Melt in your-mouth-tender bone in prime rib that is juicy and delicious every time! Don’t be intimidated to cook prime rib dinner at home, it’s an easy showstopping meal that will feed a crowd! This post has been updated from March 2014 to improve reader experience.
Allow the roast to rest 20-30 minutes loosely covered with tinfoil prior to carving.
Prime Rib in Oven
I love a great beef roast, but a prime rib dinner was a meal saved for special occasions. When we were kids, the only place that served prime rib was the golf course on Friday nights.
Prime rib dinner is only a meal you get to enjoy when going out right?
Then one day we went to my Aunt and Uncle’s house for the holidays and they served a bone in rib roast and it was like a bell going off! You mean I can cook this at home? I begged and pleaded for this recipe which they were kind enough to share. This is the only way I’ve been cooking it ever since!
Grocery List for Prime Rib Dinner
- bone in prime rib
- salt
- pepper
- rosemary
- thyme
- garlic
- olive oil
Marbling in a roast will improve the flavor!
Bone In Prime Rib
Yes, is marbling important in prime rib?
- You bet! Marbling is important in prime rib, it’s what gives the meat rich, juicy flavor and tenderness. Marbling is a good thing!
Bone-in Roast or without the bones, what is the best choice?
This is an expensive cut of meat – the first question you may have is should I get a bone in rib roast or without the bones? Hands down bone-in is the way to go. Cooking the roast with the bones will ensure your roast is super flavorful.
Pro Tip! Ask the butcher to separate the roast from the bones before you bring it home. Have your butcher tie it together also. That way you’ll get all the benefits of the flavor from the bones, but it will be easy to slice when the meal is finished.
How do you choose a good prime rib roast?
Look for a bone in prime rib roast with a good amount of marbling – fat equals flavor! And if possible, request ribs closest to the loin. It is more tender than the rib roast near the chuck.
Many meat markets will give you a choice of purchasing prime vs. choice. The prime will be more expensive. The market I visit requires you to purchase at least 3 ribs when buying the prime. Because it’s just Dan and me, I really only wanted/needed two ribs. I usually buy the choice cut. You know what? I think it’s tender and delicious and I probably save myself $30. Hey… that works for me!
Prime Rib Dinner
Prime Rib Dinner
How many ribs should you get?
The first time I purchased this roast from the butcher they asked me how many ribs I wanted. I stood there with a blank expression. Then he asked me how many people was I feeding?
You’ll want to purchase 1 pound per person. I don’t suggest cooking anything less than a two rib roast. Having said that I prefer cooking a 3 rib roast. Here’s the breakdown.
- 2 rib roast will feed 4-6 people
- 3 rib roast will feed 6-8 people
- 4 rib roast will feed 8-10 people
I bought the roast, what’s next?
- When you get home, unwrap the roast from the paper or plastic it was wrapped in at the store.
- Place the roast unwrapped/uncovered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Allowing the air to come in contact with the meat will dry the exterior and make for a beautiful crust on the cooked roast!
- One day prior to roasting combine the ingredients for the rub and cover all sides of the roast. Allowing it to sit on the roast for 24 hours prior will give it that much more flavor. (And you one less thing to do the day of cooking!)
Season the roast well with the garlic herb rub.
Bone In Prime Rib Recipe
Do you cover prime rib when cooking?
No, do not cover the roast when you put it in the oven.
How do you cook a Bone In Prime Rib Roast?
- Start by removing the roast from the refrigerator and it to come to room temperature. I usually make a 8-9 lb. roast and it will take at least 2 hours. Confession – original recipe calls to take it out and leaving on the counter overnight and that’s what I usually do. I tuck it in the oven right before I go to bed the night before.
- Season with the herb and garlic rub. Be sure to season the entire roast. Top, bottom and the sides!
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Put the roast in the preheated oven and set the timer for one hour. When the timer goes off, turn the oven off. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR.
- It’s worth saying this twice! DO NOT, under penalty of ruining the roast, repeat DO NOT open the oven door the rest of the day until instructed to below!
- About one hour before serving time, turn the oven on to 375. Continue roasting for 45 min. (rare) or 1 hour (medium rare).
- When the timer goes off, now is the time to open the oven and remove the roast.
- Cover the bone in prime rib loosely with foil and allow it to rest 20-30 minutes prior to carving.
Step by step directions to carve a prime rib roast.
How to carve Prime Rib Roast
How do you carve a Bone In Prime Rib?
- Start by removing the string.
- Lift the roast off the ribs onto a cutting board.
- Now, simply carve the roast and serve!
If you’d prefer to use a digital meat thermometer to make sure your roast is perfectly done.
- rare; 120-125 degrees
- medium rare; 130-135 degrees
- medium 140-145 degrees
Ideally, you want to remove the meat from the oven and let it rest for about 20 to 30 minutes before slicing. The meat will continue to cook and the temperature will rise a few degrees reaching your preferred degree of doneness.
What can you serve with Prime Rib Dinner?
- Steamed Brussels Sprouts
- Blue Cheese Wedge Salad
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Easy Dinner Rolls – these will bake quickly while the roast is resting!
- Fabulous Butter Cake – baked the night before!
Got leftovers? Here are ideas for Bone In Prime Rib Leftovers
- Beef Stock – don’t toss the bones! Not only is there a lot of meat on them, but they are also perfect to make bone broth or beef stock with!
- Italian Hot Beef Sandwich
- Beef Noodle Soup (recipe coming soon!)
