it is actually a method of cooking-not a specific cut of beef. London Broil usually involves marinating a very lean piece of beef like flank steak or top round, and then cooking it to perfection, as often done by broiling or grilling. However, one of the easiest and most reliable ways to cook it is in your oven.
You will learn step by step everything there is to know about how to cook London Broil in the oven. By following this guide, you will know how to pick the best cut of meat even if it is of fish, chiken or beef how to prepare it for cooking, how to marinate it, and how to cook it just right. Follow this guide, and you will know how to cook London Broil perfectly in your oven and would be able to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.
Table of Contents:
Best Cuts of Meat for London Broil
How to Marinate London Broil for Maximum Flavor
Preparing Your London Broil for Oven Cooking
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking London Broil in the Oven
How to Achieve the Perfect Doneness
Resting and Slicing Your London Broil
Serving Suggestions
what is london broil
London Broil is not a particular cut of meat, but rather a method of cooking whereby one marinates a lean, tough cut of beef and then broils it or grills it. Contrary to the name, there is no relation to the city of London. Rather, the term was American North American in origin and described this cooking method that produced a juicy, full-bodied, tender steak.
Traditionally, flank steak was used for London Broil, but top round steak is often used currently. Both cuts are lean and become the most flavorful when marinated. The cooked meat is best when served sliced thinly across the grain to medium-rare to medium and with sauces or sides.
2. Best Cuts of Meat for London Broil
While the term “London Broil” can be used to refer to a variety of beef cuts, there are two primarily utilized for the dish:
Flank Steak Flank steak is the classic London Broil. A series of rather long, flat cuts come from the abdominal muscles of the cow. It’s very lean, with big muscle fibers-much like the tenderloin, it would be unapologetically tough if not prepared just right. But when marinated and cooked well, it was great.
Top Round Steak: Well, top round steak-commonly referred to as round steak-is the next most frequent substitute for London Broil. This cut is taken from the hind leg of the cow and, like flank steak, will be quite lean with minimal marbling compared to cuts such as ribeye or sirloin. Top round is a good option if you are looking for something in your budget but still shines in London Broil when marinated and prepared properly.
Both of these cuts can be cooked in the oven, but both require different levels of attention in order to get the best results. Flank steak cooks a bit faster than top round. However, both of them are amazing if they are prepared the right way.
3. How to Marinate London Broil for Maximum Flavor
Of course, the secret to a great London Broil begins with a great flavor marinade. The marinade not only gives the meat a luscious taste but also helps to tenderize it so that it would be easy to eat.
The most effective marinades for London Broil include acidic ingredients like vinegar, citrus juices, or wine mixed with oil and seasonings to make it more balanced.
Basic Marinade Ingredients
Acid: It may come in the forms of red wine vinegar, balsamic, lemon juice, or soy sauce. The acid tenderizes the meat.
Oil: Olive oil will do very well in the dish because it aids in tenderizing and moistening the steak.
Sweetener: The slight hint of brown sugar or honey can contribute sweetness to the meat and browning while it is cooked.
Garlic: It gives an added depth to the flavor by using fresh minced or powder from garlic.
Herbs and spices: Dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper may be used, or you can use herbs and spices as your preference.
Extras : Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, onion powder can be added for more flavor.
Recipe for Simple Marinade:
Ingredients:
¼ cup olive oil
¼ red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
How to marinate:
Mix marinade: In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well incorporated.
Marinate the steak: Place your London Broil (flank steak or top round) in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the meat, making sure it is completely covered. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate: Put the meat into the refrigerator to marinate for at least 2 hours, but best of all within 6 to 12 hours. Even if you don’t have much time, 30 minutes does make a difference in flavor.
Bring to room temperature: Place the marinated steak at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows it to be cooked evenly when placed in the oven.
4. Preparing Your London Broil for Oven Cooking
Once your London Broil has been marinated, it’s time to prep for cooking. While the marinade does most of the flavoring work, there is still much you can do to make sure the meat turns out right.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). This will give you high heat if you need to let it cook, with the juices locked in and that beautiful crust all over the outside of the steak.
