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10 Easy Simmer Pot Recipes For A (Naturally) Delicious-Smelling Home

Seven delicious-smelling combos that will instantly make your home smell warm and inviting.
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simmer pot recipes

Evoking the scent of fresh woodsy cedar or the warm hug of vanilla and cinnamon is as easy as throwing some natural ingredients into a pot of water and bringing it up to a gentle simmer. Not to mention, it makes your house smell divine — naturally. Leave it on a low boil on the stove-top for as long as you like, remembering to add water as needed. Here are some delicious recipes to get you started:

Simmer pots: the key to a delightful smelling home — naturally

Floral scent

A couple of stems of freesia, a handful of lavender sprigs and one fig create a light, floral scent, grounded by the earthy and fruity scent of the figs.

10 Easy Simmer Pot Recipes For A (Naturally) Delicious-Smelling Home

Citrus scent

Inject a burst of light, uplifting notes of clementine, lemon, lime, grapefruit and kumquat into your home on dreary winter days. Tip: slice the fruit into pieces before you put it in the pot, and adjust the ratio depending on what you’d like to smell more (or less) of.

lime lemon and grapefruit simmer pot recipe

Spiced scent

Throw in 3 sticks of cinnamon, a handful of star anise, two vanilla beans, a handful of cloves, peppercorn and cardamom into a pot for a home that smells warm and inviting — like the holiday season in a pot. 

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spices simmer pot recipe

Woodsy scent

A few sprigs of cedar, spruce and eucalyptus will make your home smell like a Canadian forest.

simmer pot recipe for eucalyptus and pine

Warm floral scent

Not only does this simmer pot look beautiful boiling on the stove, it smells amazing. Combine one fig and half a pomegranate with a small bunch of lavender and dried flower petals of your choice. 

fig and pomegranate simmer pot recipe

Fresh scent

A few limes (cut into slices), eucalyptus sprigs and fresh mint leaves will create a fresh, warm aroma in your space.

10 Easy Simmer Pot Recipes For A (Naturally) Delicious-Smelling Home

Warm outdoors scent

Bring the fresh scents of the outdoors in. All you need is a small bunch of cedar, a whole pear (cut into slices) and mesquite wood chips, which you can buy in small bags at most outdoor stores.

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woods simmer pot recipe

Simmer pot

A small handful of cedar, bay leaves, rosemary and a few clementines create a winter-inspired scent. 

citrus simmer pot recipe

Earthy scent

Combine a small handful of moss, sage, rosemary and a few chips of mesquite wood to create a warm, herbal aroma. 

simmer pot recipe

Spicy citrus

Freshen your home with the crisp scent of citrus — one whole clementine, slices of lemon and a few kumquats — but add warmth to the blend with hits of spicy ginger (sliced) and eucalyptus. 

10 Easy Simmer Pot Recipes For A (Naturally) Delicious-Smelling Home

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A Bright Spot: Our Spring 2026 issue features 12 colourful DIY decor hacks from guest editor Alexandra Gater. Plus, recipes for protein-packed breakfasts, cheese soufflé and a dreamy rhubarb cake.