Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

A garlic-crusted Prime Rib Recipe with a trusted method for juicy, melt-in-your-mouth tender prime rib roast. Watch the video tutorial and learn how to trim, tie, wrestle (kidding), and cook a standing rib roast.

This is a stunning and holiday-worthy roast that we reserve for spe cial meals like Christmas dinner. It’s right up there with juicy Roast Turkey. Everyone should have a go-to recipe for Prime Rib Roast and this recipe doesn’t disappoint.

Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (1)

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Prime rib is so satisfying and pairs really well with creamy mashed potatoes and baked asparagusfor the ultimate holiday feast. And don’t forget theCreamyHorseradish Sauce.

Prime Rib Video Tutorial

I hope you are super pumped to make your own prime rib roast after watching this easy tutorial.

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Prime Rib Roast Recipe

Repeat after me, “prime rib is not scary.” It’s actually very simple to prepare. Prime Rib Roast can be intimidating because it is an expensive cut of beef and is usually made for important life events or holidays, but really, this is not hard to make.

The secrets to a great prime rib are:

  1. Use an in-oven meat thermometer
  2. Don’t overcook the roast (see rule #1)
  3. Follow a trusted recipe (watch the video tutorial and you’ll be a pro in no time)

What Cut is Prime Rib Meat?

There are 2 grades at the grocery store; USDA prime grade and USDA choice grade. Prime grade has more fat and marbling and can be considerably more expensive per pound. If you aren’t sure, ask your butcher whether your roast is prime or choice because it isn’t always clear on the packaging and most cuts sold are actually “choice”.

See our tutorial on How to Select a Prime Rib Roast. This recipe works for either prime or choice, so go with the best you can buy.

Pro Tip: Look for bone-in prime rib, also known as a “Standing Rib Roast.” We used a 7 lb bone-in beef prime rib, but you can use larger or smaller roasts and modify the baking time per the cooking time chart below. P.S. You can use the bones later to make a Beef Stock.

Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (2)

How to Carve and Tie Prime Rib Roast

Pre-cutting the bones away is optional but will make carving easier when ready to serve. It’s best to do it ahead than struggle with it in front of dinner guests. Removing and re-attaching the ribs with a string doesn’t change the juiciness of the roast at all.

  1. Cut away the bones running your knife right along the bones.
  2. Replace the bones and tightly tie them right back onto your roast with kitchen string, looping the string around in 1″ intervals.

Pro Tip: A butcher can cut away the ribs and tie the roast for you (usually free of charge).

Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (3)

The Best Prime Rib Seasoning Rub

Combine 6 finely choppedgarlic cloves, 1/2 Tbsp salt, 1/2 Tbsp black pepper, 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves, 1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves, and 3 Tbsp light olive oil. It’s even better if you let it sit for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld.

Pro Tips: Mince garlic with a knife. Do not use a garlic press as pressed garlic burns under high heat. Also, use an extra light olive oil with a high smoke point so your oven is less likely to get smokey.

Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (4)

How to Cook Prime Rib:

1. Season and Rest – Sprinkle meat all over with about 2 tspsalt, cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rest on the counter for 3 hours to come to room temperature. The roast will bake more uniformly if it is near room temperature. When nearly at room temperature,Preheat the Oven to 500˚F with a rack in the lower third of the oven.

Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (5)

2. Pat Dry and Rub – use paper towels to pat dry the roast then use your hands to rub the garlic and herb mixture all over the top and sides of the roast. Place into a roasting pan, rib-side-down.

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3. Roast – Put an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest portion of the meat and cook according to the Cooking Time Chart Below.

4. Rest the roast – Once out of the oven transfer to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and rest 30 minutes before carving. If you don’t rest the roast, it will juice out and become chewy. Remove the kitchen string and use a carving knife to slice against the grain to desired thickness

Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (7)

Prime Rib Cooking Time

Bake in a fully pre-heated oven at 500˚F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325˚F and continue baking:

  • 10-12 min per pound for rare
  • 13-14 min per pound for medium-rare
  • 14-15 min per pound for medium
  • 16-17 min per pound for medium-well

Roast until the thermometer registers:

  • 115-120˚F for rare
  • 125-130˚F for medium-rare
  • 135-140 for medium doneness
  • 145-150 for a medium-well

The internal temp of the roast will continue to rise5-10 degrees even after it’s out of the oven so don’t over-bake it. You can put it back in the oven if you want it more done.

Pro Tip: A colder or thicker roast will take more time to cook and ovenstrengths can vary so a meat thermometer is super-important.

Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (8)

The garlic crust and initial roasting over high heat seal in the juices and make every bite of this Prime Rib roast so tender and flavorful. I learned to make a standing rib roast from my blogging friend, Elise of Simply Recipesand I am using her method for prepping and baking.

Common Questions

How much prime rib do you need per serving?

If you are buying a bone-in prime rib roast as the main dish, you can plan on serving 2-3 people per rib, depending on how large your menu is. If it is your only protein and main course, the rule of thumb is 1 lb per person.

Can I use a boneless prime rib roast?

You can use a boneless roast and adjust the cooking time accordingly for the weight. You will need a rack inside of your roasting pan since the ribs won’t be there to serve as a rack. Also, we do recommend still tying the roast with string for even roasting.

Serve with

Here’s a classic holiday Prime Rib Menu that will impress everyone:

  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes or Au Gratin Potatoes
  • Cloverleaf Rolls
  • Horseradish Sauce
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Roasted Cauliflower

Prime Rib Recipe

5 from 392 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (10)

A garlic-crusted Prime Rib Recipe with a trusted method for juicy, melt-in-your-mouth tender prime rib roast. How to trim, tie and cook a standing rib roast. Serve with Horseradish Sauce if desired.

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 2 hours hrs

Ingredients

Servings: 12 people (estimate 2-3 servings per rib)

For the Roast:

  • 7 lb beef prime rib (bone-in)
  • 3 1/2 tsp sea salt, divided
  • 1/2 Tbsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves, minced, from 1 sprig or 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, mnced, from 1-2 sprigs, or 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp extra light olive oil

Instructions

How to Make Prime Rib:

  • Cut the ribs away from the roast, cutting right along the ribs and keeping the ribs together. Replace the ribs back onto the roast and use kitchen string to tie them tightly onto the roast in 1-inch intervals.

  • Sprinkle meat all over with 2 tsp salt, cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 3 hours to come to room temperature (it will bake more uniformly). Then preheat Oven to 500˚F with rack in the lower third of the oven.

  • Make your Prime Rib rub: In a small bowl, stir together: 1/2 Tbsp salt, 1/2 Tbsp black pepper, 1 tsp minced rosemary, 1/2 tsp minced thyme leaves, chopped garlic, and 3 Tbsp olive oil.

  • Lightly pat the roast dry with a paper towel then rub all over top and sides with garlic rub. Place into a roasting pan bone-side-down (the bones will serve as a rack) and put a meat thermometer into the thickest portion of the meat. Bake at 500˚F for 15 minutes.

  • Reduce heat to 325˚F and continue baking following these guidelines: 10-12 min per pound for rare, or 13-14 min per pound for medium rare, and 14-15 min per pound for medium. Roast until the thermometer registers: 120˚F for rare, 130˚F for medium rare, 140 for Medium, 150 for medium well.*

  • Transfer to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil and rest 30 minutes before carving. Remove string and rack of ribs then slice to desired thickness.

Notes

*Meat internal temp will continue to rise 5-10 degrees even after it’s out of the oven so don’t over-bake. This 7 lb roast was baked at 500˚F for 15 minutes then at 325˚F for 1 hr 30 minutes for medium doneness.

Nutrition Per Serving

823kcal Calories1g Carbs36g Protein74g Fat30g Saturated Fat3g Polyunsaturated Fat33g Monounsaturated Fat160mg Cholesterol796mg Sodium595mg Potassium0.1g Fiber0.02g Sugar6IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C25mg Calcium4mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Prime Rib Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

823

% Daily Value*

Fat

74

g

114

%

Saturated Fat

30

g

188

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

3

g

Monounsaturated Fat

Cholesterol

160

mg

53

%

Sodium

796

mg

35

%

Potassium

595

mg

17

%

Carbohydrates

1

g

%

Fiber

0.1

g

%

Sugar

0.02

g

%

Protein

36

g

72

%

Vitamin A

6

IU

%

Vitamin C

1

mg

1

%

Calcium

25

mg

3

%

Iron

4

mg

22

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: prime rib, prime rib recipe, prime rib roast

Skill Level: Easy/Medium

Cost to Make: $$$

Calories: 823

Prime Rib Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

How do restaurants make prime rib so tender? ›

How do restaurants make prime rib so tender? The secret to restaurant-style prime rib is cooking the meat super slow at low temperatures. I recommend cooking prime rib at no higher than 200 degrees F. This cooks the meat very slowly, turning the fat into butter and rendering the proteins juicy and soft.

