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This easy prime rib recipe is cooked in the oven with a secret trick that gives you the most tender meat ever!

Cut prime rib recipe on a white platter.

Easy + Delicious!

Prime Rib is one of those recipes that our family HAS to have for holidays like Christmas and Easter. In fact, we’ve been known to make it for Thanksgiving too, because we love it that much.

Although prime rib tends to be a little more on the expensive side, we are more willing to pay for it for special occasions like holidays and birthdays because it’s just that good. This particular dinner recipe itself is not only delicious but it’s very easy to make as well which is the main reason why we love it.

Prime Rib can be intimidating, but with this recipe (and our tips and tricks), you will not only feel like a meat pro making it, but will be wowing friends and family any time it’s served. We love to include our favorite Mashed Potatoes and Dinner Rolls to round out the meal and make it extra delicious for those extra special occasions.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Easy. With just a 5 minute prep time, it’s a cinch to make!
  • Flavorful. It is generously seasoned with herbs for a delicious crust.
  • Extra juicy. Our secret for the juiciest prime rib is taking the meat out early and letting it rest.
Marinade for prime rib recipe in a small bowl.

Ingredients

  • 1 (10-pound) prime rib roast – Plan ยฝ -ยพ pound per person. Look for meat with good marbling. Purchase a boneless prime rib roast cut of beef (eye of the rib roast or ribeye roast) or a bone-in prime rib roast. Consider having the butcher tie the rib bones to create a rack for the meat to stand on when cooking.
  • 10 cloves garlic, minced How to Mince Garlic, or use about 5 teaspoons of already minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or 5-6 teaspoons minced fresh thyme) – or add fresh rosemary, oregano, or paprika
  • optional – Serve with horseradish sauce, gravy, or au jus with the meat juices.

How to Cook Prime Rib

  1. PREP. Place the 10-pound roast in a large roasting pan with the fatty side up.
    • In a small bowl, mix 10 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper, and 2 teaspoons dried thyme. Spread the mixture over the fatty layer of the roast.
    • Allow the roast to rest on the counter for about an hour until it comes to room temperature.
    • When ready to roast the prime rib, preheat your oven to 450โ€“500ยฐF.
  2. COOK. Cook prime rib for 15โ€“20 minutes to sear, then reduce the oven temperature to 325ยฐF.
    • Continue to roast until the internal temperature reaches 5โ€“10 degrees less than your desired internal temperature, depending on the desired doneness (see Cook Times below).
  3. REST. Loosely tent aluminum foil over the roast and allow it to rest for 10 minutes, (the internal temperature will continue to rise that final 5-10 degrees), then remove the foil, carve into slices, and serve. The internal temperature will continue to rise while resting, leaving you with a perfectly cooked prime rib roast.

Prime Rib Cook Times

The easiest and most precise way to cook prime rib is to use a meat thermometer, but a timer can be pretty accurate. Medium-rare prime rib is the most popular cook.

  • For a quick reference total time for a medium cook at 325ยฐF:
    • 2 ribs (4 to 5 pounds): 55-70 minutes  
    • 3 ribs (7 to 8.5 pounds): 1ยฝ-1ยพ hours
    • 4 ribs (9 to 10.5 pounds): 1ยพ-2ยผ hours
    • 5 ribs (11 to 15 pounds): 2ยผ-3 hours
    • 6 ribs (15 to 16 pounds): 3-3ยผ hours
    • 7 ribs (16 to 18.5 pounds): 3ยผ-4 hours
Easy prime rib roast recipe in baking dish.

