Once you make Air Fryer Ground Beef, you’ll never go back to making it traditionally. It’s a simple and quick recipe comprising just ground beef and salt. And because of the air fryer tray it drains the excess fat. Seriously, with this method you can cook ground beef in less than half the time it would take you to do it on the stovetop.
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From taquitos to spaghetti and everything in between, there are so many things you can do with ground beef so this super simple “recipe” will come in handy over and over again.
And for more beefy goodness try your hand at our air fryer cheeseburger pizza recipe. It is beyond delicious.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ground beef cooks quickly in the air fryer. It takes a fraction of the time to make it in compared to stovetop.
- You can look forward to ground beef browning evenly in the air fryer.
- Cooking it in the air fryer contains the mess and splatter making for a more efficient process.
- It is versatile and can be used in everything from tacos, spaghetti, and stuffed peppers.
- It comes out deliciously juicy and slightly crispy.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – We used 80/20 for this recipe. You can use something leaner but be careful as it could end up too dry.
- Salt – Use kosher salt instead of table salt.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Ground Beef
Break up the ground beef and place it in the fryer basket.
Cook the ground beef for 3 minutes.
Then, use a wooden spoon to break apart the beef and cook for another 2 minutes.
Beneath the tray there will be excess oil and a bit of ground beef.
Variations
Taco Seasoned – Mix in taco seasoning for a Mexican-inspired flavor, perfect for tacos, burritos, or salads.
Italian-Style – Combine with garlic, Italian herbs, and marinara sauce for a great pasta topping or lasagna filling.
Asian-Inspired – Sauté with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions for a dish that pairs well with rice or noodles.
Mediterranean – Season with cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, and mix with diced tomatoes and olives for a Mediterranean twist.
Equipment We Recommend
Storage
Store in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Top tip
- Use a spatula to break up ground beef into smaller pieces or crumbles
- Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding
- Avoid overcooking as it can become dry
FAQ
No. There is plenty of fat in ground beef so there is no need to add more.
Yes. If you have a seasoning blend that you prefer like seasoned salt, garlic powder, and paprika, go for it.
Yes. Preheating your air fryer will help your ground beef cook evenly.
Air Fryer Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 Pd Ground Beef
- 1 Tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Put the ground beef in the air fryer basket. Break it into small pieces and spread them out evenly. Sprinkle the salt on top.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook the ground beef for 4 minutes.
- After 4 minutes, open the basket, stir, and break up the beef some more.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Scoop out the beef from the basket, and if there's any fat, pour it out. Enjoy!
Notes
- Keep your cooled leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This recipe can easily be made for tacos, pizza, quesadillas, etc.
- You can easily double this recipe.
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