Easy Air Fryer Ground Beef

Perfect Air Fryer Ground Beef: Quick, Easy, and Less Greasy Meal Prep

Are you looking to revolutionize your weeknight dinners and meal prep routine? Say goodbye to long cooking times and excessive grease with this incredibly simple and efficient Air Fryer Ground Beef recipe. This method isn’t just about speed – you can cook perfectly browned and crumbled ground meat with minimal effort and literally just one core ingredient, all ready in about 10 minutes of active cook time. It’s a game-changer for busy households and anyone looking for a healthier approach to cooking ground beef.

Air fried ground beef in a bowl ready to eat.

The beauty of cooking hamburger meat in your air fryer lies in its sheer convenience and health benefits. Imagine having perfectly cooked ground beef already prepped and waiting in your fridge. This is an excellent strategy to streamline meal preparation, ensuring everyone gets a delicious and hearty meal even on the busiest weeknights. Whether you’re planning to whip up some savory tacos, hearty chili, or simply need a versatile base for your favorite beef recipes, this air fryer method is sure to become one of your new go-to cooking techniques.

Beyond its speed, the air fryer excels at cooking ground beef by efficiently draining away excess fat and grease as it cooks. This means you get leaner, healthier results without the need for additional straining or cleaning up greasy stovetop splatters. It’s a win-win, offering both convenience and a lighter final product.

Simple Ingredients for Air Fryer Ground Beef

This recipe truly highlights the air fryer’s ability to transform basic ingredients into something delicious with minimal fuss. For our foundational recipe, you’ll need just one key item:

  • Ground Beef: Choose your preferred lean-to-fat ratio. A leaner ground beef (like 90/10 or 93/7) will produce less grease, while an 80/20 blend will still cook beautifully but require more draining.

While the core recipe requires only ground beef, this is also the perfect opportunity to infuse flavor. Consider adding a pinch of salt and black pepper before cooking, or even some garlic powder and onion powder for a more aromatic base. These simple additions can elevate the flavor profile of your cooked beef, making it ready for a variety of dishes right out of the air fryer.

Ground beef in a package ready to cook.

How to Cook Ground Beef in the Air Fryer

Cooking ground beef in the air fryer is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked, less greasy results every time:

  1. Prepare the Ground Beef:

    Carefully place the desired amount of ground beef into the basket of your air fryer. If cooking a larger quantity, consider working in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking. For optimal results, ensure the beef is thawed before placing it in the air fryer.

    Ground beef in the basket of the air fryer ready to be broken up before cooking.

  2. Break Up and Spread Evenly:

    Using a spatula or wooden spoon, break up the ground beef into smaller pieces and spread it out as evenly as possible across the air fryer basket. This ensures even cooking and browning. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or your preferred spices at this stage if desired.

    Ground beef in basket of air fryer broken up and ready to be cooked.

  3. Air Fry and Stir:

    Set your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) and cook the ground beef for 5 minutes. After the initial 5 minutes, open the air fryer basket, then stir and crumble the ground beef further to break up any larger pieces and ensure all sides cook evenly. Continue to air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the ground beef reaches your desired level of doneness. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.

    Air fried ground beef in basket of the air fryer, ready to season and serve.

  4. Drain Excess Fat:

    Once cooked, carefully remove the air fryer basket from the unit. The perforated design of the basket allows excess fat and grease to drip into the bottom tray, making draining incredibly easy. Simply separate the basket from the bottom drawer and discard the accumulated fat. This step is crucial for achieving a less greasy, healthier result.

  5. Serve as Desired:

    Your perfectly cooked and crumbled ground beef is now ready to be served or used in your favorite recipes. From tacos to pasta sauces, the possibilities are endless!

Close up photo of ground beef in the basket of the air fryer.

Why Cook Ground Beef in an Air Fryer?

