This is an easy to make prime rib recipe that makes a meal into an elegant event.
If you are looking for much more detailed instructions including carving and roasting times and temperatures, refer to our Prime Rib Cooking Instructions page. Delicious and tender, prime rib is a luxurious main dish for special dinners.
Ingredients:
1 (4 to 5 pound) prime rib roast
1/3 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 Tablespoons rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. Place the roast in a shallow roasting pan and set aside 30 minutes to room temperature. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Combine all other ingredients. Rub the prime rib with mixture. Bake 15 minutes until the meat begins to brown.
3. Reduce heat to 325 degrees F and continue cooking according to the chart below
Cooking Time for Rare (120°) 3 Ribs, 7 to 8 lbs. 15 minutes at 450°, Then 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours at 325° |
4. Every half hour or so, baste the ends of the roast with the drippings. Use the meat thermometer about 30 minutes before the end of the roasting time. Make sure to insert it in the thickest part of the meat, not touching the fat or bone.
When the internal temperature reaches 120°, remove roast from the oven and cover with foil. If you remove a prime rib from the oven when the temperature is over 125°, it will be way too dry and overdone.
5. Let the roast sit for twenty to thirty minutes. It will continue to cook during this time, reaching a temperature of about 125° to 130°. This resting period allows the juices and flavors to permeate the roast.
Sides to Serve With Prime Ribs
There are a number of great sides that you can serve with prime rib to really bring the meal together. Let's take a look at some of them:
- Mac and cheese. Of course mac and cheese is going to be on our list! Millions of Americans love this classic dish. It can be made a number of ways. You can keep it simple and used boxed mac and cheese, or you can make your own with a variety of cheeses. Whatever you choose, this is sure to be a popular side dish choice for prime rib.
- Roasted vegetables. Want your prime rib dinner to be on the healthier side? Try serving roasted vegetables along with it. Vegetables cooked in this manner tend to be well-seasoned, so they should taste more complex than the frozen vegetables you cook for two minutes in the microwave.
- Mashed potatoes. One of America's most popular side dishes, there's no going wrong with mashed potatoes. Make your own, or buy pre-made mashed potatoes from the store. Serve with your favorite gravy!
- French fries. If you're making this prime rib recipe in the summer, or if you have a family that is obsessed with them, serve French fries as a side for this dinner! Making your own French fries is actually not terribly hard; you can make them in an air fryer if you don't want to use hot oil.
- Baked potatoes. Mashed potatoes too much work for you? No need to worry. Baked potatoes are a lot simpler to make, and they go just as well with prime rib. Serve with a number of toppings for your family to choose from, or go with classic sour cream and cheese.
- Dinner rolls. Sometimes, good old dinner rolls are enough to make a complete meal. Grab your favorite brand of dinner rolls from the store, pop them in the oven, slather some butter on, and serve! Dinner rolls can be quite filling, so they actually work well as a side dish. Of course, you can also serve them before dinner as a restaurant would.
- Cheesy monkey bread. If you've never had monkey bread before, you need to try it. This delicious pull-apart treat will be loved by everyone in your family. It's often made as a breakfast or dessert pastry, but with the addition of cheese it becomes savory enough to serve with prime ribs.
- Butternut squash. This is a great side dish to choose if you're serving prime rib in the fall or winter. Butternut squash has a sweet taste that tends to be accepted by kids. It might not be their favorite thing in the world, but it won't receive the same backlash that certain vegetables might.
Tips for Cooking a Great Prime Rib
If you want your prime rib to blow people away, then follow these tips! With our help, whoever you make this prime rib recipe for will be begging for more, every time.
You'll want to choose well-marbled meat for your prime rib. Marbling refers to the fat that's within the muscle; a well-marbled cut is going to be juicy, flavorful, and tender. Well-marbled meat tends to be on the expensive side, but if you're making prime rib chances are you're already prepared for that.
If you decide to buy aged beef for extra flavor, make sure you buy dry-aged beef and not wet-aged beef. Wet-aging beef is still a very new practice, and so far there is a lot of debate over the effects it has on the quality of the meat. Dry aging should only be done at home if you have the right equipment and knowledge.
Make sure you season your prime rib liberally and in advance. If you have the time and the space in your fridge, season your rib and then leave it in the fridge overnight. This will give you a prime rib that's full of flavor. A flavorful, well-seasoned prime rib is key to getting your family and guests wanting more! This recipe provides the exact seasoning mixture that you need to make a wonderful prime rib; all you need to do is apply it at the right time and in the right quantity!