Autumn Simmer Pot Recipes

Autumn brings with it falling leaves, cooler days, and the innate desire to feel cozy against the encroaching chill of winter.

What better way to chase away the cold than with the soothing aromas of plants, spices, and herbs?

Adding fresh and dried aromatics to a do-it-yourself simmer pot, also known as stovetop potpourri, offers a natural way to scent your home.

What's a Simmer Pot?

Simmer pots, also known as stovetop potpourri, freshen the air naturally.

Fragrant ingredients like fresh fruits and herbs are simmered in water over the stovetop, infusing a space with gentle aromas.

If you're not familiar with them, read up on the basics of making and using simmer pots.

What Is a Simmer Pot?

If you aren’t familiar with simmer pots, they’re easy and quick ways to add fresh and clean fragrances to your home. Combinations of natural ingredients are simmered in a pot of water set over the stove. The heat and steam from the warmed mixture causes the ingredients’ natural essential oils to be released into the air. The result: a comforting and relaxing aroma fills the room.

Why Use a Simmer Pot?

Why go through the trouble of creating a simmer pot when you can just light a candle or plug in an air freshener?

Unfortunately, many store-bought candles are made from petroleum-based paraffin and artificial scents. Plug-in air fresheners aren’t much better with their synthetic fragrances. Many of us are sensitive to these manufactured ingredients, which can lead to headaches and have been linked to an increased risk of asthma in children and adults. For a cleaner and more natural way to add fragrance to a room, try a simmer pot.

Welcome Sweater Weather

Not only do simmer pots increase the warmth factor in your home, they also infuse the air with extra humidity during autumn’s typically drier days. They’re a great way to banish offensive kitchen odors too.

Simmer Pot Tips

Let It Simmer

*The longer a simmer pot simmers, the better the results. Let a pot simmer for at least three hours to effectively infuse the air. Remove the pot from the heat overnight to prevent a fire hazard while you’re sleeping. 

Pan Size Matters

Smaller saucepans tend to release aromas more effectively. But you’ll need to stay close to the stove, as the water level will evaporate more quickly.

Ingredient Tips

*Substitute your favorite juice for the water (try cranberry, grape, apple, or pear).

*Save apple, pear, and citrus fruit peels, as well as those last remnants at the bottom of a spice jar, and put them to good use in a simmer pot. Consider freezing the peels until you’re ready to use them.

*Simmer pot ingredients can be reused a second time, provided you refrigerate them between simmer sessions. The smell may not be as strong, but it will still be lovely.

If you don’t have a particular herb or spice in your kitchen, or you don’t want to use up your expensive spices, try substituting or adding in various tea bags (chai, black, or herbal blends). Keep in mind that a couple of bags are needed per simmer blend to release the tea’s aromas.

Making an Autumn Simmer Pot

The aromas of fall bring to mind rich spices and flavorful fruits:

• cloves
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• apples
• pears
• oranges

If some of these scents aren’t your thing, no problem. Simmer pots are meant to be creative and customizable, so there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to ingredients or their measurements.

Be open to experimentation when it comes to a simmer pot. Better yet, base it on what you have readily available.

Simmer Pot Recipes for Fall

Embrace fall with the following simmer pot blends that will keep you in an autumnal spirit. Follow the instructions on setting up a simmer pot, and add the ingredients for the recipe you select below.

• Apple-Ginger Pie

  • 2 organic apples, sliced
  • 1-inch fresh ginger root
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 star anise
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 1 tsp cardamom pods

• Autumn Woods Walk

  • 1 tsp dried sage
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • ¹⁄₂ tsp fenugreek
  • ¹⁄₄ tsp peppercorns

• Chai Spice

  • 3 black tea bags
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1-inch fresh ginger root
  • 1 tsp cardamom pods
  • 1 tsp whole cloves

• Cranberry Crisp

  • 1 ¹⁄₂ cups fresh cranberries
  • ¹⁄₄ cup fresh ginger root 
  • 2 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 organic orange

• Ginger Spice

  • ¹⁄₄ cup fresh sliced ginger root
  • 1 Tbsp whole cloves
  • 1 Tbsp allspice 
  • 3 cinnamon sticks 

• Pumpkin Pie

  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp whole cloves 

Using Essential Oils

Consider adding a few drops of essential oil to your simmer pot.

Essential oils perfect for fall-themed recipes include:

• ginger
• clove
• orange
• vanilla
• cardamom
• black pepper
• sage
• thyme
• cinnamon