This prime rib recipe features a flavorful crust of garlic and fresh minced herbs. The prime rib is roasted to golden brown perfection and comes out tender and juicy every time. The perfect main course for a special occasion!
When I’m really looking to impress, I serve this ultra flavorful prime rib with some decadent side dishes such as sweet potato casserole and bacon wrapped green beans. I always get tons of rave reviews from family and friends.
When the holidays roll around, I like to treat my loved ones to a special meal. In my opinion, there’s nothing more special than a prime rib roast. It’s so incredibly flavorful and also happens to be quite easy to make!
How do you buy a prime rib?
Prime rib is section of 7 beef ribs known as a standing rib roast or a bone-in rib roast. A full standing rib roast usually weighs about 17 pounds and can be cut into smaller sections for purchase. Each rib can serve 2 people, although you can serve a rib to each person for a larger meal or for presentation purposes. In order to determine how many ribs you need for your meal figure out how many people you will serve.
For the best quality of ribs, purchase your ribs from a butcher shop or a grocery store with a good butcher counter. You can ask for the bones of the roast to be “frenched”, which means your butcher will cut away the fat and meat at the ends of the ribs for a nicer presentation.
What cut of meat is the prime rib?
Prime rib is a rib roast that contains tender, flavorful beef. A cow has 13 ribs. Counting from the front rib to the back rib, the the full rib roast consists of ribs 6 through 12. You will want to buy at least 3 ribs for your roast. Your roast can be cut from ribs toward the back of the cow, near the loin. This cut is less marbled but contains more tender meat. Ribs near the front are also delicious and marbled and have a lot of flavor.
How do you cook prime rib?
Cooking the perfect prime rib sounds intimidating, but with the right recipe it can be easy. Once you have selected your meat, let it rest on the counter for a half an hour. While the beef is resting, prepare it by tying it with twine between the ribs. This helps keep the meat together during the cooking process. Make a rub for the roast out of olive oil, garlic and seasonings. Generously coat the prime rib with the rub. Place the meat in the oven and let it roast. When it is done and the meat has reached your desired temperature, take out the meat. Once the meat rests for 20 minutes, serve the meat and enjoy!
Prime rib cooking time
The amount of time that a prime rib takes depends on the how done you want your meat. After an initial 15 minutes at 500 degrees F, you will cook the meat at 325 degrees F. The interior of the meat will reach a nice rare in about 10-11 minutes per pound at 325 degrees F. I cooked a 12 pound prime rib in 2 hours and 5 minutes. If you want a more done beef, add a few more minutes per pound. Remember that the time is only an estimate for planning purposes. You will want to cook your meat to the temperature corresponding to the doneness you want regardless of time.
Tips and Tricks for the best roast
- Some people remove the bones before cooking, I find that step unnecessary as the meat gets well seasoned with the bone in and I find that the bone helps add to the flavor and moisture of the roast.
- If your prime rib roast comes straight out of the refrigerator it will tend to cook unevenly.
- Remember to remove your meat about 5 degrees lower than the temperature you are aiming for. Cover the meat in aluminum foil and let it rest with the thermometer in place. The interior of the meat will continue to cook as it rests and you can verify that your ideal doneness is reached with your thermometer.
Beef Temperatures
For a roast, you can determine the doneness based on the temperature of the interior of the meat. Make sure to remove the meat from the oven about 5 degrees below the temperature you are aiming for. Monitor the meat as it rests to make sure that it reaches your ideal temperature.
- Rare: 120-130 degrees F
- Medium Rare: 130-135 degrees F
- Medium: 135-140 degrees F
- Medium Well: 145-155 degrees F
- Well Done: 155 degrees F
Prime rib is a tender and flavorful cut of meat that is perfect for holidays and special occasions. With this recipe, making prime rib will be so easy with picture perfect results every time!
Other Beef Recipes to try
- Steak Kabobs
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
- Smoked Prime Rib
- Mushroom Steaks
- Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Prime Rib Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 pounds bone in prime rib roast 6 ribs
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves minced
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
- Let your prime rib rest on the counter for 30 minutes. This allows the beef to cook more evenly.
- While the prime rib is resting, tie it with twine between each rib. This holds the meat together as it roasts. Wrap the ends of the bones with foil to prevent them from burning.
- Make a rub for the prime rib by mixing together the olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper.
- Generously coat the prime rib with the olive oil rub.
- Place a meat thermometer in the center of the roast. Place the roast on a sheet pan or in a baking dish.
- Cook your prime rib at 500 degrees F for 15 minutes to get a browned and flavorful exterior. Watch your roast, if the exterior starts to get too dark for your liking, lower the temperature of the oven to 325 degrees F.
- After 15 minutes, reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F. Roast the meat until the thermometer reaches 5 degrees below your ideal temperature.
- Remove the prime rib from the oven, cover it in foil and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Cut off the rib bones by holding the bones up vertically and cutting down between the bone and the meat.
- Slice and serve the prime rib.
Myra says
My husband so misses eating prime rib at his favorite restaurant. So as a special dinner I tried this recipe and he thought it was from the restaurant it came out so good!
Suzy says
This was my first time making prime rib so I was nervous it might not come out good. I followed this recipe exactly and it was amazing!
Deb says
I followed the recipe exactly and it was magnificent! So delicious and perfectly seasoned !
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving! It is so helpful that you shared roasting temperatures. We love cooking to medium well.
Kushigalu says
Look at that. Meat looks fantastic and the recipe is so flavorful
Toni says
This was really good! My whole family loved it!
Elizabeth says
Goodness me that is one gorgeous piece of meat! I’m salivating here just looking at the photos! I’ll need to get one of these roasts soon and try out your recipe tips!
Heidy L. McCallum says
I made this for Sunday dinner and it turned out perfect. Thanks for making me the hero of the day with the family and friends. They all loved the Prim rib recipe.
Lora says
What a gorgeous and elegant prime rib…so very perfect for all the upcoming holidays!
Catalina says
This prime rib is so perfect! I need to make it for dinner!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
WOW!! This looks amazing!! The perfect meal for a special occasion!
Dorothy Reinhold says
This makes me think of holidays, celebration, and family! This is a special dish and I love it!
annie says
I’m planning on making this Sunday!!