This Prime Rib recipe in the oven is the best recipe for this tender, mouthwatering cut of meat! With an Italian Herb Butter rub and a no-fail cooking method, you can’t go wrong making it! Save it today so you can always come back to it!
When you are looking for a special dish to make for a holiday meal or a special occasion, you really can’t go wrong with Prime Rib. This is a decadent cut of meat that’s so full of tenderness and flavor. My Italian Butter Prime Rib recipe in the oven is especially delicious because it has an incredible Italian herb butter rub that is just incredible. It actually made Kevin verbally moan with delight like he was Guy Fieri tasting something on Food Network.
Prime Rib Basics
Making Prime Rib – also known as standing rib roast – can be kind of intimidating. It’s a more expensive cut of meat because it is considered to be one of the best cuts of meat on a steer. It’s taken from the back of the upper ribs of the cow and can be cut per pound.
The rule is, you want about 1 pound of meat per person you’re feeding. If you are having a large party, you can maybe plan on serving 1/2 to 3/2 of a pound to each guest. But you see how that can add up. And I truly think that it’s the expense that makes it intimidating. Truly though, it isn’t actually that difficult to make, especially with this Prime Rib recipe in the oven.
Cooking Prime Rib
Most people consider Prime Rib at its best when it is cooked to rare or medium rare. This is why you will see photos of it almost always looking very red in the middle. When cooking this Prime Rib recipe in the oven, that’s the range we will be shooting for. If you prefer a cut of meat that’s a little more done looking, keep that in mind when it comes to cooking times.
Bones and Prime Rib Cuts
You will have the option of a bone-in cut of Prime Rib or a Boneless cut. Both will work with this Prime Rib in the oven recipe but most people prefer the bone to be left in to work as an elevating rack for the meat. A bone will not specifically add flavor but it will help to regulate the temperature by insulating the beef. This helps to keep it tender and juicy.
However, you can get the best of both world if you buy your Prime Rib from a butcher. If you ask, the butcher will cut off the bone for you and then tie it back onto the cut of Prime Rib.
Prime Rib can still come in Prime Cuts of Choice Cuts. Prime Cuts are more expensive and have a gorgeous marbling of fat that helps to create flavor. Choice Cuts have a little less marbling and that makes them a little more inexpensive.
Italian Herb Butter Rub
I make my Prime Rib recipe in the oven with an Italian Herb Butter Rub that just adds so much flavor! Because I make this in winter and I have a hard time find fresh herbs then – even at my grocery store lately – I use dry herbs. However, feel free to use fresh if you have them or can find them. Just increase the amount by 1/2 a tablespoon for the fresh herbs.
Here’s a quick list of what I use:
- Basil
- Parsley
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Sea salt (not table salt)
- Fresh cracked black pepper
In addition to the spice and herbs I use one small shallot and 5 cloves of fresh, grated garlic for my Prime Rib recipe in the oven. These are all easy to find items that I bet you have in the spice cabinet or in the refrigerator right now! Grating the garlic though is important so that it really gets incorporated as a flavor component.
The butter that’s used will help all the spices stick to the Prime Rib and it helps to get that nice crisp on the outside of the meat. I also use salted butter here because you really need to make sure this beautiful cut of meat is salted appropriately.
How long to cook Prime Rib recipe in the oven
The rule is to cook it for 13-15 minutes per pound to achieve medium rare. However, you always want to go by internal temperature so having a good meat thermometer is key to success. In general, here’s some additional guidelines:
- 4-5 lbs. with 2 ribs at 4-5 has a cooking time of 60- 70 minutes
- 7- 8.5 lbs with 3 ribs can cook 90 minutes to 1 3/4 of an hour
- 9 – 10.5 lbs. with 4 ribs should cook around 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours
My Prime Rib roast pictured was only 3.25 lbs, with 2 ribs so my cooking time was a total of about 1 hour and 10 minutes for medium rare Prime Rib.
REMEMBER: The Prime Rib will continue to cook once you remove it from the oven. The internal temperature can rise 7 – 10 degrees while it is resting. And you should let it rest for about 20 minutes before serving.
Doneness Temperature Reminders
As a note, the USDA says meat is “done” when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. However, that makes meat well done and you really don’t want that for this cut of meat. Below are the temperature standards for Rare – Well done. While Prime Rib is considered best at Rare to Medium Rare, cook you meat to the temperature you prefer.
- For Rare: Remove the Prime Rob when the thermometer reads 110 degrees. Once rested it will be 117 – 120 degrees. This will give you a bright red center with pink outer edges.
- For Medium Rare: Remove it from the oven when the temperature is at 120 degrees. Once rested, the temperature will rise to 127- 130 degrees. This is the temperature mine in the photos was removed at. It has an outer ring of brown and then is a pink/red towards the center.
- For Medium: Remove the Prime Rib when the internal temperature reads 130 degrees. Rested it will be between 137- 140 degrees and include a light pink center with a brown outer rim.
- For Medium Well: Remove the meat at 140 degrees. It will be rested at 147-150 degrees with no pink in the center.
- For Well Done: Remove the Meat at 150 degree. It will be rested between 157- 165 degrees.
