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A close-up image of the ultimate easy prime rib, sitting on a plate on a countertop. A small bowl of mashed potatoes can be seen behind the plate.
  • Dairy Free
  • Gluten Free
  • Grain Free
  • Nut Free
  • Paleo Friendly
  • Refined Sugar Free

5 from 9 votes
Home | Recipe | Dinner

The Ultimate Easy Prime Rib Recipe

Prep Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Protein 31g
Carbs 2g
Fats 71g
If your holiday isn't complete without prime rib, then you're not alone. This thick, hearty cut of meat is a staple in so many households this holiday season. And while it's often thought of as complicated to make, it's actually simpler than you think. This is The Ultimate Easy Prime Rib, and is the simplest, easiest way to enjoy the comfort of this holiday recipe, right from your own home.

Recipe by:

Nicole Modic

October 24, 2024
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    If your holiday isn’t complete without prime rib, then you’re not alone. This thick, hearty cut of meat is a staple in so many households this holiday season. And while it’s often thought of as complicated to make, it’s actually simpler than you think. This is The Ultimate Easy Prime Rib Recipe, and is the simplest, easiest way to enjoy the comfort of this holiday recipe, right from your own home.

    A close-up image of the ultimate easy prime rib, sitting on a plate on a countertop. A small bowl of mashed potatoes can be seen behind the plate.

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    Friends, if there’s one dish that I look forward to every holiday season, it’s prime rib. Ever since I can remember, it has been a holiday favorite in my family, and I’m here to continue the tradition. Prime rib is a thick, juicy, bone-in cut of beef that is packed with flavor. But, because it’s so good, it’s also… expensive. One of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco, House of Prime Rib, is known for their prime rib. And while it’s always worth it, in my opinion, it’s also very pricy. If you love prime rib too, but hate the price, then I’m here to help you with this recipe!

    This truly is the Ultimate Easy Prime Rib, and it’s a simple, easy, no-frills way to make the perfect prime rib, every single time. With food prices on the rise this holiday season, prime rib isn’t a dish that you want to mess up. As long as you follow this recipe to a t, you won’t mess it up. Promise!

    And, here’s a tip: if you’re looking for the best place to source prime-grade beef, Costco is the place to go. Their prime rib tends to hover right around $10.99 per pound here in San Francisco, making it one of the most cost-friendly options for this cut of meat. Just be sure to season it exactly as described in the recipe and serve it along the best sides the traditional Yorkshire Pudding and mashed potatoes, or a classic kale salad for a holiday dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

    All of the ingredients needed to make the ultimate easy prime rib, laid out on a cutting board on a countertop
    To make this recipe, you will need prime rib, kosher salt, olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs, onion powder, and ground black pepper.
    A small bowl, sitting on a cutting board, filled with all of the ingredients needed to make the marinade
    Start by preparing the marinade. Add the kosher salt, olive oil, chopped rosemary and thyme, onion powder, and ground black pepper to a small bowl and whisk to combine.

    What You Need to Make This Simple Prime Rib + Marinade

    • 🍖 Prime Rib: Of course, prime rib is essential for making this recipe! This recipe calls for a 5 pound prime rib, which serves approximately 8-10 people. You can definitely make this recipe with a smaller prime rib, if desired, or simply have leftovers!
    • 🧂 Kosher Salt: Kosher salt is a key ingredient, both when it comes to preparing the prime rib itself and preparing the marinade.
    • 🫒 Olive Oil: A high-quality oil like olive oil gives this prime rib a rich flavor. You can also use avocado oil, if you prefer.
    • 🧄 Garlic: Fresh garlic is absolutely essential to this recipe and gives it the best flavor. Don’t skip this!
    • 🌿 Fresh Herbs: In addition to fresh garlic, fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme really give this prime rib its perfect flavor.
    • 🧅 Onion Powder: A dash of onion powder is simple, easy, and really kicks this prime rib up a notch.
    • Ground Black Pepper: Finishing this prime rib off with some ground black pepper gives it the best flavor.
    The prime rib, sitting on a plate on a cutting board, with the marinade actively being brushed over the top of it
    Allow the prime rib to come to room temperature for two hours before cooking. Once you’re ready to cook it, rub the prime rib with kosher salt, then brush the marinade across the top of it.

    A Guide to Prime Rib Cooking Temperature

    The hardest part about making prime rib is ensuring that it reaches your desired cook. I can’t tell you how many times I struggled to get that perfect medium rare cook on my prime rib!

    And because prime rib is an expensive cut of meat, there’s no room to mess it up. Which is why I want to ensure that you are able to get the perfect prime rib, every time. My key to making sure that the prime rib turns out perfect is to use a meat thermometer. You can absolutely use a traditional meat thermometer (and pay attention to the temperatures listed below), but I love my Yummly Smart Thermometer. This thermometer connects to your phone via bluetooth, and allows you to pre-set your desired cook on the meat. The thermometer will send a notification to your phone once the meat reaches its optimal temperature, which means you can relax and trust that the meat is cooking perfectly!

