The Absolute Best Prime Rib Recipe [+ Video] - Oh Sweet Basil (2024)

Every year I promise to share The Absolute Best Prime Rib Recipe and every year I forget to take pictures. This year I’m making prime rib AND sharing the recipe!!

Not only am I the worst at promising to share The Absolute Best Prime Rib Recipe with you all, but I’m also the worst at remembering to do it well in advance so you can be ready for the holidays. I promised myself to get it done early this year and this is good enough, right?

And because I’m super fantastic, I’m also going over a lot of tips, tricks and things to avoid so that it turns out absolutely perfect for you!!!

YOU. ARE. WELCOME.

I don’t know what it is about prime rib, but you throw that out there and people seriously come running. I was actually talking to my mom on the phone while I was shooting this recipe and sure enough, “Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be there!!!!” Part of it is that the meat is so incredibly tender, juicy, and dare I even say buttery that you just can’t help but love the heck out of it.

Oh, but for me that’s not even the best part. I’m all about the outside. It’s all caramelized and packed full of flavor. I’m telling you, it’s like the burnt ends on a brisket. It’s so, so good!!!!

Generally speaking, prime rib is served rare to medium rare, but I’ll be honest, I like mine more like medium. It’s entirely up to you and I’ll put all of the different prime rib temperatures and times below.

I’ve messed up enough Prime Rib recipes to know exactly what you should and shouldn’t do. So let’s jump right in there and get cookin’.

What is Prime Rib?

Standing Rib Roast and Prime Rib Roast are the same exact same thing. It’s just that different people call them different things. A prime rib is a cut of beef from the primal rib, one of the nine cuts of beef. While the entire rib section comprises ribs six through twelve, a standing rib roast may contain anywhere from two to seven ribs, just depending on what you buy as there are options!

What’s the Difference Between Prime Rib vs Ribeye?

The “Prime Rib” is basically just a marketing term. It refers to a standing rib roast from that section or cut. The Ribeye Roast is a rib roast that has been carved off of the bone. It is the same piece of meat as a standing rib roast.

How to Buy Prime Rib

Most stores don’t sell very high quality Prime Rib cuts. The first thing you should do is head to a butcher that you trust. Look for a prime rib roast with an untrimmed fat cap (ideally ½ inch thick). We prefer the flavor and texture of prime-grade beef, but choice grade will work as well, just ask the butcher which he has.

If possible, buy a prime rib roast that has the bones attached. This isn’t always the case and you’ll be fine if they aren’t, but tying the ribs to the meat will give you a more even, juicy roast versus boneless.

Why is Prime Rib so Expensive?

Oh, I’m so with you, why is prime rib roast so expensive?! The more marbling, the more flavorful it will be. A full prime rib is cut from the 6th through 12th ribs of the cow, so seven ribs in total, meaning you are getting quite a lot of meat and bones. It’s one of those cuts that ends up being extra work for a butcher and extra juicy for you, also making it more expensive.

How Much Prime Rib Per Person?

It’s so hard to know how much meat people are going to eat. I like to use the rule for prime rib of about 1 pound per adult.

• How much prime rib for 8 adults? A 4-bone prime rib will feed 8 to 10 people.
• How much prime rib for 20 adults? An 8 to 10 bone prime rib is better for 20 people.

How to Cook Prime Rib

I’ve shared very detailed instructions on the best way to cook prime rib in the recipe card below. But the basic steps to making the best prime rib EVER are as follows:

1. Carefully slice the meat off the bones and rub kosher salt all over the prime rib. Refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 24 hours.
2. Let the prime rib come to room temperature before searing it in an oiled skillet.
3. Once cool enough to handle, tie the meat back onto the bones.
4. Transfer roast to a wire rack set on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Season with pepper, then rub with garlic butter.
5. Roast at 200ºF until the meat registers your desired internal temperature (see our notes below).
6. Remove roast from oven and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest for at least 30 minutes before returning to oven to broil the very top.
7. Cut twine from meat, slice, and serve!

Is this the best prime rib roast recipe ever?? I think it might just be!

How Long to Cook Prime Rib

Depending on how done you want it to be, your roast will be in the oven for anywhere from 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours. If you need prime rib done faster, try our Instant Pot Prime Rib! It’s delicious!

How to Remove the Bones from a Prime Rib Roast

To remove the bones from the roast, use a very sharp knife, we prefer to only use Wusthof, and run it down the length of the bones, following the contours of the roast as closely as possible until the meat is separated from the bones.

Prime Rib Temperatures to Remember

• Medium Rare Prime Rib — Medium rare means the meat is mostly pink with a deeper, nearly red center. The temperature should be 130ºF.
• Medium to Medium Well Prime Rib — The temperature should be 135 to 140°F.
• Well Done Prime Rib — The temperature should be 140 to 145°F.

More Holiday Recipes:

Looking for more HOLIDAY recipes? Here’s an entire list:

• Award Winning Instant Pot Turkey
• Cade’s Bananas Foster French Toast
• Orange Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls
• Instant Pot Blueberry French Toast Bake 3 Ways
• Candied Pecan Brussel Sprouts
• Mom’s Sticky Buns
• The Best Potato Rolls
• World’s Best Brown Sugar Ham
• Southern Macaroni and Cheese

Or if you want a different beef recipe, try this Corned Beef Brisket!

More Decadent MAIN DISHES You Must Try:

• Oven Braised Short Ribs
• Smoked Prime Rib
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast
• Carolina Pulled Pork
• Korean Oven Braised Short Ribs
• Oven Braised Beef Roast
• Creamy Herb Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
• Smoked Tri Tip
• Easy Garlic Butter Steak
• Authentic Italian Bolognese Sauce
• Beef Ribs with Charred Pepper Cream Gnocchi
• All our MAIN DISH recipes!

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