9 Simmer Pot Recipes That'll Make Your House Smell Terrific

Put down the lighter, and put away your nana's potpourri jar (sorry, Grandma, but the times are changing). Simmer pots are the answer to a gorgeously smelling home. But here's the thing. As a full-time simmer pot user and part-time missionary spreading the good word of the simmer pot, I'm here to make sure these simmering scents are no longer a secret. 

This is the simmer pot for those rainy Mondays, snowy Monday nights, or when you need a little dopamine to start off your week.

Ingredients

• 1 orange peel
• 1 apple peel
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add orange peel, apple peel, and cinnamon sticks.
3. Put heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

The perfect scent for when you get back from apple picking or want to bring those fall vibes into the house without the chill.

Ingredients

• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon star anise
• 1 tablespoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 dash vanilla extract
• Water

Instructions 

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.

2. Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. 

3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Fresh cranberries, pears, and star anise will send you straight back to childhood with a simmer pot that'll smell like a pie is about to come right out of the oven.

Ingredients

• 3-4 pears, peeled and halved
• ½ cup crushed cranberries
• 1½ tablespoons star anise
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• ½ an orange peel
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add pears, cranberries, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and orange peels. 
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

A handful of fresh citrus fruits is all it takes for a crisp and simple citrus pot that'll have you saying, "Odor? Odor who?" Use just one type of citrus or slice yourself up a variety.

Ingredients

• 2-3 oranges, sliced thin
• 1 grapefruit, sliced thin
• 1-2 limes, sliced thin
• 2-3 lemons, sliced thin
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add citrus slices.
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Forest bathing is good for the soul. But if you can't take a trip to nature, bring the nature to you thanks to a woodsy simmer pot.

Ingredients

• 6-8 rosemary sprigs OR ¼ cup evergreen needles
• 1-2 fresh pine cones
• ½ teaspoon cloves
• ½ orange, thinly sliced
• ½ tablespoon peppercorns
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add rosemary sprigs, pine cones, cloves, and lemon.
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

You may not have been able to make it to a specific someone's tour, but you can still enjoy a little bit of lavender haze.

Ingredients

• 4-6 lavender sprigs
• ½ tablespoon chamomile buds
• 1 dash vanilla extract
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add lavender sprigs, vanilla extract, and lemon slices.
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

You won't find yourself abuzz with caffeine, but you can still enjoy the smell of a nice cup of brew. You'll almost expect to hear the sounds of an open mic night starting. 

Ingredients

• 1½ cups coffee beans, roughly crushed
• ½ cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water. 
2. Add coffee beans, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves. 
3. Heat on medium-high. 
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Bring winter time indoors with a simmer pot that is peak hygge. If thyme isn't your favorite, then try eucalyptus or sage. 

Ingredients

• 4-5 thyme sprigs
• 1 pine cone
• ½ lemon, sliced thinly
• 2-3 bay leaves
• ¼ tablespoon peppercorns
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add thyme sprigs, pine cone, lemon slices, and bay leaves. 
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

You don't need to bake cookies to make your house smell like you're about to pull out a tray of ooey-gooey cookies. Although, you always could. 

Ingredients

• ¼ tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 lavender sprigs
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add vanilla extract, lavender sprigs, and lemon juice.
3. Heat on medium-high
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

You're not far from a vacation for your nose with these simmer pot recipes. Especially when there are so many of these simmer pot ingredients that you can find in your pantry. Your next moment of zen is only a handful of ingredients and a simmer away. And if someone asks how you made your house smell so great, it's up to you whether you spill your secret.