Chef John's Perfect Prime Rib (2024)

If you've ever carved into a prime rib at a big holiday meal expecting a juicy, perfectly pink interior only to discover a dry, overcooked roast, this recipe is for you. Here are some tips from Chef John to get you started:

Prime Rib Tips

  1. This simple, foolproof "mathematical method" for making the very best prime rib will greatly increase your chances of success. Here is the formula: Multiply the exact weight times 5 minutes. For me it was 5.35 x 5 = 26.75 minutes, which we round up to 27.
  2. You'll cook your room-temperature prime rib at 500 degrees F for exactly that many minutes. (Twenty-seven minutes, in my case.) Then turn off the oven and wait 2 hours without opening the door. When the time's up, remove the prime rib and slice into the most perfectly medium-rare meat you've ever seen. See? That's all it takes to make foolproof prime rib cooked to a perfect pink that's somewhere just a shade under medium rare.
  3. Just make sure you're starting with a prime rib that has been brought to room temperature! This is critical in order for the math to work!
  4. Serve your prime rib with Chef John's Beef Au Jus and Horseradish Sauce.

Chef's Notes

  • Now, while the method could not be easier, there are a couple things that this method requires: a full-size, modern oven with a digital temperature setting that indicates when it is preheated. Older ovens with manual controls can vary greatly, and the doors may not have the proper insulation.
  • Here's another pro tip for you: Because prime rib is expensive, you should always insert a probe-style thermometer to monitor the internal temp of your roast and avoid any chance of over-cooking. Set the probe alarm (125 F for medium-rare) just in case, and pull the prime rib from oven even if there's still time left on the oven timer.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This is a fool proof method for making the best medium rare prime rib," says Haiku. "Your seasonings can be changed according to your preference, but what's listed works perfectly. It's the cooking method that is the key. It cannot be stressed enough, the roast MUST be at room temperature in order for this to work."

"Absolutely the easiest way to make perfect prime rib every time," raves Claudia B. "But do not be tempted to open up the oven door until time is up!"

Chef John's Perfect Prime Rib (2024)

FAQs

What is the best temperature to cook a prime rib roast? ›

Brown the roast at 500°F (or as high as your oven will go) for 15 minutes. Lower the oven to 325°F to finish roasting: Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Roast in the oven until the thermometer registers 115°F for rare or 120° for medium rare, and 130°F for medium.

Is it better to cook prime rib at 325 or 350? ›

Start by cooking your prime rib at 500°F for 15 minutes and then lower the oven temperature to 325° F and cook for 10-12 min per pound for rare, or 13-14 min per pound for medium rare, or 14-15 min per pound for medium well. A meat thermometer is essential to ensure you cook it perfectly!

How do restaurants make prime rib so tender? ›

How do restaurants make prime rib so tender? The secret to restaurant-style prime rib is cooking the meat super slow at low temperatures. I recommend cooking prime rib at no higher than 200 degrees F. This cooks the meat very slowly, turning the fat into butter and rendering the proteins juicy and soft.

What is the most important thing to do before roasting a prime rib roast? ›

A roast is a large cut of meat: it needs more seasoning than you might expect. Season it generously with kosher salt the day before roasting it and let it sit in the fridge uncovered overnight. When you take it out of the fridge before roasting, add pepper and any additional herbs.

Should prime rib be at 225 or 325? ›

How to Cook Your Prime Rib Roast: Preheat your oven or smoker to 225°F (107°C). Directly after searing your Prime Rib roast… Place the tip of your alarm thermometer probe as near the physical center of the roast as you can.

Should you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan when cooking prime rib? ›

Placing the oven rack too high up will cause your roast to brown too quickly and burn! After 30 minutes in the oven, add a ½ cup of water to the bottom of the roasting pan. The key is to allow the onions to brown and caramelize while roasting, but not to burn and smoke in the fat.

How long to cook a 5 pound prime rib at 350 degrees? ›

APPROXIMATE COOKING TIMES for the prime rib cooked at 350°F after the 20 minute cooking time at 450°F. Rare; cook 12-13 minutes per pound or to 130°F. Medium-rare; cook 14-16 minutes per pound or to 140°F (I would not recommend cooking a prime rib any more than medium-rare).

How many minutes per pound for prime rib at 325 degrees? ›

Prime Rib Cooking Time

Reduce heat to 325˚F and continue baking: 10-12 min per pound for rare. 13-14 min per pound for medium-rare. 14-15 min per pound for medium.

Should you rub a prime rib the night before? ›

Putting a dry rub on too early increases the likelihood of it being washed off or knocked loose before you get the beef cooked. Aside from seasoning mixes designed to go on up to one day before cooking for brining purposes, you'll only want the dry rub on the Prime Rib in time for the start of cooking.

Is prime rib better cooked slow or fast? ›

Cooked low and slow in the oven and finished with a blast of heat for the juiciest, most flavorful, evenly cooked prime rib roast. Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site.

Is prime rib cooked rib side up or down? ›

Place the roast fat side up, bone side down, in a large roasting pan. Cook for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. This allows the heat to sear the roast, trapping the juicy flavors inside while the rest of the meat cooks.

Is it better to sear prime rib first or last? ›

The trick to grilling a roast is searing it first and fast over high heat and then moving it to a lower temperature and allowing it to continue cooking slowly. The sear will not only create a perfect barbecue crust, but it will also lock in those juices that you don't want to escape.

Should you oil prime rib before cooking? ›

Rub the Prime Rib with Oil and Garlic: Given the fattiness of this cut of meat, you can actually skip using the olive oil, but then you should also skip the fresh garlic. Make the Prime Rib Rub: In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, and Italian Seasoning and rub it into the roast.

How long should prime rib sit out before roasting? ›

Preparing the Prime Rib Roast

Pull the rib roast out of the fridge and let temper on the counter for three hours. USDA guidelines requires food not be held above 33°F (1°C) for more than 4 hours. A three-hour rest on the counter is well within time constraints.

Do you cook prime rib covered or uncovered? ›

Do you cover prime rib roast when cooking? You can cover rib roast when cooking after searing it to help it retain some of its moisture, but it's not necessary. For the best results, leave the roast uncovered until you remove it from the oven or grill and place it at room temperature for resting.

Is it better to cook prime rib slow or fast? ›

The Benefits of Slow Roasting

First, slow roasting produces a Prime Rib that is tender, juicy, and has evenly cooked meat.

How long to cook a 10 lb prime rib at 250 degrees? ›

Heat the oven to 250°F with the rack in the lower middle position. Place the seasoned rib roast on a greased roasting rack in a roasting tray. Cook for 4 to 5 hours or until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the roast is 125-130°F for medium-rare prime rib, or 135-140°F for medium.

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