The best prime rib recipe is juicy, flavorful, and so easy to make. Get a perfect prime rib roast every time with this method!
Absolute Best Prime Rib Recipe
I have been hoarding the prime rib in our freezer from our steer for months so I could share it just in time for the holidays! I love keeping holiday recipes simple {but packed with flavor and delicious} because while a great meal is awesome, the holiday’s are about family and spending time with them!
This prime rib roast recipe fits that bill perfectly. Prep time is minimal and the oven does the rest. It truly is an easy prime rib recipe.
The magic is in the prep and the resting steps, so first, let’s walk through the seasoning. This is where most prime rib recipes go wrong, the seasoning just isn’t enough. And, while an extremely tender cut of beef is always good, it’s even better when seasoned to perfection.
Prime Rib Seasoning Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh rosemary
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh parsley
- Freshly cracked peppercorns
- Quality salt
- Quality butter
Best Prime Rib Rub
Are you sick of the word “fresh” yet?? Ha! But truly, it will make a difference in this recipe. Beef is a strong-flavored meat, which means it can stand up to a substantial amount of flavor.
Remember that in this prime rib recipe, you are only seasoning the outside of the meat and since there is a relatively short cooking time {compared to other slow cooked roast recipes} you need to pack on the flavor for it to carry through the whole prime rib roast. It’s kind of like a rub for the prime rib.
Once you have the prime rib seasoned to perfection, you are ready to roast. You’ll notice that this recipe has two different cooking temperatures. The first part of the cooking time is getting that nice crust set on the outside of the roast.
Should you season prime rib overnight?
It isn’t necessary to season prime rib overnight.
When should I dry rub my prime rib?
You can put a dry rub on the prime rib shortly before cooking.
Size of Prime Rib to buy based on the number of people you’re serving
- A 2-3 rib prime roast is enough for 4-6 people.
- A 4-5 rib prime roast is enough for 8-10 people.
- A 6 rib prime roast is considered a whole prime rib roast and is enough for about 12-14 people.
- In general when preparing beef, plan on serving about 1/2 pound per person.
Prime Rib Roast: Bone-In or Bone-Out
Prime rib roast can be purchased with the bone-in or with the bone-out. I prefer to cook prime rib with the bone-in because it helps keep the meat moist. However, I always ask the butcher to cut off the bones and then tie them back on so they are easier for me to remove.
How to Cook Prime Rib
The second part of the cooking time is slowly finishing off the cooking process. This slower cook time really gives that fat on the prime rib time to render and seep into the meat, which adds a massive amount of flavor. Fat = flavor!
- The first thing you’ll want to do is let the prime rib roast come up to room temperature. This will take about 20 minutes. Leave it tied together.
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF.
- While the oven preheats, spread butter over the entire prime rib roast. This is why you want the roast to come up to room temperature, if it’s too cold the butter won’t spread.
- Rub the garlic and spices over the entire roast, slightly pressing them into the meat.
- Place the prime rib roast in a rack set over a roasting pan. You can also use three balls of foil to elevate the roast in the pan if you don’t have a rack.
- Pour 2 cups of water in the bottom of the roasting pan, but not on the roast. The water just prevents the fats from burning and adds moisture in the oven.
- You’ll cook the prime rib roast for 20 minutes and then you’ll lower the oven temperature to 325ºF and cook for another hour or so.
- Prime rib roast is finished when the internal temperature reaches 130-135ºF. This will take about 20 minutes per pound.
- When the roast reaches the finished temperature, let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Resting the roast will allow the temperature to rise slightly and allow the juices to redistribute into the meat.
- Before slicing the roast, cut the strings and remove the bones.
Best Prime Rib Recipe Cooking Time and Temperature
The exact amount of time you cook the roast for will be determined by how well-done you want your prime rib. I highly recommend you do not cook it above medium!! Pretty please trust me on this. How do you know when it’s cooked to the right temperature? Use a great meat thermometer like the Thermoworks Thermapen. These are my favorite! You can see more options in the recommended products box below.
Pinky promise and cross my heart that it will change your life if you cook it to medium rare, medium at the most. Here is a handy list of meat cooking temperatures if you need a quick reference!
- You’ll cook the prime rib roast for 20 minutes and then you’ll lower the oven temperature to 325ºF and cook for another hour or so.
- Prime rib roast is finished when the internal temperature reaches 130-135ºF. This will take about 20 minutes per pound.
- When the roast reaches the finished temperature, let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Resting the roast will allow the temperature to rise slightly and allow the juices to redistribute into the meat.
- Before slicing the roast, cut the strings and remove the bones.
