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Home » Homestead & DIY » Foraged Simmer Pot: Winter Stovetop Potpourri

Foraged Simmer Pot: Winter Stovetop Potpourri

May contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my privacy policy and affiliate disclosure.

Originally published on December 15, 2021. Last updated on December 19, 2022

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When the holidays come around there’s no better way to get in the spirit than to get a festive foraged simmer pot going on the stove! The smell is incredible and will get your home smelling like the holidays in a natural way. It’s even better when you use foraged ingredients for this winter potpourri!

a winter foraged simmer pot or natural potpourri

What to Use in Your Foraged Simmer Pot

There are many different ingredients that can be used in a holiday simmer pot. I especially like to used foraged items as much as possible!

Not only does it get you outside in the fresh air (we can all use more fresh air this time of year, right?) but the foraged ingredients add a lovely touch to the stovetop potpourri.

I generally use a combination of foraged and non-foraged ingredients, mostly because I like to add oranges and cinnamon which can’t really be foraged where I live. But if you want to go for all foraged, that’s great too!

Related: What to Forage in Winter: 30+ Edible and Medicinal Plants and Fungi

a simmer pot filled with foraged ingredients, spices, and orange slices

Here are some of my favorite things to include:

  • whole fresh cranberries (can be foraged cranberries!)
  • orange or lemon slices
  • conifer sprigs
  • rose hips
  • cinnamon sticks
  • whole cloves
  • allspice berries
  • juniper berries
  • hawthorn berries
  • fresh herbs like rosemary or sage
  • fresh ginger
  • dried candy cap mushrooms

You don’t need to use all of these, and there are definitely more that could be added like spicebush berries, wintergreen leaves or berries, apple slices, star anise, pine cones, bay leaves, and more!

I generally start with a base of fresh cranberries, conifer springs, orange slices, and spices like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and ginger. Then I add whatever else I have on hand or can easily forage!

a pot filled with water, cranberries, and conifer sprigs

I particularly like adding dried candy cap mushrooms to the foraged simmer pot! They have an incredible taste and smell that is similar to maple syrup, especially when dried!

Candy caps can also be foraged fresh if you live on the west coast, but I still recommend drying them before using to concentrate that maple syrup flavor.

a hand holding dried candy cap mushrooms

How to Use a Foraged Simmer Pot

First fill a large pot about 3/4 full of water, then add all of the ingredients you’d like to include. Then put the pot on the stove on medium-high heat until the water comes to a boil.

Turn the heat down so that the water just barely simmers. It will smell absolutely amazing! Just like the holidays should.

an orange simmer pot on the stove

 

Let it simmer for as long as you’d like, just keep an eye on the water level so that it doesn’t get too low. You can always add a bit more water to it if need be.

One thing to mention is that depending on what you add to the simmer pot, most of the ingredients I’ve listed are edible and make a lovely tea! I tasted a bit after it had simmered for about an hour and it was actually pretty delicious!

I know that you will love this foraged simmer pot! It’s a great natural way to make your home smell so good and get in that festive mood.

a simemr pot filled with cranberries, orange slices, pine branches, candy cap mushrooms and spices

More DIY Winter & Holiday Guides

  • Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap
  • Gift Guide for Foragers and Wildcrafters
  • Mushroom Cookies with Maple Icing and Candy Cap Mushrooms
  • 30+ Conifer Needle Recipes
  • Foraging for Pine Needles
  • Conifer Infused Oil for Body and Mind
  • Pine Needle Infused Honey
  • Conifer Hot Toddy with Rose Hips and Ginger
  • Conifer Needle Tea with Pine, Fir or Spruce
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5 from 5 votes

Foraged Simmer Pot

When the holidays come around there's no better way to get in the spirit than to get a festive foraged simmer pot going on the stove! The smell is incredible and will get your home smelling like the holidays in a natural way. It's even better when you use foraged ingredients for this winter potpourri!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Simmering Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours
Yield 1 pot
Cost $5
Author Colleen @ Grow Forage Cook Ferment

Equipment

  • Large Pot

Ingredients

  • water to fill pot 3/4 full
  • 1 cup whole cranberries more or less
  • 3-4 conifer sprigs
  • 3-4 orange or lemon slices
  • 3-4 fresh ginger slices
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 5-6 whole cloves
  • 5-6 allspice berries
  • 5-6 juniper berries
  • 10-12 fresh rose hips
  • 10-12 hawthorn berries
  • fresh rosemary sprig or sage leaves
  • 1/4 cup dried candy cap mushrooms

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot about 3/4 full with water.
  • Add any of the simmer pot ingredients that you would like to use to the pot.
  • Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn down the heat so that the water just barely simmers.
  • Keep the simmering pot on the stove for as long as you'd like, just be sure to watch the water level so that it doesn't get too low. Add more water if necessary as needed.

Notes

  • I generally start with a base of fresh cranberries, conifer springs, orange slices, and spices like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and ginger. Then I add whatever else I have on hand or can easily forage!
  • You don’t need to use everything on the list, and there are definitely more that could be added like spicebush berries, wintergreen leaves or berries, apple slices, star anise, pine cones, bay leaves, and more!
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Hello there! I’m Colleen.

I want to inspire you to live seasonally, become more self sufficient, and protect your health. I share information on foraging and wildcrafting, fermenting and preserving, cooking whole foods from scratch, permaculture gardening, and making herbal products. And that’s just the beginning! Learn more.

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