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The Secret to Tender London Broil – Seasonal Cravings

    Want to learn how to cook tender London broil?  Have trouble cooking your London Broil?  Is it always tough and tasteless?  If so, you will love this Tender London Broil. Giving the meat a little bit of love beforehand goes a long way and guarantees a tender, flavorful steak every time.  {whole30, paleo, whole 30, keto, gluten free}

    how to make Tender London Broil on a white plate

    I buy London Broil a lot because it’s always on sale BOGO at my local grocery store.  It is great for a quick weeknight meal or pretty enough for a special occasion. Sometimes I will make two and the kids use the steak for quesadillas throughout the week. Just store the extra London Broil in an airtight container for a few days in the refrigerator.  I prefer to not cut it all ahead of time. Slice it when you need it so it doesn’t dry out.

    This trick from Bon Appetit has forever changed how I cook this weekday staple.

    Giving your Tender London Broil a little bit of love beforehand can really make a difference in how it turns out.  It’s worth the extra step, I promise! This is how you cook London Broil so it’s not tough.

    London Broil Ingredients

    • London Broil
    • Salt and Pepper

    london broil round steak sliced on a white plate

    How To Cook London Broil

    1. Let’s learn how to make London Broil! Lay your London Broil over a sheet pan on a cookie cooling rack and generously season with salt and pepper.
    2. How to tenderize London Broil: Give it an hour to tenderize on the counter.  The salt draws out the moisture of the meat and then dissolves into the meat making it tender.  This also helps break down the lean muscle proteins. This is similar to dry-brining, like we do with turkeys. Not to mention this brings it to room temperature, which you should always do when cooking a steak.
    3. After an hour, grill it at medium-high heat for about 12-15 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest middle part registers 125° for medium rare.  You can use your outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan.  I swear by this easy-to-use meat thermometer and even take it on vacation with me. I think this is the best way to cook London Broil.
    4. To get those super cool cross-hatch marks, rotate the meat 45° after about 4-5 minutes, then do the same thing on the other side. Let rest for 5-10 minutes, and slice thinly using a sharp knife.
    5. Now that you know how to cook a London broil without marinating, you can easily prepare this delicious dish in your own kitchen. Whether you prefer it medium-rare or well-done, this cooking method will ensure a tender and flavorful London broil every time.

    Serve with Teeny Tiny Roasted Potatoes or Roasted Root Vegetables.

    What Cut of Meat is Best Used for London Broil Recipe?

    London Broil cut is the term used by butchers on large, lean, and tough cuts of meat. It is not a specific cut of meat. A few examples of meat used for this recipe are top round roast, flank steak, and top sirloin.

    Originally, flank steak was the meat of choice for making London Broil. I often use top round steak for London broil. It can be a tough cut of meat if it is not cooked properly.

    London Broil refers to the cooking technique of using high heat over a short period of time, which is how most steaks are prepared. Is London broil tender? Well that all depends on how you cook it and whether or not you overcook it.

    How To Cook London Broil on the Grill

    If you prefer, you can also grill London Broil, adding a depth of flavor and smokiness to the meat.

    The first step is to marinate the meat for at least thirty minutes before grilling it. Any simple marinade will do. I prefer to use a marinade with olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder.

    London Broil Marinade:

    3 garlic cloves

    ¼ cup olive oil

    2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

    2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or substitute red wine vinegar)

    1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)

    salt and peppers

    mix this all together in a small bowl

    pour the marinade into a Ziploc bag and add the London Broil steak

    After taking the meat out of the marinade, lightly season it with salt and pepper before putting it on the grill. Make sure the grill is heated to 450 degrees F. Grill the meat for 5-8 minutes on each side. Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

    Remove the meat from the grill. Let it rest on the cutting board for 10-15 minutes. After resting, you can slice the London Broil against the grain for extra juicy meat.

    London Broil recipe on a white plate with knife

    How to Cook a London Broil in Oven

    Like grilling, it helps to start by marinating the London Broil before cooking it in the oven but that is not necessary. If you choose not to marinate just season the meat with your favorite spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. This will help enhance the flavors without the need for marinating.

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

    After resting in the marinade for 30 minutes to an hour, remove the meat and put it into a baking dish or a roasting pan.

    Place the meat on the center rack of the oven.  Cook the meat for 7 minutes for medium-rare, or 9 minutes for medium. The cooking time varies according to the thickness of the steak. The 7-9 minute cooking time is suited for a 1-inch steak.

    The internal temperature of the meat for a medium-rare cook is 130 degrees F. Check a temperature chart if you prefer other levels of doneness on your meat.

    To make the London broil tender, it’s important to let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a moist and tender final product.

    There are so many delicious side dishes for London Broil to create an amazing dinner for your family and friends.

    You may also like this Steak Tips recipe if you are a beef lover!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is London Broil a good cut of beef?

    London Broil is a good cut of beef when it is cooked correctly. If not, it can be very tough and tasteless which makes many cooks avoid it.

    What is the best way to tenderize a London Broil?

    The best way to tenderize a London Broil is to salt and pepper both sides and lay it on a cooling rack placed on a sheet pan. Let it sit there for about an hour before cooking.

    What’s the difference between top round and London Broil?

    Top round is cut from the upper thigh of the hindquarters of the cow. London broil actually refers to the method of cooking over high heat.

    Why is London Broil so cheap?

    It is less expensive because its from a tougher part of the animal. That’s why it’s important to tenderize or marinate it.

    What to Serve With Tender London Broil

    the secret to tender london broil

    Tender London Broil

    Have trouble cooking your London Broil? Is it always tough and tasteless? If so, you will love this Tender London Broil. Giving the meat a little bit of love beforehand goes a long way and guarantees a tender, flavorful steak every time.