London Broil In The Oven: Complete Guide + Recipe

Last modified on August 14th, 2021 at 9:55 pm

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Steak can be intimidating in general, more so with parts like flank or top round as they tend to be tougher than more expensive cuts of beef.

So, today I’m sharing another one of my kitchen hacks: how to cook London broil in the oven. AKA How to make an impressive dinner without breaking the bank.

The consistent worry with making London broil is that if cooked incorrectly, you can end up with something close to a murder weapon. It will be tough and gamey, in short – barely edible. I’m here to change that.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about making your very own London broil at home.

Best Way To Cook London Broil In The Oven

We’re usually more familiar with steak being pan-fried in a cast-iron skillet with herb and butter. When making a London broil you have to marinade it first for at least 2 hours to get the best results.

Then the classic method is to pan-fry it, but you risk overcooking the beef.

cuts of cooked london broil

So, I figured it’s better to cook the London broil in the oven. It’s easier to control and maintain the temperature of both the oven and the meat. Thus, it stays juicy and gives you a perfect medium rare every time.

Step 1. Rest the beef on a cutting board. Make sure its widest side is up because that’s where we will score it. Using a sharp knife, cut 1/8 deep diamond pattern across the beef. Repeat this on the other side.

Step 2. Make the marinade and soak the meat for at least 4 hours before cooking. This is to allow it to absorb all the flavor from the marinade. The cuts will help in making sure that the flavor is not just on the outside but in every slice of the London broil. You can use a resealable bag to submerge the meat, or if you don’t have one then, a nice large Tupperware — big enough to fit it would be enough.

Step 3. Sear and put it in the preheated oven. Let the London broil cook to perfection.

How Long Does It Take For A London Broil To Cook In The Oven?

London broil can be baked in the oven at different temperatures. The baking time depends on how you  want the doneness to be. This is best checked using a meat thermometer or a dual probe food  thermometer. Dual probe thermometer gives you real-time temperature as the meat cooks in the oven  or broiler.  

Juicy London broil in cast iron skillet

For a rarely done steak, the temperature should only be at 120° to 125° F. 

If you prefer the steak to be medium-rare, then it must have 130° to 135° F internal temperature. One technique about getting it in the perfect temperature is to remove the meat 1 to 2 degrees early to your preferred doneness.

For example, if you want it to be medium-rare, remove it before it falls around 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason is that residual heat will cook the steak even further during the resting stage, thus reaching your preferred doneness temperature. Besides, resting gives the meat time  to redistribute the juices back to the entire meat strand, making it juicy and tender.

How To Cook London Broil In The Oven At 400?

When baking your London broil at 400° F, place it in the lowest rack and leave to bake for 8 minutes for  medium-rare doneness. You can use a digital Food thermometer with dual probes to monitor the  internal temperature as it cooks.

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However, if you prefer a well-done London broil, then broil it for 11-12  minutes, turning halfway through.

Thicker and bigger cuts might require more cooking time.

How Long To Cook London Broil In The Oven At 425?

Meanwhile, on a 425° F oven temperature, you want to let the London broil bake for about 6-7 minutes  to get medium-rare. 

London broil with veggies top view

How To Cook London Broil In The Oven At 350? 

If you have much time, you can also cook it at a lower temperature to baked it slower. Bake it at 350° F  for 12-13 minutes. 

Flip the beef halfway through the baking process to ensure that it cooks evenly.

How Long To Cook London Broil In The Oven At 450?

Cooking at a higher temperature is okay. However, there is still a chance of getting the top portion of the meat to burn. Constant monitoring of the meat while on the broiler is the best way to prevent that from happening.

The London broil will need to be cooked for about 5-6 minutes if you prefer it to be cooked at 450 degrees Fahrenheit, turning halfway through the cooking process.

Add more or less time depending on your preferred doneness and the size of the

What Cut Of Meat Is Best Used For London Broil Recipe?

Flank steak has been referred to London broil and probably always will.

raw flank steak meat

Throughout recent years, I have tried different cuts for making a London broil. The best one so far is the classic Flank steak. It’s easier to find and it’s affordable too.

You can find them in supermarkets, but for the best quality, always go to a local butcher shop whenever possible. They are labeled as either flank steak or London broil.

If all else fails, you can also go with a top blade or a top round cut. This is the best alternative I found in making a good London broil. It’s just as affordable (maybe even cheaper) and has good flavor too.

The difference is that it’s leaner so it may tend to dry up faster when not cook properly.

How To Cook The Most Tender London Broil: My Tips

London broil recipe ingredients
  • If you’re not planning to marinate the meat for more than two hours, you can just cover it with cling wrap and leave at room temperature. However, if you’re marinating it for more than 2 hours, make sure you put it in the fridge to avoid bacterial growth during the marinating process. Letting it chilled in  the fridge helps the meat strand to relax and soak up those nice and delicious flavors and aromas that  you want to infuse.
  • If you left the steak marinated in the fridge for about 4 to 24 hours, take it out 10 minutes before you bake it and let it rest at room temperature.
  • Sear the London broil on a screaming hot cast-iron skillet before baking to get the best flavor and color on it. Use a cast iron broiler pan and sear the steak for at least 30 to 45 seconds on each side before you put it in the oven.
  • The searing process creates a lovely crust and caramelization between the beef and marinate. It also  seals the juices inside the meat to prevent it from leaking during the broiling process keeping it moist. Do not skip this step, it’s worth it!
  • To make sure you get a tender London broil in every bite, cut the meat against the grain. Cutting or slicing it perpendicular to the fibers helps the strands become shorter, making it easier to chew and have a tender mouthfeel.

