Prime Rib Roast

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When I’m looking for an easy and impressive dish for the holidays, I turn to this Prime Rib Roast! Also known as a standing rib roast, this prime rib roast recipe lets the flavor of high-quality beef shine through for an impressive main dish. You only need a few ingredients to cook this roast in the oven, and it will come out so tender and flavorful.

prime rib roast on a serving platter with potatoes, with a slice cut away. viewed from the front to reveal a red-pink medium-rare interior.

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What’s in This Prime Rib Roast Recipe?

This standing rib roast has the simplest ingredient list you’ll find for a main dish. It’s all about high-quality beef and some seasonings– you don’t need much to make it taste amazing! My family absolutely loves this roast for holidays and large family gatherings.

Prime Rib Roast: When selecting a roast, plan for 1 rib for every 2 people, or a little under 1 pound per person. For the best quality, make sure there is plenty of visible marbling (aka fat)–you want the extra flavor and juiciness it adds.
Seasonings: You’ll need salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoky paprika to season the prime rib.
Serving Sauce: The brandy sauce in the recipe card is my favorite to serve with this roast, but you can use something else. Horseradish, au jus, Bearnaise, mustard cream sauce, or a creamy mushroom sauce are all good options.

Prime Rib Roast Temperature Chart

Check the chart below to find out what the internal temperature will be for each level of doneness. I recommend cooking your standing rib roast to medium-rare for a juicy, tender, delicate flavor!

Rare: 125°F
Medium Rare: 130°F
Medium: 135°F
Well Done: 140°F

I recommend pulling the roast out of the oven about 5°F before the desired temperature because it will continue to cook as it rests.

overhead view of a roast on a serving platter surrounded by potatoes

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How to Store and Reheat

I always let this prime rib roast cool before storing. I recommend only cutting slices as you serve, so you should have most of your roast intact when it comes time to store leftovers. Fully wrap it in plastic wrap, then store in the fridge up to 5 days.

Cut and reheat slices in the oven as you need them. The beef makes for great sandwiches if you aren’t planning for another formal dinner in the following days.

How to Freeze

To freeze, tightly wrap the roast in plastic wrap, then wrap in aluminum foil for an extra layer of protection. If it’s already cut into slices, place them in a freezer-safe bag to store. Otherwise, place the wrapped roast in the freezer as is.

I freeze it for up to 3 months, then defrost in the fridge before heating and serving.

Serving Suggestions

With this standing rib roast at the center of the table, you can’t go wrong no matter what sides you choose.

I love to serve it with Instant Pot scalloped potatoes or parmesan creamed potatoes and plenty of veggies. I like it with these creamy green beans or Air Fryer roasted vegetables. It will also taste great with these creamy garlic mushrooms, and you can round out the meal with homemade dinner rolls.

Notes from the Test Kitchen

When making a recipe like this and you really want to wow, I recommend heading to your local butcher instead of making the typical grocery store run. They’ll have high-grade cuts and can help you select the best option for your meal.

5-Star Review

“This is the BEST prime rib EVER! My family loves it and they always look forward to me making it on Christmas Day!” – Jennifer

Recipe Card

Prime Rib Roast Recipe

4.58 from 148 votes

Prep: 20

Cook: 3

Chill: 2

Total: 2 3 20

Servings:

Author: Becky Hardin

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All you need to make this delicious prime rib roast is a few seasonings. It's the best main dish for any occasion!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Ingredients

Instructions

Note: This roast is best if prepared (through step 4) 8-48 hours ahead.

