Air Fryer Roast Beef (The Ultimate Guide)

WRITER BYJessica

POSTEDDecember 24, 2023

Nothing compares to a tender, flavorful air fryer roast beef with the perfect medium-rare interior. A perfectly cooked roast beef is always a must for Sunday family gatherings, holiday dinners, and parties. Just something so special about hearty home-cooked meals makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

But while I love its flavor, preparation has always been a fuzz. Thankfully, I found a way to speed up the cooking process without compromising quality. And you know me, I love my air fryer, so I couldn’t help but turn to my kitchen superhero for this recipe.

So, if you’re looking for a simple yet spectacular dish to satisfy your guests’ taste buds, this one’s for you. You can kiss goodbye to dry roast meat and welcome the deliciously crispy, juicy, and mouthwatering beef that feels like a warm hug. And the good news is that you’ll only need 4 ingredients for this recipe, so let’s jump right in!

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WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS Air Fryer Roast Beef RECIPE

Long are the days when you had to sear your beef in the pan before baking it in the oven for hours. For all my practical home cooks out there, this recipe is hassle-free and ensures a succulent roast with minimal effort.

The magic is in the simple ingredients - herbs, oil, and the star of the show, the air fryer beef roast. If you cook traditionally, here are more reasons to use an air fryer for making beef roast.

Quick and easy. We’re hands-on gals here, and we like taking the easy way. This air fryer roast beef will be ready in no time with the least amount of effort. Ready in under an hour, it’s almost twice as quick as in the oven.
Budget-friendly. You’ll only need 5 ingredients for this dish, and you probably have them sitting around in your kitchen already. But even if you don’t, you’ll only pay a fraction of the price compared to other complex beef recipes.
Nutrient-rich. Air fryer beef roast is good for you! This protein is rich in important nutrients like riboflavin, vitamin B12, zinc, iron, and phosphorus.
Diet-friendly. Air fryer roast beef makes the perfect main dish for those in a low-carb, keto, dairy-free, gluten-free, or soy-free diet. Not for vegetarians or vegans, but most people can have it as a part of their weekly meals.
Flavorful. I’m not overselling when I say this is one of the best recipes I’ve ever made! The juicy, tender inside and the delicious crispy skin on the outside make for a flavor explosion. Naturally, high-quality ingredients play a vital role and put the dish in a class by itself.

BEEF GRADES

To have the best and most tender roast beef, think about the USDA beef grades that classify beef using two important factors.

Quality: We take into account aspects such as flavor, juiciness, and tenderness.
Yield: It reflects the amount of meat on the carcass.

Outlined below are the different grades of beef and their suitability for creating air fryer roast beef:

Prime Beef: The best grade, with lots of marbling, perfect for making roast beef in an air fryer. That’s why it tends to be more expensive.
Choice Beef: While also a high-quality option, it exhibits slightly less marbling than prime cuts. It remains a viable alternative for this recipe if you prefer not to break the bank for prime beef.
Select Beef: Falling below choice beef in marbling, select beef may not be the best choice for air-fried roasts. However, if you use it, make sure to marinate it before cooking to enhance its juiciness and flavor.
Standard Beef and Commercial Beef: Typically considered among the lower grades of beef. We do not recommend using those for air fryer roasts because of their poor quality.
Utility Beef, Cutter Beef, and Canner Beef: Highly processed foods commonly contain these grades at the bottom of the pile. I don’t recommend them for this air fryer roast beef recipe.

To have the best roast beef in an air fryer, choose prime or choice grades for great flavor and juiciness.

TYPE OF BEEF TO USE for the Air Fryer Roast Beef recipe

Cheaper cuts, such as stewing beef, are better for soups and stews since their fats take longer to break. However, it's important to splurge a little bit on quality when preparing your air fryer roast beef.

