These simmering pot recipes will fill your house with the scents of the holidays and seasons. Put the ingredients into jars to give as gifts!
A simmering potpourri pot makes your house smell so good! Assemble these simmering pot recipes in jars to give as gifts so your friends and family can enjoy them. Or you can use fresh ingredients if you want to use the recipe immediately. Simmer pots are a great alternative to burning candles and can help add moisture to the air in your home.
What You’ll Find In This Post
- How To Make A Simmer Pot
- 1. Christmas Simmering Pot
- 2. Thanksgiving Simmering Pot
- 3. Autumn Simmer Pot
- 4. Winter Simmering Pot
- 5. Spring Potpourri Pot
- 6. Summer Simmering Pot
- 7. Coffee Shop Stovetop Potpourri
- 8. Kitchen Simmering Pot
- 9. Relaxing Simmer Pot
- 10. Refreshing Simmering Pot
- 11. Stress Relief Simmer Pot
- Crockpot Potpourri
- Frequently Asked Questions
How To Make A Simmer Pot
Stovetop Simmer Jars
Stovetop simmer jars make great gifts! You’ll need dried fruit instead of fresh to make these simmering pot recipes for mason jars. Put all of the ingredients into a jar and attach a label with some colorful baker’s twine.
To use one of the mason jars, fill a pot 3/4 of the way with water and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat to low and add the contents of the jar. Simmer the water, adding more as needed to keep the water level over halfway full.
Fresh Potpourri Pots
If you want to make a simmer pot to use immediately, you can use fresh ingredients instead of dried. This is a great way to use up scraps of fruit, rinds, and extra spices! You can make your own scent combinations and swap out one citrus fruit for another.
To use fresh ingredients, fill a pot 3/4 of the way with water and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat to low and add the sliced fruit, spices, and any additional ingredients the simmering pot recipe calls for. Simmer the water, adding more as needed to keep the water level over halfway full.
1. Christmas Simmering Pot
Spread the scent of Christmas throughout your house with a combination of citrus, pine, and spices! Although this recipe is labeled as a Christmas scent, you can use it throughout the holidays and the winter as well.
- 4 dried orange slices (or use a freshly sliced orange)
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries (or use 1/4 cup fresh cranberries)
- 1 tablespoon cedar shavings
- 2-3 pine sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary (or use a fresh rosemary sprig)
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds
- Christmas simmer pot small labels or large labels
2. Thanksgiving Simmering Pot
This warm, spicy Thanksgiving simmering pot recipe is a classic! It makes the whole house smell like the holiday season.
- 4 dried orange slices (or use a freshly sliced orange)
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries (or use 1/4 cup fresh cranberries)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- Thanksgiving simmering pot small labels or large labels
3. Autumn Simmer Pot
Make your home smell like the warm, cozy scent of autumn baking without having to turn the oven on!
- 3 dried apple slices (or use half of a freshly sliced apple)
- 3 dried orange slices (or use half of a freshly sliced orange)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 vanilla bean pieces (or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 1 tablespoon dried crystalized ginger (or use fresh ginger)
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- autumn simmer pot small labels or large labels
4. Winter Simmering Pot
Bring in the smell of the cold, snowy winter with pine and mint! This winter simmering pot is cool and refreshing, with a little warmth from the vanilla and cinnamon.
- 2-3 pine sprigs
- 1 tablespoon cedar chips
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves (or use fresh mint)
- 2 vanilla bean pieces (or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- winter simmer pot small labels or large labels
5. Spring Potpourri Pot
This spring stovetop potpourri smells like a breath of fresh air! It’s tangy and spicy with some vanilla for a little sweetness.
- 6 dried lemon slices (or use a fresh, sliced lemon)
- 6 dried grapefruit pieces (or use 2 fresh grapefruit slices)
- 2 vanilla bean pieces (or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or use a sprig of fresh thyme)
- spring simmer pot small labels or large labels
6. Summer Simmering Pot
You don’t have to wait for summer to use this summer simmering pot and make your house smell like a tropical vacation.
- 2 tablespoons coconut flakes seasoned with coconut extract
- 5 dried lime slices (or use one freshly sliced lime)
- 2 vanilla bean pieces (or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 2 bamboo sticks soaked in almond extract
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves (or fresh mint leaves)
- summer simmer pot small labels or large labels
7. Coffee Shop Stovetop Potpourri
Do you love the smell of brewing coffee? Make this simmering coffee shop potpourri pot.