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5 from 22 votes

Easy Prime Rib Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This perfect prime rib recipe is cooked in the oven with a secret trick that gives you the most tender meat ever!
Servings: 10 people
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 2 hours 30 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total: 3 hours 35 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 (10-pound) prime rib roast
  • 10 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme

Instructions 

  • Place the roast in a large roasting pan with the fatty side up.
  • In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme. Spread the mixture over the fatty layer of the roast.
  • Allow the roast to rest on the counter for 1โ€“2 hours until it comes to room temperature.
  • When ready to roast the prime rib, preheat your oven to 450โ€“500ยฐF.
  • Cook prime rib for 15โ€“20 minutes to sear, then reduce the oven temperature to 325ยฐF. Continue to roast until the internal temperature reaches 5โ€“10 degrees less than your desired internal temperature, depending on the desired doneness (see Recipe Tips).
  • Loosely tent aluminum foil over the roast and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving. The internal temperature will continue to rise while resting, leaving you with a perfectly cooked prime rib roast.

Video

Notes

Doneness guide: Roast prime rib according to the following guidelines, using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature:
  • Rare: internal temp of 120-125ยฐF or 10-12 mins per pound for rare prime rib. The center is bright red then fades to pink.
  • Medium: internal temp of 140-145ยฐF or 13-14 mins per pound for medium cook. The center has a band of pink and fades to brown towards the outer portion. This cook is the perfect choice when serving a crowd as it will please the majority of dinner guests.
  • Medium Well: internal temp of 150ยฐF or 14-15 mins per pound. The center may have a light pink band but is primarily brown throughout.ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 1lb, Calories: 31kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 0.3g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 0.4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 0.1mg, Sodium: 466mg, Potassium: 19mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 0.04g, Vitamin A: 10IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store a raw roast?

Refrigerate. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days before cooking. Rub on the herb mixture a day or two in advance giving it ample time to infuse the crust with flavor.ย 
Freeze. Wrap the roast in plastic wrap and again with foil. Label and freeze for about 6 months. Thaw in the fridge.

How to thaw frozen prime rib?

Thaw in the refrigerator at 4-7 hours per pound. Speed up the process by placing the roast in an airtight bag and then into a bowl of cool water. Change the water every 30 minutes. A 3-4 pound roast will take about 2-3 hours using this method.ย 

How to store leftover prime rib recipe?

Place leftovers in an airtight container and include any excess drippings to help keep it flavorful and moist. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How to freeze?

Wrap the roast in plastic wrap and again with foil. Label and freeze for about 6 months. Thaw in the fridge.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 22 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




23 Comments

  1. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    Wow, my family loved this prime rib! It turned out perfect and the flavors were incredible, thank you!

  2. jess says:

    5 stars
    I have always loved the idea of making prime rib, but was always too scared, but your recipe helped me overcome my fears and try making this dish for the first time

  3. Jen says:

    5 stars
    Amazing! I made this for Christmas dinner and the whole family loved it! Thank you for all the instructions from prepping to cooking. I followed the instructions step by step. I was not sure what this step exactly meant “remove the roast 5-10ยฐ under the desired cook temperature….” . I lowered the heat and cooked an additional 10 mins. and it came out perfect but curious if that was the right thing to do there?. We served it with a horseradish sauce. Thanks again!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yay! I’m so glad that you all enjoyed the prime rib!! It just means to pull the meat out when the internal temperature is 5-10 less than what you are wanting. For example, if you wanted the prime rib to be cooked “medium” (that’s about 130 degrees), then you’d pull it out when the meat thermometer reads 125 and let it rest. But I’m so glad that yours turned out just right!! The horseradish sauce addition sounds amazing. ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. William Thibodeaux says:

    Wow! The prime rib recipe sounds so good. It’s my favorite by far. I will certainly try it sometime soon. Thank you, Chere!!

  5. Jo says:

    5 stars
    Impressive dish accomplished with strait-forward instructions. I like that there were a lot of options rir making the seasoning to my family’s taste and even suggestions for sides. A winner!

  6. Sunnie says:

    5 stars
    So wonderful! What a great lookin’ meal!

  7. Kylee says:

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to try this!

  8. Lindsey says:

    5 stars
    I tried this in the smoker it was delicious

  9. Jennifer Kruse says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Tender and flavorful!