This recipe for prime rib is a must for Christmas dinner! This classic recipe will show you how easy and impressive it is to make.
Every Christmas, for…I don’t know how many years, we’ve had prime rib. It wouldn’t be Christmas without the beautiful roast, creamed horseradish and creamed spinach.
A few years back, we added Rack of Pork and all the Scandinavian accompaniments to the Christmas menu. Yes, it’s a lot of food…and yes, it’s pretty elaborate. It is incredibly delicious, too! (This post was originally posted on December 4th, 2013, and has been updated to contain nutritional information. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.)
We celebrate Christmas in traditional British fashion, full-stop with crackers, paper crowns and corny jokes! Although the Yorkshire pudding doesn’t make it on the menu every year, Trifle is always present. Two kinds of horsey sauce; creamed horseradish and the straight stuff, as well as mashed potatoes, are always on the table.
What is prime rib?
Prime rib is also known as a standing rib roast. Not all standing roasts are prime rib though. It’s called Prime Rib, not Choice Rib or Select Rib for a reason. Yep, it costs a pretty penny. That’s why we have it once a year, on Christmas Day. But, don’t be confused by the term “prime” which can also refer to cut as well as the USDA grade.
How many people will a roast feed?
Most full prime rib roasts have 7 ribs which is enough for about 10 people with leftovers. Depending on how many ribs your roast has, it could weigh anywhere between 6 pounds for 1 rib and 14 for the full 7 ribs. But you’ll need to base it on the weight of the roast and how big your guest’s appetites are! Figure on 1 pound per person, roughly. The prime rib restaurant I worked at had a few cuts, the “the petite” which was just thin slices of beef, the standard cut with the bone and “the end cut”, which is just that. Since they are only two end cuts per roast, those were usually reserved in advance by those in the know. Those with large appetites will want a slice of prime rib with the bone.
How do you cook prime rib?
First make sure you get the best quality meat you can afford. If you have a good quality piece of meat, it requires nothing more than kosher salt and pepper for seasoning and a hot oven.
The method and directions remain the same regardless of the size of your roast. The roasting time will be based how much your roast weighs. Be sure you write down the weight and approximate cooking time, making sure to check a half an hour or so with a thermometer.
You’ll need a heavy roasting pan like this one, with moveable rack.
This recipe for Prime Rib recipe come from the Time-Life Series, The Cooking of the British Isles, 1969.
At what temperature should prime rib be roasted?
For best results, bring your roast out of the refrigerator at least an hour before you plan on roasting it so it is not ice cold. The method this recipe uses starts the prime rib at a temperature of 500 F. After 20 minutes, reduce the oven to 350 degrees F. and continue cooking until done.
What temperature should prime rib be cooked?
I prefer to err on the rarer side, as it’s always easier to cook a roast more, but impossible to go back once you’ve over-cooked it! This is when a meat thermometer is imperative. I use a thermometer to check the roast in several different spots to make sure that one side isn’t cooking faster than another.
Rotate the roast if your oven is uneven half-way through cooking. Pull the meat at 115 degrees F. for rare, 120 to 125 degrees F. for medium rare, and 125-130 for medium. I wouldn’t suggest cooking it more than medium!
Remember that the internal temperature will continue to rise after removing roast from the oven. Insert the thermometer in the center of the roast. The center will be rarest and the ends will be medium to medium-well ensuring that everyone gets their meat to their liking. The English restaurant I worked at reserved the end-cuts. Those in-the-know would call ahead to hold an end-cut.
How long should prime rib cook?
You should figure on about 15 minutes per pound for rare to medium rare prime rib. A larger roast, should take about 15-18 minutes per pound. A eight pound roast, shown here, start to check the internal temperature after 90 minutes.
How long should the meat rest?
After the roast has reached the proper temperature, remove it from the oven and tent it with foil. It will continue cooking. Usually the hardest part of any holiday meal is timing everything so that it arrives on the table hot all at once. Take the opportunity when your prime rib is resting to finish heating up the sides.
Prime rib with bone.
What do you serve with prime rib?
Slices of prime rib for a smaller appetite.
