London Broil Grill Times (With Chart And Tips)
London broiling is a cooking technique that will take your sirloin steak game on a whole new level. This method beautifully chars the meat and imparts an incredible flavor as well.
If you are planning to make a steak at home then we highly recommend that you start with the London broil! It is easy, convenient and you just need to follow a few instructions to get that signature flavor!
What are London broil grill times? London broils are top-round steaks that require no more than 12-15 minutes to cook due to high heat. Since the meat cooks at very high temperatures, you will need to flip it only once every 6-7 minutes. Cut across the grain and serve hot with your favorite sides!
Of course, there is more than just timing that defines a London broil roast, read below to learn more about this cooking method, how to get the most out of it, and a fool-proof way of making an incredible broiled sirloin steak!
What Is London Broil
London broil originates from, you guessed it! The USA.
That’s right; contrary to popular belief, this technique wasn’t invented in the UK but was rather a North American invention created by backyard grill enthusiasts.
No one knows how the name came to be and why this technique was named after England’s capital—and frankly, no one really cares since one bite of a London broiled steak will likely make you forget about everything!
The secret to a delicious London broil or top round is in its temperature. Since the meat is required to be broiled, it is cooked fast and is usually grilled until it catches on a delicious char.
Another unique thing about this method is that you always cut the meat across the grain and it is almost always served with thin slices.
Some people will also go as far as to cut super thin slices of the steak, as it makes for a very juicy and almost snack-like dish!
London broil requires a cook time of no more than 12-15 minutes.
In most cases, a 450°F-heated grill will be able to cook the steak in about 12 minutes but for people who want a little extra, you can stretch and add just 2-3 more minutes.
You can use sirloin or top round for this method as it provides just the right lean meat to fat ratio and has very balanced and delicate marbling on the meat.
The entire method takes about 2 hours and 22 minutes! Two hours are required for the marinade, 10 minutes for the preparation, and just 12-15 minutes are required for grilling.
You can marinate the meat any way you like but since we need the meat fibers to tenderize, always make sure that you include a natural acid or tenderizer. This could be in the form of red wine vinegar or Worcestershire sauce.
Apart from the acidic flavors, you can also add brown sugar, herbs, spices, and of course, garlic!
The meat can marinate for about two hours but if you want the most out of this steak and cooking technique then we highly recommend that you give the steak about 12 hours .
This will loosen up the fibers and will make the meat incredibly juicy! Once the meat is marinated, it is then added to a very, very hot grill.
Remember, we are broiling the meat, so we will need extremely hot temperatures—in some cases, more than what typical ovens are capable of!
How To Make London Broiled Steak
Once the grill is piping hot, the marinated steak is added directly on top of the hot grill.
This method does not require additional fats or oils since the marinade will already have olive oil in it (more on this below). Unlike other methods of cooking a steak, you don’t need to close the lid when cooking a London broil.
Simply shake the excess marinade, drop the steak directly on the grill and stay around until the meat is cooked. It will take around 6-7 minutes on each side. Once the meat is flipped, it will have a dark but incredibly delicious char.
Once the steak is done on both sides, it is removed from the heat and allowed to rest for about 5-10 minutes. London broiled steaks have a signature look! They have to be cut across the grain (not against) in very thin slices.
You can cut the meat and slightly spread it out to make it look gorgeous too! Add a few dried herbs on the side for decoration and serve as it is!
The steak can also be served with side dishes too. We love the combination of buttery mashed potatoes on the side, as they would pair brilliantly with the juicy and tender meat slices.
Tips And Tricks
- Since London broiling requires working with high temperatures and lowered cooking times, it would be a great idea if you kept a cooking thermometer handy. The grill must be heated to about 450°F and the internal temperature of the meat should be around 135-145°F for a medium steak.
- You can go higher and get a well-done steak at around 160°F but that will require more time on the grill which would eventually lead to a burnt steak. A medium steak is perfect for this cooking method as the meat will continue to slightly cook once it is off the grill as well.
- Always allow the meat to rest for about 5 minutes once it is off the heat to allow it to redistribute its juices. Never slice a very hot steak as it may cause it to be less juicy. You can finish up with the sides while you wait!
- While London broiled steaks are required to be cut in thin slices, you can go for thicker slices as well, especially if you want to use the steak meat in sandwiches or other recipes.
- Finally, be mindful of the marinade. It is very easy to overdo a steak by adding lots of ingredients. A great steak marinade is not defined by quantity but by diversity and synergy. A bit of sugar, spice, herbs, and acid is all that you need to marinade a London broil roast!
Here is an easy chart for the grill time required for a typical top round:
| Aspect | London Broil Steak |
|---|---|
| Type of Meat | Sirloin, lean meat (top round) |
| Grilling Time | 12-15 minutes |
| Grill Heat | 450°F |
| Internal Meat Temp | 135-140°F |
Here is how long to cook a London broil at different temperatures:
| Grill Temperature | Grill Time |
|---|---|
| 450°F | 12-15 minutes. |
| 550°F | 10-12 minutes. |
| 600°F | 8-9 minutes. |
The Best London Broil Recipe
Here is what you need for an incredibly tasty London broil steak:
Ingredients
- 1 ½ -2 lbs. top round (may also be labeled as a “London broil” in stores)
London Broil Marinade
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar or normal vinegar
- 2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 8 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 ½ tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp. salt
- 2 tsp. black pepper
- 2 branchlets of fresh rosemary
Instructions:
- Wash the meat and pat dry it using paper towels.
- In a zip-lock bag, combine all the marinade ingredients and put the meat in the bag.
- With the zip-lock bag closed, move the marinade around the meat to cover it completely. Make sure that you get every corner of the steak. The requirement isn’t to sink the meat in the marinade but to gently massage it into the meat for about 10 minutes.
- Refrigerate the meat and let it marinate for about 2-12 hours. We recommend giving the marinade more time to work its magic so it’s best if you leave it overnight.
- Preheat the grill to 450°F and place the steak directly on top of the hot grill. You can drip off the excess marinade before cooking the meat too.
- Cook the steak on each side for about 6-7 minutes and then flip once. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. Once the temperature reads 135-140°F, remove from heat and cut across the grain into thin slices.
- Serve hot with sides or as it is!
Related Questions
London broil steaks are one of the best ways to quickly whip up a dinner dish that is both delicious and convenient. You can also use the leftovers the next day in sandwiches or, our favorite, with eggs and toast!
Now that you know how to properly cook a London broil steak, here are a few related questions:
Can you cook a London broil steak in the oven?
London broil steaks are meant to be cooked over a very hot grill. While you may be able to cook the steak in an oven using its highest setting, it will take about 1-2 hours to properly cook the meat which would likely dry it out.
Can you use any type of meat for a London broil?
Traditionally, a London broil steak requires a lean top round cut.
While the technique can be applied to other cuts as well, if you want to keep things authentic, then we highly recommend that you start with the sirloin or top round cut.
Is it better to cook London broil over coals or wood?
You can cook a London broil using any heat source but for the best results, you have to cook it over hot coals as they will impart a smokey flavor and will also provide sufficient caramelization over the surface of the meat.
