Discover the benefits of Air Fryer Ground Beef versus cooking on the stove and get step by step instructions.
I was taught to cook ground beef in a skillet like this. That was simply what I always did. Until one day when I tried putting a packet of ground beef in the air fryer.
It worked! And it was better than ground beef cooked on the stove for a few reasons.
Video: Ground Beef In The Air Fryer
Why Cook Ground Beef In The Air Fryer?
There are a few great reasons to cook ground beef in the air fryer. First, it’s very hands off. You put the ground beef into the air fryer basket, season it, close it up and let it be. When you cook ground beef on the stove you usually have to stir it much more often, and keep your eye on it.
The other reason to cook ground beef in the air fryer is that the fat gets drained away as it cooks. The perforations in the air fryer basket are perfect for the fat to drain off of the meat. This means that the meat isn’t cooking in fat the entire time.
Also, when the meat is finished cooking, you just lift out the basket and the fat is all left behind. That means that you don’t have to strain it or use a spoon to scoop out the fat, like you do when you cook it on the stove.
So by cooking ground beef in the air fryer, you get hands-free cooking with leaner meat and an easier clean up. Win-win-win!
The only drawback to cooking ground beef in the air fryer is that it can be a bit dry. That’s because of the fat draining away. If you’re using the beef in a sauce, like spaghetti sauce, that’s totally fine and you won’t notice. If it’s going to be more plain, like in tacos, you will probably want to add a sauce.
How To Cook Ground Beef In The Air Fryer
Use thawed ground beef for this. If it isn’t already defrosted, use one of the quick methods for defrosting ground beef from over here.
Put the ground beef, up to 1 and 1/2 pounds, into the basket of the air fryer. Season it with salt and pepper.
Use a wooden spoon to break it up and stir the seasonings in.
Let the ground beef cook in the air fryer set to 400°F for 5 minutes. Stir it up a bit. Cook some more for another 3-5 minutes, until cooked through. Use a wooden spoon to break it all up.
Then your ground beef will be cooked and crumbled. You can crumble it more or less.
Finally, lift the basket out and you’ll see that all the fat and liquid has been drained off. A little bit of meat might have gotten through the perforations of the basket, but not much.
And there you have it, perfectly cooked ground beef in the air fryer ready to use in your favorite meal like Ground Beef Casserole or Southern Style Baked Beans.
Podcast Episode: Cooking Air Fryer Ground Beef
Listen to learn how to make this recipe, along with some great tips from Christine:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
Print
Air Fryer Ground Beef Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
By cooking ground beef in the air fryer, you get hands-free cooking with leaner meat and an easier clean up.
Ingredients
- 1 to 1 and 1/2 lbs. ground beef
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Put the ground beef into the basket of the air fryer.
- Season the beef with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir it a bit with a wooden spoon.
- Cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes. Stir it around.
- Continue to cook until cooked through and no longer pink, 3-5 more minutes.
- Crumble the beef up using a wooden spoon. Remove the basket and discard any fat and liquid left behind. Use the beef in your favorite ground beef recipe.
I have an air fryer with the basket over a cookie sheet type pan. Do I need anything else under the basket for the grease?
Glory, I’ve never tried it with an air fryer like that. Does the cookie-sheet-type-pan have a rim? Basically, it has to be deep enough to catch the grease. If it has a rim, it should work fine. Check on it part way through to make sure the fat level isn’t too high.
I do this all the time now. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Shawn! It’s such a convenient method.
I’ll be keeping the fat (healthier and tastier), but will be doing this tomorrow. Thanks for the tips. I’ve been cooking hamburger and ground chuck patties in the air fryer for cheeseburgers, but was looking for a way to ditch the bread. This is perfect, and a lot quicker.
You’re welcome, Tayvl! Glad it’s helpful.
Crazy that this works so well! I was a doubter, but I have it a try and I will definitely be cooking ground beef this way again.
I really didn’t think this was going to work well, but it really did! The fat draining down underneath is brilliant. Thank you!
Sam, You’re welcome. So happy you like it! Thank you for the comment and rating!
Does anyone know if this would work in the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer?
I have not used a Breville Smart Oven, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t! If you try, let us know if you needed to adjust the timing or anything, Chelsea. :)