Marianne Martinez
Cooking beef stew in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to make a hearty meal. While it may be unconventional to use an air fryer for stew, it is possible to achieve tender meat and savoury vegetables with a rich gravy. The key is to use a quick-cooking cut of beef, such as steak, and to thicken the gravy before adding it to the beef and vegetables. This method gives you a delicious, comforting meal with minimal fuss and in a fraction of the time of traditional methods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Beef, beef broth, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, tomato paste, thyme, avocado oil, olive oil, liquid aminos, soy sauce, coconut aminos, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, black pepper, red wine |
| Utensils | Air fryer, mixing bowl, tongs, cutting board, oven-safe baking pan or dish, baking tray |
| Cooking process | Season and mix ingredients, brown the meat, add vegetables, stir, cook |
| Temperature | 325°F (163°C) for biscuits, 375°F (190°C) for stew |
| Cooking time | 6-8 minutes for biscuits, 45-50 minutes for stew |
| Calories | 350kcal |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of beef
Steak bites, for example, are a great option for air fryer beef stew. They cook quickly, resulting in tender and juicy pieces of beef with crispy edges. You can choose from a variety of steak cuts, such as NY Strip, ribeye, or filet mignon, depending on your preference and budget. Even a cheap piece of steak can work well, especially if you marinate it ahead of time.
When preparing steak bites for your air fryer beef stew, consider marinating the steak pieces in your choice of seasonings. A simple yet effective seasoning blend includes avocado oil or olive oil, liquid aminos or soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. This combination will add flavour to your steak bites and help them stay moist during the air frying process.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the amount of steak you are cooking. Typically, air frying steak bites for 10 to 20 minutes, or until your desired level of doneness is reached, should be sufficient. Be sure to shake the drawer or stir the contents a few times during the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
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Preparing the vegetables
Next, use a cutting board and a sharp knife to chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. The size and shape of the pieces can vary, but aim for relative uniformity so that the vegetables cook evenly. For potatoes, you may want to cut them into cubes or slightly larger chunks, depending on your preference. Carrots can be sliced into rounds or chopped into sticks. Onions can be diced or sliced, and garlic cloves should be peeled and minced or crushed.
If you're serving biscuits with your stew, you can prepare them first. Spray your air fryer basket or tray with a non-aerosol cooking spray, then place the biscuits in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Air fry the biscuits at 325°F (163°C) for 6-8 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. Keep in mind that some air fryers may not cook biscuits evenly, so you may need to finish them in the oven if they are still doughy in the middle.
Once your vegetables are chopped and ready, you can move on to the next step of cooking your beef stew in the air fryer.
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Cooking the beef
First, prepare your beef by cutting it into bite-sized pieces. You can use any cut of steak, but NY Strip, ribeye, and filet mignon are particularly good choices. You can also marinate the steak in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking, although this is not necessary.
Next, heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Avocado oil is a good choice, as it will help the seasonings stick to the beef, but olive oil also works well. Add the beef to the pan and cook until it is browned on all sides, then remove it from the pan and set it aside.
In the same pan, sauté some chopped onions until they are translucent. Add minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary, and cook for another minute. Stir in some tomato paste and cook for one more minute. If desired, you can deglaze the skillet with red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Now you are ready to assemble your stew. Transfer the beef and onion mixture to an oven-safe baking dish that fits in your air fryer. Add your desired vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, and thyme. You can also include beef broth and tomato paste to enhance the flavor of your stew.
Finally, place the dish in your air fryer and cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked to your liking. If you want to thicken the sauce, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the stew during the last few minutes of cooking.
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Thickening the sauce
Potatoes are a starchy vegetable that can add thickness to your beef stew. When cooked, potatoes release their starch, which helps to bind the liquid in the stew, giving it a creamier and heartier consistency. This not only adds to the texture of the dish but also contributes to an overall comforting and satisfying dining experience.
Tomato paste is another ingredient that can effectively thicken your beef stew sauce. It not only adds a rich umami flavour but also provides depth of taste with a hint of sweetness. The natural acidity of tomato paste can also help balance the savoury notes of the beef and other ingredients, resulting in a well-rounded and flavourful stew.
Cornstarch is a common thickening agent used in many sauces and gravies. To use cornstarch, mix a tablespoon of it with a small amount of water, stirring until it forms a smooth slurry. Then, simply stir this mixture into your stew during the final few minutes of cooking. This technique will help to thicken the sauce without affecting the flavour of the dish.
Another option for thickening your beef stew sauce is to use flour. Some recipes suggest dredging the meat in flour before browning it. This not only helps to create a delicious crust on the meat but also adds to the overall thickening of the sauce as the flour cooks and absorbs the liquid.
Finally, utilising an air fryer to cook your beef stew can contribute to thickening the sauce. The air fryer's ability to cook at high temperatures can help reduce the liquid in your stew, resulting in a thicker and more concentrated sauce. Additionally, the even circulation of hot air ensures that the sauce thickens consistently throughout the dish.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for stew beef in an air fryer will depend on the type of beef you use, the size of your air fryer, and your personal preference for how well-done you like your beef.
If you are using a pressure cooker, such as the Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker, your beef stew will take around 30 minutes to cook. However, if you are using a slow cooker function, you can expect the cooking time to be around 8 hours. If you are using a standard air fryer, the cooking time will be somewhere in between these two durations.
It is recommended to brown the meat first before pressure cooking or slow cooking. To brown the meat, heat some olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and cook the beef until it is browned on all sides.
Once the meat is browned, you can add the vegetables and continue cooking. The total cooking time for the beef and vegetables in an air fryer is around 45-50 minutes at 375°F (190°C), stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
If you are using steak as your beef of choice, the cooking time will be shorter. Steak bites or strips can be cooked in an air fryer in 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. It is recommended to stop the air fryer twice throughout the cooking process to shake the drawer and ensure even cooking.
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Frequently asked questions
It is best to use a quick-cooking cut of beef such as steak, steak bites, or beef tips. Chuck roast or other cheap, tough cuts of beef are not recommended as they can become unpleasantly tough in the air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to around 375°F (190°C). Then, cook the beef for about 12-15 minutes, flipping the meat halfway through, until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Finally, add the vegetables and cook for an additional 35-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
To thicken the sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the stew during the last few minutes of cooking.
