This London broil marinade layers light soy, Worcestershire, lemon, garlic, Dijon and brown sugar so flank/top round turns out tender, juicy, and deeply flavorful. Marinate at least 4 hours (overnight best), cook hot and fast, then rest and slice thinly against the grain for steakhouse results at home.
Why Marinate?
London broil, by nature, isn’t the most flavorful cut, nor the most tender. It needs its own tender loving care, but when it gets this, it does have the potential to shine. This london broil marinade recipe combines the four all star elements of the culinary world to achieve greatness.
- Acid– Found in the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and mustard, these will both tenderize the meat.
- Salt– The soy sauce and salt help to keep the beef juicy, but also brighten natural flavors.
- Brown Sugar– Balances the acidity, but will also help you get the caramel color (and flavor) from the grill grates or any other heating element.
- Fat– Found in the oil, this along with the water helps to evenly distribute the flavors and penetrate fibers so they can go throughout the cut (hello, osmosis!).
- Spice– Crushed red pepper flakes are optional and won’t make this steak spicy, it will just add subtle flavor.
Gather This
You only need a handful of easy to find ingredients to make this london broil marinade. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- London broil – London broil is the beast of a steak available at the store. Great for feed a crowd, making tacos, slicing on a salad or using in sandwiches, the meat can also be hard to tenderize and flavor since it such a large hunk. Marinating is the key for juicy London broil and we have you covered with this recipe.
- Soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Light brown sugar
- Fresh garlic
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Ground black pepper
- Coarse kosher salt
- Red pepper flakes
Variations
I really think of this as a base recipe. Here are some fun ways to make it your own.
- Fresh Herbs– Add 2-3 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs like tarragon, oregano, rosemary, thyme or parsley.
- No Brown Sugar? – Swap it out for honey or agave nectar. This can be omitted altogether for a full savory and unmai profile.
- Make it Asian– For some Asian passion, add 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger and 1-2 teaspoons of sesame oil. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and scallions after slicing.
- Smoky Chipotle– Add 2-3 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the marinade. This one is great for tacos, taco salad or fajitas.
Commonly Asked Questions
This is a massive piece of meat, so it will take time for flavors to work their magic. The minimum is 4 hours, but then you are still only going to get flavor on the exterior. For best results, marinate overnight or for 24 hours.
Yes! Add the raw steak and marinade to a freezer bag, squeeze out air, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Yes, and geographically they may be different. In fact, London broil is actually a method of cooking, not the cut. But in the US you will commonly see this on packaging. The other name would be top round. These can easily be swapped out for a top round or flank steak.
More Delicious Beef Sauces
When beef is what’s for dinner, these sauces are perfect for pairing.
- Swedish Meatball Sauce
- Mustard Cream Sauce
- Big Mac Sauce Recipe
- Chipotle Chicken Marinade (can be used for beef!)
London Broil Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light soy sauce
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or other neutral oil
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 4-5 cloves fresh garlic minced or grated
- 1 fresh lemon zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2-3 pound London broil
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the 1/2 cup light soy sauce, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or other neutral oil, 1/3 cup water, 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, minced or grated 4-5 cloves fresh garlic, zested and juiced 1 fresh lemon, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- Pour the marinade over the London broil in an airtight plastic bag or shallow marinating dish. Seal or cover and chill for a minimum of 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
- When ready to cook, remove the beef from the marinade, discarding any additional.
How to Grill London Broil:
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat (approximately 400°F). Oil the grates.
- Grill for 5-6 minutes per side over direct heat or until it reaches your desired level of doneness using an instant digital thermometer. Medium-rare is ideal for a London Broil at 135°F.
How to Broil London Broil:
- Preheat the broiler and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or use a broiler pan. Place the London broil in the center.
- Place the pan 5-6 inches from the heating element and cook for 4 minutes on each side, watching closely to make sure it doesn't not start to burn. If it does, move it further from the heating element.
- Remove when it is your desired doneness. Allow the cut to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
Pan Sear (Stovetop) Method:
- Preheat a cast iron pan over medium-heat. Add 1-2 teaspoons of a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil.
- Sear on both sides for 5-6 minutes or until your desired level of doneness.
- Allow the cut to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let is know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
