic-infused olive oil or spices into the finished butter. Use it on toast with tomato, in a grain bowl dressing, or thinned with lemon juice and water as a sauce.

How to use it

• Spread on toast, rice cakes or apple slices.
• Stir into oatmeal or yogurt.
• Blend into smoothies in place of peanut butter.
• Thin with water and lemon for a sauce or dressing.
• Use as a nut-free option in lunchboxes, after checking your school’s rules and any seed allergies.

If you cook with hemp more broadly, our piece on using hemp in culinary recipes has more ideas.

Storage

Hemp seeds are rich in omega fats, which spoil faster than the fats in many other seeds. So keep the butter cold.

• Refrigerator: Store it in the refrigerator to protect the omega fats. Rancid butter smells and tastes slightly sour.
• Pantry or fridge, short term: An airtight container or mason jar keeps it for up to a month, in either place. The fridge is the safer choice, especially in a warm kitchen.
• Freezer: Freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

Freeze in small jars so you thaw only what you will use.

Can hemp seeds upset your stomach?

Some readers search this after trying seeds for the first time. Harvard Health reports that seeds, hemp included, are good for gut health because of their healthy fats, protein and fiber. A sudden jump in fiber can still cause gas or bloating for some people, so start with a teaspoon or a tablespoon and build up.

If you have a digestive condition such as diverticulitis, talk to your healthcare provider before adding seeds to your diet. Persistent stomach pain after eating hemp seeds is a reason to see your doctor, not to keep experimenting.

Perspective: where seed butter and flower part ways

We grow and sell hemp flower, so we see the same mix-up often. People who search for a hemp butter recipe may expect a flower product, or the other way around. The two are different materials. Seeds are a food ingredient. Flower is where the cannabinoids and terpenes are found, and that is what our products are built around.

Our view is simple. If you want a nutritious spread, make seed butter, and buy fresh hemp hearts. Check the date on the package and keep the jar cold. If you want to cook with flower, learn what is in it first. Read the lab report, know the cannabinoid content, and understand how heat changes THCA. Our articles on cannabinoids in hemp and terpenes in hemp flower explain what those numbers mean.

Quality at the source matters in both cases. Our flower is organically grown without pesticides and hand-trimmed. Those claims are only worth something when a test result backs them, which is why we point readers to how pesticide testing works.

— Michael

Hemp flower butter: what to know first

Butter infused with hemp flower is a different recipe and a different level of care. We will not give a full method here. Potency depends on the flower’s lab results, and an error in that step changes what you end up eating. Here is what matters.

Heat changes the flower

Raw flower contains mostly THCA, which is not the same compound as THC. Heating converts THCA to THC. That is why infusing butter is not like adding a herb to a sauce. Our explainer on how heat turns THCA into THC covers the chemistry in plain terms. Check that a THCA flower is legal in your state before you buy or cook with it, because rules differ by state and have changed over time.

Know your flower

• Read the certificate of analysis (COA) for cannabinoid content before you use any flower in food.
• Choose a CBD-dominant flower if you want a mild, low-THC result. Our Hempress CBD hemp flower is one such option.
• Treat any infused butter as a labeled, potent ingredient. Keep it away from children and pets, mark the container clearly, and do not serve it to people who have not agreed to eat it.
• Edibles act slowly. Do not eat more because you feel nothing after a short time.

People who take medication, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health condition should talk to a physician or pharmacist before using any cannabinoid product. This is a decision for you and that professional.

If you prefer a gentler first step

Tea is a lower-effort way to cook with flower. See our hemp flower tea recipe for a safe, step-by-step method.

Shop hemp flower from Oregon Hemp Flower

If your goal is to cook or infuse with flower, start with a product that has a lab report and a clear grow method. We sell organic hemp flower, pre-rolls, kief, moon rocks and wholesale supply. Each is grown without pesticides or synthetics, and every order comes with our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Shipping is free on orders over $85.

Browse the hemp flower collection to compare strains by cannabinoid and terpene profile. Businesses that need larger quantities can see our wholesale options. You must be 21 or older to buy.

Frequently asked questions

Is hemp seed butter the same as cannabutter?

No. Hemp seed butter is ground hulled hemp seeds and is a food spread. Cannabutter is butter infused with flower, and its effects depend on the flower’s cannabinoid content. They share a plant, not a purpose.

Do I need oil to make hemp seed butter?

Not always. Some recipes use only hemp seeds and a longer processing time. A small amount of oil, such as olive or coconut, speeds up the process and gives a smoother result.

How long does homemade hemp seed butter last?

Kept in an airtight jar, it lasts up to a month. Refrigeration is the safer choice because the fats go rancid. You can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Why is my hemp seed butter dry or gritty?

Usually it needs more time or a little more oil. Add oil one teaspoon at a time, keep processing, and scrape the bowl often. A full 15 minutes can make a big difference in texture.

Can I make chocolate hemp butter?

Yes. Add cocoa or cacao powder and a sweetener such as maple syrup once the butter is smooth. A published chocolate version uses cacao powder, maple syrup and a little cashew milk.

Sources

• Harvard Health: seeds and gut health
• Michigan State University Extension: seeds as sources of fiber
• Hulled hemp seed nutrition values (USDA 2018 data)
• Hemp butter recipe, Red Plate Foods
• Homemade hemp seed butter, Alphafoodie
• Homemade hemp seed butter, Chef Abbie Gellman
• Hemp seed butter, Be Still Farms
• Easy seed butter, Evo Hemp
• Creamy hemp seed butter, The Glossychic
• Cinnamon hemp seed butter, Go Dairy Free
• Chocolate hemp seed butter, Food.com
• How to make hemp seed butter, Chef’s Resource
• Homemade hemp seed butter guide, Radiance Fuel

Recommended

• Hemp Flower Tea Recipe: How to Brew It Safely at Home
• Using Hemp in Culinary Recipes