Tillie Doyle
Cooking a beef joint in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a roast dinner. It's super simple to make succulent, juicy, and flavourful roast beef in your air fryer. The flexibility of the air fryer means you can choose from a variety of beef joints depending on your preferences and budget. You can also adjust the cooking time to suit your desired level of doneness, whether that's rare, medium-rare, or well-done.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | Ready in under an hour |
| Meat type | Prime beef, choice beef, top side, rump roast, sirloin roast, boneless ribeye, rolled rib roast |
| Meat weight | 2-3 lbs |
| Marinade | Oil, salt, pepper, thyme, onion granules, mustard powder, vegetable oil, beef stock cube |
| Temperature | 400°F/200°C or 380°F for preheating; 220°C for cooking; 170°C for medium-rare; 180°C for medium-well done |
| Cooking time | 10-15 minutes at high temperature; 30-40 minutes at reduced temperature |
| Resting time | 20-30 minutes |
| Calories | 125kcal |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of beef
Firstly, the top side, rump roast, and sirloin roast are excellent choices for air fryer beef joints. These cuts offer a beautiful balance of texture and flavour, and they cook wonderfully in the air fryer. The top side and top rump, in particular, are affordable yet tender options, making them perfect for everyday meals or feeding a large group.
For special occasions, a splurge on sirloin or boneless ribeye can elevate your roast beef to a whole new level of luxury. Sirloin, derived from the loin primal section of the cow, is known for its hearty flavour. It is divided into the top sirloin, which is more tender, and the bottom sirloin, which is larger, leaner, and slightly tougher. Ribeye, also known as "the beauty steak," is a popular choice among beef connoisseurs for its rich, buttery flavour.
When selecting your beef, it is advisable to opt for cuts with a higher degree of marbling. This will enhance your dining experience, providing a more succulent and flavourful outcome. However, if you're preparing beef jerky in the air fryer, leaner cuts like Eye of Round or Top Round are recommended.
Additionally, consider the thickness of your steak. For even cooking, choose steaks with a minimum thickness of 1 inch. This will ensure that the outside doesn't char before the inside is cooked to your desired doneness.
By selecting the right cut of beef and allowing it to come to room temperature before cooking, you'll be well on your way to creating a mouthwatering air-fried beef joint.
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Preparing the beef joint
Firstly, select a suitable cut of beef. The air fryer's shorter cooking time works best with more tender cuts of meat. Some recommended options include top side, rump roast, sirloin roast, or boneless ribeye. These cuts can vary in texture and flavour, so choose according to your preference and budget. Remember to look for an even-sized roast that will fit into your air fryer, as this ensures even cooking.
Next, take your beef joint out of the fridge and pat it dry. Allow the meat to reach room temperature, typically for around 20 to 30 minutes. This step is important as it helps the beef cook more evenly and results in juicier meat. While the beef is resting, you can prepare the seasoning. In a small bowl, combine a tablespoon of vegetable oil or olive oil with your preferred seasonings. You can use a crumbled Oxo beef stock cube, mustard powder, thyme, onion granules, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix these ingredients well to form a paste.
Now, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F/200°C or 380°F, depending on your air fryer model, and preheat it for about 10 minutes. Some models may not have a preheat setting, so simply running the air fryer for a few minutes will suffice.
Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to season the beef. Rub the oil and seasoning mixture all over the surface of the beef joint, ensuring it is coated evenly for maximum flavour. You can also wrap the seasoned beef loosely in tin foil before placing it into the air fryer basket. This step is optional and can be omitted if you prefer a more direct sear on the meat.
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Cooking temperatures and timings
The cooking temperature and timings for your beef joint will depend on the size of your joint, the cut of beef, and your desired level of doneness.
First, remove your beef joint from the fridge and leave it to come to room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. This helps the beef cook more evenly and results in juicier meat.