- 1/4 cup coffee beans
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 vanilla bean pieces (or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 2 bamboo sticks soaked in almond extract (or use 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract)
- coffee shop simmer pot small labels or large labels
8. Kitchen Simmering Pot
If you wondering how to make your house smell like Williams Sonoma, this simmering pot recipe is their signature scent!
- 6 lemon slices (or use a freshly sliced lemon)
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or use a sprig or fresh rosemary)
- 2 vanilla bean pieces (or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- kitchen simmer pot small labels or large labels
9. Relaxing Simmer Pot
Sit back and relax with the smell of lavender and chamomile! This one is perfect for relaxing evenings at home.
- 2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
- 3 dried lavender sprigs
- 2 vanilla bean pieces (or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- relaxing simmer pot small labels or large labels
10. Refreshing Simmering Pot
This refreshing simmering pot has a spicy and fresh scent! You can use this combination year-round.
- 8 dried lime slices (or use two freshly sliced limes)
- 1 tablespoon dried crystalized ginger (or use fresh ginger)
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves (or use fresh mint)
- refreshing simmer pot small labels or large labels
11. Stress Relief Simmer Pot
You can enjoy this bright, freshly scented stress relief simmer pot anytime you want your house to smell like a spa!
- 6 orange slices (or use a freshly sliced orange)
- 3 eucalyptus sprigs
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves (or use fresh mint)
- stress relief simmer pot small labels or large labels
Crockpot Potpourri
You can use a crockpot instead of a pot on the stovetop. Put the water and ingredients into a slow cooker, add the cover, and turn it on high. Once the water is hot, you’ll see condensation on the cover. Remove the cover and turn it to low. Refill the water as needed.
Simmering Pot Recipes
Equipment
- 16 oz Fluted Ball Mason Jars
Ingredients
Christmas Simmering Pot
- 4 dried orange slices or use a freshly sliced orange
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries or use 1/4 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon cedar shavings
- 2-3 pine sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary or use a fresh rosemary sprig
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds
- 1 small Christmas simmer pot label
- 1 large Christmas simmer pot label
Thanksgiving Simmering Pot
- 4 dried orange slices or use a freshly sliced orange
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries or use 1/4 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 1 small Thanksgiving simmering pot label
- 1 large Thanksgiving simmering pot label
Autumn Simmer Pot
- 3 dried apple slices or use half of a freshly sliced apple
- 3 dried orange slices or use half of a freshly sliced orange
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon dried crystalized ginger or use fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 small autumn simmer pot label
- 1 large autumn simmer pot label
Winter Simmering Pot
- 2-3 pine sprigs
- 1 tablespoon cedar chips
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves or use fresh mint leaves
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 small winter simmer pot label
- 1 large winter simmer pot label
Spring Simmer Pot
- 4 lemon slices or use fresh lemon slices
- 4 grapefruit slices or use fresh grapefruit slices
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or use a sprig of fresh thyme
- 1 small spring simmer pot label
- 1 large spring simmer pot label
Summer Simmering Pot
- 2 tablespoons coconut flakes seasoned with coconut extract
- 5 dried lime slices or use one freshly sliced lime
- 2 vanilla bean pieces
- 2 bamboo sticks soaked in almond extract
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves or fresh mint leaves
- 1 small summer simmer pot label
- 1 large summer simmer pot label
Coffee Shop Simmer Pot
- 1/4 cup coffee beans
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 bamboo sticks soaked in almond extract or use 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract
- 1 small coffee shop simmer pot label
- 1 large coffee shop simmer pot label
Kitchen Simmering Pot
- 6 lemon slices or use a freshly sliced lemon
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or use a fresh rosemary sprig
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 small kitchen simmer pot label
- 1 large kitchen simmer pot label
Relaxing Simmering Pot
- 2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
- 3 dried lavender sprigs
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or use a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- 1 small relaxing simmer pot label
- 1 large relaxing simmer pot label
Refreshing Simmering Pot
- 8 lime slices or use two freshly sliced limes
- 1 tablespoon dried crystalized ginger or use fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves or use fresh mint leaves
- 1 small refreshing simmer pot label
- 1 large refreshing simmer pot label
Stress Relief Simming Pot
- 6 lemon slices or use a freshly sliced lemon
- 3 eucalyptus sprigs
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves or use fresh mint leaves
- 1 small stress relief simmer pot label
- 1 large stress relief simmer pot label
Instructions
Dried Simmering Pot Jars
- To make the dried fruit, cut the fruit into thin slices, pat them with paper towels to absorb excess moisture, and lay them out in an even layer on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 225˚F for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Flip the fruit slices occasionally. Keep an eye on the fruit to make sure it doesn't start to burn. Smaller, thinner pieces of fruit will dry faster. It is done when the fruit is dry and no longer sticky.
