how do you get good bark on prime rib

Are you ready for the BEST Prime Rib recipe? This is a no-fail, meltingly tender and juicy, garlic-crusted prime rib that will have all your guests swooning. This standing beef rib roast is perfect for Christmas and the holidays, or any special occasion worthy of a little splurge.

Prime rib (also known as standing rib roast) is up there next to turkey, honey baked ham, filet mignon and beef tenderloin in terms of intimidating recipes. It’s a big ‘ol chunk of meat that’s usually the centerpiece of a holiday meal. And let’s be honest, you don’t want to accidentally over cook it or mess it up, especially if you have guests over.

Adding to the intimidation…prime rib is also super pricey. But if you’ve enjoyed a perfectly roasted prime rib, you also know that it’s worth every penny for that beautiful, show-stopping piece of meat.

So let’s jump to the good news – it’s really easy to cook! Sure, you may find different cooking methods online, like a reverse sear, but I promise that if you stick with this simple, no-fail prime rib recipe you’ll get raving accolades all around. You know my motto, simple and foolproof is best.

A cut of meat this good doesn’t need much. Heck, simple salt and pepper works just fine. But today, we’ll add a few garlic cloves and herbs for the ultimate flavorful crust.

Place the prime rib in the fridge for the butter to harden and create a thick buttery bark. Preheat the grill to 275 degrees and set it for indirect heat. Depending on the size of your roast, the total grill process will take 2-3 hours.

What Size Prime Rib to Buy?

The general rule of thumb is 1 pound of prime rib per person. But in my experience, that’s a lot of meat! I think ¾ pound per person is a better estimate, or even ½ pound if you’re serving it up with a lot of sides. Here’s a general guideline:

• For 6 people: get a 4 ½ pound prime rib
• For 8 people: get a 6 pound prime rib
• For 12 people: get a 9 pound prime rib

How to Cook Prime Rib

Remove the prime rib from the fridge. Let it come to room temperature for 2 to 3 hours before cooking.

Room temperature meat is key! To ensure the prime rib is cooked evenly it must be at room temperature before going into the oven. Otherwise, you’ll end up with well-done meat on the ends and raw meat in the middle, which is definitely not ideal. So remember to remove it from the fridge 2 to 3 hours before cooking.

Make the garlic herb butter. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C), then mix together the butter, herbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

Pat and coat. After the prime rib has come to room temperature, pat it down with a few paper towels to remove any moisture. Then slather it all over with the garlic herb butter mix.

It’s time to roast it. Place the prime bones side down in an oven-safe pan or roasting pan. Place onion slices around the meat if you plan to make the red wine au jus (if not, you can omit them). Then roast the prime rib for 20 minutes at the high temperature, to sear the outside and create a crust. After you’ve seared the outside, reduce the temperature to 325°F (160°C), and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches your desired level of doneness (see chart below).

Let it rest. Remove the prime rib from the oven and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. You can tent it with aluminum foil to keep it warm.

Slice it up. Remove the strings that are keeping the bones attached or slice the bones off the meat. Then, carve the prime rib into thick ½-inch slices and serve with the red wine au jus.

Best Seasoning Rub for Prime Rib

FAQ

How do restaurants make prime rib so tender?

What makes prime rib so delicious?

What is the best wood for prime rib roast?

How do you cook a prime rib in the oven?

Preheat your oven to 225 degrees F. Prep the prime rib. While the oven is warming up, prepare your roast. Trim any excess fat from the top of the roast down to 1/4 inch thick. Season on all sides with an even sprinkling of salt and pepper. Slather in garlic butter. In a small bowl combine the softened butter, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.

How do you make a good prime rib?

Thermometer: The most important thing to make the BEST prime rib is a thermometer. Nailing the right temperature is key! You can use a probe thermometer (that you’ll leave in the meat), an instant read thermometer, or a basic meat thermometer. Knife: A good sharp knife is essential to those beautiful cuts.

How do you smoke a prime rib roast?

Smoking the prime rib roast Once the smoker is ready, you can place the prime rib roast in the smoker. Point the thickest part towards the hottest part of your pit, or towards the fire pot. A temperature probe is a good idea to avoid overcooking this expensive cut of meat.

Should prime rib be cooked at room temperature?

To ensure the prime rib is cooked evenly it must be at room temperature before going into the oven. Otherwise, you’ll end up with well-done meat on the ends and raw meat in the middle, which is definitely not ideal. So remember to remove it from the fridge 2 to 3 hours before cooking. Make the garlic herb butter.