Air Fryer Roast Beef
Equipment
- Air fryer, 5- or 6-quart
- Aluminium Foil
- Kitchen string
- Pastry brush
- Serving tray
Ingredients
- 1.36 kg beef top sirloin roast
- 907 g butternut squash unpeeled and cut into wedges
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Prepared gravy for serving
- 354 g pearl onions unpeeled and halved
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 175°C (350°F) for 5 minutes.
- Tie the beef roast at 2 cm intervals with kitchen string to create a compact, even shape.
- Brush the beef with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and season to taste.
- Place the beef and pearl onions in the air fryer basket and cook at 175°C (350°F) for approximately 45 minutes, turning the roast halfway through. Adjust the cooking time according to the desired doneness and check the internal temperature before serving.
- Transfer the beef to a serving tray and brush it with the whole-grain mustard.
- Cover loosely with aluminium foil and rest for 20 minutes.
- While the beef rests, brush the butternut squash with the remaining olive oil, sprinkle with the thyme leaves, and season to taste.
- Place the squash in the air fryer basket and cook at 175°C (350°F) for approximately 20 minutes, until tender.
- Slice the rested beef and serve with the roasted pearl onions, butternut squash, and warm gravy.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the sliced roast beef with the roasted pearl onions, butternut squash, and plenty of warm gravy. This complete Dinner needs little else, although an additional Vegetables dish or freshly baked Bread works well for a larger meal.Variations
The doneness of the beef can be adjusted to your preference. For rare beef, allow approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound; for medium, 20 to 25 minutes per pound; and for well-done beef, 25 to 30 minutes per pound at 175°C (350°F). Cooking time is only a guide, so always check the internal temperature of the meat. The butternut squash can also be served with other recipes from the Vegetables collection.Storage and Reheating
Cool leftover beef, onions, squash, and gravy promptly and store them covered in the refrigerator. Keep the gravy separately when possible. Reheat the beef gently to avoid drying it out. Leftover roast beef can also be used in Sandwiches or other Beef dishes.Wine Advice
A Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent partner for roast beef and rich gravy. Its structure works particularly well with the savoury beef, mustard, and roasted vegetables. Explore suitable wines at René’s Wijnbeleving.Nutrition values
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About Air Fryer Roast Beef
Air Fryer Roast Beef turns a traditional roast dinner into a meal that can be prepared largely in one appliance. A substantial top sirloin roast is cooked with pearl onions, rested under foil, and served with thyme-roasted butternut squash and gravy. It combines a classic Beef dinner with the convenience of modern Airfryer cooking.
The recipe uses a 3-pound, or approximately 1.36 kg, top sirloin roast. That is a generous amount of beef for four servings, making this a substantial Main Course. Together with the squash, onions, and gravy, very little is needed to turn it into a complete meal.
Preparing the Beef Roast
Before cooking, tie the beef at approximately 2 cm intervals with kitchen string. Tying the roast creates a more compact shape, which encourages more even cooking. Brush it with 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil and season before placing it in the air fryer basket.
The pearl onions cook alongside the beef. Leaving them unpeeled during roasting protects the interior from the direct heat and allows them to soften while developing a roasted flavour.
Cooking Roast Beef in the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 175°C (350°F) for 5 minutes. Place the roast and pearl onions in the basket and cook for approximately 45 minutes, turning the beef halfway through. Air fryers vary in power and airflow, and the shape and thickness of a roast also affect cooking time. For that reason, time alone should not determine when the beef is ready.
The original recipe gives approximate cooking ranges of 15 to 20 minutes per pound for rare beef, 20 to 25 minutes for medium, and 25 to 30 minutes for well-done. These ranges are useful for planning, but checking the internal temperature is more reliable.
Resting the Roast
Once cooked, transfer the beef to a tray and brush the outside with whole-grain mustard. Cover it loosely with aluminium foil and allow it to rest for 20 minutes. Resting is particularly useful with a large roast because it gives the meat time to settle before slicing.
Do not waste this resting time. It provides exactly the window needed to cook the butternut squash, so the complete Dinner can reach the table without leaving the beef sitting around unnecessarily.
Roasting the Butternut Squash
Brush the butternut squash wedges with the remaining olive oil and scatter the thyme leaves over them. Season well before transferring them to the air fryer. At 175°C (350°F), approximately 20 minutes should make the squash tender and lightly roasted.
Butternut squash brings sweetness to the plate, which provides a useful contrast to the savoury beef, mustard, onions, and gravy. It also means the recipe already contains a substantial component from the Vegetables collection.
Serving a Complete Roast Dinner
Slice the rested beef shortly before serving and arrange it with the roasted pearl onions and butternut squash. Serve the prepared gravy alongside or spoon it over the sliced beef. For a larger Family Dinner, additional vegetables or potatoes can easily be added.
The combination is also suitable for occasions when you want something more substantial than an everyday meal. Roast beef naturally fits a Weekend dinner and can also form the centrepiece of a Christmas meal or another Special occasion.
Leftovers and Storage
Leftover roast beef is particularly versatile. Thinly sliced cold beef can be used for Sandwiches, while thicker pieces can be reheated with leftover gravy. Store the beef, vegetables, and gravy promptly in the refrigerator, preferably with the gravy in a separate covered container.
When reheating, avoid prolonged high heat because lean top sirloin can become dry. Gentle reheating with a little gravy helps retain moisture. For current guidance on safe cooking temperatures, handling cooked beef, and storing leftovers, consult the FDA food safety guidance.
With roast beef, onions, butternut squash, mustard, thyme, and gravy all working together, this recipe delivers the character of a traditional roast dinner while making particularly effective use of the Airfryer.