How To Cook London Broil

Choosing The Right London Broil

London broil is famous due to its flavors and affordability. The robust dish becomes crusty from the outside, and juicy and tender from the inside when cooked. To achieve this, choosing the right London broil becomes crucial. Here are a few things to consider when buying the London broil: 

Choosing the cut

The steak comes mainly in 3 variations such as top round, flank steak, and sirloin. Depending on the purpose of cooking, you can choose any of them. Here are they: 

• Top round cut: The meat comes from the inner part of the front leg. Since it is lean, slightly firm, and contains low fat, choose this if you are a health-conscious person who loves to enjoy the steak. 
• Flank steak: This part is tougher, leaner, and filled with beefy flavors. Despite of low fat content, the meat is filled with beefy flavors. But it can be quite pricy than the top round cut. 
• Sirloin: This part can be found in the top portion of the cow's back. It is divided into top and bottom sirloin. The top sirloin is quite tender and filled with fat, which makes it more flavorful when grilled or broilled. This could be the right choice if you just want to indulge in the rich beefy flavors regardless of being health-conscious. 

Thickness

The thickness of the meat also plays a vital role in giving a crusty and tender texture. It's best to buy a 1-1.5 inches thick cut. It is because the texture becomes soft and juicy from the inside and crusty from the outside when the meat is grilled or broiled. 

Freshness

Freshness matters a lot when cooking the best London broil. A freshly cut piece will have a bright, deep red color. Having a grey or brown color in the meat indicates a spoiled one.

Similarly, there should be a firm texture in the meat. If it is too soft or looks mushy, it shows the beef is about to spoil. So avoid the cuts with signs of spoilage. 

Besides that, a bit of marbling in the cut is the best choice to achieve the juicy and slightly crispy texture. 

How To Prepare London Broil

Before you think of jumping into the cooking process, the preparation of London broil is essential. Here are some steps to follow to prepare the meat for cooking: 

Prepare the London broil

The preparation starts with unpacking the meat. Then sprinkle some salt over it and let it sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours. This will bring out the excess moisture or water in the meat. 

After that, take out the meat and throw the excess water. Rinse the meat with water and use a paper towel to pat the meat dry. This will absorb the remaining moisture from the outer layer of the meat.

Prepare the marination sauce

After preparing London broil, marination sauce should be prepared. For this, get a bow and mix all the ingredients such as soy sauce, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, onion powder, red wine or vinegar, salt, black pepper, and parsely leaves. Whisk these ingredients until blended well

Marinate the London broil

Place the meat in a shallow dish and pour the marination sauce over the meat. You can use your hand to properly spread the sauce evenly without leaving a single spot.

Now, cover the dish with a lid and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, or if possible overnight. During this time, the acidic ingredients pierce the meat and allow the infusion of seasonings into the meat. 

Once the marination time ends, come back to the fridge, take out the marinated meat, and proceed to the cooking process. 

How To Cook London Broil

1. Grilling

One of the most used methods to cook the London broil is grilling. It is usually done outside of the house, so a perfect way to spend some time with your loved ones while cooking and experiencing the natural atmosphere. Follow the given guide to grill a smokey and tender London broil.

Ingredients 

• London broil: 2 pounds
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Worcestershire sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Soy sauce: 1/2 cup
• Minced garlic: 2-3 cloves
• Red pepper flakes: 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
• Onion powder: 1 teaspoon
• Red wine vinegar, vinegar, or lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
• Parsely: 2-3 freshly chopped leaves

Instructions

• Preheat the grill for 30 minutes to a high heat of around 450°F (230°C). It will allow the meat to cook faster in less time. During this time, clean the grill grates by using oil in a paper towel. This will prevent the meat from sticking to the grates. 
• Take out the London broils from the refrigerator and place them on the grill one by one. You can use a tong to do that or do it with your hand according to your convenience. 
• Cook one side of the meat for about 8-10 minutes. The meat turns into a deep brown color by that time and that's when you know it is time to flip the meat to the other side. Use a tong to switch the meat to the other side and again cook the other sides of the meat for about 8-10 minutes. You can extend the grilling time a bit until you get the desired textured. 
• Check for the doneness of the meat by using a thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and the internal temperature should reach around 145°F (63°C). If you want to make steak more crispy, you can continue to grill until you get the desired texture. 
• Lastly, use a tong to remove the meat from the grill and place it on a plate. Leave the meat to cool down for 3-4 minutes, then you can proceed to serve and enjoy with your favorite chilly drink. 