London Broil Italian Marinade

marinade for london broil

When making London broil, you can never go wrong with an Italian Marinade. Here’s how I make mine:

What you’ll need:

  • 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Take out your food processor and put the ingredients in except the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, that’s for later. Blend it until you get a pasty texture. Then gradually add the olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

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Blend for another 2 to 3 minutes or until the mixture is fully incorporated.

The Best London Broil Recipe: My Family’s Favorite

This London broil recipe is one of my grandma’s precious gifts that are handed down to the family. I still remember her making this while telling her favorite stories back when her family used to make it.

London Broil Recipe

London Broil Recipe

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes

This London broil recipe is one of my grandma’s precious gifts that are handed down to the family.

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup Soy Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 4 cloves Garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp rosemary
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1-pound London broil, approximately 1 ½ inch thick

Instructions

1. Score the steak. Lay it down on a flat surface and rub both sides with salt and pepper. 

London broil meat with pepper

2. Then cut crisscross patterns across the meat and repeat on the other side. The cuts should be a  light score. This will keep the meat flavorful and juicy. 

London broil meat cut with crisscross pattern

3. Prepare the marinade. Take all the remaining dry ingredients and transfer to a medium-sized  mixing bowl.  

Garlic and rosemary in a mixing bowl

4. Now gradually add the wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly until fully combined. 

London broil marinade ingredients
5. Then transfer the marinade to a resealable freezer bag. Marinade the steak. Place the meat  inside the freezer bag filled with marinade. Move it around to ensure that it is completely  soaked in the mixture. Leave at room temperature for no longer than 2 hours or refrigerate  overnight for a more flavorful London broil. 

Marinating London Broil in a freezer bag
6. SEAR! Once you’re ready to make the London broil, preheat your oven to 400 degrees  Fahrenheit.  

Oven temperature at 400 degrees preheated

7. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a cast-iron pan on high heat or until the pan is screaming hot.

Olive oil in cast-iron pan

8. Take the beef out of the marinade and sear for 45 seconds on each side. 

Marinated meat on cast-iron pan

9. Bake it. After searing the steak, transfer the cast iron pan to the preheated oven. Bake it for 8  minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare—12 minutes for well-done.



10. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature; it should fall between 128-131 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare London broil. 

11. Take it out of the oven and rest for at least 3 minutes before carving and serving.

Tender London broil in pan

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 servings Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 922Total Fat: 58gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 264mgSodium: 6059mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 14gProtein: 75g

What To Serve With London Broil Steak?

My favorite side dish to serve with London broil is Roasted Potatoes in the oven. It’s quick and easy to make, and it goes perfectly well with the London broil.

Tri-Color Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

Sometimes I throw in other veggies like carrots or asparagus too. It adds color and texture to the mix.

All you need to do is peel the potatoes and cut them in half. I prefer either Russet or Yukon potatoes when baking. If you’re planning to add veggies, save a little of the marinade on the side to soak them in.

Then transfer it to the baking pan or around the broil. Take them out after 20 to 30 minutes or until fork-tender while leaving the steak to continue cooking.

Serve on the side of your tender and juicy London broil. 😉

How To Cook London Broil In The Oven Without Broiler Pan?

You can use a cast-iron skillet instead of a broiler pan. It does the same job with the broiler pan. 

Medium-rare London broil with vegetables

Also, the baking tray technique works. Just place the baking tray with tin foil to catch the oil drippings  from the meat and place on top it a fitted rack — where you will be putting the beef while it broils.

How To Cook London Broil On The Stove?

You can also do it the old-fashioned way by cooking the London broil on the stove. Heat about 2 tablespoons of high-smoking point oil in a hot cast iron pan in high heat and fry the London broil for 2  minutes on each side for medium-rare.  

You can also add a herbed-butter to stimulate aroma and add flavor to the London broil.

How To Cook London Broil In The Oven Well Done?

London-broil should be cooked between rare to medium-rare doneness to get that tender and juicy outcome that would leave you a great experience. Cooking the London broil at well-done will get you in a challenging situation as the meat strands are already cooked, the fibers become tough to chew and dry. But, if you don’t have a problem with that then, cooking the London broil for 12 minutes turning halfway through will give you a well-done steak.

I hope this ultimate guide helped you in your struggle to make the perfect version of any top round london broil recipe. If you have further questions about this recipe or if you want to share your homemade London broil experience, feel free to leave me a comment below!

I would be more than happy to answer your questions and read about your tiny kitchen stories.

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