London Broil with Onion and Cucumber Salad

This London Broil with Onion and Cucumber Salad offers a delightful fusion of flavors inspired by the tangy, sweet essence of Vietnamese cuisine. The steak, rubbed with a ginger-soy marinade, is broiled to perfection and served with a crisp, refreshing salad of cucumbers and red onions. The simplicity of the ingredients brings out the natural richness of the beef, while the salad adds a vibrant, fresh contrast to the dish.

This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you need a quick and nutritious meal. It pairs perfectly with light salads and can be adapted with a variety of seasonal greens. Whether you’re serving family or impressing guests, this dish brings together the richness of steak and the refreshing crunch of a well-balanced salad, making it a complete and satisfying meal.

Full Recipe:

  • One 2-pound piece of top round steak (about 2 inches thick), set at room temperature for 30 minutes
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • One 2-inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely grated
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced into rings
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
  • 2 1/2 ounces mixed baby lettuces

Directions:

  1. Preheat the broiler to high and position an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
  2. Place the steak on a large baking sheet or broiler pan. Using a paring knife, cut 1/8-inch-deep slits in a crosshatch pattern on both sides of the steak. Season the meat all over with salt and pepper.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and sugar. Spoon half the mixture over one side of the steak, rubbing it into the slits. Flip the steak and rub the remaining mixture on the other side.
  4. Broil the steak for about 5 minutes on each side, or until nicely browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak registers 120°F for rare or 125°F for medium-rare.
  5. Let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain.
  6. Meanwhile, toss the cucumbers, onion, rice vinegar, and oil in a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper. Fold in the baby lettuces and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Serve the sliced steak alongside the salad.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 360 kcal per serving | Servings: 4-6 servings

London Broil with Onion and Cucumber Salad: A Flavorful Fusion of Simplicity and Sophistication

When it comes to creating a meal that is both quick to prepare and full of robust, well-balanced flavors, this London Broil with Onion and Cucumber Salad recipe stands out. Inspired by the vibrant, tangy flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, this dish pairs a savory, tender steak with a crisp, refreshing salad for a perfect combination of richness and lightness.

This recipe utilizes top round steak, a cut that is often considered tough if not cooked properly. However, the technique of broiling with a flavorful marinade creates a beautifully caramelized exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. The accompanying salad, made with thinly sliced cucumbers, red onion, and a touch of rice vinegar, provides a refreshing contrast, making this dish a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

The Art of Cooking London Broil

Cooking London broil is all about mastering the balance between searing the exterior and preserving a juicy interior. While traditionally marinated for hours to tenderize the meat, this version skips the long marination process, allowing you to get dinner on the table in just about 30 minutes. The magic happens in the slits cut into the meat. These shallow cuts create pockets for the soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic marinade to penetrate the meat, infusing it with deep, savory flavors in a short time.

Broiling, rather than grilling, gives this dish an even cook and a quick browning on both sides. This method works particularly well with top round steak, which benefits from high, intense heat to break down its tougher fibers, ensuring the meat stays juicy and tender, especially when cooked to medium-rare. Slicing the meat thinly against the grain helps further tenderize each bite, providing that melt-in-your-mouth experience.

A Fresh and Vibrant Salad

The cucumber and onion salad is the perfect counterpart to the richness of the steak. It’s fresh, tangy, and light, offering a refreshing bite that balances the dish beautifully. The use of Persian cucumbers is key—they’re smaller, more tender, and less watery than their larger counterparts, which ensures that they maintain their crunch even after being tossed in the rice vinegar dressing.

The thinly sliced red onions add a mild pungency, but once they’re soaked in the dressing, they lose their harshness and become almost sweet. The rice vinegar, a staple in Asian cuisine, adds a delicate tang without overpowering the fresh flavors of the salad. A simple drizzle of canola or vegetable oil rounds out the dressing, giving it a subtle richness without weighing down the dish.

