Stovetop Potpourri

Seasonal scents of Christmas fill the air with this pot of fresh Stovetop Potpourri. It’s beautiful and sweetly aromatic.

Stovetop Potpourri is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy the aromas while baking up some Christmas Cookies or a few batches of Fudge!!

Christmas potpourri

I love the smells of Christmas, and I’ll admit I am guilty of purchasing too many candles. But now I love to fill my home with the smells of the season with a pot of fresh and vibrant Christmas Stovetop Potpourri!!

Stovetop Potpourri is perfect for days when you’re hosting a house full of company, or you’re hanging out at home.

Although this potpourri is popular around Christmas time, it’s perfect for ALL the holidays—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year! It’s the best seasonal scent.

As a word of caution, don’t leave the house with a Stovetop Potpourri going.

How to make Stovetop Potpourri

Put the candles away and naturally freshen your home with your favorite holiday scents.

The potpourri will be at its most fragrant on the first day. Add new ingredients to help revive the aroma, but discard after 3-4 days. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the water level. 

PREP. Cut orange into slices, or quarters, and place in a cooking pot. Add fresh cranberries, fresh rosemary, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks.

SIMMER. Pour 4-6 cups of water into the pot. Simmer over very low heat.

ENJOY! Continue to simmer, allowing the fragrance to fill your home for as long as you’d like. Check the water approximately every hour. Add ½-1 cup to bring up the water levels.

Slow Cooker Version

You don’t even need to make stovetop potpourri on the stovetop, easily use your slow cooker! The crock pot does not need to be babysat the same way the stovetop version does.

COMBINE + HEAT. Simply place the lid on the crock pot to prevent evaporation. Turn the pot to HIGH heat and let it spread the Christmas cheer. 

Note: If you do not wish to use the crock pot lid, turn the crockpot to low, and check every hour. Add water as needed. Do not leave it uncovered overnight, or leave the house.

Potpourri Tips

Use older produce. Instead of tossing older produce in the trash, use it to make potpourri. (Unless it has grown moldy, then it should be thrown away).

Duration. Once you have started to simmer the potpourri on the stovetop, it will last for about 4 days. Be sure to turn the stove OFF when you leave the house, and at night.

Additional Recipe Notes:

• Simmer on low heat, do not boil.
• Simmer with the lid off. 
• Check the water level every hour, and replace as needed.
• Substitute fresh produce with dried oranges/apples and cranberries.

Variations

Citrus. Replace the orange slices with grapefruit slices, lime or lemon slices, mandarin orange slices, or tangerine slices. They will still blend nicely and give a slightly different scent. Add to or replace the citrus with apple slices.

Spice it up. Once you have the hang of the original recipe, feel free to play with the spices. Increase or decrease the spices in the recipe. Add other herbs and spices such as vanilla, whole nutmeg, fresh mint, or star anise. 

Gifting the Sweet Scent of Christmas

Easily bag the ingredients, and deliver them to a friend. Place the cranberries, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in the bottom of a bag or in a mason jar. Add a whole orange on top. Tie a ribbon around the bag or jar, along with an instruction tag. 

• If using fresh produce, it can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before simmering.
• If using dried produce, it can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month before simmering.

For some Easy and Giftable ideas:

• Holiday Spice Jar
• Christmas Cookie in a Jar
• Salsa Verde
• Hot Cocoa Gift
• Christmas Pop Bottle Gift Set
• 40+ Food Gift Ideas

For more Christmas Recipes:

• Easy Candied Almonds
• Pretzel Toffee
• Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bears
• Peppermint Oreo Fudge
• Homemade Turtle Candy