    If you don’t have a meat thermometer, a general rule of thumb is to first cook the prime rib at 500 F for 20 minutes, then cooking it at a reduced heat of 325 F at 20 minutes per pound of meat – for the 5 pound Prime Rib that this recipe calls for, at a medium rare cook, that would be 1 hour of cook time. If you desire a different cook on the meat, you can try the following cook times and temperatures.

    • Rare: 10-12 minutes per pound / 115-120 F
    • Medium: 13-14 minutes per pound / 135-140 F
    • Medium Well: 20-22 minutes per pound / 145-150 F
    A plate of the prime rib, sliced and sitting on a countertop next to a bowl of mashed potatoes
    Cook the prime rib at 500 F for 20 minutes. Then, turn the heat down to 325 F and cook it for another 1.5 hours – or until the internal temperature reaches.

    How to Make This Perfect Holiday Prime Rib

    To make this perfect prime rib, start by preparing the meat. Bring the meat to room temperature approximately two hours before you plan to cook it. This is extremely important!

    Once you’re ready to cook the meat, preheat your oven to 500 F. Next, prepare the meat by rubbing sea salt all over the prime rib. Then, set it aside while you prepare the marinade. Make the marinade by mixing together the olive oil, mashed garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, onion powder, black pepper and another generous pinch of salt in a small bowl.

    Mix the marinade together, then rub it all over the prime rib. Place the prime rib into a cast iron skillet (note: you do NOT need to preheat the skillet beforehand!) and place it in the oven to cook for 20 minutes. Once the 20 minutes are up, remove the prime rib from the oven, and reduce the oven temperature to 325 F.

    Then, insert a meat thermometer, placing the pointy tip of the thermometer into the top of the prime rib, pushing it down into the center of the prime rib. If you aren’t using a meat thermometer, see my notes below for the optimal cook time! For a medium rare cook, allow the meat to cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 135 F – this took approximately 1.5 hours.

    Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and use tin foil to create a tent around the prime rib while it cools. The prime rib should take approximately 40 minutes to cool. Finally, once it’s done, slice it and enjoy!

    A single serving of the ultimate healthy prime rib, sitting on a plate alongside mashed potatoes and roasted carrots
    Once it’s done, allow it to cool for 40 minutes under a foil tent. Then, slice it, serve with your favorite mashed potatoes, and enjoy!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What cut of prime rib is best for this recipe?

    I recommend using a bone-in prime rib, because it contains more flavor than a boneless prime rib. If you do opt for bone-in, be sure to ask your butcher to cut the bone off and tie the roast for you. This will allow you to cook the prime rib with the bone in, which will make it so much more flavorful!

    How much prime rib do you need?

    A general rule of thumb is to estimate 1/2 – 3/4 pound of prime rib per person. Since this recipe calls for a 5 pound prime rib, it should serve approximately 8-10 servings.

    How do I know when the prime rib is cooked to my desired doneness?

    A meat thermometer is essential, in my opinion, to ensuring that the prime rib is cooked perfectly. See my guide above for a time and temperature table for cooking the prime rib!

    What side dishes can I serve with this prime rib?

    This prime rib pairs with so many delicious side dishes! I recommend serving it alongside my Easy 5-Ingredient Popovers (aka Yorkshire Pudding) and my Best Ever Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes for the classic prime rib accompaniments!

    Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

    Yes! Store any leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to five days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the prime rib in the oven at 300 F for 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 F.

    If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

    ** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
    A close-up image of the ultimate easy prime rib, sitting on a plate on a countertop. A small bowl of mashed potatoes can be seen behind the plate.

    Home | Recipe | Dinner

    5 from 9 votes

    The Ultimate Easy Prime Rib

    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Grain Free
    • Nut Free
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Refined Sugar Free
    Prep Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    If your holiday isn't complete without prime rib, then you're not alone. This thick, hearty cut of meat is a staple in so many households this holiday season. And while it's often thought of as complicated to make, it's actually simpler than you think. This is The Ultimate Easy Prime Rib, and is the simplest, easiest way to enjoy the comfort of this holiday recipe, right from your own home.
    print pin
    Servings: 10 Servings
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    Ingredients

    • 5 Pounds Prime Rib, bone-in
    • 3 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
    • ½ Cup Olive Oil
    • 8 Cloves Garlic, mashed
    • 3 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary, finely chopped
    • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Thyme, finely chopped
    • 2 Teaspoons Onion Powder
    • 1 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

    Instructions 

    1. To make this perfect prime rib, start by preparing the meat. Bring the meat to room temperature approximately two hours before you plan to cook it. This is extremely important!
    2. Once you're ready to cook the meat, preheat your oven to 500 F.
    3. Next, prepare the meat by rubbing sea salt all over the prime rib. Then, set it aside while you prepare the marinade.
    4. Make the marinade by mixing together the olive oil, mashed garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, onion powder, black pepper and another generous pinch of salt in a small bowl.
    5. Mix the marinade together, then rub it all over the prime rib.
    6. Place the prime rib into a cast iron skillet (note: you do NOT need to preheat the skillet beforehand!) and place it in the oven to cook for 20 minutes.
    7. Once the 20 minutes are up, remove the prime rib from the oven, and reduce the oven temperature to 325 F.
    8. Then, insert a meat thermometer, placing the pointy tip of the thermometer into the top of the prime rib, pushing it down into the center of the prime rib. If you aren't using a meat thermometer, see my notes below for the optimal cook time!
    9. For a medium rare cook, allow the meat to cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 135 F – this took approximately 1.5 hours.
    10. Once it's done, remove it from the oven and use tin foil to create a tent around the prime rib while it cools. The prime rib should take approximately 40 minutes to cool.
    11. Finally, once it's done, slice it and enjoy!

