
Cooking beef shoulder roast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a roast dinner. It's a great alternative to crockpot or instant pot cooking methods, which can take much longer. To start, you'll want to bring the beef to room temperature, then season and coat it with oil. After preheating your air fryer, you'll cook the beef for around 30-45 minutes, flipping it halfway through. Finally, let the beef rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This method will give you a juicy and tender roast beef with a nice seared outside and a moist inside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Take the beef out of the fridge and pat dry. Leave it to come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes. |
| Seasoning | Brush the beef with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, or a herb/steak seasoning mix. |
| Air Fryer Temperature | Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F for 5-10 minutes. |
| Cooking Time | Cook for 10-15 minutes, then turn the beef over. Reduce the temperature to 350°F and cook for another 30 minutes. |
| Internal Temperature | Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the beef. For rare or medium-rare, aim for 130-134°F. |
| Resting | Place the cooked beef on a warm platter and cover loosely with foil. Leave it to rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing against the grain. |
| Serving Suggestions | Serve with roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash salad, or a classic green bean casserole. |
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What You'll Learn

Choosing the right cut of beef
Marbling and Fat Content:
Look for a well-marbled cut with a nice outer layer of fat. Marbling refers to the flecks of fat within the muscle, which adds flavour and juiciness to the meat. A good amount of marbling ensures that your roast beef is moist and tender. However, avoid cuts with excessive fat, as they can become greasy.
Cooking Time and Temperature:
Consider the cooking time and temperature requirements of the beef cut. Air fryers excel at cooking smaller cuts of beef quickly at high temperatures. Therefore, choose cuts that are suitable for high-heat cooking and have shorter cooking times. Avoid cheaper cuts that require long cooking times, as they are more appropriate for slow cookers or oven roasting.
Size and Fit:
Select a cut of beef that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. Rump roast, rolled rib roast, or beef joint might be too large for some air fryers. You may need to slice larger joints in half to ensure they fit properly.
Recommended Cuts:
- Tri-tip: This cut has gained popularity for its robust beefy flavour and affordability. It is best cooked between rare and medium temperatures (125°F to 135°F).
- Bottom Round Rump: This traditional cut comes from the cow's rear leg and is leaner. It is best cooked at a lower temperature (275°F) to achieve a rare or medium-rare doneness.
- Chuck Roast: This is an inexpensive cut with a large amount of connective tissue, which, when cooked slowly, creates tender and soft meat. It is ideal for braising or slow cooking in a crock pot.
- Prime Rib: A popular choice for Sunday roasts, prime rib is well-marbled, full of flavour, and tender.
- Sirloin: If you're looking for a tender option, choose a top cut of sirloin. Make sure to brown the meat before placing it in the air fryer.
- Beef Bolar Blade: This cut, taken from the shoulder blade, is affordable and full of flavour. It contains connective tissue and sinew, so it requires a long cooking time to break down and become tender.
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Preparing the beef for cooking
Firstly, select the right cut of beef. Opt for naturally tender cuts like top sirloin or tenderloin for the juiciest and most melt-in-your-mouth results. If you prefer a leaner cut, the eye of round is a good option, but it will require extra care to maintain tenderness. Avoid tougher cuts like chuck roast or brisket, as the air fryer's quick, high-heat method won't yield the desired tender results.
Once you have chosen the perfect cut, take your beef joint out of the fridge and pat it dry. It is important to bring the beef to room temperature before cooking. Allow it to sit out for 30 to 60 minutes. This step promotes even cooking and prevents the outside from burning before the inside is cooked.
Next, season your beef. Brush or coat the meat with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also add a dry rub or a herb seasoning mix to enhance the flavour. Ensure the seasoning is applied evenly and coats all surfaces of the meat.
Before placing the beef in the air fryer, it is a good idea to check if it fits comfortably in the basket. You may need to slice a larger joint in half. If desired, you can line the air fryer basket with foil to catch any drippings for gravy. However, ensure the foil is rolled up on the sides to allow proper air circulation.
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Cooking the beef
First, take your beef joint out of the fridge and pat it dry. Leave it to come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes. Make sure your joint fits into the air fryer. You can always slice a larger joint in half. Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F/200-205°C for 5-10 minutes. Brush the beef all over with olive oil or cooking oil spray and season with salt and pepper, or a herb seasoning mix.
Place the beef in the air fryer basket and roast for 10-15 minutes. This will create a crust on the exterior, sealing in the juices. Then, turn the beef over and reduce the temperature to 350°F/180°C. Cook for another 30 minutes for medium-rare beef. For well-done beef, cook for longer, taking a temperature reading to gauge your desired level of doneness. The internal temperature will rise by around 10-15°F as the beef rests.
Once the beef is cooked to your liking, place it on a platter and cover loosely with foil. Leave it to rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving.
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Resting the beef
While the beef is resting, it is important to keep it loosely covered with foil. This will help to keep the meat warm and also allow the steam to escape, ensuring that the beef doesn't overcook. Resting the beef also allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it moist and flavourful.
The size and cut of the beef joint will also impact the resting time. For larger joints, a longer resting time of up to 30 minutes is recommended. This gives the meat more time to relax and ensures that the juices can redistribute evenly. Additionally, certain cuts of beef, such as leaner options like eye of round, may require extra care to stay tender.
Finally, the desired doneness of the beef will also determine the resting time. For a rare or medium-rare roast, a shorter resting time of 10-15 minutes may be sufficient. For a well-done roast, a longer resting time of up to 30 minutes is recommended to ensure that the meat is cooked through and remains tender.
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Serving suggestions
When serving your roast beef, ensure you slice it against the grain to shorten the muscle fibres, making it more tender and easier to chew. It is also important to let the roast beef rest for at least 10 minutes before serving, to allow the muscle fibres to relax and for the juices to redistribute.
Beef shoulder roast cooked in an air fryer pairs well with a variety of side dishes. You could serve it with roasted carrots and potatoes, cooked in the air fryer, or a potato dish such as roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, or Greek potatoes. You could also serve it with a vegetable side dish such as green bean casserole, braised red cabbage, creamy sprouts with bacon, or roasted butternut squash salad.
If you have any leftovers, you can use the beef slices to make roast beef sandwiches. Store your roast beef in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for 3-4 days. To reheat, use your air fryer by setting the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook beef shoulder roast in an air fryer, first, bring the beef to room temperature by letting it sit out for 30-60 minutes. Then, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Brush the beef with oil and season with salt and pepper or a herb seasoning mix. Place the beef in the air fryer basket and roast for 10-15 minutes. Then, turn the beef over, reduce the temperature to 350°F, and cook for another 30 minutes. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer and cook for longer if needed. Once cooked, let the beef rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving.
It takes around 40-45 minutes to cook beef shoulder roast in an air fryer, depending on your desired level of doneness. It's recommended to check the internal temperature of the beef with a meat thermometer to ensure it's cooked to your liking.
Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. After placing the beef in the air fryer basket, reduce the temperature to 350°F for the remaining cooking time.
Tender cuts of beef that can handle quick cooking at high heat are best for air fryer roast. Recommended cuts include top sirloin, tenderloin, and eye of round.
To reheat your beef shoulder roast, set your air fryer to 375°F and place the meat in the basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.











































