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Home » Recipe Index » Air Fryer

Published: Oct 5, 2021 · Modified: Dec 6, 2021 by Tanya · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin

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Cook the most perfect beef tenderloin quickly and effortlessly in the air fryer. Cooked with a mayonnaise, garlic and and herb rub, it's perfectly tender and so easy to cook to exactly your tastes. If you want to impress, this is foolproof!

Beef tenderloin sliced and ready to serve.


 

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.

If cooking beef perfectly feels like a daunting task, then you need to try this easy air fryer method for beef tenederloin. Yes, you read that right...I roasted beef in my air fryer!

It's so easy to cook the beef exactly to your tastes and extra juicy. It takes minutes to prep too and is quick to cook, so as well as being a great effortless holiday dinner, you can easily enjoy this after a busy day too.

Rubbed and seasoned with garlic, herbs, and mayonnaise, which helps to add richness and lock in the juices, the perfect beef tenderloin has never been easier!

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Steak and Air Fryer Steak Fajitas too!

Three slices or air fryer beef tenderloin on a plate with potatoes and red cabbage.

How to make air fryer beef tenderloin

  • Gather your ingredients.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Remove beef tenderloin from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Combine mayonnaise, kosher salt, rosemary, thyme, garlic cloves and black pepper in a bowl and stir to combine. Rub mixture all over the beef tenderloin.
Beef tenderloin rubbed with the mayonnaise and herb mixture.
  • Place tenderloin in the air fryer basket and cook on 250 degrees Fahrenheit until the internal temperature of the middle of the filet reaches the desired temperature as listed below. It should take about 30 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit for a medium-rare roast.
  • Once the tenderloin reaches the desired pull temperature (refer to chart below), remove the tenderloin from the air fryer basket and tent with foil. Allow tenderloin to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
  • The tenderloin in the air fryer.
  • The cooked beef tenderloin in the air fryer basket.

How long do you cook beef tenderloin in an air fryer?

As with a lot of recipes, especially meats, it's best to use an instant-read thermometer to make sure that it is cooked exactly to your liking. In this recipe, the beef is cooked at 250F and the cooking times for doneness are listed below. We pull the beef from the air fryer slightly before it reaches the top temperature as it will continue to cook as it rests.

DonenessPull Temp.Doneness Temp.Approx. cook time
Rare115F-120F120F-125F27 minutes
Medium rare125F-130F130F-135F30 minutes
Medium135F-140F140F-145F33 minutes
Medium well145F-150F150F-155F35 minutes
Well done155F or higher160F or higher38 minutes

What's the best seasoning for beef?

You can of course mix up the seasonings you use to rub the beef if you like. I used garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. I rubbed the tenderloin with mayonnaise, which for me is a must. It adds a really rich flavor and also helps to form a delicious crust. You could also use butter or simply season it without any additional fat.

What do you serve it with?

This is a great main course as an alternative to Thanksgiving turkey, or it's a perfect centerpiece for your Christmas dinner. Top it with a homemade horseradish sauce or serve it up with all of your favorite sides like:

  • Gravy without Drippings
  • Air Fryer Carrots
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Close up of sliced beef on a plate with vegetable and potato sides.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • I suggest cooking the tenderloin anywhere between a medium-rare or medium temperature for tender roast.
  • Allow the beef to come up to room temperature before cooking. I like to take it out of the fridge at least half an hour before rubbing it.
  • Once cooked, place the beef on a chopping board and cover loosely with foil for at least 10 to 15 minutes before slicing it.

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Seasoned Air Fryer Turkey Wings
  • Air Fryer Whole Fish
  • The Best Air Fryer Lamb Chops
  • Air Fryer Scallops

Watch this video tutorial and see how I make this beef tenderloin from start to finish.

Beef tenderloin sliced and ready to serve.
Tanya

Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin

5 from 2 votes
Cook the most perfect beef tenderloin quickly and effortless in the air fryer. Cooked with a mayonnaise, garlic and and herb rub, it's perfectly tender and so easy to cook to exactly your tastes. If you want to impress, this is foolproof!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 370

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs beef tenderloin roast
Rub
  • 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh Rosemary minced (or 2 teaspoons dried Rosemary)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme minced (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  1. Remove beef tenderloin from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Combine mayonnaise, kosher salt, rosemary, thyme, garlic cloves and black pepper in a bowl and stir to combine. Rub mixture all over the beef tenderloin.
  3. Place tenderloin in the air fryer basket and cook on 250 degrees Fahrenheit until the internal temperature of the middle of the filet reaches the desired temperature as listed below. It should take about 30 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit for a medium-rare roast.
  4. Once the tenderloin reaches the desired pull temperature (refer to chart below), remove the tenderloin from the air fryer basket and tent with foil. Allow tenderloin to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 51gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 144mgSodium: 1916mgPotassium: 797mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 70IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 5mg

Notes

  • I suggest a quick read thermometer to check on the temperature of the roast to determine doneness. You’ll want to remove the roast from the air fryer when it’s about 5 degrees below your desired doneness temperature. The temperature of the roast will continue to rise once it’s removed from the air fryer. 
  • I suggest cooking the tenderloin anywhere between a medium-rare or medium temperature for tender roast.
  • Refer to the chart below for desired temperature. The times provided are approximate times and will vary depending on the roast, air fryer brand, etc. Start checking the temperature of the roast at about 30 minutes. 
 
Doneness
Pull Temp.
Doneness Temp.
Approx. Cook Time
Rare
115F-120F
120F-125F
27 minutes
Medium rare
125F-130F
130F-135F
30 minutes
Medium
135F-140F
140F-145F
33 minutes
Medium well
145F-150F
150F-155F
35 minutes
Well done
155F or higher
160F or higher
38 minutes

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

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    Juicy, Perfect Air Fryer Pork Chops (Air-Fried Pork Chops)
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    Juicy Air Fryer Steak (Quick & Easy)
  • air fryer fish on white plate with tatar sauce and lemons
    Crispy Air Fryer Fish Recipe
  • roasted chicken on cutting board
    Air Fried Spatchcock Chicken

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Comments

    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Jeremiah says

    November 14, 2022 at 1:03 pm

    I made this beef tenderloin in the air fryer yesterday and it was sooo amazing! The simple rub created a nice crust that was so good!

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      November 14, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      Thank you for the feedback Jeremiah! So glad you liked the recipe 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jeremiah says

    November 05, 2022 at 8:58 pm

    The directions don’t mention anything about flipping the meat halfway through cooking. Should it be flipped?

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      November 07, 2022 at 2:00 pm

      Hi Jeremiah, I did not flip this tenderloin.

      Reply
    • Jeremiah says

      November 09, 2022 at 10:11 am

      @Tanya, Thanks! I’m making it this weekend. Looking forward to it!

      Reply
  3. Tamara Hopkins says

    December 24, 2021 at 4:32 pm

    I made my beef tenderloin steak like you would do a tenderloin. I tighted each steak with string, then rubbed mayonnaise with fresh garlic chopped salt and pepper along with my secret ingredient. It was off the charts100% . Also had baked sweet potato and turnip greens. The whole meal was excellent 👍.

    Reply

Welcome!

Welcome to My Forking Life! Hi, I'm Tanya, attorney, busy wife and mom, and lover of quick, easy, and delicious meals.

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