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CBD in Food: Top 5 Tips for Cooking with CBD + Recipes

 

Cooking with CBD

Last updated: June 2026
This guide is regularly updated with the latest tips on cooking with CBD.

Cooking with CBD may seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. We share our 5 top tips for cooking with CBD, plus a few easy recipes, so you can easily add this versatile cannabinoid to your meal or drink.

Tip 1 - CBD and heat don't go well together

If you've never cooked with CBD oil, know that it's best not to heat it strongly. Technically you can, but preferably don't heat it above 160 to 170 degrees Celsius: heat reduces CBD's effect and makes it bitter. So add CBD to dishes that don't need heating, or add the oil after the heat is off, for example in a frosting over an already-baked cake rather than in the batter.

Tip 2 - A little goes a long way

Everyone responds differently to CBD. If you don't know your dose yet, start with 10 to 15 mg a day in the first week and build up slowly if you notice little. Many people use CBD to relax or sleep better; calmly observe what it does for you. This also avoids overusing this sometimes pricey oil.

Tip 3 - Combine with healthy fats

Most CBD oils are fat-soluble, meaning your body absorbs CBD best combined with a fat source like olive, coconut or avocado oil or butter. So combine CBD with dishes containing healthy fat. You can even make CBD butter; use very low heat to preserve the active compounds.

Tip 4 - Give the effects time

Through food it takes longer to notice anything, because the CBD first passes through your digestion and liver before reaching your blood. So it works more slowly than a few drops under the tongue, but your body often absorbs it well with food. Experiment with the dose and stay curious and patient.

Tip 5 - Choose the right CBD oil

CBD oil for cooking

With so many brands, choosing can be hard. Watch quality, price and the strength of the oil. Usually CBD oil is between 5% and 10% CBD. A 10% oil contains twice as much CBD as 5% and is usually more expensive, but you need fewer drops. Start with the lowest recommended dose and build up if needed. At Next Level you'll find high-quality CBD oil, CBD creams and CBD candy.

CBD recipes

CBD recipes

As promised: a few delicious recipes to add CBD to your food. Try them and you'll see cooking with CBD can be easy and fun.

Strawberry-banana smoothie with CBD

  • 4 to 6 strawberries
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup of (plant-based) milk
  • 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup
  • a few drops of CBD oil (see packaging for dosage)

Optional extra fruit, mint leaves or spinach. Put everything in a blender and blend smooth.

Oatmeal porridge with CBD

  • three-quarter cup of rolled oats
  • one and a half cups of (plant-based) milk
  • 1 mashed banana
  • half a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of salt
  • a few drops of CBD oil (see packaging)

Heat the milk over medium heat, stir in the oats, cinnamon and salt and cook. Take off the heat, let it sit a minute, then stir in the CBD. Mix well and serve.

Fresh CBD guacamole

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice
  • 1 ripe tomato, diced, and 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • CBD oil in the desired strength

Mash the avocado with the CBD oil, lime juice and garlic until creamy but still a bit chunky. Stir in tomato and onion and season.

Lemon-garlic dressing with CBD

  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • CBD oil in the desired strength and pepper to taste

Whisk everything into a smooth dressing, shake well and drizzle over a salad.

Please note: CBD is a dietary supplement, not a medicine. If you take medication (such as blood thinners), are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor first, as CBD can affect how some medications work.

Frequently asked questions about cooking with CBD

Can you heat CBD oil?

Preferably not strongly. Above 160 to 170 degrees Celsius the effect reduces and CBD turns bitter. So add CBD after heating, or use it in cold dishes.

How much CBD do you add to a dish?

Start low, with about 10 to 15 mg per portion or the dose on the packaging, and build up slowly. Through food, CBD works more slowly than under the tongue, so give it time.

Why combine CBD with fat?

CBD is fat-soluble, so your body absorbs it better with a fat source like olive oil, coconut oil or butter. That's why fatty dishes work well.

How long does CBD take to work through food?

Through food it can take longer, because the CBD first passes through your digestion and liver. Expect a bit more patience than with drops under the tongue.

Which CBD oil do you use for cooking?

A 5% or 10% oil works fine; with 10% you need fewer drops. Watch quality and strength. Browse our CBD oil.

Does cooking with CBD get you high?

No. CBD is not psychoactive and won't get you high. Read more about CBD in our blog about CBD products.

Why Next Level Smart?

  • High-quality, carefully extracted CBD products - oil, creams and candy
  • Different strengths - from 5% to higher percentages
  • Clear guidance on use and dosage
  • Active since 2010 as a Dutch smart shop, with shipping from the Netherlands

Last updated: June 2026 | Next Level Smart

 
Annie Verkade is a writer at Next Level Smartshop with a background in philology. She writes about natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals, sleep support, and plant-based products. Her work also explores altered states of consciousness - both with and without psychedelics - as well as topics like astrology and lunar cycles, translating insights into clear, accessible content. She’s especially interested in how simple rituals and environment can shift how we feel (sometimes more than we expect). Outside of work, she enjoys photography, reading, bouldering, and travelling. Favourite products: Sagrada Madre incense, Mulungu, Sleep Tincture
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