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A sauce pan is half full of water with orange slice, vanilla bean, star anise, and other spices. Surrounding the pot are a variety of ingredients such as apples, spices, lemons, and herbs.

5 Easy Simmer Pot Recipes (Homemade Stovetop Potpourri)

Make your home smell amazing with these 5 easy simmer pot recipes for any season. Use natural ingredients like citrus, apples, herbs and spices to make homemade stovetop potpourri.
4.91 from 11 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes

Equipment

  • 3-4 quart sauce pan or pot for the stove, OR
  • Crock pot or Instant Pot

Ingredients
  

  • Use any of the following ingredients to create whatever combinations sound appealing to you, or use what you have available on hand!

1) Apple Pumpkin Pie

  • 1 or 2 whole apples, sliced
  • 1 whole lemon or orange, sliced
  • 2 or 3 whole cinnamon sticks (or 2 tsp ground cinnamon)
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice seasonings (or 1 Tbsp whole cloves and 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg)
  • 2 Tbsp pumpkin puree (optional)

2) Warm Citrus Ginger

  • 2 whole oranges, sliced
  • Fresh ginger (a thumb-size chunk, cut into thin slices or grated). Sub with 1 teaspoon ginger powder
  • 2 or 3 whole cinnamon sticks (or 2 tsp ground cinnamon)
  • 2 or 3 whole star anise
  • 1 Tbsp cloves (whole)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 whole vanilla bean)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional)

3) Oh Christmas Tree

  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 whole orange, grapefruit, or lemon - sliced pinecones
  • a few sprigs of fresh cedar or pine (small Christmas tree cuttings) or rosemary
  • 1 or 2 whole cinnamon sticks (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
  • 1 Tbsp whole cloves and/or a few whole star anise
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • Optional: 1 or 2 small candy canes, or 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil

4) Refreshing Rosemary

  • Several pieces of fresh rosemary, or 2 Tbsp dried rosemary
  • 1 whole lemon or 2 limes (sliced)
  • Fresh ginger (a thumb-size chunk, cut into thin slices or grated). Sub with 1 teaspoon ginger powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 whole vanilla bean)
  • Optional: 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried

5) Lavender Mellow Mood

  • 1/2 cup dried lavender buds or 1 cup fresh
  • 2 or 3 Tbsp dried chamomile flowers, or 1 to 2 teabags of chamomile tea
  • 1 whole lemon, orange, or grapefruit - sliced
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 whole vanilla bean)
  • 4 or 5 whole star anise or cardamom pods
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • Recommended: 10 to 15 drops of lavender essential oil (pet safe)

Instructions
 

  • Once you have your chosen simmer pot recipe, combine the ingredients in a pot about halfway full of water. (Exact measurements don't matter.)
  • On the stovetop, turn up the heat to bring everything to a light boil, then reduce to a low simmer. The lower the heat, the longer the simmer pot will last.
  • Leave the lid off to release the aromatic steam. Now, sit back and enjoy the smell that will soon infuse in your home!
  • Alternatively, you could make stovetop potpourri in a slow cooker crock pot or your trusty Instant Pot, left to simmer with the lid off. Or, heat your simmer pot on top of a warm wood stove.
  • CAUTION: Keep an eye on your pot, and set a timer if you’re forgetful! Don't let all of the water evaporate - the pan and ingredients can burn.
  • Add more water as needed to keep stovetop potpourri going for many hours. I often use the same simmer pot and ingredients off and on for several days!

Notes

*Any simplified version of these combos is wonderful as well – such as rosemary and lemon, or orange and cloves.
Keyword simmer pots, simmering spices, stovetop potpourri
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