Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin
Beef tenderloin is the most tender and most expensive cut of beef, so you want to cook it exactly right. Air fryer beef tenderloin gives a 2 lb roast a browned herb crust and a rosy center in about 25 minutes, with no oven preheat. This guide covers the whole roast, from trimming and tying to slicing.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 50min
- Prep time
- 15min
- Servings
- 6
- Internal temp
- 145°F63 °C
- Per serving
- 260kcal
Why the air fryer works for beef tenderloin
Tenderloin is a very lean muscle that gets little work, which is why it is so soft. It has almost no fat or connective tissue to protect it, so it needs fast, high heat and careful timing. The air fryer provides both. Hot air circulates around the whole roast, searing the herb crust in minutes and leaving the center rosy, without the long heat-up of a large oven.
The cooking time depends mostly on the thickness of the roast. A center-cut piece is a uniform cylinder, so it cooks evenly, while the thin tail end can overcook. Tying it into an even shape is the most important step. Beef tenderloin in the air fryer works well for a holiday dinner for four to six people, as long as the roast fits your basket with room for air flow.
How to make beef tenderloin in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the roast Pat the tenderloin dry. If the butcher has not already tied it, fold the thin tail end under and tie the roast with kitchen twine every 1½ inches so it keeps an even shape. Let it sit at room temperature for .
- Season Rub the roast with the oil and Dijon mustard. Press the salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary and thyme all over the surface.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for .
- Cook Place the roast in the basket, curving it slightly if needed to fit. Cook for , turning it a quarter turn every so all sides brown. Begin checking the temperature at .
- Check and rest Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center. Many cooks take beef tenderloin out at 130–135 °F for medium-rare, while the USDA recommends 145 °F with a 3-minute rest. Rest the roast on a board for before slicing into ½-inch slices.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2 lb center-cut roastQuarter turn every 6 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 22–28 min |
| 1 lb small roast | 400 °F (200 °C) | 14–18 min |
| Bacon-wrapped 2 lb roast | 400 °F (200 °C) | 28–31 min |
| Medium-well, 2 lb roast | 400 °F (200 °C) | 28–32 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 145 °F (63 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Which cut to buy
Ask for a center-cut tenderloin, also called chateaubriand, which is the thick middle section. A whole untrimmed tenderloin is 4 to 6 lb and has a thin tail and a silvery membrane called silver skin, so trim it or ask the butcher to do it. Filet mignon steaks are cut from this same muscle, but they are a different job than a whole roast.
Tips
- Use a thermometer. A tenderloin goes from rosy to gray within a few minutes, and guessing is expensive.
- Tie the roast. Twine keeps the shape even and prevents the tail from drying out.
- Slice thin. Cut ½-inch slices across the grain for the most tender bites.
What to serve with beef tenderloin
Serve beef tenderloin with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus or green beans, and a red wine sauce or horseradish cream. For a holiday plate, add roasted potatoes or asparagus. Leftovers make an excellent sandwich on a toasted baguette with mustard.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate sliced beef tenderloin for 3 to 4 days in a sealed container. Reheat slices in the air fryer at 300 °F for 2–3 minutes until they reach 165 °F, or serve them cold on salads and sandwiches. Reheating a whole roast tends to overcook it, so slice first.
Variations
- Peppercorn crust: Press 1 tbsp cracked black peppercorns into the Dijon layer instead of the herbs.
- Garlic butter finish: Top warm slices with 1 tbsp melted butter and minced garlic (not dairy-free).
- Horseradish cream: Stir 2 tbsp prepared horseradish into ½ cup sour cream, and serve on the side (not dairy-free).
- Filet Mignon: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer filet mignon.
If it does not turn out right
- The roast is gray all the way through
- It was overcooked. The lean center goes from pink to gray quickly, so check at 20 minutes and take it out 5–10 °F below your target, because it keeps cooking as it rests.
- The roast does not fit in the basket
- A 2 lb center-cut piece is about 8 inches long and fits a 5 qt or larger basket. For smaller models, cut the roast in half and cook the two pieces side by side.
- The crust is pale
- Pat the meat very dry and use the Dijon and oil so the herbs stick. A hot basket also helps, so always preheat.
Questions and answers
How long does beef tenderloin take in the air fryer?
A 2 lb center-cut roast takes about 25 minutes at 400 °F for medium-rare. A 1 lb piece needs 14–18 minutes. Because roasts vary in thickness, rely on the thermometer.
What temperature should beef tenderloin be?
Medium-rare is 130–135 °F, medium 140 °F and medium-well 150 °F. The USDA minimum for whole cuts of beef is 145 °F with a 3-minute rest.
Can I wrap beef tenderloin in bacon?
Yes. Wrap the roast in bacon, secure it with toothpicks and add 3–5 minutes. Check the meat, not the bacon, for temperature.
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