- For the almond extract scented sticks, soak bamboo sticks in almond extract and then let them dry before adding them to the jars.
- To make the seasoned coconut flakes, pour one teaspoon of coconut extract over the coconut flakes and stir to coat. Allow the coconut extract to dry on the flakes before adding them to the jar.
- Put all of the ingredients into mason jars and attach a label with baker's twine.
- To use a jar, fill a pot 3/4 of the way with water and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat to low and add the contents of the jar. Simmer the water, adding more as needed to keep the water level more than halfway full.
Fresh Simmering Potpourri Pots
- To use fresh ingredients, fill a pot 3/4 of the way with water and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat to low and add the sliced fruit, spices, and any additional ingredients the simmering pot recipe calls for. Simmer the water, adding more as needed to keep the water level more than halfway full.
Notes
Crockpot Simmering Pots
You can use a crockpot instead of a pot on the stovetop. Fill the crockpot 3/4 of the way with water and add the ingredients for the chosen pot. Add the cover and turn it on high. Once the water is hot, you’ll see condensation on the cover. Remove the cover and turn it to low. Refill the water as needed to keep the water level more than halfway full.Frequently Asked Questions
Any of the simmering pot recipes will make your house smell good. You can choose different recipes depending on how you want it to smell. Cinnamon sticks and whole cloves will make your house smell like baked goods. Citrus fruits give a refreshing smell, and lavender gives a calming scent.
Cut the oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and apples into thin slices, pat them with paper towels to absorb excess moisture, and lay them out in an even layer on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 225˚F for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Flip the fruit slices occasionally. Keep an eye on the fruit to make sure it doesn’t start to burn. Smaller, thinner pieces of fruit will dry faster. It is ready when the fruit is dry and no longer sticky.
Kylie says
Can I do a half batch for these recipes?
Tonia Larson says
Yes, you can use smaller amounts. The scent won’t be as strong. Enjoy, Tonia
Philomena Probst says
Making these as gift. Just wondering if the vanilla beans pieces are dried out enough without going bad?
Tonia Larson says
Hello Philomena,
How fun! Vanilla beans can last 6-12 months once the package is opened. The dried oranges and apples will last 3-6 months in a jar for potpourri use (not for consumption that length is different). For the best results, make sure they are fully dehydrated. The longer they are in the jar, the less potent the smell will be.
Enjoy,
Tonia
Dee says
How long can these sit on the shelf and still be of good quality?
Tonia Larson says
Hello Dee,
It will depend on which one of the simmering pots you make, how well the items were dried, what they are stored in, how well the container is sealed, and where they are stored. If everything is moisture free when it goes into the jar/container (well dried/dehydrated) and it is well sealed, they can last 3-12 months. Keep in mind that the fragrance potency will lessen over time.
You can put pine sprigs in your dehydrator and be sure to allow any bamboo soaked sticks to dry before adding them to the jar. When it comes to the eucalyptus, it will last longer if it is commercially dried (6-12 months vs 3-6 months for home dried).
You can also add food safe silica gel packets to the jars to help control moisture. If you do choose to add them and give the jars as gifts, be sure to add a label to the jar noting that the packet is in there and needs to be discarded prior to simmering.
Warmly,
Tonia
Amelia Jackson says
The summer potpourri recipe has been on my stove all month! I can’t get enough of the coconut and lime combo. It was also so helpful when we had our carpet cleaning and I was able to mask any cleaner smells with the simmer pot. Can’t wait to try more recipes as the year goes on.
Meri Linn McCollum says
When you say bamboo sticks, what do you mean? I got dried bamboo stalks but they don’t seem to be soaking up the almond extract as much. Then I wondered if you meant bamboo skewers or bamboo sticks for crafts. Could you tell me the best vehicle for the Almond extract?
Tonia Larson says
Hi Meri Linn,
I used bamboo skewers because that is what I had on hand but reed diffuser sticks, wood craft sticks, or even toothpicks would also work. It just has to be something that will soak up the extract.
Enjoy,
Tonia