Perfectly Grilled London Broil: An Easy, Budget-Friendly Steak for Any Family Meal
Discover the secret to a tender, flavorful, and incredibly budget-friendly steak dinner with our simple Grilled London Broil recipe. This impressive cut of beef, often overlooked, transforms into a culinary masterpiece with the right marinade and grilling technique. Forget spending a fortune on individual steaks; London Broil offers a delicious and economical alternative that can feed the whole family without compromising on taste or quality. Whenever I find London Broil on sale, I always stock up, knowing a quick and satisfying meal is just a freezer away. It’s the ideal choice for a bustling Sunday dinner, perfectly paired with classic sides like fluffy baked potatoes and a crisp garden salad, making meal prep genuinely easy peasy!
London Broil is not a specific cut of meat, but rather a preparation method, typically referring to a thick cut of lean beef like a top round roast or flank steak, which is marinated, grilled, and then sliced thinly against the grain. This method tenderizes the meat and infuses it with incredible flavor, making it a fantastic option for those seeking a hearty beef dish without the premium price tag of more expensive cuts.
The Secret to a Flavorful London Broil Marinade
The magic of a perfectly grilled London Broil lies almost entirely in its marinade. Because London Broil is a leaner, tougher cut, a good marinade is essential for both tenderizing the meat and infusing it with deep, delicious flavors. Our recipe relies on a remarkably simple yet incredibly effective two-ingredient marinade that delivers outstanding results every time. You’ll be amazed at how such a straightforward combination can create such a rich and savory steak.
Essential Marinade Ingredients:
- Moore’s Marinade or Dale’s Marinade: These classic bottled marinades are fantastic shortcuts to flavor. We highly recommend seeking out their low-sodium versions to better control the salt content in your final dish, ensuring a more balanced taste. These marinades are packed with savory notes that penetrate deep into the beef fibers, tenderizing and flavoring simultaneously.
- Italian Salad Dressing: Choose your favorite brand of Italian salad dressing. The vinegar and oil in Italian dressing act as a tenderizer, while the herbs and spices add a zesty, aromatic layer of flavor that beautifully complements the beef. Look for a dressing with a good balance of tang and seasoning for the best results.
While our two-ingredient marinade is a surefire hit for convenience and flavor, we understand some prefer to craft their marinades from scratch. If you’re feeling adventurous or simply prefer a homemade touch, you can certainly whip up your own. Our Best Ever Grilled Chicken Marinade is incredibly versatile and works wonders not only on chicken but also on beef and pork, proving its adaptability and robust flavor profile. Feel free to experiment with fresh garlic, herbs like rosemary and thyme, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, or a hint of Dijon mustard for an extra layer of complexity.
Expert Tips for Grilling London Broil to Perfection
Achieving a perfectly grilled London Broil isn’t just about the marinade; it also involves a few crucial techniques that ensure tenderness and maximum flavor. Follow these tips to elevate your grilling game and enjoy a restaurant-quality steak right from your backyard.
- Choose the Right Cut: For the best results, select a high-quality cut of London Broil that is at least 1.5 to 2 inches thick. Thicker cuts allow for a better sear on the outside while maintaining a juicy, medium-rare interior, which is ideal for this lean cut of beef. A thinner cut might cook too quickly and dry out.
- Bring to Room Temperature: This is a golden rule for grilling most meats, and London Broil is no exception. Remove the marinated steak from the refrigerator at least one hour before you plan to grill. Allowing the meat to come to room temperature ensures more even cooking from edge to center, preventing a cold, raw interior and an overcooked exterior.
- Preheat Your Grill to Extreme Heat: Always ensure your grill is screaming hot before placing the steak on it. High heat is essential for developing that coveted crust and sear on the outside of the London Broil, locking in the juices and maximizing flavor. Aim for a temperature around 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Don’t Over-Marinate: While marinade is key, there’s a limit. For optimal flavor penetration and tenderization without making the meat mushy, marinate London Broil for at least 2-4 hours, but typically no more than 12-24 hours. Longer marination can sometimes break down the meat’s fibers too much due to the acids.
- Rest the Meat: This step is non-negotiable! After grilling, remove the London Broil from the heat and let it rest on a cutting board, loosely tented with foil, for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices that have been pushed to the center of the meat during cooking to redistribute throughout the steak, resulting in a significantly more tender and juicy slice. Cutting it too soon will cause all those precious juices to run out, leaving you with a dry, less flavorful experience.
How to Grill London Broil: The Simple Way
Grilling London Broil is remarkably straightforward, boiling down to just two main steps: marinate and grill. Our chosen marinade, a blend of Italian dressing and Moore’s (or Dale’s) Marinade, might seem deceptively simple, but trust us, the flavor it imparts is absolutely phenomenal. This combination creates a rich, savory, and perfectly tender steak that will have everyone asking for your secret!
For convenience and minimal cleanup, I prefer to marinate most everything in zip-top bags. It’s simply the best way to ensure the meat is thoroughly coated in the marinade without creating a mess. For this London Broil, we typically marinate it for about 3 to 4 hours in the refrigerator. This duration allows the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat and the tenderizers to work their magic without over-processing the lean cut.
