25 Air Fryer Ground Beef Recipes: Meals Made With Hamburger Meat

Fellow air fryer lovers….get ready for some new, family friendly dinner ideas that will make you night easier! Choose a hearty dish for tonight’s meal or add a new air fryer beef recipe to your meal plan this week. The air fryer is an easy way to cook up an easy dinner with a shorter cooking time. And the best part is that air frying uses less oil so it’s better for you!

If you are a fan of quick and delicious meals or maybe just looking for something to cook with that pound of ground beef that you have in your fridge, you have come to the right place. Here are 25 mouthwatering air fryer recipes featuring everyone’s favorite ingredient – ground beef (or hamburger meat!)

But first….do you call it ground beef or hamburger meat?

Growing up in West Texas, we always called it hamburger meat. I remember going down to the local grocery store where they could give you the exact poundage that you asked for, and wrapped it up in that white butcher paper. It was so satisfying to rip that open and cook with fresh meat!

It was not until recently that I realized that most people actually call it ground beef and could potentially be confused when asked about hamburger meat. But why is that? The choice of terminology often depends on regional preferences, culinary traditions, and, honestly, what your mama called it.

The term “ground beef” takes a straightforward approach, focusing on the key characteristic of the ingredient – it’s beef that has been ground into small, fine pieces. This term is widely embraced in various regions, reflecting a more general and inclusive description of the versatile meat product. Ground beef is always ready to transform into a myriad of savory creations, from tacos to meatballs and everything in between.

💡 Fun Fact: The term “ground beef” is often preferred in professional culinary settings, emphasizing the meat’s versatility beyond the realm of hamburgers.

On the flip side, we have the charming moniker “hamburger meat.” This term evokes a sense of nostalgia, harking back to the roots of everyone’s beloved fast-food staple – the hamburger. Using “hamburger meat” emphasizes the connection to the classic patty, embracing the idea that this ground beef is destined for the grill, sandwiched between two buns, and crowned with your favorite toppings. But those of us who grew up saying “hamburger meat” know that this meat can do far more than just sit between two buns at a barbecue!

💡 Fun Fact: Some argue that “hamburger meat” is more commonly used in casual, everyday conversation, lending an air of friendliness to the meaty affair.

In the realm of cooking and creating, the choice between “ground beef” and “hamburger meat” boils down to personal preference, it seems.

To throw in another fact, in other countries they call it “minced beef.”

So, dear foodies, as you embark on your culinary escapades, feel free to embrace the whimsy of language. Whether you’re tossing around “ground beef” or “hamburger meat,” remember that it’s all in the spirit of celebrating the delicious, diverse, and downright delightful world of beefy goodness.

Does it have to be ground beef?

No matter what you call it, or even if you want to change it up all together and use ground turkey, ground chicken, ground deer, even, any ground meat should work nicely in these recipes! I know many people who rarely eat beef, whether it be personal preference, cost, availability, or health reasons. You can also make a ground beef mixture with half beef and half chicken, or even half mushrooms because you might not even be able to tell the difference!

What are some great air fryer ground beef recipes?

You can really make just about anything in the air fryer! Air fryer hamburger patties, hamburger steaks, air fryer meatloaf, air fryer nachos, air fryer taco meat, and even a crunchwrap supreme you can make in the air fryer! If you have flour tortillas or corn tortillas, you can easily make burritos or air fryer taquitos.

What are some great side items for air fryer ground beef recipes?

Depending on your cooking with ground beef recipe, you can serve potato salad or french fries with juicy air fryer hamburgers; taco potatoes or Mexican rice with your air fryer tacos, or any side dish you would normally serve with the recipe you are making. The easiest way for me to make a simple meal on busy weeknights is often to make a simple recipe in my air fryer and then a simple side dish in my Instant Pot. These are great time-savers for an easy weeknight meal!

What kind of ground beef is best?

When creating this roundup of ground beef recipes, I noticed that many of them say to use lean ground beef. I think that’s the best choice, if you can get the leanest available because it makes for easier cleanup since most of the fat will drip off into the air fryer! 93/7 is great, or even 90/10. I would avoid the higher fat content in the air fryer, but if that is all you have, then you can certainly use it. Just make sure that it is draining off the meat properly when cooking.

Where can I get quality ground beef?

Butcher Box is a great option if you want high quality, grass fed beef delivered to your door. They always have bonuses and everything is always delivered frozen and ready to thaw out for dinner.

I also buy a lot of meat at Walmart because their organic ground beef is reliable and always tasty and never outrageously expensive.

What is the best air fryer?

This one is up for debate and I truly thing that all air fryers are special and useful! I do prefer my Ninja Speedi, because it is an air fryer and pressure cooker, among many other things. But even the most basic air fryer will usually do the cooking well! For a non toxic and better for you air fryer, try out the Fritaire.

Get some air fryer accessories, too! It will make your air fryer cooking experience so much better!

Try these exciting, delicious, and different recipes for your air fryer…made with ground beef or hamburger meat!

Get ready for a flavor explosion because we’ve got 25 AMAZING air fryer recipes with ground beef that your taste buds will thank you for! Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting your culinary journey, these recipes are perfect for busy families who want delicious meals without the hassle. Let’s dive into the deliciousness!

Ready to get cooking?