Name: London Broil Marinade
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; ½ lemon (juiced); 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1.5-2 pounds London broil steak

A london broil marinade that results in a flavorful juicy steak so you can spend just 10 minutes in the kitchen!

Slices of london broil on a wooden cutting board with a small bowl of marinade.

An Easy Marinade for London Broil

I love a good flavorful steak recipe with the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and acidic flavors and this london broil marinade recipe gives just that.

Right before I go to bed, I spend 5 minutes quickly mixing the marinade and let the steak marinate overnight inside a Ziploc bag in the fridge.

When I get home from work, I set the steak out and get to spend time with my family instead of slaving over a stove for an hour. It’s been a game changer for family time and everyone loves the flavor!

You can use this marinade when making London Broil in a cast iron pan, air fryer, or in the oven. I also love making my Instant Pot London Broil or Slow Cooker London Broil too!

What is London Broil?

London broil isn’t a specific cut of meat — it refers more to the cooking method! While it may be labeled as such, it’s typically a top round roast, flank steak, or skirt steak. Any of these cuts will work with my London broil marinade recipe.

Ingredients needed to prepare a London Broil with Marinade.

Marinade for London Broil Ingredients

Soy sauce
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Worcestershire sauce
Lemon juice — from a fresh lemon or just the juice
Brown sugar
Italian seasoning
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flakes — you can add more for a little more heat
A London broil steak — of course!

How to Marinate London Broil

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

Marinade ingredients in a zip top bag. London Broil on a white plate.

STEP ONE: Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire and soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, and spices in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and shake until everything is well mixed together.

Marinating a london broil in a zip top bag.

STEP TWO: Place the beef in the bag with the London broil marinade and seal tightly. Rub the ingredients into the meat on all sides to really work in the flavor. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.

STEP THREE: When you’re ready to cook, remove marinated London broil from the fridge. Let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven broiler.

STEP FOUR: Place the beef in a cast iron pan and pour the London broil marinade into a saucepan on the stove. Simmer the marinade for London broil over low heat until thickened.

STEP FIVE: Meanwhile, broil the beef in the cast iron pan for 5-6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes for medium rare. Let rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve with the thickened London broil marinade.

What to Serve with Marinated London Broil

London broil is a great steak packed with protein and serves well with most vegetables and starches. I love serving it with green beans and bacon, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, or some garlic cheese bread for a weeknight dinner.

If I’m having guests over, a bacon mac and cheese or green bean casserole serve up nice with it.

Prepared london broil resting on a wooden cutting board next to a chef's knife and saucepan of marinade.

Variations for London Broil Marinade

Easy balsamic substitute: To make this London broil marinade recipe without balsamic, use an equal amount of rice vinegar instead. Or, combine 1 teaspoon of sugar with 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.
Vary your spices. While this marinade for London broil is great as is, feel free to get creative with spices! Replace Italian seasoning with your choice of dried basil, oregano, or rosemary. You can also try cumin for some added heat or onion powder for more savory flavor.
Use as a dipping sauce. After you soak the meat in London broil marinade, don’t forget to reduce the liquid! Simmer until thickened or whisk in a quick cornstarch slurry. Just be sure to heat it enough to kill any bacteria from the raw meat.

More Marinaded Recipes

How Long Can London Broil Marinate In Fridge?

You’ll get the most flavor from this London broil marinade recipe if you soak the beef for at least 2-3 hours. I’ve found that the sweet spot tends to be 6-9 hours, but overnight is better!

You can marinate the steak for up to 24 hours before the lemon juice starts to break down the protein fibers, leaving you with an unpleasant texture.

Closeup view of slices of london broil on a wooden cutting board next to a small saucepan of marinade.

What is the Best Way to Tenderize a London Broil?

You can tenderize a london broil with a brine or marinade — like this recipe! Acidic ingredients like citrus juice and vinegar help to break down tough cuts of protein, as does salt. However, too much salt will lead to dry beef.

For those wondering how to marinate London broil, it’s really quite simple — combine a blend of sauces, spices, and some kind of acid, then massage the ingredients into the meat and pop it in the fridge!

How Long to Grill a London Broil

If grilling, I find London broil takes about 12 minutes to reach medium rare on high direct heat, flipping halfway through grilling.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature — medium rare is considered optimal for most beef, while well done is sure to result in dry, tough meat. Once it reaches your desired temp, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Here’s a helpful guide to know when London broil is done:

Rare: 125-130°F (cool red center)
Medium Rare: 135°F (warm red center)
Medium: 145°F (warm pink center)

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