This post shows you Fall And Winter Simmering Pot Recipes to Make Your House Smell Amazing
There’s nothing quite like walking into a home that smells like the season. For me, fall and winter are the ultimate times for making your space feel cozy, warm, and inviting. One of the best ways to do that? A simmering pot. These simple, natural scents can transform your home, making it smell like you’ve been baking all day or just came back from a winter walk in the woods. Here’s how you can create a variety of simmering pots that are perfect for fall and winter!
The Basics of a Fall and Winter Simmering Pot
A fall and winter simmering pot is basically a pot of water filled with seasonal ingredients that you simmer gently on the stove. The steam carries the scent of the ingredients throughout your home, and the best part? You can customize it depending on what you love most about these seasons. For fall, think warm, spicy, and fruity. For winter, go for earthy, fresh, and slightly sweet. Plus, it’s a natural and chemical-free way to make your house smell incredible—no candles or artificial air fresheners required.
Transitioning to Winter: Best Winter Simmer Pot Ingredients
As soon as the temperature drops and we start pulling out the blankets, my simmer pots take on a different vibe. Winter simmer pot ingredients are more about those deep, woodsy, and crisp smells. Here are a few ingredients I love to toss into a winter simmer pot:
- Fresh cranberries (they add a tart, slightly sweet smell and beautiful color)
- Pine or fir branches (literally smells like a Christmas tree in your home!)
- Sprigs of rosemary
- Star anise (adds a subtle licorice-like scent that’s surprisingly cozy)
- Cinnamon sticks (because cinnamon works for both fall and winter)
- Sliced oranges or mandarins
This winter simmer pot recipe is one I use on repeat during December: cranberries, orange slices, rosemary sprigs, and a couple of star anise pods. It instantly makes my house smell like a winter wonderland! It’s the perfect combination for holiday gatherings or just those cold nights when you’re wrapped in a blanket with a cup of cocoa.
Easy Fall Simmer Pot Recipes
Fall is all about warm, comforting scents that remind you of harvest season and cozy nights by the fire. Here are a few of my go-to fall simmer pot recipes that make your home smell like everything we love about this season.
Apple & Cinnamon Fall Simmer Pot
This one is a classic. It’s super simple, and I always have the ingredients on hand.
Ingredients:
1 apple, sliced (any variety, but I love using honeycrisp)
3 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon whole cloves
Peel from 1 orange
Instructions:
Fill a pot with water (about halfway).
Add the apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel.
Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer on low.
This fall simmer pot fills your house with that signature sweet and spicy aroma. It’s basically like having an apple pie in the oven, but without the work (or calories).
Pumpkin Spice Fall Simmer Pot
If you’re a pumpkin spice lover (aren’t we all?), this one’s for you!
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon or 2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cloves
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
A few slices of fresh ginger (optional)
Instructions:
Fill your pot with water and add all the ingredients.
Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat to let it simmer.
This fall simmer pot brings that perfect pumpkin spice scent to your home without needing to bake muffins or drink yet another PSL.
Simple Winter Simmer Pot Recipes
When winter rolls around, I like to go for those richer, earthy smells that remind me of holidays, snowy days, and evenings by the fire. Here are a couple of my favorite winter simmer pot recipes that will make your space smell like a winter wonderland.
Cranberry & Pine Winter Simmer Pot
This one is a total holiday classic and makes your home smell like a fresh Christmas tree with a hint of fruity sweetness.
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh cranberries
A few sprigs of fresh pine or fir (you can even snip a few branches from your tree!)
1 orange, sliced
2-3 cinnamon sticks
1 star anise (optional, but adds a nice depth)
Instructions:
Add all the ingredients to a pot and fill it with water.
Bring to a boil, then let it simmer.
The mix of winter simmer pot ingredients here creates a fresh, woodsy smell that’s perfect for setting a festive mood. Plus, cranberries look pretty as they float around in the water!
Citrus & Rosemary Winter Simmer Pot
If you’re looking for something fresher, this one’s a great pick for winter, especially when the air inside starts to feel dry and stale.
Ingredients:
1 lemon, sliced
1 orange, sliced
A few sprigs of fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 cinnamon sticks
Instructions:
Fill a pot halfway with water and add all the ingredients.
Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for hours.
This winter simmer pot recipe gives off a clean, crisp, and slightly sweet aroma. The combination of rosemary and citrus really refreshes your space and helps cut through the heavier scents of the season.
Spice Cabinet Simmer Pot
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cloves
A splash of apple cider or juice (optional)
Instructions:
Add water to your pot and stir in the spices and vanilla.
If you have any juice or cider, add a splash to make the scent even richer.
Bring to a boil and simmer as usual.
This one’s great because it uses ingredients you probably already have, and it still smells fantastic. It’s like a chai latte for your whole house!
How to Customize Your Simmer Pot for Fall and Winter
One of the coolest things about simmer pots is how easy it is to get creative with the ingredients. Whether you’re making a fall simmer pot or a winter simmer pot, you can really make it your own. Love the smell of pine? Throw in some extra branches. Prefer a sweeter smell? Add more orange slices or a splash of apple cider instead of water.
Another idea I recently tried is using essential oils to boost the scent. Just a few drops of cinnamon, clove, or even eucalyptus essential oil can take your simmer pot to the next level. It’s also a good trick if you don’t have all the ingredients on hand.
Slow Cooker Simmer Pot Hack
If you’re like me and don’t want to babysit a simmer pot all day, here’s a hack: use your slow cooker! You can set it on low and leave it for hours without worrying. Just add the same winter simmer pot ingredients or fall simmer pot ingredients and let it work its magic. It’s especially great if you’re hosting guests and want to make sure your home smells amazing without constantly checking the stove.
Why Simmer Pots Are Better Than Candles
Look, I love a good candle, but there’s something special about a simmering pot that candles can’t quite compete with. First, the scent is more natural and fills the house in a more subtle way. Plus, simmer pots are totally customizable and chemical-free. You know exactly what’s going into the air your family is breathing, and it’s a great way to reuse leftover kitchen scraps like citrus peels. And honestly, once you’ve made your own fall and winter simmer pot, it’s hard to go back to store-bought fragrances.
Why You Should Try a Simmering Pot This Fall and Winter
Whether you’re trying to create a cozy atmosphere for yourself or impress guests with the ultimate seasonal vibes, a fall and winter simmering pot is the way to go. Not only does it make your house smell amazing, but it’s also a fun, creative way to use leftover fruit, herbs, and spices. Give one of these recipes a try—your home (and nose) will thank you!