Tiffany Haney
Cooking a beef roast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. With an air fryer, you can achieve a tender, flavourful roast with a perfectly seared crust in under an hour, making it an excellent option for busy weeknight dinners or special occasions. The key to success is selecting the right cut of beef, allowing it to come to room temperature, and monitoring the internal temperature to ensure your desired doneness. By following these simple steps and adjusting the cooking time as needed, you can create a mouthwatering roast beef that is juicy and pink on the inside with a delicious crust on the outside.
Characteristics of cooking a beef roast in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat type | Beef joint, top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, rump roast, top-round roast, ribeye roast, etc. |
| Meat weight | 2-3 lbs |
| Marinade | Oil, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion, mixed herbs, mustard powder, onion granules |
| Temperature | 380-400°F |
| Cooking time | 10-42 minutes |
| Resting time | 10-30 minutes |
| Ideal for | Holiday dinner, special occasions, family dinner |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of beef
Type of Roast:
The first step is to decide on the type of roast you want to prepare. Do you prefer a traditional roast beef with a pink or red centre, or would you rather have a roast with a more well-done appearance? If you favour a traditional roast with a pink centre, cuts like the bottom round rump are an excellent choice. This cut, derived from the cow's rear leg, is leaner and benefits from low-and-slow roasting. It is often labelled as London broil when cut into steaks. Alternatively, if you prefer your roast beef without a pink centre, the chuck roast is a good option. While it may not be considered a traditional roast beef cut, it offers a great beef flavour at a more affordable price.
Cooking Method:
The cooking method you plan to use can also influence your choice of beef cut. Air fryers excel at cooking certain cuts, while other cuts may be better suited for oven roasting or slow cooking. For example, the tri-tip cut, known for its robust beefy flavour and unique triangular shape, is an excellent choice for air frying. It offers great value, providing a tasty roast at a fraction of the price of other cuts. On the other hand, cuts like the chuck roast, with its high collagen content, are ideal for slow cooking or braising in a crockpot. This allows the collagen to break down and create a velvety-soft texture.
Budget and Availability:
Your budget and the availability of certain cuts in your local market or butcher shop can also guide your decision. Some cuts, like the sirloin, are more expensive but offer a tender and flavourful roast. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the beef bolar blade, derived from the shoulder blade, is an excellent choice. It may require a longer cooking time to break down the connective tissue, but it delivers a full-flavoured and tender roast at a lower price.
Size and Air Fryer Capacity:
Lastly, consider the size of the beef cut and ensure it fits comfortably in your air fryer. Cuts like the rump roast or rolled rib roast may be too large for smaller air fryers. In such cases, you can use the air fryer to sear the meat before transferring it to a full-sized oven for slow roasting.
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Preparing the beef for cooking
Firstly, take your chosen cut of beef out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for around 20 to 30 minutes. This step is important as it helps the beef cook more evenly. While you wait, preheat your air fryer to a high temperature, aiming for around 380-400°F (200°C).
Next, pat the surface of the beef dry with a paper towel. This step ensures that the seasonings adhere well to the meat. Once dried, it's time to season the beef. Drizzle oil over the beef and rub it all over the surface. You can use a variety of cooking oils with a high smoke point, such as light olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil.
After oiling, it's time to add the seasonings. Combine salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs and spices in a small bowl. For a classic roast beef flavour, use thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder. You can also add onion granules and mustard powder for extra depth. Sprinkle this mixture over the beef, ensuring all sides are well coated. Alternatively, you can roll the beef in the seasoning mixture on a plate for more thorough coverage.
At this point, your beef is almost ready for the air fryer. If desired, you can add some extra flavour by placing onion quarters or halves in the air fryer basket alongside the beef. You can also add garlic and vegetables to cook alongside the beef.
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Cooking the beef
Next, season the beef. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and other seasonings of your choice onto the meat. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or create a more complex mixture by adding herbs like thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder. Make sure the seasonings are evenly distributed across the surface of the meat.
Once the beef is prepared, preheat your air fryer to a high temperature, around 380-400°F (200°C). Place the roast in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes to create a seared, caramelized crust. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and continue cooking for 30-40 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare roast, cook for 30 minutes; for medium-well done, cook for 40 minutes.
To check if the roast is done to your liking, use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and remove the roast from the air fryer when the temperature is about 5°F below your desired level. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your roast is juicy and tender.
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Resting the beef
When your roast beef is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a cutting board or a warm platter. Cover the beef loosely with aluminium foil or a sheet of tin foil. The foil will help retain heat without overcooking the meat. Leave the roast to rest for 10 to 30 minutes. The resting time will depend on the size of your roast; a smaller steak should rest for at least 5 minutes, while a large roast can rest for up to 30 minutes.
While the beef rests, its internal temperature will continue to rise slightly. This means that you should remove the roast from the air fryer a few degrees early, as it will continue to cook while it rests. For example, if you want your roast to be medium-rare (130-134°F / 55-57°C), you should remove it from the air fryer at 125°F.
After resting, you can slice the roast beef and serve it with your favourite side dishes.
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Serving suggestions
Once your roast beef is ready, it is recommended to let it rest for at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring it is tender and juicy.
For a traditional roast dinner, serve your beef with a variety of potato and vegetable side dishes. Goose-fat roast potatoes, lazy slow cooker mashed potatoes, and Greek potatoes are all great options. For vegetables, try a classic green bean casserole, braised red cabbage, creamy sprouts with bacon, or roasted butternut squash salad. Don't forget the essential Yorkshire puddings!
If you have any leftovers, use the sliced beef to make delicious roast beef sandwiches. Store the beef in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for 3-4 days. To reheat, simply pop it back in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 3-5 minutes, and enjoy tender roast beef all over again!
For a special occasion, serve your roast beef with creamy horseradish sauce. This is a classic British combination that is sure to impress.
Finally, don't forget to post a photo of your delicious creation on social media to make all your friends envious!
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Frequently asked questions
First, take your beef roast out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F-400°F. Baste the roast with oil and season it with salt and pepper, or a mix of thyme, rosemary, onion granules, mustard powder, and pepper. You can also add onion and garlic to the mix. Place the roast in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F and cook for another 30-40 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the roast. The roast is done when the internal temperature is about 5°F below your desired level of doneness. Rare or medium-rare is preferable for this cut of meat.
Let the roast rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicier meat.
Place the leftover roast in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It will keep for 3-4 days. To reheat, set your air fryer to 375°F and cook the roast for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.
