4 Ways to Cook Delicious and Tender Air-Fried Beef Steak – Mytour

Instead of spending money on a cast-iron skillet or specialized pans for searing beef, now you can utilize your air fryer to evenly cook beef steak without worrying about excess oil. So, does air-frying beef steak match up to traditional pan-searing? Let Mytour unravel the question in the article below!

1. Is Air-Frying Beef Steak Worth It?

Air fryers are considered a smart choice for homemakers. Previously, many people hesitated to air-fry beef steak, fearing that the meat would turn dry and less delicious. However, in reality, this is a completely mistaken belief.

Advantages of air-frying beef include stable temperature for even cooking, eliminating excess fat while maintaining meat moisture. Consequently, air-fried beef steak is tender and less oily compared to traditional methods. However, to prevent the meat from drying out, consider these tips. Here are some ways to prepare air-fried beef steak for your reference.

2. Different Ways to Make Air-Fried Beef Steak

You can make beef steak in various styles. Below, Mytour suggests some delicious steak recipes prepared using an air fryer.

2.1 How to Make BBQ Beef Steak Using an Air Fryer

Western cuisine always leaves a unique impression on food enthusiasts. With the Western-style beef steak, you can easily prepare it using an air fryer quickly, reducing the amount of cooking oil. To make air-fried BBQ beef steak, gather the following ingredients:

Main Ingredients

• 300 grams of beef tenderloin
• 1 finely chopped garlic clove
• ½ teaspoon of paprika
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• Tomato sauce
• Vinegar
• Brown sugar (or replace with white sugar)
• Chili powder
• Olive oil

Steps to Prepare

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

• After buying the beef, rub a small amount of salt on the surface for about 1-2 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly with water. Pat the meat dry to remove any lingering water.
• Marinate the beef with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Rub the spices evenly on the surface of the meat, marinate for 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Make BBQ Sauce

• Mix a small bowl of tomato sauce, ¼ cup of water, ¼ cup of rice vinegar, ¼ cup of brown sugar, 3 teaspoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, and 2 finely chopped garlic cloves.
• Sauté the garlic until fragrant with olive oil and add the mixture. Stir until smooth, browned, and slightly thickened, then it's done.

Photo: Collection

Step 3: Grill the Beef Using an Air Fryer

• Before grilling, you can apply a layer of cooking oil on the surface and bottom of the air fryer for smooth flipping. You can also use aluminum foil to line the fryer.
• Here's how to make air-fried beef steak: evenly arrange the meat slices in the air fryer and set the temperature to 200°C for 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, flip the meat slices and continue grilling for the next 7 minutes. Repeat this process for the 3rd time, flipping the beef slices and grilling for another 7 minutes each time. Once the meat is evenly cooked and slightly crispy, transfer it to a plate, drizzle with BBQ sauce, and enjoy right away.

Photo: Compilation

Note: Depending on your preference for the level of doneness, you can adjust the minutes accordingly.

Finished Product Requirements

Avoid excessive oil to prevent the beef from becoming too greasy, ensuring it remains moist and juicy on the inside. The subtle aroma wafting from the beef is sure to stimulate the taste buds of those indulging. The lightly fragrant and slightly spicy BBQ sauce is an excellent complement to the beef.

2.2 Making Beef Steak with Mashed Potatoes Using an Air Fryer

Accompanying beefsteak will undoubtedly be mashed potatoes. Especially, this is a beef dish that cannot be missed for Thanksgiving in the United States. Mashed potatoes have the ability to reduce the richness of the beef. Therefore, the combination of these two ingredients undeniably brings perfection. Making mashed potato beefsteak is extremely simple with just a few steps, taking less than 25 minutes. Read on to grasp that quick and neat method!

Main Ingredients

• 500 grams of beef sirloin
• 3 potatoes
• 2 slices of cheddar cheese
• Common spices: salt, pepper, cooking oil

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

After being cleaned, removing any unpleasant odors, and draining, we proceed to marinate the beef with salt, pepper, and cooking oil for 20 minutes to absorb the spices.

Step 2: Make Mashed Potatoes

Peel and clean the skins of 3 potatoes, then slice them thinly and place them in a steamer. If you don't have a steamer, you can use the water-steaming method or boil them evenly.

Steam the potatoes until they are soft and sticky, then mix them thoroughly with cheese, cooking oil, pepper, and salt. Mix while still hot to allow the cheese to melt and blend.

Image: Collected

Step 3: Grill the Beef

Preheat the air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes, then place each piece of meat one by one. Gradually reduce the temperature to 180 degrees Celsius in the 2nd and 3rd turns when flipping the meat. When the meat is cooked to perfection, plate it and serve with the pre-made mashed potatoes, then indulge.

