• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Healthy Recipes Blog
  • Summer Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Summer Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Meat Recipes » London Broil Recipe

    London Broil Recipe

    Last updated: May 8, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Card

    This easy London Broil recipe highlights the bold, beefy flavor of top round steak and requires very little work.

    Your only job as a cook is to avoid overcooking the meat. This cut of beef should be served medium-rare.

    Sliced London broil served on a white plate.

    The best thing about this recipe, apart from its wonderfully beefy flavor, is how easy is to make. 

    It's a simple recipe that highlights the bold flavor of top round steak and requires very little work. Much like tri-tip roast, it's an inexpensive yet very flavorful cut of beef.

    London broil is traditionally prepared by broiling or grilling a marinated top round steak or flank steak, then cutting the steak into thin strips. However, I like to cook it on the stove, in a cast-iron skillet.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • London Broil Instructions
    • Expert Tip
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More Beef Recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    • For the marinade: Balsamic vinegar, soy sauce (or a gluten-free alternative), Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and cumin. You can use any mustard you like, but I like the creaminess and flavor of Dijon mustard.
    • Top round steak: I usually get it at the butcher counter at Whole Foods.
    • Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use by half, or the steak could end up too salty.

    Variations

    The best way to vary this recipe is to add more spices to the marinade. Good options that I tried and liked include smoked paprika (½ teaspoon), chili powder (½ teaspoon), and cayenne pepper (¼ teaspoon).

    London Broil Instructions

    The detailed instructions for making this recipe are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of the steps.

    London broil is very lean and very flavorful. But it can easily become tough. To make sure your steak comes out tender, you need to do three things:

    Marinate the beef prior to cooking. Marinating, especially with a marinade that contains vinegar, tenderizes the meat.

    A photo collage showing steps 1-4 for cooking London broil.

    Cook the steak to rare (120°F), and certainly to no more than medium-rare (135°F). Note that the USDA says we should cook steaks to 145°F.

    Slice the cooked steak thinly. Slicing it thinly is another trick that aids with chewing it. Other tough cuts of beef, such as flank steak and skirt steak, are also sliced thinly.

    A photo collage showing steps 5-8 for cooking London broil.

    Expert Tip

    In terms of the level of doneness, I can't stress enough how important it is to cook this particular cut of beef lightly. Rare is best, and as you can see in the photos, that's how I like to cook it. But you should definitely avoid cooking it to more than medium-rare.

    When cooked to medium or medium well, it can become tough and difficult to chew, regardless of how long it has been marinated.

    The CDC, though, wants us to cook steaks to medium (145°F). So if you prefer to cook meat to medium, it's probably best to go with cuts of beef that are more tender, such as this beef tenderloin roast or even sirloin.

    Recipe FAQs

    What cut is a London broil?

    This recipe is typically made from the top round. The round is the rear leg of the cow and it's divided into the eye round, bottom round, and top round.

    The top round is a tough cut that requires overnight marinating and a quick high-heat cooking method. A cow parts diagram showing the round part of the animal.

    What if my steak is still frozen?

    If you have a frozen top round steak, it's perfectly fine to marinate it while it's still frozen. I do it often. Simply place the frozen steak in a resealable bag with the marinade and place it in the fridge overnight.

    Should I add oil to the skillet?

    If your cast iron skillet is well seasoned, there's no need to add oil to the pan before frying the steak. If you'd like to add fat to the skillet, it's best to use fats that are appropriate for high-heat cooking, such as avocado oil or ghee.

    Serving Suggestions

    This is such a versatile main dish. You can serve it with any side, really. I often serve it with one of the following side dishes:

    • Mashed cauliflower
    • Steamed asparagus
    • Sauteed mushrooms
    • Microwave sweet potato (not a low-carb side, obviously)

    Storing Leftovers

    You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for 3-4 days. Thinly sliced and served cold, they make the perfect salad topping for salads such as this arugula salad.

    Sometimes I use them in this Cobb salad instead of chicken.

    I also like to make myself a plate of cold beef slices with some fresh-cut veggies and quick pickles.

    Sliced London broil served on a plate and garnished with parsley.

