Learn how to cook prime rib roast (standing rib roast) that's juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked! Read on for cooking times and temperatures using the reverse sear method. Serve on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, holidays, or any occasion!
Prime rib roast, standing rib roast, Christmas roast, holiday roast, ribeye roast, beef bone-in rib roast - it goes by many names, but whatever you call it, it's a tender, juicy cut of meat that's slow roasted in the oven and full of rich, meaty flavor.
For this recipe, I used a standing rib roast, which means the bones are still attached to the prime rib. It's called a standing rib roast because it's roasted while "standing" or resting on the bones.
Estimated Cooking Time
Use this as an estimate for bone-in prime rib roast or standing rib roast. Depending on the size and shape of the roast, your times will vary. Always check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer.
| Weight | Internal Temperature (Remove from Oven) | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 5 lbs | 118°F (48°C) | 3 hours |
| 6 to 7 lbs | 118°F (48°C) | 3.5 hours |
| 8 to 9 lbs | 118°F (48°C) | 4 hours |
| 10 to 11 lbs | 118°F (48°C) | 4.5 hours |
*Estimated time is based on roasting temperature of 250°F (121°C).
Prime rib roast is relatively straight forward, though a time consuming recipe. The most important part of making a rib roast is the temperature. I highly recommend an oven safe meat thermometer that you can leave in the meat inside the oven.
Prime Rib Roast Cooking Temperature
This recipe uses the reverse sear method which means we start the roast at a low temperature of 250°F (121°C) and finish in a hot oven 550°F (288°C) to crisp and brown the crust.
| Doneness | Internal Temperature | Resting Time | Final Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | 115°F (46°C) | 20 to 30 minutes | 120°F (49°C) |
| Medium Rare | 118°F (48°C) | 20 to 30 minutes | 125°F (52°C) |
| Medium | 123°F to 125°F (51°C to 52°C) | 20 to 30 minutes | 130°F to 135°F (54°C to 57°C) |
| Medium Well | 133°F to 135°F (56°C to 57°C) | 20 to 30 minutes | 140°F to 145°F (60°C to 63°C) |
| Well | 143°F to 150°F (62°C to 66°C) | 20 to 30 minutes | 150°F to 160°F (66°C to 71°C) |
- Internal Temperature - This is the temperature to remove your prime rib from the oven. Set an alarm if your meat thermometer has this.
- Final Temperature - As we roast at a low temperature, expect anywhere from 5 to 10 degrees of carry over cooking (residual heat) during the resting time. Note: This depends on the size and shape of your prime rib roast as well as ambient temperature in your kitchen during the resting period. Also, if you decide to roast at a higher temperature than stated, there will be greater carry over cooking.
Why reverse sear?
I prefer using the reverse sear method because I find it results in a crispier and more browned crust while still having a tender, juicy center that's evenly cooked.
Another reason why I prefer it is because it allows for more flexibility with serving time. You can wait for your guests to arrive while resting the meat and sear it in the oven 10 minutes before serving.
Everyone gets a fresh-out-of-the-oven slice of prime rib with a perfectly browned crust. There's no need to rest the meat again after searing.
The crispy, crackly crust after the reverse sear is full of crunchy texture and made up of browned bits that are deliciously salty and fatty. A simple salt and pepper rub applied overnight is all that took to flavor this.
Letting the ribeye roast air dry overnight with the rub allows it to better absorb the seasoning.
How to Select Prime Rib
There are three grades of prime rib - select, choice, and prime. What you want to look for when selecting a prime rib roast is one that's well marbled, with enough fat on the fat cap, and with the bones still attached.
I used a prime grade rib roast which is more expensive but worth it to get that rich, meaty flavor. Note: prime grade roast is also called beef bone-in rib roast. You can find it in most specialty butchers and select Costcos, especially around the holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.
You can ask your butcher to remove and re-attach the bones with twine if you prefer. Keeping the bones close to the meat helps insulate the meat from direct heat and it provides a built-in rack for the meat to roast on.
Another option is to have the bones frenched which means cleaning and removing excess fat or meat so that the bones are exposed.
Instructions
- Liberally apply salt and pepper all over the standing rib roast, including the underside and fat cap. Keep it in the fridge overnight, uncovered to air dry and let the meat absorb the salt.
- Take the meat out and let it come to room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of your roast. Insert a meat thermometer into the fullest part of the meat.
- Slow roast it in the oven at 250°F (121°C) until the internal temperature reaches your desired target. See the Cooking Temperature Chart below in the Notes section of the recipe card.
- Remove from the oven and loosely cover with foil. Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. You will see the temperature rise due to the residual heat or carryover cooking.
- Meanwhile, heat your oven to 550°F or as high as it will go. Once your oven is hot, add the meat back into the oven to sear the outside until browned and crispy. This is the reverse sear step.
- Remove the ribs from the roast. Save them for another meal - they're delicious roasted in the oven.
- Carve into slices and serve immediately.
FAQs
Wrap the rib roast in foil to prevent drying out and reheat in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Then store in an airtight freezer safe container for up to one month.
We've been making this as a Christmas roast during the holidays for the past 8 years and this technique works every time without fail! It's a foolproof recipe that always results in tender, juicy, perfectly cooked rib roast!
Serving Suggestions
Christmas roast goes great with any of these sides during the holidays:
- Southern Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs
- Easy Sauteed Mushrooms with Garlic Butter
- Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes - Baking times and optional toppings included!