2. Baking

London broil is also cooked in the oven and it is a quite popular method. Follow the given guide to turn the firm meat into juicy and slightly crispy.

Ingredients 

• London broil: 2 pounds
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Worcestershire sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Soy sauce: 1/2 cup
• Minced garlic: 2-3 cloves
• Red pepper flakes: 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
• Onion powder: 1 teaspoon
• Red wine vinegar, vinegar, or lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
• Parsely: 2-3 freshly chopped leaves

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to high heat for around 30 minutes before cooking the meat. Ensure the internal temperature of the oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Prepare the baking sheet by placing the baking paper or aluminum foil on top of it. This makes the cleaning process easier after cooking is done. If you have a baking rack, place it over the baking sheet. This facilitates easy airflow and allows the meat to cook evenly. 
• Place the marinated London broil on the baking sheet. Make sure to place each portion separately without touching each other. This prevents the meat from being mushy or sticky after cooking. 
• Put the baking sheet into the oven and leave it for baking up to 7-9 minutes. When the stipulated time is reached, use a tong to switch the meat to the other side and bake it again for up to 7-9 minutes. This time can be extended in case your London broil is thicker than the usual one. 
• Use a thermometer to check for the readiness of the meat. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat. The meat is considered cooked when it reaches the internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). 
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and leave the meat to rest for about 3-4 minutes. After that, use a tong to transfer the meat to a plate and garnish it with some chopped green herbs for a refreshing fragrance. Now, you can enjoy the London broil with your favorite side dish or a glass of chilled drink. 

3. Pan-frying

London broil can also be cooked in the pan. This method comes into play in case you don't have grilling tools and an oven. Follow the given guide to make the London broil in the pan: 

Ingredients

• London broil: 2 pounds
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Worcestershire sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Soy sauce: 1/2 cup
• Minced garlic: 2-3 cloves
• Red pepper flakes: 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
• Onion powder: 1 teaspoon
• Red wine vinegar, vinegar, or lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
• Parsely: 2-3 freshly chopped leaves

Instructions

• Preheat the pan. Place a heavy-bottomed skillet or pan on the stove and let it get heated. This will dry out the moisture from the pan and help to heat the oil quickly. 
• Pour the olive oil into the heated pan and let it melt for a minute.
• Place the marinated meat in the pan very carefully. It is because if you do it hastely the oil might burn you. 
• Cook the steak for about 8-10 minutes without moving it. By that time, the meat starts to become deep golden and brown. Then use a tong to flip the meat into the other side and again let it cook for about 8-10 minutes. Increase the cooking time in case you do not get your desired texture. 
• After the stipulated time is reached, use a thermometer to check for the doneness of the meat. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, the cooked steak will have a temperature of around 140°F (60°C). 
• Remove the pan from the stove and transfer the steak to a shallow dish using a tong. Leave the meat to rest for about 3-4 minutes. It will allow the juice to redistribute throughout the meat. 
• Finally, garnish the steak with some chopped green herbs and enjoy with your favorite wine or beer. 

How Long To Cook London Broil

Whenever first-timers plan to prepare the London broil, they are unsure about how long to cook the meat. The answer varies depending on the size of the meat as well as the method used to cook it.

If the meat is slightly bigger than the usual one, then takes a slightly longer time to cook. Whereas a more smaller one takes less time. 

