You’ll love how this lightly spiced, savory marinated steak in air fryer practically falls apart as you cut into it. Ready in 15 minutes, perfect for an easy alfresco dinner!
This marinated steak in air fryer is succulent and tender without losing the textured ‘bite’ that makes sirloin steak unique. The simple citrus marinade complements the rich, salty flavors of the meat while at the same time softening it.
Cooking marinated steak in air fryer is the best way to get a juicy, flavorful finish - you’ll never go back to the grill! Air frying cooks the meat quickly and evenly, sealing in the natural juices while at the same time perfectly browning the outside.
The steak marinade combines the fresh flavors of rosemary and oregano you might expect with beef, with the earthy notes of paprika and cumin to add depth and warmth. Finished off with the zingy flavors of lime and orange juice, this marinade is something special.
Ingredients you’ll need to make marinated steak
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**
For the steak:
Flank or sirloin steak - This recipe can use flank or sirloin; both are incredibly tender and taste incredible marinated and air fried!
Salt and pepper - Don’t skip the salt and pepper! They act as flavor enhancers, bringing out the natural taste of the meat.
For the marinade:
Garlic - is an essential part of any marinade; garlic adds earthy depth and a hint of spice. You can substitute for garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.
Onion - onion adds spice and intensity to the marinade. Use white onions if you want a strong flavor or red if you prefer a milder taste with a hint of sweetness.
Lime juice - tart and acidic, lime juice adds the bite to the marinade! It also contains citric acid, which breaks down the meat and makes it soft.
Orange juice - similar to lime juice, the citric acid in the orange juice helps to break down the meat. It also adds a sweetness that balances the lime beautifully. You could substitute orange juice for lemon here for a bolder flavor.
Cilantro, rosemary, and oregano - adding fresh, evergreen flavors, this trio of herbs is a winning combination for any air fryer steak marinade. You could also try thyme or sage in place of the rosemary, parsley in place of cilantro, and basil in place of the oregano.
Cumin and paprika - earthy and warming; these flavors work so well with steak. You can substitute cumin for ground coriander if you don’t have any, and don’t be afraid to experiment with your paprika! It comes in smokey, hot, and sweet varieties, so try them to see which you like best.
Olive oil - not only is olive oil full of heart-healthy fats, as well as Vitamins E and K, but it also brings a delicate flavor to this dish that ties the marinade together.
Tools used to make the recipe.
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- Food processors: This is my favorite because you can do much more than just process food.
- Ziploc bag
- Air fryer: This model of cosori is the one I use for most of my cooking.
- Instant Meat Thermometer: This is very important to use when you cook any kind of meat. This one gives you the internal temperature in two seconds.
How to cook marinated steak in air fryer?
First, add the steak to a gallon-size Ziploc bag and season with salt and pepper.
Making the marinade: In a food processor, add orange juice, lime, cilantro, onion, garlic, rosemary, oregano, cumin, and paprika, and blend until blended.
Pour one cup of the marinade into the bag, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate and marinate the steak for 4 hours.
Air Frying: Discard the marinade and place the marinated steak in the air fryer basket, spritz with olive oil and cook to 400ºF for 5 minutes on each side or cook until an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 135ºF for medium-rare or your desire doneness.
Ready to eat: Remove from the air fryer basket and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing the air fryer steak. Serve and Enjoy!
Recipe tips
- Don’t marinate the meat for longer than 6 hours. If you do this, the meat can become tough.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of your meat - this will help you avoid over or undercooking your air fryer steak.
- Always marinate meat in the refrigerator as this stops bacteria from having the chance to grow.
- You can preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes before placing the meat.
How long to cook marinated steaks in air fryer?
It takes around 10 minutes (5 per side) at 400°F to cook steak in air fryer. Cooking times will vary depending on how big your steaks are and on your model of air fryer, so always use a meat thermometer to check for the correct internal temperature in the air fryer steak:
- Medium rare: 135°F
- Medium: 140°F
- For medium well: 150°F
- Well done: 160°F+
What kind of sides to serve with marinated steaks?
- Corn on the cob
- BBQ cauliflower wings
- Roasted butternut squash
How to store cooked marinated steak
Store leftover air fryer marinated steak in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Always seal your leftovers in an airtight container or Ziptop bag before storing, and ensure that you move them to the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of cooking as this prevents bacteria from growing.
How do you reheat steak in the air fryer?
Begin by preheating the air fryer to 350°F. Then, put your air fryer steaks in the basket and heat them for 3-5 minutes - use a meat thermometer to check for the correct internal temperature.
FAQ’s
Can you air-fry steak?
Absolutely! Air fryer Steak is succulent and delicious and goes beautifully brown on the outside just as it does on the grill - with the bonus that it cooks evenly through.
What kind of steaks can you cook in the air fryer?
You can cook every kind of steak in the air fryer! If you’re after some inspiration, try one of these tasty air fryer beef recipes:
Air fryer porterhouse steak
Tender and delicious air fryer steak bites
Air fryer steak fajitas
Perfect air fryer ribeye steak
Is air-fried steak good?
It’s so good! Air frying makes steak wonderfully tender, and marinated steak air fryer, in particular, is incredibly flavorful.
More air fryer recipes you’ll love
- Air Fryer Salmon Steak
- Tuna Steak in the Air fryer
- Air Fryer Swordfish Steak
- Air fryer Marinated Chicken Breast
- Steak and Shrimp Kabobs Air Fryer
More Air fryer Steak Recipes to try
- Air Fryer Porterhouse Steak
- Air Fryer T-Bone Steak Recipe
- Air Fryer New York Strip Steak
- Air Fryer Steak Bites Recipe (Tender and Delicious)
- Perfect Air Fryer Ribeye Steak Recipe
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Marinated Steak In Air Fryer Recipe
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Cooking marinated steak in air fryer is the best way to get a juicy, flavorful finish - you’ll never go back to the grill! Air frying cooks the meat quickly and evenly, sealing in the natural juices while at the same time perfectly browning the outside.
Ingredients
For Steak
- 1 1/12 pounds sirloin steak or flank steak
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Oil sprayer bottle with olive oil
For the Marinade
- 1 cup orange juice, fresh
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Tools
Instructions
- Add the steak to a gallon-size Ziploc bag and season with salt and pepper.
- In a food processor, add orange juice, lime, cilantro, onion, garlic, rosemary, oregano, cumin, and paprika and blend until blended. Pour one cup of the marinade into the bag, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 4 hours.
- Discard the marinade and place the marinated steak in the air fryer basket, spritz with olive oil and cook to 400ºF for 5 minutes on each side or cook until an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 135ºF for medium-rare.
- Remove from the basket and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- For doneness, use a meat thermometer: Medium rare: 135°F. Medium: 140°F. Medium well: 150°F. Well done: 160°F+
- Don’t marinate the meat for longer than 6 hours. If you do this, the meat can become tough.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of your meat - this will help you avoid over or undercooking your air fryer steak.
- Always marinate meat in the refrigerator as this stops bacteria from having the chance to grow.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 6 oz.
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 456Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 158mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gProtein: 40g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