Is it better to cook prime rib at 325 or 350? ›

Start by cooking your prime rib at 500°F for 15 minutes and then lower the oven temperature to 325° F and cook for 10-12 min per pound for rare, or 13-14 min per pound for medium rare, or 14-15 min per pound for medium well. A meat thermometer is essential to ensure you cook it perfectly!

What is the most important thing to do before roasting a prime rib roast? ›

Rule #7: Season Well, and Season in Advance. For best results, salt your prime rib on all surfaces with kosher salt at least 45 minutes before you start cooking it, and preferably the day before, leaving it in the fridge uncovered overnight. Initially, the salt will draw out some moisture and end up dissolving in it.

What is the best temperature to cook a prime rib roast? ›

Brown the roast at 500°F (or as high as your oven will go) for 15 minutes. Lower the oven to 325°F to finish roasting: Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Roast in the oven until the thermometer registers 115°F for rare or 120° for medium rare, and 130°F for medium.

What is the 500 rule for prime rib? ›

The Secret To Making Perfect Prime Rib: The Cooking Method

Preheat your oven to 500 degrees (F), or as high as it will go without activating the broiler function. Carefully place the prime rib roast into the preheated oven, uncovered, and cook for 5-6 minutes per pound.

Should you rub a prime rib the night before? ›

Putting a dry rub on too early increases the likelihood of it being washed off or knocked loose before you get the beef cooked. Aside from seasoning mixes designed to go on up to one day before cooking for brining purposes, you'll only want the dry rub on the Prime Rib in time for the start of cooking.

Is prime rib better cooked slow or fast? ›

Cooked low and slow in the oven and finished with a blast of heat for the juiciest, most flavorful, evenly cooked prime rib roast. Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site.

Why do you salt prime rib before cooking? ›

The salt helps trap the heat to better cook the prime rib. “It conducts the heat and seals it,” says Betz.

Should you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan when cooking prime rib? ›

Placing the oven rack too high up will cause your roast to brown too quickly and burn! After 30 minutes in the oven, add a ½ cup of water to the bottom of the roasting pan. The key is to allow the onions to brown and caramelize while roasting, but not to burn and smoke in the fat.

Should I sear prime rib before roasting? ›

Searing is an important part of roasting a prime rib. Searing the roast first will kill the surface bacteria, which is a nice touch, especially when you are roasting at lower temperatures.

Do you cook prime rib covered or uncovered? ›

Do you cover prime rib roast when cooking? You can cover rib roast when cooking after searing it to help it retain some of its moisture, but it's not necessary. For the best results, leave the roast uncovered until you remove it from the oven or grill and place it at room temperature for resting.

Should you oil prime rib before cooking? ›

Rub the Prime Rib with Oil and Garlic: Given the fattiness of this cut of meat, you can actually skip using the olive oil, but then you should also skip the fresh garlic. Make the Prime Rib Rub: In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, and Italian Seasoning and rub it into the roast.

Do you put ribs up or down for prime rib roast? ›

Place the roast fat side up, bone side down, in a large roasting pan. Cook for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. This allows the heat to sear the roast, trapping the juicy flavors inside while the rest of the meat cooks. On average, each pound of rib needs 15 minutes to cook (i.e., a 4 lb.

How long should prime rib sit out before roasting? ›

Preparing the Prime Rib Roast

Pull the rib roast out of the fridge and let temper on the counter for three hours. USDA guidelines requires food not be held above 33°F (1°C) for more than 4 hours. A three-hour rest on the counter is well within time constraints.

What makes prime rib so delicious? ›

Prime rib has a large “eye” of meat in the center, which is juicy, tender, and marbled with fat. This eye has a fat-marbled muscle around it, and the whole thing is surrounded by a thick cap of fat. This means that prime rib is tender, juicy, and extremely flavorful because the muscles aren't heavily used.

What is the best way to get prime rib cooked? ›

Cook the prime rib at 500 F for 20 minutes. Then, turn the heat down to 325 F and cook it for another 1.5 hours – or until the internal temperature reaches. Once it's done, allow it to cool for 40 minutes under a foil tent. Then, slice it, serve with your favorite mashed potatoes, and enjoy!

Why is my prime rib always tough? ›

Overcooking the Prime Rib

That's why prime rib is so expensive: it's a huge piece of extremely good beef. Therefore, it's important not to cook it beyond medium-rare. Going past that temperature means the roast will no longer be tender.

Is it better to cook prime rib slow or fast? ›

Cooked low and slow in the oven and finished with a blast of heat for the juiciest, most flavorful, evenly cooked prime rib roast. Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site.

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