Grilled London Broil

How to marinate and grill the tastiest, tenderest London broil.

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Britons are known for many meaty meals, but they can’t lay claim to the London broil. Although this recipe has the British capital in its name it has no association with UK cooking. According to accounts of the London broil’s origins, it first became popular in Philadelphia before spreading throughout the world.

There are many theories about why chefs named this marinated meat dish after the UK’s biggest city, however, everyone can agree on the basic method of making a London broil. After soaking lean meat in a salty, tangy marinade overnight, pop the meat under the broiler, sizzle it until it’s done, thinly slice it, and enjoy. This simple formula turns a usually tough steak into a mouthwatering dish to savor.

And “London” in the name isn’t the only naming confusion: You don’t actually need a broiler to make a London broil: Plenty of people prefer to sear it on a grill and get those oh-so-satisfying grill marks. If you’re looking for a lean and flavorful meat recipe on grill night, the London broil won’t disappoint. And finally, remember that London broil is the name of a preparation technique, not of the cut of meat. This is true even though supermarkets may label cuts of meat as London broil. This recipe suggests top round steak, but flank steak and top sirloin are also popular.

The good news is that this simple, relatively affordable steak dish is much easier to make than its name may be to explain. Read on to find out more about this delicious recipe and how to add it to your repertoire.

Is Grilled London Broil Healthy?

London broil may not win awards for the healthiest food you could put on your grill, but that doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy in moderation. The cuts preferred for this dish tend to be lean and rich in protein, with a good amount of important minerals and vitamins, making London broil lower in fat than many beef dishes. That said, if you’re watching your saturated fat or cholesterol intake this may not be the dish for you. Try smaller servings of the meat and add some hearty sides like steamed veggies with lemon and plain baked potatoes on the side to lower your fat and cholesterol intake overall. And if sodium is a concern, replace half the soy sauce with water or more balsamic vinegar.

Can I Cook London Broil in the Oven?

With broil in its name you probably guessed that you can cook this steak under your broiler instead of grilling it. You won’t see those satisfying grill marks from broiling but it will still be very tasty. Just remember that broiling it may produce smoke so turn on your exhaust fan or set a fan in a kitchen window pointing out.

To use your broiler, preheat it using the “high broil” setting if your oven has one (you’ll want it broiling at a temperature of 450°F to 500°F if there’s a temperature gauge). Place your steak in a roasting pan on a high oven rack and broil each side for about 5 to 7 minutes, until it’s browned and reaches the desired doneness. You can also sear your London broil in a heavy skillet over high heat until both sides have browned and then pop it into a preheated oven at 400°F until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F as well.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds London broil steak, such as top round steak
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

INSTRUCTIONS

Marinate

Prepare and marinate the steak.

Grill

Grill to desired doneness.

Serve

Rest, slice, and serve.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

The key to getting all those delicious marinade flavors deep into your London broil is to let the steak soak them up in your fridge overnight, but if you’d like you can even prep it up to a day ahead. While you could get away with marinating for a few hours, the extra time helps the mix penetrate the meat for the juiciest, tenderest, and tastiest meal. After you’ve grilled your London broil, wait till it cools before putting leftover slices in plastic wrap or airtight containers for the fridge or freezer. London broil typically lasts a few days refrigerated and 3 months frozen.

What’s the Difference Between London Broil and Flank Steak?

Sometimes the terms London broil and flank steak are used interchangeably, but remember that London broil refers to a cooking technique rather than a cut of meat. Flank steak, a lean cut from a cow’s abdomen, is sometimes used in London broil recipes. So, while a London broil might include flank steak, you have plenty of other options when making it. This recipe suggests top round, but top sirloin or flank steak are options.

What Are Variations for the London Broil Marinade?

Ingredients like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic are classic choices for a London broil marinade, but feel free to experiment with whatever variations strike your fancy. For instance, add some zing to your London broil with citrus juices like lemon, or take a trip to the islands with tropical flavors like pineapple juice and curry powder. Or marinate your next London broil with chili sauce, honey, and ginger for a sweet-and-spicy experience.

Serving Suggestions

Anything that goes well alongside a regular grilled steak works for serving with London broil. Classic ideas like Mashed Potatoes, Oven-Roasted Vegetables, and a side salad like Wedge Salad are all great options to complement the flavors and texture of your London broil. If you’re looking for something just a bit out of the box you could experiment with serving London broil on a bed of fresh Polenta or making some Mashed Cauliflower for your keto friends.

There are also plenty of ways to incorporate grilled London broil into other fantastic lunches or dinners, a bonus if you have leftovers. You could make savory London broil sandwiches with caramelized onions and melted cheese. Or try London broil tacos, maybe complete with toppings like grilled pineapple and salsa!