simmer on low

Meaning

This phrase means to cook food gently in liquid just below the boiling point, using the lowest heat setting on the stove. It is used for slow-cooking stews, sauces, or soups to blend flavors without burning the ingredients. The tone is neutral and standard for both everyday cooking and formal recipes.

Examples

• Let the marinara sauce simmer on low for at least an hour to develop the flavors.

  Let the marinara sauce simmer on low for at least an hour to develop the flavors.

• After adding the spices, cover the pan and simmer on low.

  After adding the spices, cover the pan and simmer on low.

• The beef stew needs to simmer on low until the meat is completely tender.

  The beef stew needs to simmer on low until the meat is completely tender.

• I always leave my chicken stock to simmer on low overnight.

  I always leave my chicken stock to simmer on low overnight.

• Don't boil the milk; just let it simmer on low with the cinnamon stick.

  Don't boil the milk; just let it simmer on low with the cinnamon stick.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Let the soup boil on low for twenty minutes.

  ✓ Let the soup simmer on low for twenty minutes.

  'Boiling' involves large, active bubbles at high heat, whereas cooking gently with tiny bubbles is called 'simmering'.

• ✗ Simmer the sauce in low heat.

  ✓ Simmer the sauce on low.

  The correct preposition to use with stove settings is 'on' (e.g., 'on low', 'on medium'), not 'in'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Cover the pot and let the chili ___ for two hours.

  💡 Cook gently below boiling point on the lowest stove setting.

  Show answer

  simmer on low

• To make a rich broth, you need to ___ so the water doesn't evaporate too quickly.

  💡 Keep the heat very gentle.

  Show answer

  simmer on low