- Heavenly Hash
- Steak and Eggs – does life get any better?!!
- Steak Salad
- Breakfast Hash with Leftover Prime Rib
Please give me afive-starr rating below for this lovely meal! I hope you enjoy this tried and true family recipe as we do! If you make it, be sure to tag me at #bowlmeover or on Instagram at @bowl_me_over so I can see your tasty eats!!
Some of the items below contain affiliate links; I am a participant a variety of affiliate programs, including in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. However, I only promote things that I love and think you will love, too. For more information, please see our Disclosure Policy.
Not going to lie, this carving set has been on my wish list for a while!
Prime Rib Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 prime rib roast
- 1/4 cup coarse salt
- 1/2 cup coarse ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp chopped thyme
- 3 tbsp chopped rosemary
- 3 tbsp chopped garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the seasonings. Add the salt and pepper to a small bowl. Minced the rosemary and thyme, chop the garlic. Add to the bowl with the olive oil and mix well.
- With clean hands rub the seasoning all over the roast and put in a shallow roasting pan. Bone side down, fat side up.
- Remove the roast from the refrigerator and setting on the counter and letting it come completely to room temperature.
- Pre-heat the oven to 375.
- Put the roast in the preheated oven and set the timer for one hour. When the timer goes off, turn the oven off. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR.
- About one hour before serving time, turn the oven on to 375. Continue roasting for 45 min. (rare) or 1 hour (medium rare).
- Remove from the oven, wrap the roast loosely in foil and it let rest for 20-30 minutes.Carve, serve & enjoy!
Linda Gray says
November 2, 2017 at 9:23 amWen like our rib roast medium well, (I know, but we don’t like the red) how long to cook? any guesses, and how long, how many hours to set in the oven)? Thanks Linda
Bowl Me Over says
November 2, 2017 at 8:22 pmHey Linda, thanks for checking with me – this is an excellent recipe and I think you’ll really enjoy it! Leave it in the oven the same period of time, but when you turn the oven back on, cook it for 1 15 minutes or until the thermometer registers 145 degrees. Best way to tell doneness is by using a thermometer. Remove it from the oven and tent with foil. Letting it rest it will continue to cook to 150 degrees – which is medium well!
Jill says
December 23, 2017 at 4:41 pmHi,
What if I only have a small 2 lb roast? How long do I need to cook it? Also do I need to remove the bone before cooking?
Thanks
Bowl Me Over says
December 24, 2017 at 1:45 pmHey Jill thanks so stopping by! Keep the bone in, it will have so much flavor! That’s a much smaller roast, but here’s what I’d do. The first time put it in the oven, turn on 350 degrees and set your timer for 30 minutes. Turn the oven off and leave it in the oven. The second time, 350 degrees for 30 minutes. (Both times you don’t preheat the oven.) Let it rest tented for 10 minutes. Perfect time to make your gravy! Enjoy Jill and Merry Christmas!
Lia says
December 23, 2017 at 9:12 pmDeb does your roast get cold sitting in the foil tent? Beef gets cold so quickly I always fail to let it sit. I love your recipe and will be fooling it again this year!!
Bowl Me Over says
December 24, 2017 at 1:22 pmNo, it doesn’t get cold, just tent it well and let it sit. Hardest thing to do, but it’s so worth it! It will be so much more juicy and tender! And here’s a great tip, if (worst case scenario it gets cold) Heat up some beef stock and pour it over the sliced beef. It will rewarm it perfectly and make it that much more moist.
Lois says
December 27, 2018 at 8:55 amThis is just the best. Love it will be making it this coming weekend.
Bowl Me Over says
December 27, 2018 at 7:05 pmIt’s so easy to make and soooo good, I’m glad it’s a recipe you enjoy!
Julie says
December 29, 2018 at 6:20 amWhat a beautiful meal! I loved hearing the difference between prime and choice. Since it’s just two of us I know which way I’ll go next time I’m in the meat market armed with this beautiful recipe!
Bowl Me Over says
December 29, 2018 at 7:22 pmThank you Julie, I hope it’s a recipe you really enjoy! Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Bowl Me Over says
January 5, 2019 at 4:04 pmPerfect! You’ll love it – Happy New Year to you Julie!!
Sandra Shaffer says
December 30, 2018 at 9:46 pmBone in is the way to go for sure! This is such a beautiful meal and really easy, especially when you ask the butcher to cut and tie in advance. Thanks for that tip. I would have never thought to ask!
Bowl Me Over says
January 5, 2019 at 4:04 pmBone-in adds so much flavor! And you’re welcome, thanks Sandra!!
Liza says
December 31, 2018 at 11:38 amThis recipe is awesome! Loving it! SOOO yummy!
Bowl Me Over says
January 5, 2019 at 4:05 pmThank you Liza!!!
Michaela Kenkel says
December 31, 2018 at 3:28 pmThat is one gorgeous piece of meat!! Prime Rib is my favorite, and we will be giving your recipe a try next time for sure!
Bowl Me Over says
January 5, 2019 at 4:02 pmWonderful, I know you’ll love this recipe – it’s delicious and so easy!!
Michelle says
January 2, 2019 at 6:32 pmOk, I’m sold. I typically don’t love prime rib (I know, I’m in the minority) but this looks gorgeous and delicious!
Bowl Me Over says
January 5, 2019 at 4:01 pmThank you Michelle – we don’t eat it often, but this is the only recipe I use! Delicious and easy!!