Marianne Martinez
Cooking beef medallions in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy and tender steak with a perfectly seared crust. The air fryer method is a convenient alternative to pan-frying, delivering tasty results without the need for a smoky kitchen. This introduction will cover the key steps to cooking beef medallions in an air fryer, including pre-cooking preparation, seasoning, cooking temperatures and times, and serving suggestions. By following these simple steps, you can create a delicious steak with a crispy exterior and soft interior, perfect for a special occasion or a cosy date night.
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What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect crust
To get the perfect crust on your beef medallions when using an air fryer, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, ensure your steak is at room temperature before cooking. Take it out of the fridge around 20 minutes beforehand. This will help the steak cook more evenly and reduce the chances of it being tough.
Next, pat the steak dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. You want to remove any excess moisture from the surface of the meat. Once dry, brush or spray the steak with a small amount of oil. Choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or light olive oil. This will help create a crispy crust and prevent the air fryer from smoking.
After oiling, it's time to season the steak generously. A simple mix of salt and pepper is classic and allows the natural beef flavor to shine. However, you can also experiment with other seasonings like oregano or smoked paprika. Rub the spices and oil into the meat to ensure an even coating.
Now, it's essential to preheat your air fryer. Set it to 400°F/200°C. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, set it to air fry for 3-4 minutes. The high temperature will help develop a sear on the steak's surface, creating that perfect crust.
Finally, place the steak into the air fryer basket, ensuring it has enough space to cook evenly. Avoid overcrowding the basket, and cook the steaks in batches if necessary. Follow the cooking guidelines for your desired doneness, and use a meat thermometer for precision.
By following these steps, you'll achieve a beautifully crispy crust on your beef medallions, cooked to perfection in your air fryer.
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Marinade and seasoning options
Marinating and seasoning your beef medallions is a great way to add flavour and moisture to the meat. Here are some options for marinades and seasonings to use when cooking beef medallions in an air fryer:
Olive Oil and Balsamic Glaze
For a simple yet effective marinade, combine extra virgin olive oil with a balsamic vinegar glaze and season with salt. Leave the beef medallions to sit in this mixture for about an hour before air frying according to your desired level of doneness. This marinade will give the meat a slightly acidic and tangy flavour.
Salt and Pepper
A classic and simple seasoning option is to use just salt and pepper. Mix these two ingredients on a plate, pat your steak dry, and then press each side of the steak into the mixture. This option is perfect for those who want to let the natural beef flavour shine through without being overpowered by other seasonings.
Oregano, Salt, and Pepper
Another option is to use a combination of dried oregano, salt, and pepper as your seasoning. After patting the meat dry with paper towels, drizzle oil over the beef medallions and then sprinkle with the seasonings. Rub the spices and oil into the meat before placing it in the air fryer.
Scotch Mushroom Sauce
If you're looking for something a little more elegant and flavourful, try pairing your beef medallions with a Scotch mushroom sauce. This sauce typically includes dried thyme, rubbed sage, baby portobello mushrooms, Scotch (or bourbon), ginger ale, brown sugar, and soy sauce. The combination of these ingredients creates an elevated flavour profile that complements the beef without being too overpowering.
Bacon-Wrapped
For a savoury and smoky flavour, consider wrapping your beef medallions in bacon. As the bacon cooks, its fat will render onto the steak, giving it a rich taste. You can secure the bacon in place with toothpicks. Just be sure to partially cook the bacon before wrapping it around the steak to ensure it cooks through properly.
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Cooking times and temperatures
When it comes to cooking beef medallions in an air fryer, there are several factors that will influence the cooking time and temperature. These include the thickness of the meat, your desired level of doneness, and the efficiency of your air fryer. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you achieve the perfect cook:
Before cooking, it is recommended to bring your beef medallions to room temperature by removing them from the refrigerator 20 to 25 minutes ahead of time. This helps the meat cook more evenly and reduces the chances of toughness.