Tips for cooking this Prime Rib recipe in the oven
- To cook Prime Rib evenly, you want the meat to be at room temperature before it goes into the oven. I realize that probably goes against everything you’ve ever thought about meat but if you don’t do that you will get very done ends and a very raw middle. Not rare, raw. Take it out of the refrigerator about 3 hours before you plan to cook it.
- My Prime Rib recipe in the oven can be made in a pan or a roasting tray. I used my Ninja Non-Stick Foodi pan {HERE} for this one and it worked perfectly. However, my Prime Rib picture here was only 3.25 lbs. Depending on the size of the cut you can use cast iron or even a larger roasting pan similar to what you would use for a turkey.
- Make sure to get a GOOD thermometer for the Prime Rib. It’s your most important tool when cooking this. The easiest thing to do is to use a probe thermometer {HERE} or and instant thermometer {HERE} or just a basic thermometer {HERE}. A nice, sharp knife is also something you need.
- If you have leftovers, you can save them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days. To reheat it, use the microwave for 1-2 minutes or put it in the oven for about 5 minutes.
A good sauce
I serve this recipe with a beautiful Red Wine Sauce that I make from the dippings. I’ve included that below for you to use as well!
Looking for side dish recipes?
Try these recipes for perfect side dishes pr desserts for the Prime Rib recipe in the oven.
- Creamy Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes with Thyme {HERE}
- Roasted Bacon and Brussel Sprouts {HERE}
- Roasted Green Beans with Almonds {HERE}
- No Bake Chocolate Lasagna {HERE}
- Cranberry Upside Down Cake {HERE}
- Pumpkin Pie from Scratch {HERE}
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Thank you so much for stopping by today, friends! I hope you love my Prime Rib recipe in the oven and that you have a lovely celebration. You can find the full, printable recipe below. Happy Eating!
Prime Rib Recipe in the Oven
Equipment
- Large, oven safe pan or roasting pan
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Prime Rib Recipe in the oven
- 1 Prime Rib Roast Again, mine was 3.25 lbs.
- 1 Tbsp. dried thyme
- 1 Tbsp. dried Rosemary
- 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp. sea salt
- 1/2 Tbsp. dried basil
- 1/2 Tbsp. rubbed sage
- 1/2 Tbsp. dried parsley
- 1 stick of butter
- 1 shallot, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, grated
Red Wine Sauce
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups red wine
- Sprig of fresh rosemary
- Sprig of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Remove the Prime Rib from the oven 3 hours prior to cooking so it can come to room temperature.
- Before you prep the spices and herbs, preheat the oven to 450 degrees,
- Mix together the spices, herbs, garlic and shallot and softened butter. Mash with a spoon or fork until well combined
- Wash hands well and then pat the prime rib with a paper towel to make sure it's dry.
- Place in the cooking pan with the bone side down and the fat side up. Then rub the butter mix all over the beef.
- Place the onions in the pan around the beef.
- Cook the Prime rib in the center of the oven for 20 minutes at 450 degrees. This will give it the sear on the outside of the meat. If you want a better sear you can cook it about 3-5 minutes longer but I don't recommend going over that.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees and continue cooking until the internal temperature had reached 120 degrees for medium rare. For my roast this was about 50. minutes, but remember to go by the. temperature of the meat thermometer due to size fluctuations.
- Remove the Prime Rid from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes. Not more than 30 minutes. You can tent it with foil to help it stay warm.
- While the Prime Rib is resting, make the red wine sauce in the pan. Remove the fat in the pan and then add the beef broth and red wine to the drippings.
- Let the mix simmer together for 10 minutes and strain.
- When ready to cut, remove the string and the bone from the meat. Cut in 1/2 inch slices for your guests to enjoy.
Whitney Stewart says
Your making me hungry… AGAIN!! This looks SO good too! When I need a good meat recipe to try, I’ll be sure and remember this! Thanks so much!
Amber Myers says
Yum! We’re actually having our Christmas dinner tonight and are having Prime Rib. I just love it. Our recipe is similar to this one.
Kathy says
This looks so amazing. I definitely need to try this out soon. I love prime rib.
Tasheena says
This recipe looks so savory, looking forward to making this for my family.
Anne Marie says
I’m so glad you posted this because my crock pot just cracked and I’ll need to cook our meat in the oven now. The herbs are so beautiful!
Nadalie says
It is always intimidating for me to cook prime rib! Thanks for all the info you have here!
Beautiful Touches says
This is a beautiful dish, everything looks so juicy and tender!
Richelle Milar says
Oh wow! This looks absolutely delicious and tasty! I would really love to try this awesome recipe!
Ivan Carlo Jose says
Absolutely delicious. It’s cooked perfectly plus I love the herbs that you used.
Deanna says
This sounds amazing! Cannot wait to add this to my meal plan for 2023
Renee says
The dish looks beautiful. My husband probably wouldn’t like though because of the herbs used.
Celebrate Woman Today says
BAKING in the oven brings in so much flavor and possibilities! Awesome bake!
Carmen says
My husband makes amazing prime ribs and after reading this post I think that’s what we should have for Christmas dinner.
IceCreamnStickyFingers says
My grandmother loved her some prime rib. They even made it after her funeral for all the family members and very close friends. It was delicious. I’ll have to make some one day in honor of her.
Lois says
Tha is very good looking prime rib, but mostly I love the herb rub.
Tisha says
This recipe looks so flavorful and perfect!