Air Fryer Corned Beef

This Air Fryer Corned Beef is incredibly tender and flavorful. It’s everything you’d expect from corned beef but cooked in waaaay less time, thanks to the incredible power of the air fryer.  

Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional Irish-American meal that is typically served for St. Patrick’s Day. But when you make corned beef in air fryer, it’s ready in under 2 hours. That means it’s easy to serve up this tasty, hearty, and satisfying meal any time of year.  

Serve this with Air Fryer Cabbage for a great meal.

And I happen to think that the very best part of making corned beef in air fryer is having leftovers! Seriously, nothing beats a classic Air Fryer Reuben sandwich that’s chock full of delicious corned beef and sauerkraut!

What Is Corned Beef Brisket?

Corned beef is a beef brisket that has been cured in a brine or salt solution. Beef brisket can be tough, so the brine and slow cooking process make the meat tender and flavorful. 

For this recipe, look for a flat-cut section of corned beef. You can usually find it in a vacuum-sealed package in the grocery store’s meat department. 

Corned beef is generally readily available during late February and into March as people prepare to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. 

Why Make This Recipe

• Affordable – Beef brisket is usually a tough cut of meat and is, therefore, less expensive than other cuts. The corning process makes the meat tender, juicy and flavorful. 
• Traditional – Even though air frying corned beef is a non-traditional cooking method,  corned beef was so affordable it became a favorite traditional meal for Irish-Americans. 
• Fast – Corned beef in air fryer cooks in under 2 hours which is still considerably quicker than more conventional cooking methods. Plus, you’ll only have about 10 minutes of hands-on cooking. 

Ingredient Notes

• Corned Beef – Corned beef is trimmed and vacuum-sealed with a salt solution. You can find it in the grocery store’s meat section or ask a butcher. 

Ready to make corned beef air fryer style? Then gather your ingredients and I will show you…

How To Make Corned Beef in Air Fryer

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Preheat an air fryer to 360 degrees F or 180 degrees C. 
2. Rinse corned beef under running water to remove any excess salty brine, then pat dry with paper towels. If desired, you can use the seasoning packet that comes with it to season the meat.
3. Wrap the corned beef in aluminum foil and place it inside the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry for 1 hour, then open the basket, open the foil, and baste the brisket with juices from meat.
5. Close up and cook for about another 40 minutes (or until the internal temperature reaches at least 145 degrees F or 63 degrees C.)
6. If you want to brown the meat before serving, simply open the foil and air fry for about 5 minutes.
7. Remove from the air fryer basket and allow the corned beef to rest for 20 minutes before slicing.

Always check for doneness using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be a minimum of 145 degrees F or 63 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the meat.

Expert Tips 

• Rinse the corned beef well to remove any excess brine.
• Feel free to use the seasoning packet that typically comes with corned beef. 
• Wrap the meat tightly with foil so you can catch the juices and baste the meat during cooking. 
• Preheat your air fryer for at least 3 minutes, even if your brand does not normally recommend it. 
• Slice across the grain for making sandwiches (I happen to like thicker slices).
• Always check meat for doneness with a meat thermometer. The temperature should reach at least 145 degrees F or 63 degrees C before serving.

Delicious Variations

• Make A Glaze – Combine honey, mustard, and apple cider vinegar to make a glaze for the brisket. Rub it onto the meat before wrapping in foil.

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Rinse the beef well to remove the excess brine and pat dry. 
• Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
• Freeze – Cooked corned beef can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

FAQs

More Recipes You May Like

• Easy Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage.
• Air Fryer Turkey Breast.
• Air Fryer Pork Steak.

Serving Suggestions

• Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage.
• Irish Soda Bread.
• Shamrock Shake – McDonald’s copycat.

Thank you for reading my corned beef air fryer recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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