The air fryer offers several distinct advantages over traditional stovetop cooking when it comes to ground beef:

  • Less Grease and Healthier Meals: This is arguably the biggest benefit. The air fryer’s design allows fat to drip away into the collection tray below, meaning your cooked beef is naturally leaner. You don’t have to deal with messy straining or greasy splatters on your stove.
  • Faster Cooking Time: With its rapid air circulation, the air fryer cooks ground beef quickly and efficiently, often in half the time it would take on a stovetop. This is perfect for those busy weeknights when every minute counts.
  • Even Browning: The consistent hot air ensures that your ground beef browns evenly without hot spots or burning, resulting in beautifully textured meat every time.
  • Reduced Mess: Everything is contained within the air fryer basket, minimizing cleanup. No more scrubbing greasy pans!
  • Hands-Off Cooking: Once you’ve broken up the meat, the air fryer does most of the work, freeing you up to prepare other components of your meal.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Ground Beef

  • Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: For even cooking and browning, avoid packing too much ground beef into the air fryer. If you’re cooking more than a pound, consider doing it in two batches.
  • Break it Up Well: Use a spatula to break the meat into small, even crumbles before and during cooking. This exposes more surface area to the hot air, ensuring consistent doneness and texture.
  • Season Generously: While salt and pepper are essential, don’t hesitate to add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or even a dash of chili powder for an extra kick.
  • Check for Doneness: The safest way to ensure your ground beef is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
  • Preheating (Optional but Recommended): Preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the ground beef can help achieve a quicker start to browning and overall cooking time.

Variations and Flavor Enhancements

Since this recipe’s base is just one easy ingredient (ground beef), the real magic comes from how you season and use it. I’ve successfully used both fresh and thawed frozen ground meat for this recipe, and it comes out perfectly every time. Just be sure to always thaw ground beef thoroughly before adding it to the air fryer for the best results and safe cooking.

The cooked ground beef is a blank canvas, ready to take on any flavor profile you desire. Here are some ideas:

  • Taco Meat: After cooking and draining, return the beef to the air fryer basket (or a pan). Add a packet of taco seasoning (or 2 Tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning) and about ¼ cup of water. Stir well to coat the meat, and if using the air fryer, cook for another 1-2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  • Italian Style: Mix in Italian seasoning, oregano, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and some finely diced onion and bell pepper during the last few minutes of cooking. Perfect for pasta sauces or lasagna.
  • Asian Inspired: Stir in a tablespoon of soy sauce, a teaspoon of grated ginger, and minced garlic after cooking. Great for lettuce wraps or rice bowls.
  • Classic Seasoned Beef: Simple salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder will create a versatile base for almost any dish.
  • Vegetable Boost: For added nutrition and flavor, consider adding finely diced bell peppers, onions, or even mushrooms to the air fryer during the last 3-5 minutes of cooking with the beef. They’ll soften slightly and absorb the beef’s flavor.
CLose up photo of air fried ground beef in a white bowl.

How to Serve Air Fryer Ground Beef

Once the lean ground beef has finished its cooking process, the fun really begins! This versatile ingredient opens up a world of culinary possibilities. You can effortlessly create a multitude of new recipes with just one batch of perfectly cooked air fryer ground beef. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it:

  • Tacos, Burritos, or Nachos: A classic choice! Simply season the cooked ground beef with taco seasoning, and serve in crispy taco shells, soft tortillas, or over a bed of nachos with your favorite toppings.
  • Sloppy Joes: Mix the browned beef with your favorite sloppy joe sauce for a quick and comforting sandwich filling.
  • Stuffed Peppers: Use it as a hearty filling for bell peppers, along with rice, cheese, and a flavorful sauce, then air fry or bake until tender.
  • Pasta Sauce: Add the cooked ground beef to your marinara or Bolognese sauce for a rich and meaty pasta dish.
  • Casseroles: Incorporate it into shepherd’s pie, taco casserole, or any layered dish that calls for ground meat.
  • Rice Bowls or Salads: Serve over rice with some fresh vegetables and an Asian-inspired dressing, or add it to a hearty salad for extra protein.
  • Chili: A fantastic base for a quick chili. Just add beans, tomatoes, and chili spices.
  • Quesadillas: Mix with cheese and vegetables for a cheesy, satisfying quesadilla.

Cooking your ground beef in the air fryer is truly a great idea for an easy weeknight meal, and it pairs seamlessly with so many different food groups and flavors.