    More Beef Recipes

    • Broiled flank steak, sliced, served on a white plate.
      Broiled Flank Steak
    • Ribeye roast, sliced, served on a cutting board.
      Ribeye Roast
    • Reverse-sear steak served on a white plate..
      Reverse Sear Steak
    • Slow cooker oxtails served in a white dish and garnished with parsley.
      Slow Cooker Oxtail

    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    London Broil, sliced, served with a fork.
    4.98 from 137 votes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Print Recipe

    London Broil Recipe

    Check out this easy London Broil recipe that highlights the bold, beefy flavor of top round steak and requires very little work.
    Prep Time4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time4 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 279kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or a gluten-free alternative)
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1.5 lbs. top round steak 1 - 1.25 inches thick
    • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    Marinate the steak:

    • In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, garlic powder, and cumin. Place the steak in a Ziploc bag. Pour the marinade into the bag and rub it all over the steak.
      Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Place the bag on a plate in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. If you're home while the steak is marinating, flip it once in a while.

    Cook the steak:

    • Remove the steak from the fridge 1-2 hours before cooking, to allow it to reach room temperature.
    • Heat a well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3 minutes.
    • Remove the steak from the bag and pat it dry with paper towels. Sprinkle it on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the steak in the hot skillet. Cook it for 3 minutes without moving.
      Flip to the other side (it should be deeply browned and slightly charred on the first side) and cook for 3 more minutes, again without moving it.
    • Using oven mitts, remove the skillet from the heat. Tent it with foil, and allow the steak to rest - and finish cooking from the skillet's heat - for 5 minutes.
    • Transfer the steak to a cutting board. Slice it very thinly and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    If you have a frozen top round steak, it's perfectly fine to marinate it while it's still frozen. I do it often. Simply place the frozen steak in a resealable bag with the marinade and place it in the fridge overnight.
    The best way to ensure that the steak is done to your liking is by using an instant-read thermometer. Rare is 120-130°F (a warm red center). Medium-rare is 130-135°F (mostly pink center with some red in the middle).
    Having said that, it should be noted that the CDC recommends cooking meat, poultry, and eggs thoroughly.

    Add Your Own Notes

    Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.

    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 721mg
    SubscribeI typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon
    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    ❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

    More Meat Recipes

    • Ham steak served with green beans.
      Ham Steak
    • Picanha steak topped with butter.
      Picanha Steak
    • New York strip steak in a cast-iron skillet.
      Perfect New York Strip Steak
    • Pork jowls are served on a white plate with a fork.
      Crispy Pork Jowl

    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Summer Recipes

    • Shrimp salad served in a white bowl with a napkin.
      Shrimp Salad
    • Caprese salad served on a light-blue plate.
      Caprese Salad Recipe
    • Grilled portobello mushrooms served on a white plate.
      Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
    • Lettuce sandwich held in a person's hand.
      Lettuce Sandwich
    • Grilled shrimp threaded on skewers and served on a white plate.
      Grilled Shrimp
    • Grilled zucchini served on a white plate.
      Grilled Zucchini
    • Cucumber water served in a pitcher and in a glass.
      Cucumber Water
    • Gazpacho is served in white bowls with spoons.
      Easy Gazpacho Recipe
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked Chicken Breast served on a white plate with a fork.
      Juicy Baked Chicken Breast
    • Cauliflower pizza crust topped with cheese and pepperoni.
      Cauliflower Pizza Crust
    • Microwave bacon served on paper towels.
      Microwave Bacon
    • Baked pork chops in a cast-iron skillet.
      Baked Pork Chops
    • Turkey burgers served with lettuce and tomatoes.
      Juicy Turkey Burgers
    • Grilled chicken breast, sliced and served on a white plate.
      Grilled Chicken Breast
    • Pork roast, sliced, and served on a white platter with broccoli.
      Easy Boneless Pork Roast
    • Baked chicken wings served on a white plate with a dip.
      Baked Chicken Wings

    Footer

    Media mentions

    Media mentions of Healthy Recipes Blog: logos

    The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.


    By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


    Accessibility Statement


    Copyright © 2023