How to cook delicious slow simmered beef dishes

As the weather cools down, it’s time to warm up with delicious beef meals. Making succulent winter beef dishes is simple. A couple of easy steps, then it’s in the oven and dinner is done. Try our tips below for the perfect slow-simmered beef dish.

How to cook slow simmered beef meals

1. Match the beef cut to the cooking time you have available. Chuck and boneless shin/gravy beef offer the richest flavour and the most succulent meat. Topside round and blade are great choices if you're time poor as they cook quickly (see below chart for cooking times and temperatures).

2. Brown the beef in 2 or 3 batches. Keep the pan at a medium-high heat so the beef doesn't stew in it's own juices.

3. Simmer the dish gently for a rich flavoured beef dish. Controlling the heat is important – too low a heat and the dish will be flavourless, too high a heat and the mixture will boil resulting in less tender meat. 

Suggested beef cuts and cooking times

Try these delicious slow simmered beef meals

Beef bourguignon






Italian beef casserole






Beef massaman curry






Beef goulash

Also, read more on:

• How and why we brown meat 

• How to defrost meat using the microwave
• How to freeze and defrost meat
• How to match red meat cuts with best cooking methods
• How to purchase and store fresh meat
• How to reheat meat dishes in the microwave
• How to store cooked meat dishes