Looking for more simple but impressive main dishes? Try this Rack of Lamb, Pork Tenderloin, Baked Salmon, or a Marinated Flank Steak!
Why I love this recipe:
Easy: Cooking prime rib can seem intimidating, especially since it’s an expensive cut of meat! But this recipe has simple ingredients and easy to follow instructions that will allow even the most novice cook to have success! Cheaper cooked from home: it’s much cheaper to serve prime rib from home, then order from a restaurant! Most local grocery stores carry choice grade prime rib for between $10.99 to $11.99 per pound. I’ve found Costco to have the lowest prices for the best quality. They even sometimes carry prime grade meat.
How much do you need?
The rule of thumb for buying prime rib is to buy one pound per person. A bone-in standing rib roast will feed about 2 people per bone. Also, be sure to consider how many side dishes you plan to serve. If you are preparing a large holiday meal with plenty of other food you could plan on ½ – ¾ pound prime rib per person. The Prime rib roast (aka standing rib roast) is taken from the back of the upper ribs of the cow and typically makes up about 7 ribs. You don’t have to buy the whole section, just specify to your butcher how many pounds you would like.
Bone-in or Boneless Prime Rib:
Bone-in prime rib roasts are typically more flavorful and cook better than boneless prime rib, but boneless will also work great! If you buy a bone-in prime rib, ask the butcher to cut the bone off and tie it to the roast for you. This way you can cook the bones with the meat: they make a nice rack for the meat to sit on, but then you can easily remove them before carving the roast. If using a boneless prime rib, you will want to set it on a rack to roast. (I’ve had success using the wire rack from my instant pot set on top of my cast iron skillet.)
Tips for Perfect Prime Rib:
Use a meat thermometer. You can use a probe that stays inside the meat the entire time it cooks or you can use a simple instant read meat thermometer to check the prime rib cooking time. Either way, remember that each slice of meat is different and each oven is different. Don’t take the chance of ruining such an expensive piece of meat. Don’t over-cook. The meat will continue to cook once it’s taken out of the oven (your thermometer will continue to rise 5-10 degrees) so err on the side of taking your prime rib out early. If you take it out and it seems under-cooked, you can always cook it a little longer. Let it REST, As with most meat, you want to let it rest after cooking to allow the juices to settle in the meat, making it juicier and more tender. If you cut into your roast without letting it rest, the juices will rush out then the meat will be chewy. Cut meat across the grain. That means, notice the directional lines in the meat grain then slice perpendicular to them. If you cut along the grain then the meat will be tougher and chewier to eat.
Perfect Sides for Prime Rib:
Perfect Mashed Potatoes or Twice Baked Potatoes Roasted Vegetables Homemade Rolls Classic Wedge Salad Skillet cornbread
I originally shared this recipe December 2018. Updated July 2020 and October 2023. Start by cooking your prime rib at 500°F for 15 minutes and then lower the oven temperature to 325° F and cook for 10-12 min per pound for rare, or 13-14 min per pound for medium rare, or 14-15 min per pound for medium well. A meat thermometer is essential to ensure you cook it perfectly! Roast your prime rib until the thermometer registers:
115-120˚F for rare 125-130˚F for medium rare 135-140° F for medium 145-150 F° for medium well
Please keep in mind the meat temperature will continue to rise 5-10 degrees when it’s resting out of the oven, so don’t over cook it! Prepare herb rub. Combine the salt, pepper, fresh thyme, rosemary, garlic and olive oil then rub it all over the outside of the roast. Place a bone-in roast with the bones down, in a cast iron, roasting, or other oven safe pan. Place a boneless rib roast on top of a rack, and then in your pan. Cook the boneless or bone-in prime rib at 500 degrees for 15 minutes and then reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees and continue cooking until the meat is 5-10 degrees away from the desired doneness temperature (see cooking temperature guidelines above or below in the recipe card). Allow time to rest. Remove the prime rib from the oven then tent the entire roast with foil. Allow it to rest for 30 minutes–It will continue to cook the extra 5-10 degrees. Resting the meat is essential as it allows the juices to seal back into the meat. If you cut the meat too soon, the juices will run out and it will be chewy. Carve and Serve. Spoon some of the extra sauce from the pan over the roast, if desired, or use it to make gravy. Cut the kitchen string holding the roast to the bones (if using a bone-in roast) and remove the bones before carving. Serve the best prime rib recipe with mashed potatoes, wedge salad, and homemade rolls.
This post contains affiliate links. I love sharing my favorite products with you! This post contains affiliate links.
