How to cook air fryer ground beef perfectly in just a few minutes. The best part is that the grease drains away for extra lean protein.
Making ground beef in the air fryer has changed the way we eat. The fat drains off, and it’s browned in just 5 minutes! Here’s a simple air fryer recipe you can use for many other meals. (affiliate links present).
As someone who loves cooking and experimenting in the kitchen I was so excited when I got my Ninja Foodi. This versatile appliance can pressure cook, air fry bake, and more. One of my favorite things to make in it is deliciously browned ground beef.
Being able to quickly and perfectly brown ground beef in the Ninja Foodi is a huge plus for me whether I’m making tacos, chili, sloppy joes, or casseroles. The results are far superior to my old stovetop skillet method.
I will show you everything you need to know to brown ground beef in your Ninja Foodi like a pro in this whole guide. You will learn how to get the chicken ready, pick the right settings, brown it just right, drain the grease, and more. Let’s get cooking!.
Why the Ninja Foodi is Great for Browning Ground Beef
I absolutely love using my Ninja Foodi for browning ground beef rather than a skillet on the stove. Here are some of the benefits:
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Even browning – The hot air circulates all around the meat for consistent browning on all sides No more gray spots!
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Traps in juices – The lid keeps all the flavorful juices and aromas inside while it cooks
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Less splattering – Contained in the pot, there’s no stovetop splatter mess to clean up.
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Hands-free – Once the lid is on, you can walk away while it cooks. No need to stand at the stove constantly stirring.
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Drains grease – The inner pot has a drain hole to let fat drip out for leaner ground beef.
For quick weeknight dinners, the Ninja Foodi delivers tender, browned ground beef in record time.
Prepping the Ground Beef
Before cooking the ground beef, I like to prep it according to the recipe I’m making:
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For crumbles, I break up the raw ground beef into the pot as is.
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To make burger patties, I form the beef into evenly shaped patties.
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For meatballs, I roll the beef into balls using my hands.
I don’t add any oil or water to the bottom of the pot before adding the beef. There’s plenty of fat in the meat itself to prevent sticking.
If making patties or meatballs, be sure not to overcrowd them in the pot. Leave a little space between each one.
Choosing the Best Ninja Foodi Setting
I found that the best setting to use for browning ground beef is:
- Temperature: 400°F
- Mode: Air Crisp
- Fan Speed: High
This gives me the hot temperatures and air circulation flow I need to achieve deep, even browning on the beef.
For meatballs or patties, I preheat the Foodi first before adding them to a piping hot pot.
Getting the Perfect Brown on the Beef
Browning ground beef in the Ninja Foodi yields a beautiful brown crust without any gray spots. Here are my tips:
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Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef. You need some fat for flavor and browning.
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Let the beef cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes to brown before stirring.
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Allow the beef to brown for 3-5 minutes per side before stirring again.
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Break up beef crumbles using a wooden spoon as they cook.
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For patties or meatballs, flip halfway through cooking time.
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Add spices, seasonings, or aromatics like garlic near the end to avoid burning.
That satisfying sizzle means you’ve achieved deliciously browned beef!
How Long to Cook Ground Beef in Ninja Foodi
The cooking time can vary a bit depending on the amount and thickness of the beef. Here are some general guidelines:
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1 lb ground beef crumbles: 8-12 minutes
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1 lb patties or meatballs: 15-18 minutes
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2 lbs ground beef: 12-15 minutes
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4-6 patties or 12-18 meatballs: 15-20 minutes
For accurate doneness, I like to use a quick-read thermometer. Ground beef is safe to eat at 160°F.
Draining the Excess Fat
One of the things I love about the Ninja Foodi is how it drains away excess fat and grease from the ground beef while cooking. Here’s how it works:
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The inner pot has a hole that allows fat and juices to drip into the bottom outer pot.
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Once finished cooking, remove the inner pot using tongs. Drain any accumulated grease from the outer pot.
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For the leanest beef, use a paper towel to blot any remaining grease from the cooked crumbles or patties.
Doing this little step makes a big difference in the fat content of your finished ground beef.
Flavoring Ideas for Ninja Foodi Ground Beef
While salt and pepper are classic seasonings, there are so many ways to add flavor to ground beef while cooking in the Ninja Foodi:
- Dry taco seasoning or fajita seasoning mix
- Italian herb blend, oregano, basil, and garlic powder
- Onion and garlic powder with paprika or chili powder
- Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic
- BBQ rub with brown sugar, paprika, garlic and onion
- Cumin, chili powder, and lime juice for tacos
Get creative with the seasonings to match the cuisine! Add them at the end so they don’t burn.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
Here are some extra tips to ensure perfect results:
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Let the beef sit out for 10 minutes to take the chill off before cooking.
