Herbed Air Fryer Roast Beef (Quick and Simple!)

This quick and simple Air Fryer Roast Beef recipe is one to keep on hand! A flavorful herb rub gives the beef so much flavor and helps develop a beautiful crust. This roast beef recipe takes about 10 minutes of hands-on time, and comes out perfectly every time!

*This post is sponsored by Tastee Kitchen. They make smart appliances that make life easier! Thanks for supporting the brands that help me keep Sunkissed Kitchen running!

Make Dinner Easier with your Air Fryer

This air fryer roast beef recipe is my new favorite meal. At the beginning of the week, I cook a large roast. We enjoy it for dinner, then I have thinly sliced roast beef to use on salads or to serve with roasted vegetables for quick meals.

It’s mouth watering served hot right out of the air fryer, but I even love it cold! The whole family will enjoy this simple meal.

To keep this moist and juicy, and infuse it with flavor, it’s rubbed down with an herbed butter. This step takes minutes to do and creates a lovely crust that’s so worth it!

I was late to the game in getting an air fryer. They are a large machine, and I didn’t want another appliance to store.

But I am so glad I caved and got one! We use it all of the time. My son loves frozen french fries and home made chicken nuggets. We use it to reheat leftovers. I use it to make Air Fryer Blackened Salmon and Air Fryer Chicken Thighs when I am cooking for 1 or 2. Vegetables cook in minutes.

The Tastee Air Fryer is my new obsession. It has a built-in temperature probe and auto sensing presets. Set it to the type of meat you’re cooking, insert the temperature probe, and the meat comes out perfectly cooked to temperature. No guessing! The Tastee Air Fryer even allows you to select the desired doneness of your beef. Use code sunkissed20 for a discount!

I chose medium for this roast beef.

No worries if you don’t have the Tastee Air Fryer yet! Follow the suggested cooking times, and for best results, use a meat thermometer to check it at intervals to keep your beef from over cooking.

What cut should I use for Roast Beef?

Roast beef can be made with a variety of cut of beef. Be sure to take into consideration the size of your air fryer prior to purchasing your meat. A standard sized air fryer can handle a 2-3 lb. roast.

Choose a higher fat content cut, like tenderloin or prime rib, for the most tender roast beef. This is a great option for preparing a roast for special occasions (save oven space for the sides!).

For a more budget friendly option, choose a round roast. Don’t be shy, and ask your butcher to cut a strip loin or sirloin tip roast and try something new.

Higher Fat Content

Beef Tenderloin Roast (Chateaubriand): This buttery, tender roast makes a wonderful roast beef. Use this recipe to prepare it in the air fryer, or try this Baked Beef Tenderloin Recipe.

Prime Rib Roast (Ribeye Roast): Ribeye roast is a fattier cut of meat that melts in your mouth. A smaller prime rib will cook in an air fryer (or try this Oven Roasted Prime Rib Roast).

Chuck Roast: A beef chuck roast is a good option if you prefer well done meat. Because of it’s high fat marbling and high amount of connective tissue, it remains tender even when cooked well.

Leaner Cuts of Beef

Eye of Round Roast: This is my favorite cut for roast beef, and the one I used in these photos. It is a lean cut, containing only 3 grams of fat per 3 ounce serving. Because it’s a leaner cut, be sure to add a flavorful coating (such as the herbed butter in this recipe), and cut the slices of the beef thinly. Round roasts are cheaper cuts and great for everyday meals.

Top Round Roast: Another round roast that is perfect for baking low and slow, and cutting thinly for sandwiches or salads. Be sure to cut this across the grain.

Sirloin Tip Roast: This leaner cut has a lot of connective tissues, and collagen makes the beef more tender. This is a great option if you’re on a budget!

Strip Loin Roast: A strip loin roast is a great option if you’re looking for a more tender cut of beef with more marbling. It has a fat cap that keeps the meat moist and flavorful. Be sure not to overcook this roast to prevent it from becoming dry.

What You’ll Need

• Beef Roast (see section above to choose which type of beef is best for this recipe!)
• Ghee (or softened butter) *I prefer using ghee at high temperatures, but avocado oil or olive oil can be subbed for a dairy free version.
• Fresh Herbs (I used fresh rosemary and thyme)
• Dijon Mustard
• Kosher Salt (this coarse grained salt is key to the best steaks and beef roasts!)
• Black Pepper
• Optional: Minced garlic or garlic powder, or onion powder

How to Make Air Fryer Roast Beef

*Prior to starting recipe, allow your beef roast to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together ghee (or softened butter), dijon mustard, finely chopped herbs, Kosher salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: Rub the herb butter over the roast in a thick layer, coating all sides.

Hint: Line the bottom of your air fryer basket with foil to help clean up and extend the life of your air fryer.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 400º F.

Step 4: Add the roast to the air fryer basket, and air fry for 5 minutes. Turn the roast over, and and air fry for another 5 minutes.

Step 5: Reduce the temperature of the air fryer to 270º F. Continue cooking the beef roast for 30 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer and begin checking the temperature after 30 minutes (earlier if a rare roast is desired, or after 1 hour if a medium well or well done roast is desired).

*If using the Tastee air fryer, add the temperature probe, and select the desired temperature based on the chart below. The air fryer will automatically stop when the beef is at the desired doneness.

Step 6: Allow the roast to rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes prior to slicing. If using a leaner cut of meat, make slices very thin. Fattier cuts of meat work well with thicker slices.

Temperatures for Roast Beef

As a rule of thumb, I always stop my beef at 5º F below the recommended cooking temperature for the best possible outcome. The meat will continue to cook and the temperature will increase by about 5º F while resting.

To get the most accurate reading, place the meat thermometer in the center of the roast (in the thickest section).

Rare (cool red center): 125º F (stop cooking at 120º F)

Medium Rare (warm red center): 135º F (stop cooking at 130º F)

Medium (warm pink center): 145º F (stop cooking at 140º F)

Medium Well (slightly pink center): 150º F (stop cooking at 145º F)

Well Done (no pink): 160º F

How to Store Leftovers

Only slice as much beef as you plan on eating. Leaving the beef uncut will help it remain moist and also keep it more tender if you plan on reheating it.

Wrap it in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Roast beef can also be frozen and thawed at room temperature prior to serving.

How Long do I Cook a Roast Beef in an Air Fryer?

The exact cook time of a roast beef will depend on the cut of beef and the desired level of doneness.

If you do not have a meat thermometer, use these as a starting point. Adjust the cooking times for a smaller or larger roast.

For a 2 1/2 pound roast:

• Rare: 10 minutes on 400º F, and an additional 40 minutes at 270º F.
• Medium Rare: 10 minutes on 400º F, and an additional 50 minutes at 270º F.
• Medium: 10 minutes on 400º F, and an additional 60 minutes at 270º F.
• Medium Well: 10 minutes on 400º F, and an additional 70 minutes at 270º F.
• Well Done: 10 minutes on 400º F, and an additional 75 minutes at 270º F.

How to Serve a Roast Beef

Choose a few of your favorite side dishes to serve alongside your air fryer beef roast. Try:

• Mashed Potatoes or Cauliflower Mash
• Garlic Green Beans
• Oven Roasted Vegetables (toss fresh vegetables with cooking oil like olive or avocado oil, and season well is salt and pepper. Roast in the oven on 425º F for 20-30 minutes).
• Use the leftovers the next day, thinly sliced, for roast beef sandwiches or to make French Dips, or add to a large salad.

Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Acorn Squash
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Air Fryer Asparagus

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