Easy Air Fryer Recipe: Grilled Beef in Betel Leaves - Mytour

When it comes to delicious dishes with betel leaves, everyone knows about pork betel leaf rolls. However, if you try switching from pork to beef, you will be pleasantly surprised by the enticing, flavorful dish. Especially for those who avoid oil, grilled beef in betel leaves using an air fryer is the perfect choice. Let's showcase your cooking skills with Mytour!

1. Introduction to Beef Betel Leaf Rolls

Grilled beef in betel leaves originated from the Southern region, representing a unique aspect of Vietnamese street food. The dish stimulates the taste buds with the subtle aroma of betel leaves blending with the sweet and tender flavors of beef.

In addition to the traditional method of making betel leaf-wrapped grilled beef, nowadays Vietnamese home cooks have transformed the dish by grilling it in an air fryer. This not only limits the excess fat but also avoids the risk of burning, preserving your health. 

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2. How to Make Air Fryer Grilled Beef in Betel Leaves 

Making grilled beef in betel leaves is very simple, and the ingredients are not too complicated. In less than 1 hour, you can complete the dish and treat your family. 

Prepare the Ingredients

• Beef sirloin: 500g 
• Pork fat: 200g (or 300g beef ribs)
• Fresh ginger: 1 branch
• Lemongrass: 5 stalks
• Garlic: 4 cloves
• Shallots: 2 bulbs
• Wild betel leaves: 200g
• Cooking oil: 2 teaspoons
• Other spices: fish sauce, salt, pepper, oyster sauce

Cook the Dish

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients 

• Soak the beef in diluted saltwater to eliminate any unpleasant odor, then wash it thoroughly and pat it dry
• Finely chop the beef along with pork fat (or beef ribs)
• Clean the betel leaves and let them drain. Choose the 3-4 smallest leaves, remove the stems, and finely chop them. 
• Clean the garlic, peel it, and then crush or finely chop it.
• Clean and finely chop lemongrass and shallots. 

Step 2: Guide on how to marinate the meat

• Mix the beef, finely chopped betel leaves, garlic, lemongrass, and shallots in a clean bowl.
• Add about 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, 2 tablespoons of seasoning powder, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, and a small amount of ground pepper. Then, use gloves or a clean spoon to mix well.
• Marinate the meat for about 20 minutes to absorb the flavors. 

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Step 3: Roll the Beef with Betel Leaves

• Place betel leaves on a flat surface (plate, clean cutting board, etc.), use a rice spoon to scoop a spoonful of meat onto the textured side of the betel leaf. 
• Fold the edges of the leaf and roll it towards the stem. To make the betel leaf roll look more beautiful and firm, you can gently press inside the meat part while rolling.
• Use bamboo sticks or betel leaf stems to secure and prevent the rolls from unraveling during grilling.  
• Repeat the rolling process with the remaining betel leaves and meat. If there is excess meat, you can shape it into small round pieces. If there are leftover leaves, store them in a clean box in the refrigerator. 

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Step 4: Make Air Fryer Grilled Beef with Betel Leaves

• Preheat the air fryer to 200°C for 5 minutes. 
• Arrange betel leaf rolls in the air fryer, use a specialized brush to apply a thin layer of cooking oil on the surface to avoid the dish drying out during grilling.
• Grill at 180°C for about 5 minutes. 
• Open the air fryer, use tongs to flip the rolls to the other side. Brush another thin layer of oil and grill at 160°C for 5 minutes. 

Finished Product After Processing

Air-fried betel leaf-wrapped grilled beef is enticing with a fragrant aroma spreading throughout the kitchen. Take a bite, and you will immediately feel the sweet and tender taste of beef blending with the melted pork fat in your mouth. The dish is best enjoyed with various raw vegetables such as lettuce, julienned cucumber, sour starfruit, or fresh rice paper and vermicelli. The rich, savory taste and distinctive aroma of grilled betel leaves will make it irresistible for every member of your family.

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3. Considerations when making betel leaf-wrapped grilled beef using an air fryer 

Grilling beef with an air fryer is very simple and easy. However, to ensure that the dish is both beautiful and delicious, you should keep in mind the following tips:

• Choose fresh, clean, and odor-free beef. To save time, you can select whole pieces of beef at the store and have them ground on the spot. 
• Choose betel leaves that are uniformly large, thick, and dark in color. Select leaves that are intact and not torn or punctured. 
• When rolling the leaves, if you use bamboo sticks to secure them, soak the sticks in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during grilling. 

So here it is! Mytour Blog has journeyed with you to uncover all the ins and outs of crafting air-fried betel leaf-wrapped grilled beef. This delightful, easy-to-make, and time-saving dish is undoubtedly the perfect choice for your busy days!