How to Store Air Fryer Ground Beef

Storing leftover ground beef is incredibly simple, making it perfect for meal prepping. First, ensure the cooked meat cools down completely to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the leftovers into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. For the best quality and safety, plan to use the stored ground beef within 2-3 days. If you’ve made a larger batch for future meals, it freezes exceptionally well too! Place cooled beef in freezer-safe bags or containers and it will keep for up to 3-4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Common Questions About Air Fryer Ground Beef

What condiments and ingredients pair well with cooked ground beef?

The beauty of plain cooked ground beef is its incredible versatility. So many condiments and ingredients can be used to customize its flavor! For a classic taco night, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, salsa, and guacamole are must-haves. To enhance the basic flavor of browned beef, you can easily season it with staples like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of cumin. If you want to add a fresh, healthy boost, dice up some bell peppers and onions and toss them with the meat during the last few minutes of air frying or sauté them separately to mix in later. Don’t forget that a dash of black pepper, chili powder, or cayenne can add some delightful spice! If you’re looking for the easiest way to add robust flavor, a quality BBQ sauce or your favorite tomato-based pasta sauce works wonderfully too.

What side dishes pair well with ground beef?

Ground beef is a fantastic main ingredient that pairs well with a wide array of side dishes. I’m always a fan of classic french fries, and they can even be made in your air fryer for a complete, easy meal! No matter what air fryer beef recipe you’re going to make after cooking your ground beef, you can easily pair just about anything with it. Some great time-savers include a simple side salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or quick steamed veggies like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus. Heartier options like mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, rice (white or brown), or even quinoa complement ground beef perfectly. For a touch of comfort, consider a side of cornbread or garlic bread.

Can I cook frozen ground beef in the air fryer?

While the initial recipe specifies thawed ground beef for the best and fastest results, you can technically cook frozen ground beef in an air fryer. However, it will significantly increase the cooking time and require more frequent breaking up and stirring to ensure even cooking and thorough thawing. For safety and ideal texture, it’s always recommended to thaw ground beef completely in the refrigerator before cooking.

What fat percentage of ground beef is best for the air fryer?

For air frying, leaner ground beef (such as 90/10 or 93/7) is often preferred as it produces less grease, minimizing the need for draining. However, 80/20 ground beef also works wonderfully in the air fryer. The air fryer’s design is excellent at collecting and separating excess fat, so even fattier blends will result in a less greasy final product than stovetop cooking. The choice largely comes down to your dietary preferences and how much fat you want to drain.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

If you’ve loved how simple and effective cooking ground beef in your air fryer is, you’re in for a treat! The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can tackle a wide range of proteins and dishes. Expand your culinary repertoire with these other fantastic and easy air fryer recipes:

  • Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin
  • Air Fryer Jerky
  • Air Fryer Hot Dogs
  • Air Fryer Meatloaf
  • Air Fryer Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

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Crumbled ground beef in the basket of the air fryer, ready to serve.















5 from 1 vote
Servings:
4

Air Fryer Ground Beef

By

Jen
Air Fryer Ground Beef is the perfect way to prepare easy weeknight meals for the entire family!
Prep:

2 minutes

Cook:

8 minutes

Total:

10 minutes

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Rate
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Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients



  • 1
    lb
    ground beef,
    lean

Instructions

  • Place ground beef into the basket of the air fryer.
  • Break it up and spread it out as evenly as possible.
  • Air fry ground beef at 380 degrees for 5 minutes. Open the air fryer basket then stir and crumble the ground beef. Air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes until the ground beef is as cooked as desired.
  • Remove the basket from the air fryer bottom and drain any remaining fat.
  • Serve.

Notes


Use the ground beef for taco meat and more. To make taco meat, add a packet of taco seasoning (or 2 Tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning) and ¼ cup of water. Mix well before serving.

Making ground beef in the air fryer basket is less greasy as the fat is drained away from the meat as the meat is cooking.

Nutrition


Calories:
288
kcal

,

Protein:
19
g

,

Fat:
23
g

,

Saturated Fat:
9
g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
10
g

,

Trans Fat:
1
g

,

Cholesterol:
81
mg

,

Sodium:
76
mg

,

Potassium:
306
mg

,

Calcium:
20
mg

,

Iron:
2
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.





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