Key Highlights of the Recipe

  • Fast and Easy: Unlike traditional London broil recipes that require long marinating times, this version uses quick flavoring techniques, allowing you to prepare a delicious steak dinner in just about 30 minutes from start to finish.
  • Balanced Flavors: The soy sauce and sesame oil in the marinade bring a savory depth, while the ginger and garlic provide a zesty freshness. The salad adds a contrasting brightness to the richness of the steak.
  • Versatile Ingredients: This recipe is quite forgiving and adaptable. You can swap out the Persian cucumbers for other varieties, like English cucumbers, or add more vegetables to the salad, such as thinly sliced radishes or bell peppers.
  • Nutrient-Dense: The top round steak is a lean cut of beef, providing high-quality protein and essential vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin B12. The cucumber salad is a great source of hydration, thanks to the high water content of cucumbers, while the red onions offer antioxidants and digestive benefits.
  • No Fancy Equipment Required: Since the recipe uses a broiler instead of a grill, you won’t need any special outdoor cooking equipment. All you need is a baking sheet and a broiler pan, making it an excellent choice for home cooks with minimal kitchen gadgets.

Nutritional Benefits of London Broil and Salad

This recipe is not only delicious but also a nutritious choice for those looking to eat healthier while enjoying a hearty, filling meal. Here are some of the nutritional benefits this dish offers:

  • Lean Protein: The top round steak is a relatively lean cut, providing all the essential amino acids your body needs for muscle repair, immune function, and overall health. It’s also lower in fat compared to other cuts of beef, making it a great choice for those looking to reduce their fat intake while still enjoying the benefits of red meat.
  • High in Iron: Red meat, particularly beef, is one of the best sources of heme iron, the type of iron that is most easily absorbed by the body. This makes it an important food for people who are at risk of iron deficiency, such as women, athletes, and individuals following a restrictive diet.
  • Vitamins and Antioxidants: Red onions are rich in antioxidants like quercetin, which have anti-inflammatory properties and may help protect against certain diseases. Cucumbers are hydrating and provide small amounts of essential vitamins like vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting and bone health.
  • Healthy Fats: The sesame oil used in the marinade is a good source of unsaturated fats, which can help improve heart health by lowering bad cholesterol levels. The small amount of oil in the dressing also helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins from the vegetables in the salad.

Tips for Success

  • Room Temperature Steak: Always make sure your steak comes to room temperature before cooking. This ensures even cooking and prevents the meat from being tough in the center.
  • Thin Slicing: When slicing the steak, always cut against the grain. This breaks up the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender and easier to chew.
  • Salad Prep: For maximum freshness, toss the cucumber and onion salad right before serving. This helps the vegetables maintain their crispness and prevents them from becoming soggy.
  • Let the Meat Rest: After broiling, let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a juicier, more flavorful steak.

How to Serve

This London Broil with Onion and Cucumber Salad is a versatile dish that can be served as a standalone meal or paired with various side dishes for a more substantial dinner. Here are some serving suggestions:

  • With Rice or Potatoes: For a more filling meal, serve the steak with a side of jasmine rice or roasted baby potatoes. These starches will soak up the flavorful juices from the steak, adding another layer of satisfaction to the meal.
  • As a Salad Topping: For a low-carb option, thinly slice the steak and serve it over a bed of mixed greens. The cucumber and onion salad can act as a dressing, and you can add other fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes or sliced bell peppers for a colorful, nutrient-packed dish.
  • With a Glass of Red Wine: The rich, savory flavors of the steak pair beautifully with a medium-bodied red wine like a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. The acidity of the wine helps cut through the richness of the meat, while the tannins complement the slight bitterness of the grilled surface.

Conclusion

The London Broil with Onion and Cucumber Salad is a perfect example of how you can create a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home without spending hours in the kitchen. With its blend of savory and fresh flavors, this dish strikes the right balance between indulgence and health-conscious eating.

It’s a meal that can be adapted to suit various dietary preferences and occasions, whether you’re serving it as a quick weeknight dinner or a centerpiece for a weekend gathering. The ease of preparation, combined with the dish’s nutritional benefits, makes it a go-to recipe for anyone looking to enjoy a satisfying, flavorful steak dinner with a light, refreshing salad on the side. This dish proves that great meals don’t have to be complicated to be memorable.

Leave a Comment