Last week, I was looking around the Lilac Hedge Farm Shop Now page and noticed that they are currently offering a cut of beef called London Broil for 11.99 a pound, a bargain for delicious, high quality, pasture-raised beef. But, I wondered whether it could be tossed on the grill without being marinated.

The short answer is YES if it is a shoulder steak cut, albeit you will need to take a few prep steps first. Just defrost it, then cover it it a generous dose of salt, (I used between 1-2 teaspoons of kosher salt for a one-pound steak) let it sit uncovered in the fridge for several hours, (I let mine sit for eight) then on the counter for 30-60 minutes too come to room temperature, then grill as you usually grill a steak.

The caveat is that the name London Broil can mean any number of cheaper, more tough steaks. If you can determine it is a shoulder steak, go for it! If another cut, such as from the round, you will be better off marinating it before grilling, or use use a recipe that calls for braising. Although, I will probably try the above-technique on a round cut one of these days, just to be sure. But, Farmer Ryan says that the London Broil steaks are currently being cut from the shoulder, so you can grill away if you have planning time for defrosting, salting, and bringing to room temperature before cooking.

Otherwise, any cut labeled London Broil will be super to use in any recipe calling for tenderizing with marinating or pounding, and braising is always a great option for tougher cuts of meat.

But, as of my writing this, the London Broil from Lilac Hedge Farm is from the shoulder. So, If you want a really tasty steak with a satisfying texture that is a bit easier on the budget than steaks that need no prep or planning, give their London Broil a try!