Prime rib should not be cooked over rare or medium rare.
Rare: 120-125ºF
Medium-Rare: 130-135ºF
Do you cook prime rib covered or uncovered?
Prime rib is cooked uncovered.
Why should you let the prime rib rest?
Once you have your prime rib roast cooked about 5 degrees shy of the temperature you want it to finish at, take it out and let it rest. I repeat: LET IT REST. Resting meat really does make a difference! It will cook up to temperature as it rests and the juices will redistribute beautifully throughout the prime rib.
And, resting time is perfect for holiday meals! It lets you get the meat out of the oven and finish last minute prep before calling everyone over to the table and cutting into that perfect prime rib.
Prime rib will be tied together during the cooking process {it usually comes from the butcher this way} so just cut the strings and remove them before slicing. If you’d like thin slices, simply remove the bottom rack of bones. They typically slide right out from under the rest of the prime rib.
That’s it! Everything you need to know to make the best prime rib ever for your holiday feast. While a prime rib roast is an investment, it’s well worth the cost! The meat is always tender and amazing, and now you have the tools you need to pull off the perfect prime rib.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Prime Rib
Prime Rib Roast can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. It can also be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Prime rib can be reheated in the microwave. Covering it with a damp paper towel will help it from drying out. Prime Rib Roast can also be reheated in the oven in a foil-covered, oven-safe baking dish.
FAQ for the Best Prime Rib Recipe
Prime rib is a roast that is cut from under the ribs. This is why you can purchase a prime rib roast with the bones attached, removed but in the packaging, or missing altogether.
A prime rib roast is a roast, a ribeye is a steak. They are cut from the same area and are the same meat, just called different things depending on how they are cut.
Prime Rib is so expensive because it is considered a premium cut of meat. It is naturally very tender and has great marbling. Higher quality cuts of meat typically cost more. They also taste amazing, so totally worth it if you ask me!
Prime Rib is best served rare to medium-rare, as outlined in the recipe with the specific temperatures. This is because of how tender the meat already is. If it is cooked longer, it will get tough and chewy.
Prime rib is tender by cooking on a low temperature, slowly. It is also important to only cook it until it is rare or medium-rare. Over-cooking prime rib will make it tough.
Using a butter rub, as this recipe does, adds great flavor to prime rib.
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Best Prime Rib Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 bone prime rib roast boned and tied
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 1/4 cup garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons black pepper freshly cracked
- 2 teaspoons salt high quality
- 2 tablespoons parsley fresh, chopped
- 1 tablespoon rosemary fresh, chopped
- 1 tablespoon thyme fresh, chopped
- 3 cups water for roasting pan
Instructions
- Remove prime rib roast from refrigerator and let come to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Leave the roast tied together.
- Preheat oven to 450º F.
- Spread butter over the entire prime rib roast.
- Rub garlic, pepper, salt, and herbs over entire roast, pressing it into the butter.
- Place prime rib roast in a rack set over a roasting pan. You can use 3 balls of foil to elevate the roast in the pan if you don’t have a rack.
- Pour 2 cups of the water in the bottom of the roasting pan, being careful not to pour any on the roast. This is just to keep the fats from burning in the bottom of the roasting pan and provide some moisture in the oven.
- Roast at 450º for 20 minutes.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 325º F and continue to roast until medium-rare (130-135ºF), about 1.5 hours (about 20 minutes per pound).
- Check the water in the roasting pan and the temperature of the prime rib roast after about 1-hour, adding more water if necessary.
- Remove the prime rib roast from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Cut and remove the strings and slice the prime rib, or remove the bottom bones (they will just slide off) if you want to serve thinner slices.
Deb says
This prime was absolutely fantastic. The best I have ever made. Thank you for the recipe.
Alli says
Thank you so much, Deb!!
Alexandria says
We make prime rib every year for Christmas, but I always think it needs a little bit more flavor. I’m so excited to try your method with the fresh herbs! It looks delicious and I love the two temperature baking process. Thanks for sharing!
Erica Schwarz says
What a beautiful recipe. So perfect for a holiday dinner!
Alli says
Thank you!
wilhelmina says
This is such an excellent recipe! I love how the simple flavors compliment the meat without over powering it!
Alli says
Thank you so much!
Karli says
The best Prime Rib EVER!! Thanks so much for this easy to follow and detailed recipe.
Alli says
Thanks so much Karli!
Patti says
We followed this recipe and our prime rib was perfect! We will use this recipe again!
Alli says
I’m so happy to hear that Patti!! Thank you for letting me know!
Alli says
Amazing flavor and easy prep!