Prime Rib Roast Oven

Name: Prime Rib Roast
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 3.89 pounds Prime rib roast ((New York beef rib roast)); 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil; 1/2 tablespoon Garlic powder; 1/2 tablespoon Dried parsley; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper; 1 tablespoon Fresh rosemary

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Prime rib roast is a classic and popular main dish for American or western cuisine. People love to make prime rib roast besides turkey, ham, chicken, BBQ ribs, salmon or duck during holiday seasons like Thanksgiving, Christmas, other holidays or gatherings. Also, this oven prime rib roast recipe goes well with roast potatoes, asparagus stir fry, corn, baby bok choy and cranberry sauce as side dishes. Oven prime rib roast is a hit in our family and they love it so much! Let’s learn how to cook prime rib roast in the oven with detailed instructions and a video to guide you.

Love feast ideas? Check out these orange chicken, dinner rolls, strawberry pie, mango sticky rice, California rolls, strawberries muffins, beef chow fun and chicken udon stir fry recipes.

prime rib roast sliced on chopping board with a towel and fresh rosemary

What is prime rib roast?

Prime rib roast is a cut of beef from the primal rib. Therefore, it is known as prime rib, beef rib roast or standing rib roast. It is called a standing rib roast because of the position of roasting "standing" on the rib bones so that the meat does not touch the pan.

Also, you can find them both with boneless or bone-in. A standing rib roast usually contains anywhere from two to seven ribs. Besides, the New York rib roast and rib-eye rib roast are often sold at the stores when the holiday season approaches.

Typically, prime rib served rare to medium-rare. The center remains pink and juicy. It often cuts into thick and tender slices. The term "prime" in prime rib roast refers to the highest grade of beef in the USDA grading system. It is characterized by its excellent marbling and tenderness. However, prime rib roast can be different grades of beef, such as choice or select and offer slightly different levels of marbling and tenderness.

Why is prime rib a classic for occasions?

Cooking a prime rib roast is often associated with special occasions or holiday meals due to its luxurious nature. Prime rib is known for its exceptional flavor and tenderness. The marbling of fat within the meat adds richness and juiciness, resulting in a succulent and flavorful roast. The slow roasting process and herb seasoning rub further enhances the tenderness, making it a truly indulgent and enjoyable cut of beef.

Also, prime rib roast is an impressive centerpiece that can create a sense of occasion. Its large size with multiple ribs, makes it visually appealing and grand when presented on a serving platter. It adds an element of elegance to a festive meal. Besides, it can feed a larger group of people based on the number of guests. This makes it suitable for gatherings and celebrations.

Lastly, serving prime ribs has become a traditional choice for holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Eve, as well as milestone events such as birthdays, anniversaries and family gatherings.

How to cook bone-in prime rib?

There are few different ways to cook beef rib roast. The traditional way and most common way is to rub the outside of the roast with salt and seasonings, then slow roast with dry heat. However, it is good for grilling or smoking. Our family loves making prime rib roast in the oven for Thanksgiving, Christmas, other holiday seasons and gatherings. In addition, this prime rib roast oven recipe is great to serve with roast potatoes, corn, asparagus stir fry and cranberry sauce for your meal.

prime rib with asparagus and roasted potatoes on the plate

How much prime rib per person?

The number of people that a prime rib roast can serve depends on the size of the roast and the desired portion size per person.

A bone-in prime rib roast typically has around 2 to 3 ribs and weighs around 4 to 8 pounds. This size of roast can generally serve about 2 to 3 people per rib. So, a 2-rib roast would serve approximately 4-6 people, a 3-rib roast would serve around 6 to 9 people, and so on.

A boneless prime rib roast usually weighs around 3 to 6 pounds, you can estimate about ½ pound per person. So, a 3-pound roast would serve around 6 people.

What is the formula for cooking medium-rare prime rib?

My calculation is 10 minutes per pound of baking at 420 F. Then, turn off the oven. Leave the rib roast in the oven for 55 minutes. And, please don’t open the oven door! This is very important. The heat in the oven is still slowly cooking the rib roast. If you open the oven door it may not have the same result and the roast is not cooked through.

For example if you have a prime rib roast 5.59 pounds, I will do it 5.59 x 10 minutes = 55.9 minutes. So, bake it at 420 F for 55.9 minutes. Then, turn off the oven and do not open it and wait for 55 minutes. It will be medium rare.

How to slice prime rib roast?

Slicing a prime rib roast properly is important to ensure even slices and preserve the tenderness and juiciness of the meat. First of all, rest the roast for about 15 to 20 minutes before slicing it. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and makes it easier to slice.

Secondly, sharpen your knife and choose to either slice along the bones or remove them before slicing. Thirdly, slicing against the grain will result in more tender slices.

What are the ingredients for prime rib roast?

In this oven prime rib roast recipe, I like to use simple ingredients. The ingredients are prime rib roast, salt, garlic powder, dried parsley, black pepper, fresh rosemary and vegetable oil. However, some people love to use butter instead of oil.