Spray a V-rack (that will fit in a large roasting pan) or a wire rack (that will fit in or across a rimmed baking sheet) with nonstick cooking spray.
Leave the twine in place and score (cut slits across) the fat-cap with a sharp knife.
7 pound prime rib roast
Generously season roast with kosher salt (about ½ teaspoon per pound) and pepper and place the roast, fat-cap up, on the prepared V-rack or wire rack.
Kosher salt, Freshly ground black pepper
If time allows, place the prepared roast, uncovered, in the refrigerator overnight or up to 48 hours before roasting. This will allow the salt to penetrate the meat more thoroughly and will improve browning.
When ready to cook the roast, remove it from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking. and preheat the oven to 200°F.
Sprinkle with more kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Garlic powder, Smoked paprika
Place the roast in the oven and cook until the center of roast registers 115°F. Begin checking the internal temperature at 3 hours and then every 15 minutes, thereafter, until it reaches the desired temperature.
Turn off the heat and leave the roast in the oven until it reaches 125°F (rare) on an instant-read thermometer, 130°F (medium-rare), 135°F (medium).
Remove roast from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Allow it to rest 15-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, set the oven to 500°F.
About 10 minutes before serving, remove the foil, sprinkle the roast with freshly ground black pepper and place the roast back in the oven. Cook until it is beautifully browned and a little crisp on the outside.
Transfer the roast from the oven, cut the twine holding it together and remove the bones.
Serve immediately with brandy peppercorn sauce.
Brandy Peppercorn Sauce

Video

Becky’s Tips

Carve one slice of roast per guest and leave the rest of the roast intact until needed more servings. This will keep the roast warm and help to retain its flavorful juices.

Storage: Store this prime rib roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Calories: 958kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 44gFat: 85gSaturated Fat: 35gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 37gCholesterol: 192mgSodium: 841mgPotassium: 761mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 693IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Cook Prime Rib Roast Step by Step

Prep the Roast: Spray a V-rack (that will fit in a large roasting pan) or a wire rack (that will fit in or across a rimmed baking sheet) with nonstick cooking spray. Leave the twine in place and score (cut slits across) the fat cap of a 7-pound prime rib roast with a sharp knife.

Salt the Roast: Generously season roast with kosher salt and pepper and place the roast, fat-cap up, on the prepared V-rack or wire rack. If time allows, place the prepared roast, uncovered, in the refrigerator overnight or up to 48 hours before roasting. This will allow the salt to penetrate the meat more thoroughly and will improve browning.

prime rib covered with seasonings on a baking pan

Season the Roast: When ready to cook the roast, remove it from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking and preheat the oven to 200°F. Sprinkle with more kosher salt freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and smoky paprika.

hand sprinkling spices on top of prime rib roast

Cook the Roast: Place the roast in the oven and cook until the center of roast registers 115°F. Begin checking the internal temperature at 3 hours and then every 15 minutes thereafter, until it reaches the desired temperature. Turn off the heat and leave the roast in the oven until it reaches 125°F (rare) on an instant-read thermometer, 130°F (medium-rare), 135°F (medium). Remove the roast from the oven and tent it loosely with foil. Allow it to rest for 15-30 minutes.

Brown and Serve: Meanwhile, set the oven to 500°F. About 10 minutes before serving, remove the foil, sprinkle the roast with freshly ground black pepper, and place the roast back in the oven. Cook until it is beautifully browned and a little crisp on the outside. Transfer the roast from the oven, cut the twine holding it together, and remove the bones. Serve immediately with brandy peppercorn sauce.

prime rib roast on a cutting board, partially sliced

Is rib roast the same as prime rib?

Sort of! Prime rib is actually a specific cut from the larger rib roast. Furthermore, prime rib is bone-in, whereas rib roast can be bone-in or boneless.

How many hours does it take to cook a prime rib?

Once in the oven, it will take about 3-4 hours to cook, depending on whether you prefer rare, medium rare, or well-done beef.

Do you cook prime rib uncovered or covered?

Let it cook in the oven uncovered. You will cover it loosely while it rests, but not while it is cooking.

What is the trick to cooking prime rib?

Ideally, you’ll salt up to 48 hours before cooking, but I recommend doing it at least overnight (8 hours). This gives salt time to penetrate the surface of the meat, which will make it much more flavorful.