Tiffany Haney
London Broil is a versatile, relatively inexpensive, and succulent beef dish that can be prepared in several ways. One modern, convenient, and healthier method for cooking London Broil is using an air fryer. This method offers quicker cooking times, less oil usage, and a juicy and tender steak. The air fryer's hot air circulation ensures the steak is cooked to perfection, with a beautiful seared exterior and a perfectly cooked centre. The key to achieving the desired level of doneness is to use an instant-read meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the steak. The cooking time for a London Broil in an air fryer is typically between 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness and the steak's thickness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking Time | 7-15 minutes |
| Temperature | 400°F/200°C |
| Resting Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Meat Type | Top round, flank steak, top sirloin |
| Marinade | Not required, but recommended |
| Seasoning | Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil |
| Internal Temperature | 115-145°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium, 160°F for well done |
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What You'll Learn
Pre-cooking preparation
London broil is a versatile beef dish that can be prepared in several ways. It is not a specific cut of meat but a method of preparing it. Typically, London broil is made from a top round or flank steak, which is marinated and then cooked to medium-rare or medium doneness. Here is a step-by-step pre-cooking preparation guide:
Choosing the Meat:
Select a suitable cut of beef for London broil. Top round, flank steak, or top sirloin are common choices. These cuts are generally leaner and less expensive, but they can be tough, so proper preparation and cooking are key.
Marinating (Optional):
London broil can be marinated to enhance its tenderness and flavor. A typical marinade might include acidic ingredients like vinegar and citrus juice, along with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, herbs, or spices. Marinate the steak for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours for the best results. If you're short on time, you can skip the marinade and opt for a dry rub or your favorite steak seasoning.
Bringing the Meat to Room Temperature:
Take the steak out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This step helps the meat cook more evenly, resulting in a more consistent doneness throughout.
Trimming and Drying:
Use a sharp knife to trim any excess pieces of fat or connective tissue from the steak. Then, use paper towels to pat the steak dry. Removing excess moisture will help achieve a better sear in the air fryer.
Seasoning:
Brush or rub the steak with a light coat of olive oil, avocado oil, or sunflower oil. This promotes browning and prevents the steak from sticking to the air fryer basket. Season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance the natural beef flavor. You can also use your favorite steak seasoning blend or a dry rub mixture.
Preheating the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically around 400°F (200°C). Different air fryer models may have slight variations in temperature settings, so adjust accordingly.
Final Preparations:
Ensure your air fryer basket is large enough to accommodate the steak with enough space for proper air circulation. Overcrowding can cause steam, which can impact the searing process. If you're using a meat mallet to tenderize the steak, do so before adding any seasonings or oil to the meat.
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Air fryer settings
Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Most sources recommend preheating to around 400°F (200°C). However, one source suggests that the ideal temperature may vary depending on your desired level of doneness, with higher temperatures for rarer steaks. Let the air fryer preheat for about 5 minutes.
While the air fryer is warming up, prepare your steak. Start by bringing the meat to room temperature, which helps the steak cook more evenly. Then, pat the London broil dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which will improve the sear. Next, brush or rub both sides of the steak with olive oil or another oil of your choice. This promotes browning and prevents the steak from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Now it's time to season your steak. You can use salt and black pepper, or your favourite steak seasoning. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try a marinade. A basic marinade for London broil involves coating the steak with salt and a mixture containing acidic ingredients like vinegar and citrus juice, but you can experiment with different combinations of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, herbs, or spices. For the best results, marinate the steak for a minimum of 8 hours and no more than 24 hours.
Once your steak is prepared and your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook. Place the steak in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space around it for proper air circulation. Overcrowding can cause steam, which may interfere with the searing process. Depending on your desired level of doneness, cook the steak for 8-15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). For a rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 120-125°F; for medium-rare, 130-135°F; for medium, 140-145°F; for medium-well, 150-155°F; and for well-done, 160°F. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the steak, inserting it at the thickest part of the meat.
Finally, when your steak has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Tenting the steak loosely with aluminium foil can help retain heat during this process. This resting period allows the muscle fibres to relax and the juices to redistribute, ensuring a succulent and flavourful steak.
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Cooking times
The cooking time for London broil in an air fryer depends on the level of doneness you want to achieve. London broil is best cooked rare to medium-rare for a tender result.
If you want a medium-rare steak, cook the meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 115-130 °F. This will take 7 to 8 minutes per pound, or 14 to 16 minutes for a 2-pound steak. You can also cook it for 8-10 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of the steak. If you want a medium steak, cook it until it reaches 140-145 °F. For well-done steak, you will need to reach an internal temperature of 160 °F.
It is important to let the meat rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the muscle fibers to relax and the juices to redistribute, making the steak more succulent and flavorful. The steak will continue to cook during this time, so take it out of the air fryer when it is 5 °F below your desired level of doneness.
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Resting the meat
It is important to note that London broil is best cooked rare to medium-rare. This is because it is a lean cut of meat with long muscle fibres, which can become tough if overcooked. The total cooking time will depend on the size of the cut, but for a medium-rare steak, you should aim for an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C).
To ensure the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it is recommended to use an instant-read meat thermometer. This will allow you to accurately gauge the temperature and prevent overcooking. The thermometer should be inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
When cooking London broil in an air fryer, it is also crucial to ensure proper air circulation. This means not overcrowding the air fryer basket and flipping the steak during cooking. By following these tips, you can achieve a perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy London broil every time.
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Reheating and storing leftovers
If you have any leftover London broil, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can choose to cut your London broil into slices or leave it as a whole slab before storing it. It is recommended to wrap the meat tightly in plastic wrap and aluminium foil or place it in an airtight container.
When it comes to reheating, you can either eat the leftovers cold straight from the fridge in sandwiches or reheat them. To reheat, cover slices of London broil with a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave in 20-30 second intervals until warmed. You can also use the air fryer to reheat the meat. Place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer and fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about a minute, until warmed through. If you are reheating a larger piece of meat, you can place it in the air fryer and fry it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes, until warmed through.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 12 to 15 minutes to cook London broil in an air fryer.
For the best results, bring the meat to room temperature before cooking. Pat the London broil dry with paper towels and rub oil on each side of the steak. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat to check for your desired level of doneness.
The ideal internal temperature for a medium-rare London broil is between 115-135 °F (46-57 °C).
Cover slices of London broil with a damp paper towel and reheat in the microwave for 20 to 30-second intervals until warmed.
