London Broil in the Air Fryer
London broil is a budget-friendly cut of lean beef that turns tough when it is rushed, but a good marinade and a hot, short cook fix that. Air fryer London broil takes about 14 minutes at 400 °F, browns on the outside and stays pink and tender if you slice it thin across the grain. Below you will find the marinade, times by doneness and tips for serving a crowd.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 2:34hrs
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Internal temp
- 145°F63 °C
- Per serving
- 260kcal
Why the air fryer works for London broil
London broil is lean and has little fat, so it has little to protect it. Slow cooking dries it out, and a slow oven roast leaves it gray. The best approach is a long marinade for flavor and a short, high-heat cook so the middle stays pink. The air fryer does the second part well, because the fast hot air browns the outside in minutes.
The cut is also thick, which is helpful. Unlike a thin flank steak, a London broil of 1¼ inches has room for a crust and a pink center. The marinade's acid and salt help soften the surface, and the thermometer keeps you from overshooting.
How to make London broil in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Marinate Whisk the vinegar, soy sauce, oil, garlic, mustard, thyme and pepper. Pour over the meat in a zip-top bag or dish, turn to coat and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 12.
- Prep Take the London broil out of the refrigerator before cooking. Lift it from the marinade and pat the surface dry with paper towels. Discard the marinade.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for . If the steak is wider than the basket, cut it in half across the width.
- Cook Place the steak in the basket and cook for , flipping after , for medium-rare to medium. Start checking at .
- Check the temperature Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center. Lean London broil is best at 130–135 °F for medium-rare, and the USDA recommends 145 °F with a 3-minute rest for whole beef.
- Rest and slice Rest the steak for on a cutting board. Slice it as thinly as you can, at an angle, across the grain.
Times and temperatures
| London Broil | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Medium-rare, 1¼ inchesPull at 130–135 °F | 400 °F (200 °C) | 14 min |
| Well done | 400 °F (200 °C) | 17–18 min |
| Thin steak, 1 inch | 400 °F (200 °C) | 10–12 min |
| Thick, 2 lb | 375 °F (190 °C) | 20–24 min |
| Reheated slices | 320 °F (160 °C) | 2–3 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 145 °F (63 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Marinate long enough. Two hours is the minimum for the acid and salt to work on lean top round, and 12 hours is the limit before the surface turns mushy.
- Do not skip the rest. Ten minutes after cooking keeps the slices moist instead of letting the juices run out.
- Slice thin. Thin slices across the grain are what make London broil tender, so the knife matters as much as the air fryer.
What London broil is
In many stores, London broil is a label rather than a single cut. It is most often top round, which is lean and economical, or sometimes flank steak or sirloin. Look for a steak 1 to 2 inches thick with an even shape. A top round steak takes the times above, while flank steak is thinner and finishes in about 10 minutes. For another budget-friendly beef roast, see roast beef in the air fryer.
What to serve with London broil
Serve sliced London broil with baked potatoes or mashed potatoes and a vegetable such as green beans or broccoli. It also works in sandwiches on crusty rolls with sautéed onions and a spoonful of horseradish sauce. For a steakhouse feel, add mushrooms cooked in the basket first.
Storing and reheating
Wrap cooled London broil tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the air fryer at 320 °F for 2 to 3 minutes, until they reach 165 °F in the center; a hotter setting makes them tough. Thinly sliced cold meat is excellent in sandwiches and salads.
Variations
- Garlic herb: Replace the balsamic and soy with 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 4 cloves garlic and 1 tbsp chopped rosemary.
- Stuffed: Slice a pocket into the steak, fill it with spinach and cheese, tie it shut and add 4 to 6 minutes to the time.
- London broil bites: Cut the cooked, rested steak into cubes, or cube it raw and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking once.
If it does not turn out right
- The London broil is tough
- Tenderness depends on the marinade, the doneness and the slicing. Marinate for at least 2 hours, avoid cooking past 145 °F and slice in thin strips across the grain.
- The surface looks gray
- The meat was wet when it went in. Pat off the marinade completely, cook in one layer and make sure the air fryer is hot.
- The steak does not fit
- Cut it into two pieces and cook them side by side, or in two batches. Cooking time stays the same per piece, as long as the thickness matches.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook London broil in the air fryer?
A 1¼ inch London broil takes about 14 minutes at 400 °F for medium-rare to medium, flipped halfway. Add 3 to 4 minutes for well done, and subtract 2 for a 1 inch steak.
What is London broil?
London broil is a cooking method more than a cut. Stores usually sell top round or flank steak under that name, thick and lean, and meant to be marinated and sliced thin.
Can you cook a frozen London broil in the air fryer?
Thaw it in the refrigerator first. A thick frozen steak browns long before the center is safe, and a marinade will not soak into frozen meat.
Can you make turkey London broil in the air fryer?
Yes. Turkey London broil is a boneless turkey breast cut. Cook it at 375 °F for 18 to 22 minutes until it reaches 165 °F in the center.
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