3 Winter Simmer Pot Recipes to Fill Your Home With Holiday Warmth and Fresh Garden Scents

Nothing says holiday cheer like beautiful aromas wafting through your warm, cozy house. This year I am trying something new to me: a simmer pot (I know, I am late to the party!). Simmer pots are basically a stovetop potpourri that fills your home with holiday fragrance.

You can use fresh or dried elements from your potpourri herb garden or indoor countertop herb garden. Simply bring water to a boil in your favorite saucepot on the stove, add your ingredients and reduce to a simmer. It’s as simple as that! You can use herbs, dried flowers, spices, and fresh fruits to create any combination you’d like.

Here are some simmer pot recipes that I am excited to try this winter with rosemary, thyme, lavender, and sage from my herb garden. Try these recipes as is or change them up. There is no right or wrong way to do it.

1. Rosemary Simmer Pot Recipe

I have a small rosemary plant growing on my kitchen windowsill and love to add it to my cooking. Rosemary has a long history of medicinal use in addition to its culinary uses. In this simmer pot recipe, the rosemary’s earthy and invigorating aroma pairs nicely with the sweetness of the other ingredients. It smells just like Christmas with the addition of vanilla!

• 3-4 apples slices
• 3-4 orange slices
• 2 sticks cinnamon
• 4 rosemary sprigs
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

2. Thyme Simmer Pot Recipe

Thyme will shine in this recipe that also features lemon and peppercorns. The spicy, woodsy aroma will waft through your home and add an herbal freshness.

• 3-4 orange slices
• 3-4 lemon slices
• 4 thyme sprigs
• 2 sticks cinnamon
• 1 tsp of peppercorns

3. Lavender & Sage Simmer Pot Recipe

Lavender and sage might seem like an unlikely pair, but they balance each other beautifully in this recipe. The fresh floral scent of lavender is tempered by the warm, earthy aroma of the sage. I have lavender and sage in my front garden and this recipe brings the scent of my summer garden inside for a reminder of warmth on the coldest days of the year.

• 2-3 sprigs fresh or dried lavender from your garden
• 2-3 leaves of fresh or dried sage
• 3-4 slices of lemon
• 1/2 tsp cloves

Simmer pots are a wonderful way to use the bounty of your spring and summer gardens during the winter months. Use anything that you love to create your own recipes! Calendula, chamomile, eucalyptus, hibiscus, bay leaves, juniper, pine, rose, mint, and cranberries are all great additions.

Simmer pot recipes make for a thoughtful Christmas gift or hostess gift, too! Place dried herbs, dried fruits like citrus, and spices together in a jar or small bag and the recipient just needs to boil some water to have the scents of the season fill their home.

Simmer Pot Essentials

Don’t have an herb garden yet, but excited to try a simmer pot? Here are some products to get you started!