Image: Collected

Product Requirements

With the air-fryer method for making beefsteak, the meat remains moist, sweet, and juicy even without using cooking oil. The mashed potatoes with melted cheese are the perfect complement. A must-try dish during festive occasions in the United States.

Image: Collected

2.3 Vietnamese-Style Air Fryer Beefsteak

In Vietnam, beefsteak is often paired with various ingredients such as fried eggs, sausages, pate, or stir-fried noodles. To learn how to make this dish, follow the steps below.

Image: @eatingwiththao

Main Ingredients

• 500 grams beef sirloin
• 5 potatoes
• 3 chicken eggs
• Pate (as needed)
• 1 onion
• Seasonings: pepper, cornstarch, cooking oil, sugar, oyster sauce

Execution Steps

Here are the detailed steps to make Vietnamese-style air fryer beefsteak for your reference:

Step 1: Prepare Beef and Vegetables

• Clean and salt the beef, use a specialized hammer to tenderize the meat.
• Marinate the beef for 20 minutes with cooking oil, oyster sauce, pepper, and garlic.
• Cut the onions into round slices and soak them in ice water to reduce pungent smell. Slice the tomatoes.
• Cut the potatoes into long pieces and deep-fry them.

Step 2: Air Fry the Beef and Layer with Egg and Pate

• Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius, then air fry the beef. Remember to brush a layer of butter or cooking oil on the surface of the air fryer to prevent the meat from sticking.
• Repeat 2-3 times until the beef is evenly cooked.
• Layer with egg and pate, then arrange on a plate.

Photo: Collection

2.4 Making Beef Steak with Vegetables and Red Wine Sauce Using Air Fryer

To enhance the flavor and freshness of beef steak, adding vegetables is essential. When using beef steak, vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, or broccoli, along with tomatoes, truly make the dish more rich and diverse in flavors.

Main Ingredients

Vegetables and Beef Ingredients

• 800 grams of beef sirloin
• 8 bunches of watercress
• 3 baby carrots, halved
• 4 cherry tomatoes
• 3 baby bok choy
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• Common spices: salt, pepper, cooking oil

Ingredients for Red Wine Sauce:

• Finely chopped onions and garlic
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 200ml red wine
• 500ml chicken/beef broth

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Prepare Beef and Vegetables

• Season the beef with salt, rinse with clean water, and let it drain. Pat dry the surface with a paper towel. Marinate the beef for 20 minutes with a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground pepper, and a bit of cooking oil/olive oil.
• Cut off the stems and leaves of the vegetables, then wash and soak them in a diluted saltwater solution for 3-5 minutes. After that, blanch the vegetables in boiling water for 8 minutes, then remove them. (Pre-boil the vegetables to ensure they are cooked while grilling)

Step 2: Making Red Wine Sauce

• Sauté onions and garlic in a pan with oil until golden and then pour 200ml of red wine, bring it to a boil.
• Add a bit of beef or chicken broth for a richer flavor in the sauce.
• Finally, add the prepared butter and stir until the mixture thickens, then turn off the heat.

Step 3: Grilling Beef with Air Fryer

• Use aluminum foil to spread a layer of cooking oil and place the beef and vegetables in the air fryer at 200°C for 5 minutes. Flip the beef about 2-3 times at 180°C for 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Plate the beef with a side of thick and smooth red wine sauce.

Final Product Requirements

Making air-fried beefsteak using this method ensures it remains exceptionally delicious. The combination of various vegetables makes this air-fried beefsteak even more flavorful. The grilled vegetables are slightly crispy on the outside while remaining tender and cooked inside. Particularly, the rich and aromatic red wine sauce perfectly complements the Western taste.

Photo: @fisheyes.h

3. Notes in Air-Frying Beefsteak

To enhance the flavor of air-fried beefsteak, consider the following tips when using an air fryer:

• Guidelines for Air-Frying Beefsteak: 

Note: To determine the meat's temperature while cooking, use a thermometer to control the desired level of doneness.

• Choosing the Right Meat for Beefsteak

According to chefs, choosing sirloin, top sirloin, or shoulder tenderloin is essential for a delicious beefsteak. These cuts are relatively lean but have marbled layers of fat that prevent the meat from drying out. When making air-fried beefsteak, the meat will be significantly more tender.

While using a cast-iron skillet undoubtedly enhances the flavor of beefsteak, air-frying ensures health safety, optimal time, and effort. Following the method introduced by Mytour Blog above, you can compete with traditional beefsteak recipes!