The easiest way to cook juicy, tender rib eye in just twenty minutes.
When it comes to cooking steak, many of us get a little intimidated. A traditional frying pan can get pretty messy, too. Luckily, using an air fryer to cook steak takes out any guesswork, and it makes the whole cooking process a total breeze.
Once the rib eyes are prepped, they’re popped into the air fryer. After that, all that’s left is to keep an eye on the time so they can be flipped according to your preferred doneness. Craving medium-rare? Aim for around ten minutes total, five on each side. Want it well-done? Let the steak cook for six to seven minutes on each side instead.
Whether you go rare or well-done, the result is a mouthwateringly tender steak perfectly cooked to your preference. It has a crispy, glistening outside and an impossibly tender, juicy inside. Plus, this air fryer recipe includes a side of well-seasoned garlic butter for dipping or drizzling, ensuring you’ll have a juicy steak no matter what. Serve this up for your next family shindig and you’ll have a marvelous main the whole table can sink their teeth into.
Is Air-Fryer Steak Healthy?
For those on a carnivore or omnivore diet, air-fryer steak is a great source of protein, iron, and B vitamins. If you need it to be dairy-free, simply use plant-based butter or oil. Personally, I often like to use ghee (clarified butter) instead because it has more flavor, but it’s up to you to choose the optimal drizzle for your steak.
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Choosing The Best Rib Eye
Rib eye steak is a boneless cut of meat found between the ribs of a cow. It’s naturally succulent and thick, perfect for air frying. When choosing your rib eye, it’s a good idea to inspect it for freshness, making sure it’s pink or red in color, without any brown or purple spots. To ensure it has the best flavor and tenderness, check for streaks of white fat throughout the meat. Lastly, when you hold the package in the store, make sure it’s firm and not mushy. If possible, I recommend getting meat from local butchers or farmers to ensure it’s fresh and high quality.
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FAQs & Tips
Leftover steak can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 or 4 days. You may also freeze them in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before warming up in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
You’re more than welcome to rub the steaks in oil, salt, and pepper before covering and storing them in the fridge. You can leave them to marinate for up to eight hours, but avoid longer rest times as it’ll result in a mushier meat.
Yes, the recipe calls for flipping the steak halfway through cooking time. Ten minutes total for medium rare, but if you’d like it more well-done, go for 14 minutes (seven on each side). Use a pair of metal tongs for ease of flipping.
The key to maintaining a perfectly juicy air-fryer steak is to let it sit for 10 minutes after cooking. Also: do not keep the steaks in the air fryer for longer than 15 minutes.
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Serving Suggestions
A hearty slab of garlicky air-fryer steak goes great with Smashed Potatoes alongside Peas and Carrots— a classic Western family dinner. In a similar vein, you could pair it with a side of Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Broccoli, Rice Cooker Risotto, Parsnip Fries, or a simple and light Tossed Salad. Play with the options and find your favorite dinner combo. The more color and texture, the better!
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Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 rib eye steaks 1 inch thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh parsley
Instructions
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Rub each steak with olive oil and generously season with salt and black pepper.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
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Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes for medium rare, flipping halfway through. Adjust the time for your preferred doneness.
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While the steak cooks, add the butter and garlic to a skillet over medium heat and cook until garlic is lightly golden. Remove from heat and mix in herbs.
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Remove the steaks from the air fryer and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with herb butter drizzled over top.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 689kcal (34%) Carbohydrates: 1g Protein: 46g (92%) Fat: 56g (86%) Saturated Fat: 26g (163%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 25g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 183mg (61%) Sodium: 121mg (5%) Potassium: 632mg (18%) Fiber: 0.3g (1%) Sugar: 0.04g Vitamin A: 637IU (13%) Vitamin C: 3mg (4%) Calcium: 33mg (3%) Iron: 4mg (22%)
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational
purposes only.