Prime Rib Perfection: A Step-by-Step Preparation & Cooking Guide

Looking for a wonderfully decadent and luxurious meal you can prepare at home? Try prime rib, which is fairly easy to make and naturally tender and juicy. As long as you cook it correctly, this meal is sure to be a hit with you and your fellow diners.

Planning Ahead for a Prime Rib Dinner

One of the first things to determine with prime rib is how much you'll need. In general, a good rule of thumb is to have about one pound per person. This is especially true if the prime rib is really going to be the star of the dish. Now, if you're planning to make prime rib for a holiday feast where there will be a plethora of sides available to enjoy with the meal, you can reduce that to about ½ pound per person.

Bone-In vs. Boneless Prime Rib

Both boneless and bone-in prime rib recipes can be delicious. However, many people agree that bone-in prime rib retains more flavor as it cooks. This is because the bones have a high thermal resistance, so the meat surrounding the bones cooks more slowly compared to the rest of the roast. This can make the cooking process a bit trickier in terms of monitoring the prime rib's temperature, but it ensures that it doesn't dry out quickly. The results with a bone-in prime rib tend to be especially tender and juicy.

On the other hand, plenty of home chefs find boneless prime rib to be just as delicious as bone-in cuts. Plus, they're a bit easier to monitor in the oven so the cooking process is somewhat simplified. It's also easier to carve a boneless prime rib, especially if you want to make sure that each person gets an equally sized serving. Ultimately, it's up to your personal preference whether you want a bone-in or boneless prime rib, but the boneless variety may be more approachable for those cooking this type of beef for the first time.

What Temperature Should You Cook Prime Rib To?

Prime rib is a premium cut of beef, so it should be handled as such. As with most high-end cuts, it's important not to overcook the beef to the point that it loses flavor or becomes chewy. For prime rib, the best temperature is rare to medium rare, depending on your personal preferences. It should never be cooked past medium, or about 140° Fahrenheit. When prime rib is overcooked, nearly all of the fat melts out and the results will be tough and dry.

If possible, use a probe meat thermometer, which can stay inside the prime rib throughout the cooking process. This will give you the most accurate reading so you can take the beef out when it's closest to your preferred level of doneness. Remember that after you take it out of the oven, the temperature will climb about 5° to 10° while the meat rests.

Critical Steps for Prepping Prime Rib

Before you apply any heat to your prime rib and begin the cooking process, there are two critically important steps that must be completed. First, you must bring the prime rib to room temperature. If you skip this step, the prime rib will not cook evenly, and the inside can be underdone despite the exterior achieving a nice sear. Alternatively, you may have to cook it longer to get the inside to the proper temperature, which leaves the outside dry and overly crispy.

Second, you must season the prime rib properly. Generously sprinkle kosher salt over all surfaces of the prime rib at least 30 minutes before you plan to start the cooking process (you can even do this days in advance for better results). The salt draws out some moisture to help you achieve a crisp crust for the outer sear. In addition, it helps to loosen the structure of the meat so that it remains moist and tender.

The Perfect Prime Rib Recipe

If you're looking for a simple and straightforward prime rib recipe, The Wagyu Shop™ has you covered. Fortunately, this luxurious cut of beef is so delicious on its own that very few ingredients are needed to make it worthy of your dinner table. Follow these steps to achieve delicious results, and be sure to adjust the ingredient amounts if you are cooking a larger roast.

Ingredients:

  • 1 prime rib roast (approximately 4 lbs)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • Kosher salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Season the prime rib before cooking.
  2. Take the prime rib out of the fridge an hour before cooking.
  3. Preheat the oven to 475° F. Prepare a roasting pan with a wire rack inside.
  4. Use a brush to apply olive oil to all surfaces of the prime rib roast. Rub with the garlic cloves and sprinkle on salt and pepper.
  5. Place the prime rib on a wire rack and roast in the oven for 15 minutes.
  6. Reduce the temperature to 350° F and continue cooking until you reach the desired internal temperature.
  7. Remove the prime rib from the oven and tent with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for 20 minutes.

Tips for Serving Prime Rib

When carving the prime rib, remember that you should cut it across the grain. Cutting along the grain, unfortunately results in the beef being tough and chewy. Some ideas for sides that pair well with prime rib include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, skillet cornbread, wedge salad and homemade rolls.