The Perfect Prime Rib becomes the highlight of the meal when served as the main dish. The prime rib crusted with salt and pepper is effortless to make and always turns out tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. I enjoy slow-roasting it for holiday meals or special celebrations, especially during Christmas, and my family and guests never fail to love it. This perfect prime rib roast is truly a mouth-watering and crowd-pleasing meal.
Perfect Prime Rib Recipe Ingredients
Bone-In Prime Rib – Ask the butcher for a standing rib roast.
Kosher Salt – Salt is important to prepare the beef to be its most tender.
Pepper – You’ll use this for a beautiful pepper-crusted finish.
How To Make Perfect Prime Rib?
Season the prime rib with salt and pepper, then place it on a rimmed baking sheet. Leave it uncovered in the refrigerator overnight. Before cooking, take the roast out of the fridge 2 to 3 hours ahead of time. Before use, set the oven temperature to 150 to 200°F for preheating.
Place vegetables and beef broth in the bottom of the pan.
Position the roast in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet, with the fat cap facing upwards, in a V-rack or on a wire rack. Bake in the oven until the center of the roast reaches 120 – 125°F on an instant-read thermometer, which takes approximately 3½ to 4 hours.
Remove the prime rib from the oven and loosely wrap it with aluminum foil.
Let it rest for at least 30 minutes, then increase the oven temperature to the highest possible setting of 500 to 550°F.
After the rest period, remove the foil and return the roast to the hot oven to cook until the exterior is well-browned and crisp, taking approximately 6 to 10 minutes.
Move the roast to a cutting board and separate the bone entirely, then cut it into thin slices.
Sprinkle it with a little flaky salt and pepper.
Recipe Tips
Here are some tips to help you make the perfect prime rib recipe every time:
- Begin with a prime-grade cut of beef for the best prime rib.
- Heat your oven to 500°F before putting in the prime rib.
- Verify the meat’s correct temperature using an instant-read thermometer.
- Avoid opening the oven during cooking to prevent drastic temperature changes that could impact your dish’s results.
- Allow the prime rib to sit for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven before slicing it. This ensures that the juices settle and distribute evenly, resulting in juicy and tender slices of delicious prime rib.
The step-by-step instructions Perfect Prime Rib pictures can be found in the recipe card below.
Questions and answers about this recipe
Recipe variations
Prime rib always has limitless delicious variations. Whether you prefer a dry rub, wet rub, marinade, or seasoning with herbs and spices, the recipe perfect prime rib is guaranteed to be delicious!
For a more traditional flavor, mix fresh bay leaves, garlic, olive oil, and rosemary.
An Asian twist can be achieved by using soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. To add a spicy touch, try incorporating chili flakes or cumin. Lastly, the classic combination of salt and pepper can never be omitted!
Experiment with different cooking methods like smoking or slow roasting to extract more flavors from your prime rib every time.
And don’t overlook dessert! Serve your perfect prime rib with a side of mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a delightful meal.
What Do You Serve With Perfect Prime rib?
Our prime steak is best served with a side of creamy and slightly spicy Horseradish Sauce. Baked or Twice Baked Potatoes make great accompaniments. A refreshing Apple Pear Salad with Pomegranate Dressing is also a must-try. And for a special holiday treat, Bart’s Cinnamon Rolls are an absolute must with your standing rib roast. They are pure perfection!
Can you Store the recipe?
Cool the prime rib before storing. It’s best to only slice it when serving, so the roast stays intact for leftovers. Preserve the roast for up to 5 days by securely wrapping it in plastic wrap and storing it in the refrigerator.
Reheat individual slices in the oven as needed. The leftover beef is great for sandwiches if you don’t have plans for another formal dinner in the following days.
Can You Freeze the perfect prime rib roast?
Yes! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then add an extra layer of protection by wrapping it in aluminum foil. If it’s sliced, store it in a freezer-safe bag. If not, place the wrapped roast in the freezer as is.
Keep it frozen for a maximum of 3 months, then thaw in the refrigerator before heating and serving.
How long to cook prime rib?
Time is crucial when cooking perfect prime rib. Chef Ashton’s recipe calls for cooking the roast at 150 – 200°F for 3½ to 4 hours until it reaches a temperature of 120 – 125°F on a meat thermometer. After removing the roast for a 30-minute rest, the heat is increased to 500 – 550°F for 6-10 minutes to achieve a crispy exterior.
What is the best way to cook prime rib?
To slow-roast prime rib, cook it for 3-4 hours at a low temperature, then let it rest before finishing with a high-heat oven blast to crisp the exterior.
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Perfect Prime Rib
Ingredients
- 1 standing rib roast
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Set the oven to lowest temp (150°F "66°C" or higher if needed, up to 250°F/121°C if oven can't maintain lower temp). To prepare a roast, season it with salt and pepper and place it in a roasting pan with the fat-side up on a V-rack or on a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast at a temperature of 120-125°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, or 135°F for medium to medium-well. Cooking time will vary depending on the oven temperature, with a 150°F oven taking 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours and a 250°F oven taking 3 1/2 to 4 hours
- Remove the roasted dish from the oven and gently cover it with aluminum foil. Allow it to sit in a warm area of the kitchen for a duration of 30 minutes to 1 and a half hours. While waiting, preheat the oven to the highest temperature, between 500 to 550°F (260 to 288°C).
- Ten minutes before serving, remove the foil and place the roast back in the hot oven. Bake until the exterior is well-browned and crisp, 6 to 10 minutes. Extract the roast from the oven, divide it into slices, and serve promptly.
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