When the holidays roll around, I’m always looking for low-effort recipes with a big wow factor. This garlic butter prime rib is juicy, tender, and full of flavor. Plus, it looks beautiful at the center of my holiday table. No one will ever guess just how easy it was to make!
What’s in this Garlic Butter Prime Rib Recipe?
This recipe is so simple and takes a classic prime rib roast to the next level. Just coat a 4-pound piece of beef in flavorful butter. The butter keeps the meat moist, infuses it with flavor, and makes for a beautiful presentation.
- Prime Rib: You’ll want a boneless beef prime rib, also known as a standing rib roast. Make sure to let it come to room temperature so that it cooks evenly.
- Butter: Unsalted butter helps the spices stick and adds a rich, buttery flavor to the roast.
- Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
- Olive Oil: Helps the spices stick to the roast and helps prevent them from burning in the oven.
- Spices: A combination of salt, pepper, dried thyme, and rosemary adds a mouthwatering herbal flavor.
Variations To Try
You can customize the herbs and spices in this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite herbs or spices on the prime rib. I like Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence. Check out my ultimate list of cooking herbs for more inspiration!
How to Store and Reheat
Place any leftover rib roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, I like to place the roast in an oven-safe pan covered with foil, add some leftover au jus or beef stock, and roast in a 300°F oven for 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Slice the roast and place the slices between parchment paper. Put slices in a Ziplock bag and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this roast with holiday classics, like green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes, asparagus almondine, or brown sugar glazed carrots. Sometimes, I make it just for me and Pat and use the leftovers to make beef stroganoff or my favorite French dip sandwiches!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
Make sure your butter is softened before mixing your herbs and spices. You want it to be soft but not melted.
Garlic Butter Prime Rib Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless prime rib roast (aka: standing rib roast)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter room temperature (½ stick)
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place rib roast in a roasting pan and bring to room temperature, about 4 hours.4 pounds boneless prime rib roast
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place butter, garlic, salt, olive oil, thyme, rosemary, and pepper in a small bowl, then mix until combined.¼ cup unsalted butter, 5 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Spread butter mixture evenly over the outside of the roast.
- Roast the beef for 25 minutes.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 225°F. Cover the roast with foil and cook for another 1-1½ hours, checking for internal temperature at the 45-minute mark.
- Remove roast from the oven. See recipe notes for internal temperature guide.
- Allow the roast to rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Becky’s Tips
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- Taking the prime rib out to raise it to room temperature is an important step. You will need to take it out at least 4 hours before adding the butter and baking it.
- Make sure your butter is softened before mixing your herbs and spices. You want it to be soft but not melted.
- You can customize the herbs and spices in this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite herbs or spices on the prime rib.
- Temperature guidelines:
- Rare: 120°F. Remove at 115°F internal temp.
- Medium Rare: 125°F. Remove at 118°F internal temp.
- Medium: 130°F. Remove at 123°F internal temp.
- Medium Well: 135°F. Remove at 127°F internal temp.
- If using a larger or smaller prime rib, follow these cooking guidelines:
- Rare: 25-30 minutes per pound.
- Medium Rare: 30-35 minutes per pound.
- Medium: 35-40 minutes per pound.
- Medium Well: 40-45 minutes per pound.
- Oven temperature can vary; always check your prime rib on the earlier side of the recommended cook time!
- You will need a sharp knife to cut the prime rib. Be careful when cutting it, but make sure your knife is sharp enough to go against the grain of the meat.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Garlic Butter Prime Rib Step by Step
Bring the Roast to Room Temperature: Place a 4-pound boneless prime rib roast in a roasting pan and bring to room temperature, about 4 hours. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Make the Garlic Butter: Place ¼ cup of unsalted butter, 5 minced cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 2 teaspoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper in a small bowl, then mix until combined.
Cook the Prime Rib Roast: Spread the butter mixture evenly over the outside of the roast. Roast the beef for 25 minutes.
Continue Cooking the Roast: Reduce the oven temperature to 225°F. Cover the roast with foil and cook for another 1-1½ hours, checking for internal temperature at the 45-minute mark. Remove the roast from the oven. Allow the roast to rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
The rule is to have 1 pound per person. If you have a 4-pound prime rib roast, it will serve 4 people.
You can check the temperature with an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should be between 120°F and 135°F at the center.
It’s simple! Remove any excess fat and then slice against the grain into slices.
In your recipe, you say to cook for 1-1 1/2 hours. If you are making a 4 lb roast shouldn’t it be closer to 2 hours?
You may need to adjust the time to get it cooked to your liking. This time and temperature worked with the roast and oven we used to test the recipe!
Hi, what size was your roast? Depending on the size, it may take a lot longer to cook!
How long do you recommend cooking a 6.5 lb bone in? Wanting it medium. Thanks!
We recommend about 35-40 minutes per pound for medium!
I have a 10 pound prime rib….. how long should I cook it?
For medium-rare, it’s about 30-35 minutes per pound!
The instructions say preheat oven to 400. The video says 500? Which would it be?
It should be 400!
Making 2 possible 3 for Christmas for 18 pp. but with the bone in. They are 8lbs each. How long would you say to cook it for?
We usually recommend 30-35 minutes per pound!
We always start with closer to 30 minutes per pound and recommend checking early, as oven temperatures can vary!
I need to make it for party of 12, would the cooking time change if I have a 10-15# rib?
Once the oven is at 225°F, it will take about 30 minutes per pound to roast!
Was great
Thanks for sharing!
Do I put the butter mix on the side as well as the top
Yes!
This looks delicious! Any ideas for a butter substitute? We don’t mix dairy and meat.
Oh man, I am sure whatever you use in your normal cooking as a sub will work!