The Showstopper Roast That Makes People Go Quiet After The First Bite
A good prime rib roast does not need much help. It just needs the right seasoning, the right oven timing, and enough patience to let it rest before slicing. This perfect prime rib recipe gives you a richly seasoned crust, tender juicy center, and that classic holiday-table look that makes everybody suddenly appear in the kitchen.
And yes, this is absolutely the kind of recipe worth saving.
If you enjoy classic homemade roasts like this, leave a little thank you in the comments so I know to keep sharing more.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds prime rib roast
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary, optional
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, optional
How to Make Perfect Prime Rib
Bring the roast closer to room temperature
Take the prime rib out of the fridge about 1 to 2 hours before roasting.
Pat it dry with paper towels.
Make the seasoning butter
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, and thyme.
Rub this mixture all over the roast.
Do not be shy here. This roast can handle attention.
Roast
Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C).
Place the roast fat-side up in a roasting pan.
Roast for 20 minutes at the high temperature to build a good crust.
Then reduce the oven to 325°F (165°C) and continue roasting for about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches:
- 120 to 125°F (49 to 52°C) for rare
- 130 to 135°F (54 to 57°C) for medium-rare
- 140 to 145°F (60 to 63°C) for medium
Rest
Remove the roast from the oven and tent loosely with foil.
Let it rest for at least 20 to 30 minutes before slicing.
This is not optional if you want juicy slices.
Slice and serve
Slice against the grain and serve warm.
It is excellent with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, or au jus.
Helpful Tips
Use a meat thermometer for the best result.
Prime rib keeps cooking a little while resting, so pull it out slightly before your target final temperature.
Letting the roast sit out before cooking helps it roast more evenly.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 4 pounds prime rib roast
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon rosemary, optional
- 1 teaspoon thyme, optional
Instructions
- Let roast sit at room temperature 1 to 2 hours.
- Mix butter with seasonings.
- Rub mixture all over the roast.
- Roast at 500°F (260°C) for 20 minutes.
- Reduce oven to 325°F (165°C) and continue roasting until desired temperature.
- Rest 20 to 30 minutes.
- Slice and serve.