Once marinated and brought to room temperature, the grilling process is quick and efficient. Heat your grill to a high temperature, around 450 degrees Fahrenheit. For a perfect medium-rare doneness, grill the first side for approximately 7 minutes, then flip and grill the second side for another 5 minutes. Keep in mind that grilling times can vary based on your grill’s heat, the exact thickness of your London Broil, and your preferred level of doneness. Always cook with the grill lid off for optimal searing and heat control on high-heat direct grilling.
Remember the golden rule: let the meat rest! After grilling, it’s crucial to let the London Broil rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb the juices that have been pushed to the center during cooking. If you cut into the steak too soon, all those delicious, flavorful juices will simply run out onto your cutting board, leaving you with a dry and disappointing experience. Patience is truly a virtue when it comes to a juicy steak.
The London Broil used in this recipe was about 2 inches thick. To help you determine the ideal grilling time for your specific cut of meat, refer to our comprehensive grilling time guide below. This table provides estimated times for various thicknesses and desired doneness levels, helping you achieve perfect results every time.
| Thickness | ½” | ¾” | 1″ | 1¼” | 1½” | 1¾” | 2″ |
| Rare 120° – 130° |
2/2 | 4/2 | 5/3 | 5/4 | 6/4 | 7/5 | 8/6 |
| Medium Rare 130° – 140° |
3/2 | 4/3 | 5/4 | 6/5 | 7/5 | 8/6 | 9/8 |
| Medium 140° – 150° |
4/2 | 5/3 | 6/4 | 7/5 | 7/6 | 8/7 | 10/8 |
| Well Done 160° – 170° |
5/3 | 7/5 | 8/6 | 9/7 | 10/8 | 11/9 | 13/11 |
After your London Broil has rested sufficiently, the final step is to slice it correctly. Always cut the meat against the grain into thin slices. Slicing against the grain shortens the muscle fibers, making even a lean cut like London Broil wonderfully tender and easy to chew. This technique is crucial for maximizing the eating experience of this particular steak.
This recipe is truly one of those “no real measuring required” kind of dishes. When it comes to the marinade, I don’t bother with precise measurements; I simply pour the Italian dressing and Moore’s (or Dale’s) directly into the zip-top bag with the meat, ensuring it’s generously coated. This relaxed approach makes the preparation even quicker and more enjoyable, proving that delicious meals don’t always need meticulous planning.
Serving Suggestions and More Grilling Recipes
A perfectly grilled London Broil pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Classic accompaniments like large, fluffy baked potatoes and a crisp green salad are always a hit. Other fantastic options include roasted asparagus, grilled corn on the cob, garlic mashed potatoes, or a vibrant quinoa salad. For a heartier meal, consider serving it with a side of creamy polenta or a rich mushroom risotto. The versatility of London Broil makes it suitable for anything from a casual weeknight dinner to a more elaborate weekend feast.
If you love the thrill of the grill and are looking for more mouth-watering recipes to expand your outdoor cooking repertoire, you’re in luck! We have a fantastic collection of grilling and smoking recipes that are sure to impress. From fall-off-the-bone ribs to perfectly seasoned wings, there’s something for every barbecue enthusiast. Don’t stop at London Broil; explore new flavors and techniques with our other tried-and-true recipes.
- St. Louis Ribs – Learn How To Do Smoked Ribs Like A Pro
- Grilled Beer Brats with Peppers and Onions
- The Secrets To Amazing Smoked Chicken Wings Every Time
We hope this detailed guide empowers you to grill a London Broil that is not only tender and juicy but also packed with incredible flavor. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients and techniques can yield outstanding results, making gourmet-quality meals accessible for any home cook. Enjoy the process, savor the flavors, and don’t hesitate to make this budget-friendly steak a regular on your family dinner rotation!
Grilled London Broil
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Ingredients
- London Broil
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup Italian dressing
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup Moore’s Marinade or your favorite low-sodium version
Instructions
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Place London Broil, ideally 1.5 to 2 inches thick, into a large zip-top bag, ensuring there is enough room for the marinade.
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Pour the Italian dressing and Moore’s (or Dale’s) Marinade directly into the bag with the meat. Adjust quantities to ensure the entire surface of the London Broil is well coated.
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Gently massage the marinade around the meat, ensuring every part of the London Broil is thoroughly coated. This helps the tenderizers and flavors penetrate evenly.
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Squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag, then seal it securely. Place the bag in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 3-4 hours, or ideally up to 8 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.
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Remove the London Broil from the refrigerator at least one hour before grilling to allow it to come to room temperature. Preheat your grill to approximately 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit (extremely hot). Place the London Broil on the hot grill. Cook according to your desired doneness preference, using the grilling guide provided above. For a 2-inch thick cut and medium-rare, grill for about 7 minutes on the first side and 5 minutes on the second side. Keep the grill lid OFF during this high-heat searing.
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Once cooked to your liking, remove the London Broil from the grill and transfer it to a clean cutting board. Loosely tent it with foil and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy steak. After resting, slice thinly against the grain before serving.