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–+ servings
Old Fashioned Boiled Dinner
Old Fashioned Boiled Dinner is a classic one-pot comfort meal that reflects practical home cooking at its best. Popular across American kitchens in the mid-20th century, this dish was designed to stretch simple ingredients into a nourishing family dinner. Everything simmers together slowly, brisket, vegetables, herbs, and spices, creating a rich, savory broth that carries deep flavor without complicated steps. It was often served on cooler evenings when a long, gentle simmer warmed the whole house. What makes this dish special is its simplicity: no waste, no rush, just honest ingredients cooked until tender and deeply satisfying. The broth itself becomes part of the meal, soaking into vegetables and meat alike.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs beef brisket (crosscut)
  • 1 onion (large, quartered)
  • 1 carrot (medium, quartered)
  • 1 stalk celery (quartered)
  • ¼ green pepper (cut into 4 pieces)
  • 1 handful fresh parsley
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp beef bouillon granules
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 9 cups water

Added later:

  • 4 potatoes (small, halved)
  • 4 carrots (small, halved)
  • 2 parsnips (peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Meat

  • Place brisket into a deep pot or Dutch oven.
  • Add water to cover.

Step 2: Add Aromatics

  • Add onion, carrot, celery, green pepper, parsley, cloves, bay leaf, bouillon, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3: Simmer the Broth

  • Bring to a gentle boil.
  • Cover and simmer for 2¼ hours, removing any scum that rises.

Step 4: Add Vegetables

  • Add potatoes, carrots, and parsnips to the pot.

Step 5: Finish Cooking

  • Cover and simmer 15 minutes longer, or until vegetables are tender.

Step 6: Serve

  • Remove bay leaf.
  • Serve meat and vegetables with broth spooned over top.

Tips

  • Use corned beef instead of brisket for a saltier version
  • Add cabbage wedges during the last 15 minutes
  • Serve with mustard or horseradish on the side
  • Skim fat from broth for a lighter dish
  • Add turnips or rutabaga for deeper flavor
  • Make ahead and reheat the next day for richer taste
  • Serve with crusty bread to soak up broth
  • Add garlic cloves for extra aroma

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 38gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 1150mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 8200IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 5.2mg
Keyword classic recipe, comfort food, family meal, hearty stew, one pot meal, rustic dinner, vintage recipe
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