Air-Fryer London Broil: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

London broil is a versatile beef dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways. One modern, convenient, and healthier method is to use an air fryer. This method offers quicker cooking times and requires less oil.

London broil is typically made from a top round or flank steak, which is marinated and then cooked to medium-rare or medium doneness. This dish is known for its distinctive grain, with long muscle fibres running through the meat.

Choosing the right cut of beef

Understanding London Broil

Firstly, it's important to know that London broil is a cooking method rather than a specific cut of beef. It typically involves using a lean, tough cut of beef that is marinated to enhance its tenderness and flavour. The meat is then grilled or broiled to achieve the desired doneness.

Recommended Cuts for London Broil

The most common cuts used for London broil include:

• Top round: This is the preferred choice for London broil, as it offers a good balance between tenderness and flavour. It is relatively tender compared to other cuts and has a great beefy taste.
• Flank steak: Flank steak is a lean, consistent, and cheap cut with a wide grain. It absorbs flavours well during marination, making it ideal for London broil. However, it can be a bit chewier, so proper cooking and slicing techniques are crucial.
• Flatiron steak: Although pricier, flatiron steak is uniformly thick, making it easier to cook evenly. It is also very lean, and when properly cooked and rested, it becomes a beautifully tender cut. Its uniform shape also makes it excellent for plating or sandwiches.
• Top sirloin: Dry-aged top sirloin is another option if you want to splurge. The aging process imparts a robust beefy flavour that you won't get from other cuts.

Characteristics to Look For

When selecting your cut of beef, look for high-quality, 100% grass-fed beef. Choose a steak with a deep ruby colour, as oxidised or dark purple meat may indicate stress in the animal, leading to a bad texture and iron-like flavour. Additionally, ensure the meat has a rich, nutty scent, as sweet or sour odours indicate that the beef is not at its freshest.

Thickness of the Cut

London broil can be prepared with various thicknesses of meat, typically ranging from a 1-inch steak to a 4-inch roast. Keep in mind that thicker cuts will require longer marination times and different cooking techniques. As a rule of thumb, allow 2 to 3 hours of marination per inch of meat.

In summary, choosing the right cut of beef for your air fryer London broil involves selecting a lean, tough cut that will benefit from marination and proper cooking techniques. Look for high-quality, grass-fed beef with a deep ruby colour and a nutty aroma. Consider the thickness of the cut and plan your marination and cooking times accordingly. With the right cut and preparation, you'll be able to create a tender, juicy, and flavourful London broil in your air fryer.

Preparing the meat

Take the London broil out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This important step helps the meat cook more evenly, ensuring a consistent doneness throughout the steak. While the meat is resting, you can preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to prepare the steak. Use paper towels to pat the London broil dry, removing any excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving a good sear in the air fryer. After patting it dry, brush the meat with a light coating of olive oil. This step not only promotes browning but also prevents the steak from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Now it's time to season the steak. Seasoning is key to enhancing the natural beef flavor. Generously season the London broil with salt and black pepper. If you want to keep it simple, this basic seasoning will do the trick. However, if you want to add more flavor, consider using other seasonings or a marinade. You can place the steak in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish, adding your chosen marinade. Seal or cover it and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on how intense you want the flavors to be.

For added depth of flavor, experiment with optional ingredients like minced garlic, herbs (such as rosemary or thyme), red pepper flakes, balsamic vinegar, or even citrus zest. These ingredients can be added to your marinade or used as a dry rub on the meat. Remember to turn the steak occasionally while it's marinating to ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed.

Now that your meat is prepared, it's time to place it in the air fryer. Ensure there is enough space around the steak for proper air circulation. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can cause steam buildup, which will hinder the searing process.

Seasoning and marinating

Seasoning:

Before seasoning, it is important to bring your steak to room temperature. Take the London broil out of the refrigerator and let it sit for about 30 minutes. This helps the meat cook more evenly. While the meat is resting, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

Pat the London broil dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step helps achieve a better sear in the air fryer. Now, you are ready to season!

A basic seasoning of salt and black pepper is a classic choice and enhances the natural beef flavour. You can also try other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or dried oregano and thyme. Mix and match these seasonings to create your own blend, or stick to just salt and pepper if you're new to this cooking method.

Marinating:

Marinating is an essential step in preparing London broil, as it helps break down the connective tissue in this lean cut of meat, ensuring it turns out tender and juicy. You'll want to marinate your steak for at least 2 hours, but preferably 24 hours for the best results.

To marinate, place the London broil in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Prepare your chosen marinade and add it to the bag or dish. Seal or cover, and then refrigerate. Turn the steak occasionally to ensure the marinade is evenly distributed.

You can also experiment with adding ingredients like minced garlic, fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme), red pepper flakes, balsamic vinegar, or citrus zest to your marinade for added depth of flavour. Alternatively, you can use these as a dry rub on the meat.

Some marinade options include a mixture of red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar with various spices, or a cup of Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, and garlic cloves.

Remember, the key to a successful London broil is giving it plenty of time to marinate and following your air fryer instructions for the perfect cook!

Cooking the steak

Take the London broil out of the refrigerator and let it sit for about 30 minutes to reach room temperature. This will help the meat cook more evenly.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

Pat the London broil dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and help achieve a better sear.

Brush the meat with a light coat of olive oil. This will promote browning and prevent sticking.

Season the London broil generously with salt and black pepper, or your choice of seasonings. You can also marinate the steak if you prefer.

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.

Cook the steak for approximately 8-10 minutes on one side for medium-rare. Then, flip the steak and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes on the other side. Adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of the steak.

To check if the steak is done to your liking, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. For medium-rare, the temperature should be around 130-135°F (54-57°C). For medium, aim for 140-145°F (60-63°C), and for well-done, 160°F (71°C) and above.

Once the steak reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more succulent and flavourful steak.

Serving suggestions

There are a variety of side dishes that go well with London broil. Here are some suggestions:

• Potatoes: roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or French fries are all great options.
• Vegetables: grilled or roasted vegetables, or a simple salad, add some healthy greens to your meal.
• Bread: a loaf of crusty bread is a classic side dish for steak.
• Salsa: a side of salsa can add heat and flavour to your meal.
• Green beans
• Baked potatoes
• Grilled roasted vegetables
• Rice pilaf
• A crisp wedge salad with a bright lemon dressing
• Garlic roasted potatoes
• Whole roasted cauliflower
• Buttery soft rolls
• Air fryer broccoli
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Rice

Frequently asked questions