- Roasted Kabocha Squash | Japanese Pumpkin
- Spicy Asian Chimichurri Sauce
- Baked Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce
- Easy Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic and Soy Sauce
- Chinese Style Dry Fried Garlic Green Beans
Prime Rib Roast | Standing Rib Roast
Equipment
☑ Ingredients
- 1 standing rib roast (prime rib with bone in) - See Note 1
- 1 Tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- sea salt - about 2 to 3 teaspoons per 5 lbs (2.27 kg)
Instructions
Prep the Prime Rib
- Apply rub: Place the standing rib roast on a metal rack with a baking sheet beneath it. Liberally apply sea salt and fresh pepper all over the prime rib, including the underside. Rub it in with your fingers so it adheres to the meat. Season overnight: Set it in the fridge to season overnight, uncovered. The roast will absorb the salt, resulting in a juicier prime rib.
- Bring to room temp: Remove the prime rib from the fridge and set on a roasting rack inserted into a roasting pan. Place it fat cap up and insert an oven safe thermometer into the thickest part of the rib roast. (Note: The salt should have fully absorbed into the prime rib.) Set it out for 1 to 2 hours on the counter to help with even cooking.
Roast
- Roast: Position your oven rack to the lower middle of the oven and place the rib roast on top. Set the temperature to 250°F (121°C). Roast until the internal temperature reaches your desired doneness. Remove at 118°F or 48°C for medium rare. See Note 2 for complete cooking temperature chart.
- Rest: Remove from the oven and loosely cover with foil. Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. You should see the internal temperature rise from the residual heat.
- Reverse sear for brown crust: Increase your oven temp to 550°F (288°C) or as high as it will go. Once hot, place the rib roast back in the oven just until the crust is browned and crisp, anywhere from 4 to 8 minutes, depending on your oven. Watch carefully for burning, do not walk away during this step.
- Remove bone: Once the crust is seared, remove the roast from the oven and carve away the bones.
- Slice and serve: Slice the prime rib and serve immediately.
✎ Recipe Notes
- I used a 9.5 lb (4.3 kg) 4 bone standing rib roast. Use any standing rib roast with 3 to 4 bones ranging from 5 to 10 lbs (2.27 to 4.53 kg). Choose one that's well marbled with the bones still attached. Or ask your butcher to remove and re-attach the bones with twine. You can opt for having the bones frenched which means cleaning and removing excess fat or meat so that the bones are exposed. This recipe works with any grade of prime rib - select, choice, and prime.
- Cooking Temperature Chart:
*This recipe uses the reverse sear method which roasts the prime rib under low heat first, and then sears the crust under high heat until brown and crisp.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.
Rebekah Sowards
Thanks for sharing - this sounds amazing! Unfortunately, my local grocery store didn’t have bone-in prime ribs. Any advice for cooking one without the bone? Also, I wondered if you have an au jus sauce recipe to go with this? Thanks!!
Jamie
Hi Rebekah! For cooking prime ribs without the bone, I highly recommend placing it on a roasting rack fat side up. This protects the meat from touching the bottom of the hot pan and will help with even cooking. The cooking time will be faster compared to bone-in so be sure to use an oven thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the meat. Hope that helps!
Sally
This turned out perfect. I assumed it would take at least 3 hours for my roast to reach the right temp but we decided to check about 20 min early. It was ready. We let it rest 25 minutes and then seared it…setting off several smoke alarms. It was absolutely perfect. I have never been successful with prime rib. This looks a my first prime rib success!
Jamie
Thanks for trying the recipe Sally! So glad you enjoyed it. Yes do be careful you turn on the range hood fan and watch it carefully when searing.
Mindee Taylor
Wow! Turned out perfect and elegant (hopefully that's not weird to say that about meat). All the tips and instructions were so helpful!
Dennis
I love a good prime rib and your recipe made it easy to make at home. My family thanks you!
Jo
I've never felt comfortable making prime rib roast at home because they were never quite as good as in the restaurant but this changed that! The roast was Absolutely PERFECT!
Beth
Oh my goodness! I couldn't keep this recipe a secret for dinner. My kids and hubby could smell this throughout the house and when dinner came, it was DEVOURED! We absolutely loved this recipe and all the flavor. I can't wait to make this again!
Alex
Your wonderful tips helped me to prepare the most amazing prime rib roast! We completed the meal with some green beans and your delicious mac and cheese.
Leftovers for lunch tomorrow, and I cannot wait!
Sara
Gave this a try for dinner last night and it did not disappoint! Turned out perfectly tender and juicy; easily, a new favorite recipe!
Heather Perine
Holy Moly prime rib perfection. And I've never done a reverse searing but man what a crust! Everyone was in heaven...definitely making it again.
Angela
This is like the ultimate guide to prime rib! So many great tips and such a great recipe. Definitely my go-to for prime rib.
Robin
Prime Rib is a wonderful choice for any holiday. The entree is particularly special to me because it was a favorite of my late father's. It was delicious!
Amanda
This rib roast was such a treat! It came out perfectly cooked for us. We'll definitely enjoy the holidays with this as our main course.
Sharon
There is nothing better than a roast dinner for special occasions. This recipe is so detailed with each step that it will come out perfect every time.
Stine Mari
This is such a helpful post! I love all the tables and step by step photos, so anyone can make this!
Linda
This is how I spell perfection. And look at how moist and juicy this prime rib roast is!
Jess
What a great recipe, saving it for the holidays for sure!
Julie
I was looking for a great recipe for prime rib and this one was perfect! Such a version and my family loved it for the holiday.
Natalia
This Rib Roast looks so tender and well cooked! Thanks for the step-by-step pictures, those are so helpful! Have to try and make it!
Jessica Formicola
This is cooked to absolute perfection! I can't wait to make this prime rib standing rib roast for dinner this Sunday!