Simmer Pot Recipes for Absolute Beginners - Even if You Hate the Spice Aisle

Something about the herbs and spices aisle at any store stresses me out. I feel like I’m the only one that doesn’t know what they’re looking at, what brand to buy, or how much to get.

So the first step in this little simmer pot recipe is to do a quick survey of what you already have in your kitchen. I’m the last person that wants to recommend anyone drive all the way to the store to buy something so specific that you’ll only use it once and if you don’t get this one specific herb your whole simmer pot will fall apart and–

That’s not my journey. And I don't want that to be your journey either. A nice little simmer pot should be accessible, easy, and fun. Staring at the wall of herbs and spices like they’re the Matrix is not that. At all. That’s why step one is to survey your kitchen! 

Find the spicy stuff, the witchy stuff. The stuff buried in the back of your cabinet. You’re not going to eat this simmer pot, so as long as it isn’t furry and green, I say expiration dates don’t matter* not a doctor!

Take those sweet, delicious herbs and spread them out on the counter. I would recommend using no more than five so nothing conflicts with anything else, and you get a nice, smooth aroma. You can mix fresh fruits, spices, and even essential oils - although you should probably use them sparingly.

Here are some things you can look for, but this is not an exhaustive list:

Allspice

Apples

Basil Leaf

Bay Leaf

Cardamom

Cinnamon

Cloves

Cranberries

Ginger Root

Grapefruit

Lavender

Lemongrass

Lime slices

Mint

Nutmeg

Orange Peel

Oregano

Peppermint

Pine tree branch

Pumpkin spice

Rosemary

Sage Leaf

Spearmint

Strawberry slices

Thyme

Vanilla bean pod/extract

If you’re not sure about a spice combo, take them, open them up, and bring them all to your nose at once. Take a breath and see if it feels right. Keep in mind some of your ingredients may not have a scent, but they can still add to the energy and intentions of your simmer pot.

Now scenario two: You have no herbs in your house or all the herbs in your house are growing little colonies of microscopic creatures. Let’s head to the herb aisle. Yes, I am also overstimulated. But we can do this.

If you’ve never put together a simmer pot, here are three simple, three-ingredient recipes I would recommend:

Fall Hygge Simmer Pot

The peel of one orange

Three cinnamon sticks

One teaspoon of nutmeg

Autumn Lavender Simmer Pot

One cup dried lavender (or lavender essential oil)

One Tablespoon nutmeg

One Tablespoon whole cloves

Apple Harvest Simmer Pot

Four Tablespoons apple cider

A generous dash pumpkin spice seasoning

A drop of vanilla extract

Cozy Simmer Pot

The peel from one apple

Two cinnamon sticks

One tablespoon of cloves

Festive Yule Simmer Pot

One and a half cups of cranberries

A half cup of chopped pine or spruce needles

One cinnamon stick

How to make the simmer pot:

Fill a small pot with water and bring it to a boil.

Add your spices and herbs and let it boil for a few minutes so it releases the aroma.

Then turn the heat down to a gentle simmer.

Add water every 20-30 minutes or as needed to keep your simmer pot going.

When you’re done, you can strain out the water and use the leftover fruits and herbs as compost if you like.

Enjoy the wonderful aroma as it fills your home, and be sure to stir it clockwise for health, wealth, and happiness!

I hope you enjoyed this simmer pot guide! Let me know if you tried it out!