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Use the cook times as a guide, but verify doneness with a thermometer.
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Add salt after browning as it can inhibit the Maillard reaction.
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Mix in any sauce (marinara, barbecue, etc.) after browning so it doesn’t burn.
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For leaner beef, place cooked crumbles in a colander and rinse with hot water.
With these tips, you’ll be a Ninja Foodi ground beef expert in no time!
Favorite Ground Beef Recipes for the Ninja Foodi
The possibilities are endless when it comes to recipes using the deliciously browned ground beef from the Ninja Foodi. Here are some of my favorites:
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Cheeseburgers – Form the beef into patties, brown them in the Foodi, then add cheese and condiments.
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Meatloaf – Mix beef with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings then bake in the Foodi.
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Stuffed peppers – Brown the beef, then stuff into roasted bell peppers.
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Taco pie – Layer tortillas, browned beef, beans, salsa, and cheese for an easy dinner.
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Lasagna – Make a hearty meat sauce with the beef to layer into lasagna.
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Sloppy Joes – Brown the beef, add BBQ sauce, peppers, and onions for an easy sandwich filling.
The options are unlimited! Browning beef in the Ninja Foodi makes whipping up any ground beef dinner recipe fast and easy.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Properly stored, leftover browned ground beef keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge or 3-6 months in the freezer.
To reheat leftovers:
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Place in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth.
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Bake in oven at 300°F wrapped in foil until warmed through.
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Microwave in 30 second intervals, checking for hot spots.
Freezer meals are a great way to use that pre-browned Ninja Foodi beef. Just thaw and reheat for quick weeknight dinners.
Perfectly Browned Beef Made Easy
Learning how to properly brown ground beef in the Ninja Foodi offers so many benefits. You get gorgeous brown meat, traps in moisture, minimal splatter, and hands-free cooking.
Follow these tips for success:
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Prep beef into crumbles, patties, or meatballs
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Use the Air Crisp 400°F setting to brown
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Don’t stir initially for crispy brown bits
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Use a thermometer for accurate doneness
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Drain grease from the outer pot after cooking
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Get creative with seasonings and spice blends
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Use in all your favorite beef recipes or meals
With the Ninja Foodi, you can skip stovestop skillet cooking and enjoy tender, browned ground beef in no time. Give this method a try for your next taco night or meaty casserole!
Ground Beef Air Fryer
Here are a few questions you may have before you get going;
Yes, it’s that simple. It only takes 5 minutes, and the fat just drips off the meat. NO more sizzling in a pan inside the grease. This is a great way to keep your hamburger meat very lean. You can use your Ninja Foodi machine to do this too.
Yes, this is how to cook frozen hamburgers in an air fryer. I would not suggest cooking an entire pound of ground beef in it though. The outside will get way more overdone by the time the middle defrosted.
You can easily air fry hamburgers until they’re soft and tasty if the meat has been defrosted and shaped into patties. 8 minutes at 375 degrees F.
That depends on a lot of factors, the main one being the fat content in it. What’s best for you is something that has very little fat and is cooked so that the fat drains off the meat.
First you’re going to break up the meat. You don’t want it to overlap if possible so each piece gets done at the same time. It doesn’t have to be super teeny tiny, you can see here how I did mine.
This air fryer beef recipe is quick and easy to make this perfectly. A spoon or spatula to break up the meat and diced onions, if you want to add them, are all you need.
To make taco meat, I put the taco seasoning and some water or broth in a bowl and mixed them together. Alternatively you can just season with salt and pepper.
When I cook in my Cosori or large air fryer, I like to use wooden tools. It depends on how many people I’m cooking for.
Ground Beef Air Fryer Recipe
We buy half a cow every year. With that said we make a lot of easy ground beef recipes year round. You too can buy meat in bulk online. It saves money and trips to the store, I love it. With all the different cuts we get, we cook this the most often by far. There are so many recipes for it we love.
At least once a week, I make this. Sometimes I add taco seasoning and use it in our tasty Instant Pot spaghetti recipe. What I love about it is that the fat and grease drain away on their own, and it browns quickly and well. You could use this same technique with ground turkey, chicken or even ground sausage.
If you love easy air fryer recipes too, here are some resources to start with:
- Here is a free air fryer cooking time chart that you can print out and put on your fridge. It has temp. and when to make the best frozen foods for an air fryer
- Then like our Facebook page below to share your thoughts and get more great ideas.
step one cooking ground beef in ninja foodi
FAQ
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