Step 2: Prepare Your Pan or Rack
If you have a broiler pan, that’s actually best to use for oven-roasting London Broil. The broiler pan is really good at letting the fat drip off of meat as it cooks, so your steak stays nice and moist. If you don’t have a broiler pan, you can also use a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil or a wire rack set over a sheet pan.
Step 3: Caramelize the Meat (Optional)
If you want to really flavor your crust, sear the London Broil before roasting. Heat up a big skillet over a high flame, add one tablespoon of oil, then add the marinated steak; sear 2-3 minutes on each side so you can develop that lovely golden-brown crust that’s going to happen. This step adds flavour and texture to the finished dish, though it’s not strictly necessary in terms of getting dinner done.
Step 4: Seasoning Before Cooking
While your London Broil has marinated, it never hurts to sprinkle some seasonings on the steak before cooking. Remove the steak from the marinade and rub both sides with salt to taste, some freshly ground black pepper, as well as any other herbs to which you’re a fan of, such as rosemary or thyme.
How Long to Cook London Broil in the Oven
Time exact to cook a London Broil depends upon the dimensions and thickness of your meat, the intensity of your oven, and your preference as regards to doneness. Here are generally the guidelines in cooking:
For 1-inch thick London Broil
Broiling: 4-6 minutes each side
Roasting: 10-12 minutes per side at 400°F
For 1.5-inch thick London Broil
Broiling: 6-8 minutes each side
Roasting: 15-18 minutes per side at 400°F
It’s always better to check the internal temperature a little earlier than you think, because it’s easy overcook the meat.
- Resting Your London Broil
After cooking your London Broil up to your desired internal temperature, take it out of the oven. This is one of the final steps to ensuring your meat remains juicy.
Let it stand for 5-10 minutes over a cutting board or plate before slicing the steak. It lets the juices redistribute inside of the meat so it will be tender and full of flavor.
How to Slice and Serve Your London Broil
One of the most vital steps in preparing London Broil is slicing it properly. Since this cut of meat can be tough, slicing against the grain will help break down the muscle fibers, making it much more tender.
How to Slice
Find the grain: The grain is the direction the meat fibers run along. You’ll be able to see it on the surface of the steak.
Slice across the grain: Cut perpendicular (across) to the grain, not with it. This makes each piece so much more tender.
Cut thinly: London Broil is often cut thin for optimal performance, even if you want it just a little on the rare side.
Serve your London Broil with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
You can even serve it with a sauce like chimichurri, garlic butter, or steak sauce.
Tips for Perfect London Broil
Here are some quick tips so that your London Broil will always come out right:
Do not skip the marinade: Regardless of whether you want to give flavor or tenderness, marinating is essential. Even in a busy schedule, do not skip marinading it for at least 30 minutes.
Reserve the meat: Never fail to reserve the cooked meat. It will taste much juicier that way.
Use a meat thermometer: This ensures you won’t overcook the meat and so get perfect doneness.
Slice thinly against the grain: This makes your steak tender and effortless to chew.
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcooking the meat: London Broil works the best when it’s medium-rare or medium. With such toughness and dryness, the same can be unbearable if cooked over.
Do not let the meat rest: Resting the steak is important to stay juicy. If you slice it immediately, all the juices run out.
Using too much heat: If the oven gets too hot, the outside will be burnt before the inside is cooked through. Therefore, the ideal temperature for the oven is at 400°F.
9. Conclusion
That’s what I’ll tell you today: the way to cook London Broil in the oven, step by step from marinating to slicing, so that you impress your friends and family with a delicious, tender steak. The most important thing is to watch for the temperature, not to skip resting, and always slice against the grain.
Cooking London Broil in the oven is very easy and, following some little practice, you will end up cooking the perfect steak every time. Enjoy your meal and stay happy cooking