Strawberry and Mint Simmer Pot Recipe
Fill your home with the scent of summer using just strawberries, mint leaves, and vanilla. A simple, natural simmer pot you’ll want to make again and again.
Yield: 1 Pot
Cost: $0-$10
Equipment
- 1 6 Quart Cast Iron Enamel Pot This is what I used, and it holds heat beautifully for a slow, steady simmer.
- 1 Or a Stock Pot or Crcok Pot Any stovetop-safe pot works well, or you can use a slow cooker set to low for a hands-off version.
- 1 Cutting Board Just for slicing the strawberries and mint — simple tools for a simple recipe.
- 1 Knife Just for slicing the strawberries and mint — simple tools for a simple recipe.
Materials
- 1 cup 3–5 fresh strawberries sliced
- 1 bunch 1 bunch or a small handful fresh mint leaves torn or chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or 1 vanilla pod or splash of extract
- 4 cups 4–6 cups of water
Instructions
- Slice 3–5 fresh strawberries into rounds or halves. Gently tear or chop a small handful of fresh mint leaves. If using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise to release the scent.
- Pour 4 to 6 cups of water into a medium to large pot. You want enough water to fully submerge the ingredients without overfilling.
- Place the sliced strawberries, mint, and vanilla (paste, extract, or bean) into the water.
- Set the pot over low heat and let it slowly come to a gentle simmer. Do not boil — keep the heat low and steady.
- Let the pot stay uncovered so the scent can fill your home. Simmer for 1 to 3 hours, checking occasionally.
- If the water gets low during simmering, carefully add more warm water to keep the ingredients covered.
- After use, let the mixture cool. You can refrigerate it in a sealed container and reheat once or twice within 48 hours.
Notes
- Creative Variations: Try adding lemon slices for brightness, rose petals for a floral touch, or a black tea bag for a sun tea scent. You can even swap strawberries for apples and a cinnamon stick in the fall.
- Crockpot Method: Add all ingredients to a small slow cooker, pour in 4–6 cups of water, and set to low with the lid off. It will fill your home with gentle scent for hours.
- Instant Pot Method: Use the sauté setting with the lid off to gently warm the mixture. Turn it off once it starts to steam and leave it on “keep warm” with the lid slightly ajar.
- Storage Tip: You can refrigerate the cooled mixture and reheat it once or twice within 1–2 days. Just add fresh water before reheating.
- No fresh ingredients? You can use dried strawberries, dried mint, and even a dried vanilla bean or a splash of extract.