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Glite Dictionary
to let simmer

to let simmer

1 2.7
Allow food to cook slowly at low heat just below boiling
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : dejar cocinar a fuego lento
  • Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and let simmer for 1 hour.
  • let simmer for 10 minutes
  • let simmer for 1 hour
  • low heat and let simmer

Examples

  • Let simmer on the stove for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    Blog text (25)

  • Let simmer for 5 minutes.

    Blog text (21)

  • Allow to boil for 5 minutes, then let simmer on low for about an hour.

    Blog text (15)

  • Let simmer for 20 minutes, then cool.

    Blog text (28)

  • Add taco seasoning and water and let simmer for 5-10 minutes.

    Blog text (20)

  • Let simmer for 30-45 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the soup is hot.

    Blog text (29)

  • Reduce the heat and let simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered.

  • Lower the heat, cover, and let simmer until cooked through, 5 minutes more.

Synonyms

to simmer
vsto let simmer
92 2.5

To cook gently in liquid just below boiling so small bubbles form

focuses on allowing food to cook slowly just below boiling
to stew
vsto let simmer
14 1.3

To cook food slowly in liquid over low heat

uses low heat just below boiling rather than long immersion in liquid

How Hot

to boil
269 1.0
to let simmer
1 2.7
to poach
34 3.9

Surface Forms

let simmer infinitive
let simmered past
let simmered past participle
letting simmer present participle
lets simmer third person singular

Morphology

let + simmer

The meaning 'to allow food to cook slowly at a low temperature' is directly compositional from 'let' (allow) + 'simmer' (gently heat so small bubbles form). This permissive verb + verb construction (often with an object like 'it') is a common and transparent pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reliably infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Let simmer comes from cooking: after you bring food to a boil you turn the heat down and let it simmer, so only tiny bubbles rise and the food cooks slowly. So, let simmer means 'to allow food to cook slowly at low heat'.