Air-Frying Ground Beef: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from tacos and casseroles to spaghetti and salads. Cooking ground beef in an air fryer is a convenient, quick, and easy way to prepare this staple ingredient.

Using an air fryer to cook ground beef offers several advantages over traditional stovetop cooking. Firstly, it is a hands-off method that requires minimal stirring and monitoring. Secondly, the fat drains away from the meat during cooking, resulting in leaner ground beef. This also makes cleanup easier, as there is no need to strain or scoop out the fat separately.

To cook ground beef in an air fryer, simply place the meat in the basket, season it, and set the air fryer to the desired temperature and time. The cooking process typically takes around 8-10 minutes, depending on the quantity of ground beef and the specific air fryer model.

So, if you're looking for a hassle-free way to cook ground beef with less mess and time spent in the kitchen, give the air fryer method a try!

Benefits of cooking ground beef in an air fryer

There are several benefits to cooking ground beef in an air fryer. Here are some of the most notable advantages:

Hands-Off Cooking

When cooking ground beef in an air fryer, you can simply put the meat into the basket, season it, and let it cook without much intervention. This is in contrast to cooking ground beef on a stovetop, which often requires frequent stirring and attention. With an air fryer, you can set it and forget it, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax while your meal prepares itself.

Fat Drainage

One of the biggest advantages of using an air fryer for ground beef is the fat drainage system. The perforations in the air fryer basket allow the fat to drain away from the meat as it cooks. This means that the meat isn't sitting and cooking in its own fat, resulting in a leaner dish. Additionally, cleanup is easier since you don't have to worry about straining or scooping out the fat after cooking.

Fast and Easy

Air frying ground beef is a quick and convenient method of cooking. It typically takes around 10 minutes to cook a pound of ground beef in an air fryer, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a quick meal. The simple process involves breaking up the meat, seasoning it, and air frying it until cooked through.

Flavorful and Tender Meat

Cooking ground beef in an air fryer results in flavorful and tender meat. The circulating air cooks the beef evenly, ensuring it doesn't become tough. The fat drainage also contributes to better flavor by preventing the meat from becoming greasy or heavy. You can further enhance the flavor by adding seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or fresh or dried herbs.

Versatility

Air-fried ground beef is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. You can use it for tacos, pasta dishes, breakfast meals, chili, casseroles, sloppy joes, wraps, and more. It's a great way to prepare ground beef in advance and have it ready to go for quick and easy weeknight meals.

Easy Cleanup

In addition to the convenience of hands-off cooking and fat drainage, air frying ground beef also results in less splatter and an easier cleanup process overall. You won't have to deal with greasy stovetops or pots, making it a low-maintenance cooking option.

Step-by-step instructions

Yes, you can cook ground beef in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

• Ensure your ground beef is thawed. If it is frozen, allow it to defrost fully before cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3-5 minutes.
• Place the ground beef into the air fryer basket. Use a wooden spoon or meat chopper to break up the meat and spread it out evenly.
• Season the meat with salt, black pepper, and any other desired seasonings. You can also add a splash of olive oil or cooking oil to prevent the meat from drying out, especially if you are using lean ground beef.
• Air fry the meat at 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, open the air fryer basket and stir the beef. Break it up into smaller pieces and mix it up.
• Air fry at the same temperature for another 3-5 minutes, or until the beef is fully cooked. The beef is done when it is browned and there are no pink spots visible. You can also check the internal temperature, which should reach 160°F for safe consumption.
• Once the beef is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove the basket from the air fryer and crumble the beef further if needed.
• Drain any remaining fat or liquid that has collected at the bottom of the air fryer basket.
• Use the cooked ground beef in your favourite recipes, such as tacos, pasta dishes, burgers, or salads.

Tips:

• If you are using frozen ground beef, place it in the air fryer basket and cook at 320°F/160°C for 5-6 minutes to partially defrost it. Then, increase the heat to 400°F/200°C and cook as instructed above until it is fully cooked.
• If you are using lean ground beef, consider adding a tablespoon of olive oil or cooking oil to the meat before air frying to prevent it from drying out. Alternatively, you can add a splash of water halfway through the cooking process.
• Break up the meat into smaller pieces if you are using it in dishes such as tacos or casseroles, as large chunks of ground beef may be less desirable in these types of recipes.
• You can also cook ground beef in an oven-type air fryer. Place the ground beef in a baking pan, break up the meat, and cook at 375°F/180°C for 4 minutes. Stir the meat, then air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes. Drain the fat and transfer the meat to a plate or baking pan before seasoning and serving.

Why this recipe works

Ease

Air-frying ground beef is a simple, hands-off process. You don't need to stir the beef as often as you would when cooking it on the stove, and it requires very little prep time.

Speed

Air-frying ground beef is a quick process, with a pound of beef taking as little as 5 minutes to cook.

Taste

The fat drains to the bottom of the air fryer during cooking, resulting in lean, tender, and flavourful meat that's not sitting in excess oil or fat.

Versatility

Air-fried ground beef is a versatile dish that can be used in a variety of recipes, including tacos, pastas, salads, bowls, and more. You can also add different seasonings to suit your taste or the dish you're making.

Clean-up

The fat drains away from the meat during cooking, so there's no need to strain or spoon out the fat afterwards. This makes for an easier and less messy clean-up process.

Ingredient notes

The ingredients you will need to cook ground beef in an air fryer are ground beef, salt, and pepper. You can also add olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, ground mustard, and paprika.

For the ground beef, it is recommended to use an 85/15 ground beef mixture. This lean ground beef gives just enough fat to give the beef a juicy flavour without being too heavy and greasy. If you are using a fattier cut of ground beef, you may want to drain the fat after cooking.

You can use kosher salt or sea salt, and for the pepper, you can use ground black pepper.

If you are using olive oil, this is optional and only necessary if you are using a leaner cut of ground beef (15-20% fat content). The olive oil will help to prevent the meat from drying out.

For the seasonings, you can use store-bought or homemade ground beef seasoning. You can also add onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, ground mustard, and paprika. These seasonings will add flavour to your ground beef and can be adjusted to your taste preferences.

If you want to add some extra flavour, you can also include chopped fresh herbs or dried herbs. You can also add a dash of garlic powder and onion powder.

It is important to note that you should always use thawed ground beef when cooking in an air fryer. If you are using frozen ground beef, be sure to thaw it fully before adding it to the air fryer.

FAQs

Yes, you can cook frozen ground beef in the air fryer. Place the frozen meat in the fryer basket and cook at 320°F/160°C for 5-6 minutes to partially defrost it. Then, increase the heat to 400°F/200°C and cook for another 3-5 minutes or until it is no longer pink.

The cooking time depends on the temperature and the quantity of ground beef. Half a pound of ground beef cooked at 400°F/200°C will take 6-8 minutes. If cooked at a lower temperature of 375°F/180°C, it might take up to 10 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 160°F for safe consumption.

Allow the meat to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze cooked ground beef. Be sure to allow the beef to cool completely, then store it in a freezer bag or an airtight freezer-safe container for up to two months.

Ground beef is done cooking when all of the beef is browned and there are no pink spots visible. The USDA states that ground beef cooked at home should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.

Cooking ground beef in an air fryer is fast, easy, and results in flavorful meat. It is also very hands-off, with less clean-up required compared to cooking on the stove. The fat drains to the bottom of the air fryer, making it easier to discard and resulting in leaner meat.

Frequently asked questions