Cooking tips for how to cook a prime rib roast in the oven:

Mix the seasoning in a bowl and rub the seasoning on the rib roast for 45 minutes before cooking or overnight with the best result. (15-30 minutes before cooking is ok if you are running out of time.)
I like to use fresh rosemary for the prime rib roast. Dried rosemary is ok if you cannot find any fresh rosemary. Or, use other herbs you like for seasoning.
This oven prime rib roast recipe requires a cast iron skillet and oven. It is very crucial to use a cast iron skillet because it absorbs heat and retains heat well.
Temperature and timing is very important in order to make a perfect medium rare to medium prime rib.
I have cooked prime rib many times throughout the years. From my experiences the smaller rib roast is better to handle and faster to cook and have consistent results using this skillet and oven method.
I like to use rib roast from 3.7-4.20 pounds. If you need to cook more to feed the family, I suggest buying a bigger rib roast, cut into half or three parts where each rib roast is around 3.7-4.20 pounds.
In my 12 inch cast iron skillet, I can put 2 rib roasts, each one is around 3.7-4.20 pounds.
My calculation is around 8-10 minutes per pound of baking at 420 F.

Baking:

Preheat oven 420 F. Heat up the skillet, add oil and seal with sides of the rib roast. Starting from the top fatty part. Lastly, place the bone part on the skillet and bake at 420 F for 30 minutes. Then, turn off the oven. Leave the rib roast in the oven for 55 minutes to 70 minutes. And, please don’t open the oven door! This is very important. The heat in the oven is still slowly cooking the rib roast. If you open the oven door it may not have the same result and the roast is not cooked through.
The time of baking can adjust depending on the size of the rib roast. However, as I mentioned before, I like to use 3.7-4.20 pounds rib roast, the baking time is around 30-45 minutes at 420F. Then, turn off the oven, don’t open the oven door and leave the rib roast in for 45-70 minutes. Depending on what you want, a medium rare or medium rib roast. You can adjust the cooking time and the time leaving the rib roast in the oven. This oven prime rib roast recipe is just a guide for you.
For 3.7- 4.20 pounds of rib roast, I usually bake it at 420F for 30-45 minutes, turn off the oven, don’t open the oven door and leave it inside for 55- 60 minutes. It is a perfect medium rare.
For example if you have a prime rib roast 5.59 pounds, I will do it 5.59 x 10 minutes = 55.9 minutes. So, bake it at 420 F for 55.9 minutes. Then, turn off the oven and do not open it and wait for 55 minutes. It will be medium rare.
If you have a rib roast from a freezer, please thaw it completely before marinating, cooking and using this method. If not, it will not cook through and still be raw inside.
After leaving the rib roast in the oven for 55 minutes, take it out and wrap with a foil and let it sit for 15 minutes before cutting it.

FAQs:

How do you calculate the baking time?

My calculation is around 8-10 minutes per pound of baking at 420 F.
For example if you have a prime rib roast 5.59 pounds, I will do it 5.59 x 10 minutes = 55.9 minutes. So, bake it at 420 F for 55.9 minutes. Then, turn off the oven and do not open it and wait for 55 minutes. It will be medium rare.

What kind of prime rib roast do you use?

There are New York rib roast and rib-eye rib roast commonly sold at the store during holiday seasons. I have used both before. In general, New York rib roast is cheaper than rib-eye rib roast. In this oven prime rib roast recipe, I used New York rib roast.

How many hours does it take to cook a prime rib?

For 3.7- 4.20 pounds of rib roast, I usually bake it at 420F for 30-45 minutes, turn off the oven, don’t open the oven door and leave it inside for 55- 60 minutes. It is a perfect medium rare. It is around 1.5 hours, plus seasoning and marinating may take up 2.5 hours.

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

From my experiences, the best temperature to bake rib roast is at 420 F.

When should you season a prime rib roast?

For best results, rub the seasoning on your prime rib on all surfaces at least 45 minutes before you start cooking it. The best is to marinate it overnight. If not 15-30 minutes rub the seasoning before cooking is ok too.

Do I have to use a cast iron skillet to make prime rib roast?

In this recipe, the temperature and cooking time is based on using a cast iron skillet.

Instructions for how to cook a prime rib roast in the oven:

Preparation:

1. Put ½ tablespoon of garlic powder, ½ tablespoon of dried parsley, 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary into a bowl.

seasoning mixed in the white bowl top view

2. Mix the seasoning well.

seasoning rub on the rib roast on the white plate

3. Rub the seasoning on the rib roast each side. ( This is a New York beef rib roast 3.89 pounds.) Let it marinate for 45 minutes before cooking or overnight. (15-30 minutes before cooking is ok if you are running out of time.)

vegetable oil in the cast iron skillet over the stove

4. Pour 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into the cast iron skillet and turn on fire medium high. Preheat the oven at 420 F.

seal the top side of the rib roast on the cast iron skillet

Cooking:

5. When the skillet is hot, seal each side of the marinated rib roast. Starting from the top fatty part for 1-2 minutes.

6. Then flip the sides for 30 seconds to a minute.

7. After that, seal the bone part.