For a precise cook, it is advisable to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your beef medallions. The desired internal temperature will depend on your preferred level of doneness. Here are some temperature guidelines:
- Rare: Start with 5 minutes per inch of thickness.
- Medium-Rare: Target an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C).
- Medium: Aim for an internal temperature of 140°F.
- Medium-Well: Shoot for an internal temperature of 145°F.
Now, let's discuss the cooking temperatures and times for different levels of doneness:
- Medium-Rare: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook the beef medallions for 4 minutes on each side, resulting in a total cooking time of 8 minutes.
- Medium: Maintain the same temperature of 400°F (200°C). Increase the cooking time to 6 minutes on each side, for a total cooking time of 12 minutes.
- Well-Done: Keep the temperature constant at 400°F (200°C). Extend the cooking time to 8 minutes on each side, resulting in a total cooking time of 16 minutes.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your beef medallions and the specific model of your air fryer. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Additionally, for a crispy crust and soft interior, you can try the following method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook the beef medallions at this temperature for 22 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to 390°F (198°C) and continue cooking for 10 more minutes.
- Finally, reduce the heat again to 360°F (182°C) and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Using this method, your beef medallions should achieve a medium doneness with an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C).
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Resting the beef
The resting period is also a good time to prepare any side dishes or sauces to accompany your beef medallions. For example, you could make a mushroom sauce or toss some vegetables in spices to roast or fry. If you are serving your steak with potatoes, you could use the resting time to prepare some fluffy, crisp-skinned jacket potatoes in the air fryer. Alternatively, you could make some sweet potato fries, tossing them in smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning or BBQ seasoning to ramp up the flavour.
If you are cooking multiple steaks, it is best to cook them one or two at a time and then let them rest while you cook the remaining steaks. This will ensure that each steak has time to rest and reabsorb its juices, resulting in a more tender and flavourful dish.
The exact resting time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your beef medallions, as well as your desired level of doneness. For a rare steak, start with 5 minutes of cooking time per inch of thickness and then add 2 minutes for each additional level of doneness (medium-rare, medium, well-done, etc.). Adjust the resting time accordingly, allowing the steak to rest for a shorter or longer period to achieve your desired result.
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Sides and sauces
Beef medallions are incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of sides and sauces. Here are some ideas:
Sides
- Starchy Sides: Garlic mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, boiled potatoes, chips, roast potatoes, or potatoes au gratin.
- Vegetables: Steamed or sauteed vegetables, roasted vegetables (like asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts), or a light and refreshing green salad.
- Salads: A watermelon cucumber salad or broccoli cauliflower salad.
- Other: Sauteed mushrooms, thyme-roasted radishes and onions, or lemony prosciutto-wrapped asparagus.
Sauces
- Garlic Butter: Mix garlic granules, freshly chopped parsley, and butter. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Chimichurri: A tangy, herby sauce that can be used instead of garlic butter.
- Red Wine Sauce: An elegant yet easy sauce to accompany your beef medallions.
- Mushroom Sauce: A rich and savoury sauce that can be made with sauteed mushrooms.
- Honey-Garlic Glaze: Brush the beef medallions with a honey-garlic glaze before air frying.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook beef medallions in an air fryer, first, remove the beef from the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking and allow it to reach room temperature. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Pat the beef dry, brush with oil and season generously with salt and pepper or other spices. Place the beef in the air fryer basket and cook for around 7 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for well-done, or 2 minutes per side for medium.
The cooking time for beef medallions in an air fryer depends on how you like your steak cooked and the thickness of the meat. As a rule of thumb, start with 5 minutes per inch of thickness for rare steak and add 2 minutes for each degree of doneness. For example, medium-rare is 4 minutes on each side, medium is 6 minutes, and well-done is 8 minutes.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your beef medallions. For medium-rare, the thermometer should read 135°F/57°C, for medium, 140°F, and for medium-well, 145°F.
It is important to start with a hot air fryer to help create a sear on the outside of the steak. Make sure the steaks are not touching in the air fryer basket as they need room to cook properly. You can also marinate your beef medallions before cooking for extra flavor.
