London broil does not refer to any particular cut of meat, but rather the way it is prepared. The preparation usually involves marinating the meat for several hours, and then cooking at high heat in an oven broiler or outdoor grill. It is served on the rare side.
Despite the name London broil, the dish is North American in origin. As far as we can tell, no one is quite sure why the dish has ‘London’ in its name, but many suspect it is meant to elevate a dish that could be using a relatively inexpensive cut of beef. Your family is sure to enjoy this London Broil recipe.
London Broil Recipe
If you visit Canada and ask for a London broil, you may end up with something completely different from what you expect. In certain parts of the country, the broil refers to a ground meat patty wrapped in flank or round steak. Others will present a pork sausage patty wrapped in flank or top round steak.
In Southern Ontario, the broil is served as a loaf where the tenderized flank steak exterior is wrapped around minced veal. Some regions will add bacon between the steak and veal.
When it comes to the marinade you use on your flank steak, the possibilities are endless. Some ideas include a shallot and Dijon, a tequila lime, garlic or soy. You can further dress it up by adding sauces once it is served like a cream or cheese sauce.
The marinade we chose is a soy and sherry sauce, which we think creates the perfect harmony of salty and sweet. The addition of cinnamon adds the unmistakable fragrant and warm taste associated with this favorite winter spice.
As mentioned earlier, London broil is actually a way to prepare a piece of flank steak, not a particular cut of beef. The key to preparing a London broil is to marinate before cooking. The cutting, which should allow for thin slices, is also very important, or else the meat will be tough to eat.
We hope you enjoy the recipe we provided and will use it as a base for thinking up your own London broil creations.
Ingredients:
1 (1 1/2 or 2 pound) flank steak
1 Tablespoon sherry or any dry red wine
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
1. Score meat on all sides.
2. Mix together remaining ingredients. Put on meat and let stand 1 1/2 to 2 hours, then place meat in broiler pan about 4 inches from heat. Broil about ten minutes or a little longer on each side. Ten minutes is for medium rare.
3. To serve, cut diagonally across the grain into very thin slices.
What to Serve with London Broil
There are tons of options when it comes to side dishes you can serve with a London broil. We've got some great suggestions here, to help you pull together a great meal that your family will be talking about for days.
There's no going wrong with mashed potatoes or a baked potato. These side dish classics have been served on American tables for decades, and for good reason. With the addition of some gravy or some sour cream, respectively, these side dishes stand out so much they might as well be the main feature! The savory taste of a good potato is neutral enough to pair with pretty much anything, including a London broil.
Roasted vegetables are another good choice. Making sure your family gets enough fruit and vegetables each day can be a challenge, especially with picky eaters. Roasted vegetables are well-seasoned, so that should help mask the bitter taste of some vegetables that kids hate. The unique tastes of different veggies will add more dimension to your London broil, while ensuring that your family is getting the nutrients they need.
Sometimes, going for a comfort side dish is good. There's no better comfort side dish than macaroni and cheese. Everyone, kids and adults, loves mac and cheese. There are so many different ways to make this dish! You can make the boxed variety for a quick and easy side dish, or try your hand at baked mac and cheese. Whatever you decide, your whole family is sure to love some mac and cheese with a good London broil.