How To Make Air Fryer Ground Beef

Cooked and browned ground beef crumbles in an air fryer basket, viewed from above. Two small wooden bowls containing salt and pepper sit on a white marble surface near the air fryer.

How To Make Air Fryer Ground Beef

This is how to make air fryer ground beef the quick and easy way. Skip the skillet and avoid the greasy stovetop splatter — just add your beef to the air fryer and let it cook. It browns evenly, stays tender, and is ready in under 20 minutes, with very little cleanup afterward.

Prep Time5

Cook Time14

Total Time19

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer ground beef

Servings: servings

Calories: 293kcal

Equipment

Air fryer

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef 80/20 or 90/10
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon salt (plus ¼ teaspoon more, based on taste preferences)

Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer: Set air fryer to 400 °F (204 degrees C). Allow it to preheat for 3-5 minutes.
Season Beef: To a mixing bowl, add 1 pound ground beef, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon pepper, and ½ teaspoon salt. Gently mix ingredients using your hands or a spoon until evenly combined. Avoid overmixing, or beef can become tough.
Add Beef to Air Fryer: Place seasoned beef in air fryer basket, breaking it into a few large chunks so it cooks evenly.
Cook Beef: Air fry beef for 10-14 minutes (for 90/10 beef, start checking right at 10 minutes). Halfway through cooking, pause air fryer and use a wooden spoon or spatula to break beef into smaller pieces. Stir gently to help it cook evenly. If beef seems to be cooking too quickly, reduce cooking time slightly. Cook until no pink remains and the beef reaches 160 degrees F.
Drain Excess Grease: After cooking, carefully remove basket from air fryer. Using a spoon or spatula, transfer beef to a bowl lined with paper towels, or carefully pour off excess grease. Taste and add more salt (up to the remaining ¼ teaspoon), as desired.
Serve or Store: Serve immediately in tacos, pasta dishes, casseroles, or store cooled beef in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days or freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

Cooking from Frozen: Start cooking in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 5-6 minutes to loosen the block, break it up, then continue cooking, stirring a few times, until browned and cooked to 160 degrees F. Add a few extra minutes of cooking time as needed.

Doubling Recipe: Cook in batches so beef browns instead of steaming; very large air fryer baskets can handle up to 1½ lb if spread loosely and stirred well halfway.

Refrigerator Storage: Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer Storage: To freeze, allow cooked beef to cool, pack flat in zip-top bags, press out air, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or in cold water.

Reheating Instructions: Reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth, stirring until hot.

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