The air fryer's shorter cooking times will only bring out the flavors of higher-quality cuts. Here are my go-to’s for this recipe:

Prime rib roast
Sirloin roast
Rump roast
Beef chuck roast
Inside round roast

Always look for roasts that fit in your air fryer, are even in size, and have marbling. Now, let’s jump into the nitty-gritty.

INGREDIENTS

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious air fryer beef roast:

2 lb beef roast
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons rosemary and fresh or dried thyme
1 teaspoon sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 6 servings

Bring your beef to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking to help cook more evenly.

Start by preheating the air fryer to 400°F/200°C. This will allow the beef to sear quickly, lock all the juices, and form the crust. If you don’t have a preheating setting, just run your air fryer for 5 minutes.

Mix sea salt, rosemary, and olive oil in a bowl.

Pat dry the beef with paper towels and coat it with the oil-herb mixture by rolling it on the plate.

Put the beef roast in the air fryer basket, adjust it to 360°F/180°C and start the air fry for 5 minutes.

Flip the roast halfway through if your air fryer model requires it and continue cooking the beef for 30 more minutes for medium-rare.

Use a meat thermometer to check its doneness, and extend the cooking in 5-minute increments for more well-done meat.

After cooking, wrap the roast beef in kitchen foil and let it sit for a minimum of 10 minutes before slicing. This step helps the meat finish cooking and reabsorb its juices. I do not recommend slicing the beef right after you finish cooking.

Serve the thinly sliced roast beef against the grain, accompanied by roasted or steamed veggies, wholegrain mustard, and gravy.

TIP: During cooking, some air fryers need you to turn over the food, while others don't. If you are unsure if this is required, check your manual.

WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL AIR FRYER ROAST BEEF INTERNAL TEMPERATURE?

Here are the most important beef temperature levels to adjust your cooking time:

Rare: 120-125°F (red center)
Medium rare: 130-135°F (red center with some pink)
Medium: 140-145°F (pink center)
Medium well: 150°F (center only slightly pink)
Well done: 160°F (no pink)

The USDA recommends a safe minimum internal temperature for all cuts, 145 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 3-minute rest. This temperature would cook the roast to a medium or medium well-done level as it rests and gets hotter inside.

This guideline is important for deciding how long to cook meat, especially for those who like it well-done.

HOW TO SERVE MY AIR FRYER BEEF ROAST?

And now for the fun part. Air fryer roast beef and vegetables or potatoes is just a much made in heaven. But here are a few more side dish ideas that go well with this recipe:

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT MY AIR FRYER ROAST BEEF?

To store extra air fryer roast beef, put it in a plastic bag or airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for a maximum of 5 days. Once it has thoroughly cooled, you can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to defrost it in the fridge before using it again.

To reheat your beef roast in the air fryer, make sure to splash some beef broth to keep it nice and moist. Then, you should place it in your air fryer at 380°F for 3-5 minutes or until it warms. You can use leftovers in beef sandwiches, fajitas, or salads.

AIR FRYER ROAST BEEF SEASONING

Our above recipe calls for rosemary and thyme, but you can play with any other herbs you like. Feel free to go heavy on the flavors you enjoy and leave out the rest with your herb crust.

Here are more seasonings to consider:

Sage
Parsley
Oregano
Fresh minced garlic
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Red pepper flakes
Fresh minced garlic

If you’re using fresh rosemary, make sure to collect the leaves and chop them up finely before using them. Also, remember that salt and pepper are your best friends for bringing out the meat’s flavor. I use 1 teaspoon of sea salt for 2 lb of beef.

As for the oil, my personal preference is olive oil, but you can use any cooking oil you have. Vegetables and avocado oil are always good choices. You can optionally add an onion cut in half into the air fryer’s basket to bring out the meat’s flavors.

Of course, if you're in a hurry, you can always use your favorite instant steak seasoning.

Finally, I would discourage you from putting gravy or a sauce on your roast. Keep those for your air fryer roast beef and potatoes.

FAQs

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