For your ease, we have listed down a range of times to cook London broil:

Grilling

• 1 pound: 6-8 minutes on each side
• 2 pounds: 8-10 minutes on each side
• 3 pounds: 12-14 minutes on each side

Broiling

• 1 pound: 5-7 minutes on each side
• 2 pounds: 7-9 minutes on each side
• 3 pounds: 10-12 minutes on each side

Pan-frying

• 1 pound: 6-8 minutes on each side
• 2 pounds: 8-10 minutes on each side
• 3 pounds: 10-14 minutes on each side

As the weight of the meat increases, increase the time accordingly to cook the meat evenly. 

Common Mistakes And Ways To Solve Them

There are some common mistakes that you may make while making the London broil. We have listed down the most common mistakes along with the ways to solve them. Here are they:

1. Short marination time

Some of you choose to marinate the meat for a very short time. This doesn't allow the seasonings to properly get infused into the meat and the meat doesn't become tender as it should be.

To avoid this issue, marinate the meat for at least 4 hours. If possible extend the marination time for up to 24 hours for a better outcome. 

2. Not using acidic ingredients

You might think that skipping some of the ingredients won't affect the flavors of the meat. But that's not how the flavors work in your favor. Skipping acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or wine doesn't make the meat as tender as it is supposed to.

So, to avoid this issue, incorporate the acidic ingredients in the right amount which will help to break down the muscle fiber and make the meat more tender. 

3. Overcooking 

You may tend to overcook the meat thinking that it will make the meat more crispy and juicy. Here, you are making a mistake that only leads to dry and hard-to-chew meat. Thus, it is important to cook the meat for up to its ideal time to prevent the meat from drying.

You can use a thermometer to check the temperature to check for the doneness of the meat. this way you can avoid this issue. 

4. Not cooling the meat

Another mistake you might be making is not letting the meat cool down after cooking and jumping to cut the meat into slices. This causes the juices to spill down and make the meat dry when you eat. 

To avoid this issue, simply let the meat cool down for 3-5 minutes. During this time, the juices spread properly throughout the meat. As a result, it makes the meat more juicer and flavorful. 

5. Not enough seasonings

Seasonings are the silent killers in the meat. They are not much in quantity but can make the meat more flavorful from dull ones. Lack of seasonings doesn't make the meat delicious and interesting to eat.

Whereas, adding enough seasonings, changes the whole appearance of the dish and brings out delightful flavors. So, it is best to incorporate a sufficient amount of seasonings into the meat. 

What To Serve With

Side dishes play a vital role in making the main dish complete and more flavorful. Here are some side dish ideas that can served alongside the cooked London broil: 

1. Roasted sweet peppers

Roasted sweet peppers are a popular side dish in Mediterranean countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece. The dish is versatile and can be paired with any cuisine. The natural sweet flavors in the pepper blend well with the crispy and tender texture of the London broil. 

The peppers can be prepared in less than 5 minutes and served alongside the meat to enjoy the delightful combo. 

2. Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are easy to make and a comfort-based side dish that just complements the meat. This side dish is primarily made from the potatoes along with some seasonings. You can use this side dish on top of the chopped London broil and enjoy.

This combination gives a slightly sweet and meaty flavor, along with a juicy and tender texture. 

3. Green salads

Green salads are another side dish that goes well with the London broil or any kind of meat. Since the salads are filled with fiber, vitamins, and other essential minerals that help with digestion and keep your gut active. 

When the salads are paired with the meat, it helps the food to digest quickly, keeping you light for the rest of the time. 

4. Baked box mac and cheese

This side dish is mostly preferred by the kids. If you have kids at home try the baked box mac and cheese along with London broil to surprise your kids at the dinner table.  

This is primarily made from macaroni with cheese and butter. When the cheesy and buttery macaroni is paired with London broil, you can experience the rich flavors that satisfy your tastebuds. 

5. Greek orzo salad

This salad is widely consumed in Greece, Italy, and Spain. The salad contains a kind of pasta that looks like rice and some portion of cucumber along with cheese, black olives, and balsamic vinaigrette. 

This healthy and comforting side dish can be served with your London broil to experience tangy, cheesy, and juicy, meaty flavors. You can eat this combo for lunch or dinner.