If you are cooking a 2-3lb roast beef joint, preheat your air fryer to 380°F/190°C. Place the roast in the air fryer basket and cook for 40-42 minutes, flipping the joint after 15 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the beef. When the internal temperature is 5°F/3°C under your desired level, transfer the beef to a cutting board to rest.
For a smaller beef joint, preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 10 minutes. Place the beef in the air fryer basket and cook at this temperature for 10-15 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F/180°C and cook for a further 30 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the beef with a meat thermometer, inserting the probe into the middle and thickest part of the joint. The ideal temperature will depend on your desired level of doneness. For rare or medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 130-134°F/55-57°C. For medium, aim for 60-66°C, and for well-done, aim for 67-71°C.
Remember that the temperature of the joint will continue to rise slightly as it rests, so factor this into your cooking time. Once the beef is cooked to your liking, place it on a warm platter and cover loosely with foil. Leave it to rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Using a meat thermometer
- Prepare the Beef Joint: Take your beef joint out of the fridge and pat it dry. Allow it to come to room temperature, which usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. This step is important as it helps the beef cook more evenly and results in juicier meat.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, which can range from 380°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C) depending on the model and your preference. This step helps sear the meat quickly and lock in the juices.
- Season the Beef: While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your seasoning by mixing herbs, spices, and oil. You can use a variety of seasonings like thyme, onion granules, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Apply the seasoning mixture evenly all over the beef joint.
- Cook the Beef: Place the seasoned beef joint into the air fryer basket. For a 2-3 lb roast beef, air fry for 40-42 minutes, flipping the beef joint halfway through the cooking process. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your beef joint and your desired doneness.
- Check the Temperature: Start checking the internal temperature of the beef using a meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the middle and thickest part of the beef joint. Aim for the following temperatures: 48–52°C for rare, 55–59°C for medium-rare, 60–66°C for medium, and 67–71°C for well done. Remember that the temperature will continue to rise slightly as the beef rests, so factor that into your cooking time.
- Rest and Serve: When the beef joint reaches your desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a cutting board or warm platter. Loosely cover it with foil and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making every slice tender and juicy. Finally, carve the beef and serve it with your favourite side dishes.
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Resting and serving the beef
Resting the beef is an important step in the cooking process. Once cooked to your liking, remove the beef from the air fryer and place it on a board or platter. It is recommended to cover the beef with foil to keep it warm. Leave the beef to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute through the meat, making every slice tender.
While the beef is resting, the temperature will continue to rise slightly. This is something to be aware of, especially if you are aiming for a rare finish. For example, if you are aiming for a medium-rare finish, you should remove the beef from the air fryer when the internal temperature is 5 degrees lower than the desired level.
After resting, you can carve and serve the beef. It is suggested to serve the beef with a dollop of English mustard, instant beef gravy, and your favourite side dishes. Some side dish suggestions include roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and a vegetable slaw.
Air fryer roast beef is a quick and easy way to cook a tender and flavourful roast. It is a great option for busy at-home chefs and can be prepared for holiday dinners, special occasions, or family meals. The flexibility of the recipe allows you to choose from a variety of beef joints, depending on your preferences and budget.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 40-42 minutes to cook roast beef in an air fryer. Traditional recipes usually take about an hour, so you save about 20 minutes by using an air fryer.
The best cuts for this recipe include top side, rump roast, sirloin roast, or even boneless ribeye. Each of these cuts has a slightly different texture and flavour. Since the cooking time is relatively short in the air fryer, it’s best to opt for the more tender cuts that will stay juicy and succulent.
First, take your beef joint out of the fridge and pat dry. Leave it to come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F /200°C or 220°C for 10 minutes. Mix all the seasoning ingredients together and brush the beef all over with olive oil or vegetable oil. Press the seasoning mix all over the beef. Use a liner in the air fryer basket (optional) and position the beef on top. Roast for 10-15 minutes. Cooking the beef at a high temperature will create a lovely crust on the exterior, sealing all the juices. Reduce the temperature to 350°F / 180°C or 170°C and cook for a further 30-40 minutes, depending on how well done you like your beef.