    Recipe In Action

    Notes

    To ensure that your prime rib cooks properly, I highly recommend using a meat thermometer. My favorite is the Yummly Smart Thermometer – it connects to your phone via the Yummly app, and sends you a notification once the meat has reached your desired internal temperature and cook.
    If you don’t have a meat thermometer, a general rule of thumb is to first cook the prime rib at 500 F for 20 minutes, then cooking it at a reduced heat of 325 F at 20 minutes per pound of meat – for the 5 pound Prime Rib that this recipe calls for, at a medium rare cook, that would be 1 hour of cook time. If you desire a different cook on the meat, you can try the following cook times and temperatures.
    • Rare: 10-12 minutes per pound / 115-120 F
    • Medium: 13-14 minutes per pound / 135-140 F
    • Medium Well: 20-22 minutes per pound / 145-150 F
    Nutrition Hide Nutrition
    Calories: 779kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 31gFat: 71gSaturated Fat: 27gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 34gCholesterol: 137mgSodium: 2195mgPotassium: 530mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 85IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 4mg
    Hey I’m Nicole!

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    What others are saying

    1. 😀
      December 2, 2023

      Where do you insert thermometer probe in the prime rib? Can you insert from the cut side?

      Reply
      1. Nicole Modic
        December 2, 2023

        Hi! I will add my Instagram video to this blog post so you can see exactly where to insert it, but you insert it on the top, pointing down into the center of the meat. And if you don’t have a meat thermometer, follow instructions in the notes.

    2. Linda
      December 17, 2023

      Unbelievably perfect Prime Rib. Early Christmas dinner with part of our family tonight and tried this recipe for our Prime Rib, it was perfection. Everyone raved. Thank you Nicole for such an easy and impressive Prime Rib recipe.

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        December 20, 2023

        I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Linda! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for leaving such a kind review!

    3. KB
      December 23, 2023

      Excited to make this on Xmas! Two quest:
      – since it continues to cook while resting, do you remove it from the oven before it reaches desired temp? If so, how much below? We want btwn medium-rare and medium
      – what do you do when 2 people want well-done and the rest want btwn medium-rare and medium. We have a 7 lb prime rib
      THANK YOU!

      Reply
    4. Wilma weaver
      July 23, 2024

      5 stars
      The Best I’ve ever had ,love it

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        July 23, 2024

        I’m so happy to hear that, Wilma! Thank you so much for your review!

    5. Aubri Cate
      August 6, 2024

      I’ll be making this tonight and I’m wondering if it would be ok to cook in a aluminum roasting pan vs cast iron skillet?

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        August 7, 2024

        Hi Aubri, this recipe has not been tested in an aluminum roasting pan, so I cannot say for sure.

    6. Joanna
      December 25, 2024

      5 stars
      I use this recipe all the time and have shared it with my daughters. It’s the easiest and best.

      Reply
    7. Oak
      December 26, 2024

      5 stars
      The BEST Prime Rib rub we’ve ever had! My son made this rub for the meat and used this to keep timer on the oven and our Prime rib turned out perfect. Bonus: it made our house smell amazing on Christmas day! Thank you Nicole!

      Reply
    8. Brooke
      December 26, 2024

      5 stars
      Literally the best roast I have EVER made! Incredibly simple, fit all our dietary needs, and cooked perfectly. Will definitely make this again. Highly recommend.

      Reply
    9. Mark
      December 26, 2024

      I think the math is off on the recipe. Even if not including the first 20 minutes at 500, 5 pounds at 20 minutes per is 1 hr and 40 minutes, not one hour…

      Reply
    10. Diana
      December 27, 2024

      5 stars
      Perfect prime rib! Followed your recipe and I had perfection! Delicious! My family said it was the best rib roast I have ever made! Thank you!

      Reply
    11. Stephanie Stoudt
      January 14, 2025

      Very good. One correction.
      You state 20 minutes per pound for a 5 lb piece is 1 hour. Actually it would be 100 minutes which is 1 hr 40 min. You might want to correct this

      Reply
    12. Joe P
      April 20, 2025

      5 stars
      This recipe was simple and easy to follow. Used a digital thermometer and pulled it out at 125 to let it rest. After resting it came out a perfect juicy and tender medium rare. The marinade left the the roast very flavorful. I will definitely use this one again.

      Reply
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