Horseradish is a must. You can either serve straight horseradish or use this recipe for creamed horseradish which cuts the heat and is divine any beef! The English restaurant also served the meal with Creamed Spinach and Creamed Corn. We serve the rib with two kinds of horseradish, the straight stuff and creamed horseradish. Make sure when you buy the bottled horseradish it’s just pure horseradish or your creamed horseradish sauce will be too mild.
Classic Prime Rib
Ingredients
- 8-10 pound standing rib roast or prime rib roast
- Kosher salt
- Cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
- For best results, take out rib and let stand at room temperature for at least an hour. Rub roast generously with kosher salt and pepper. Place in a large roasting pan, fat side up. Roast beef undisturbed, in the middle of the oven, for 20 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 350 degrees F. and continue to roast, without basting, for about 1 hour to an hour and a half, or until beef is cooked to your taste. A meat thermometer with register 115 degrees F. when the beef is rare. 120-125 for medium rare and 125-130 for medium. An 8 pound roast will take approximately and additional hour and a half, increase the time by 15 minutes per pound if your roast is larger.
- Remove roast from the oven, (it will continue to cook and the temperature will rise up to 10 degrees, once it's out of the oven) and tent it with foil.
- Allowing the roast to rest before carving, undisturbed for 20-30 minutes, will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Mimi says
Yum. A beautiful meal. Wish I could partake!
Cynthia says
Mimi, I’m sure you feast will be fabulous as well!
Mandy @Mandy's Recipe Box says
My husband loves horseradish! This looks good!
Cynthia says
the horseradish sauce is almost a meal in itself!
Ramona W says
This is a great post, because I have never made prime beef. I will definitely bookmark this for the future. 🙂 I love the whole meal too… stunning! 🙂
David @ Cooking Chat says
what a delicious holiday meal! I like the sound of your sides, too.
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
i love how simple this recipe it! It must let the horseradish really shine. This would be perfect for Christmas!
Cynthia says
Yes! The horseradish sauce is a must!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I love hearing about other families Holiday traditions!! Sounds like you have an amazing feast!! I love good beef with a spicy horseradish sauce. This prime rib with the creamed horseradish sounds so off-the-charts amazing!!
Cynthia says
It totally is! I grabbed a lot of traditions from living in England!. We use crackers and wear silly party hats too!
mimi says
Perfection! It’s the same recipe I’ve always used! Love those books.
Cynthia says
Classics! I use them all the time!
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
This looks like the perfect holiday meal and great for date night! Love the creamed spinach! Sounds yummy!
Cynthia says
It’s the perfect christmas dinner!
Roxana says
This dish sounds interesting. Simple but perhaps choosing the meat is a very important step in the process. And the horse radius nicely complements it. I don’t use wine vinegar but hoping that I could substitute it with apple vinegar.
Cynthia says
You could probably substitute malt vinegar too.
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities says
OMG that Prime Rib looks so delicious!! Except for burgers on the grill, i have a hard time cooking meat properly, and i also have bad luck at restaurants. But when i get a nice prime rib that’s cooked right, i’m in heaven!!!
Cynthia says
Do you use a thermometer? I think that’s key for a big roast like this.
Christina says
My husband would love to have this for Christmas! And of course, simple with just salt and pepper is the best if you’re using good meat! That is the key!
Cynthia says
For sure! My husband loves prime rib too!
Sandy L says
So simple yet elegant and hearty! Going to forgo our usual “ham for Christmas” and do your traditional Prime Rib this year! Wish me luck!
Cynthia says
How’d it turn out?
Cynthia says
awesome…ham does have its place too!
mimi rippee says
I looks like I commented back when you first posted this. Ironically, my first prime rib was the same recipe! And I didn’t catch it last time! I’ve made prime rib on vacations in condos, because all you need is salt, pepper, and an oven! I remember being so surprised when I first read the recipe how simple it was!
Danielle Wolter says
Now this is what Christmas dinner is about! It sound like perfection and I can’t wait to try that horseradish sauce with it 🙂
Cynthia says
the horseradish sauce is so good with it!
Mel says
What a beauty! I love horserasish with meat 🙂
Cynthia says
The accompanying horseradish sauce is a must for the prime rib.
Jesse says
We have a lot of the same traditions and this recipe came at the perfect time. Thanks!
Cynthia says
Yes, I think prime rib is popular around the holidays in a lot of households.
Traci says
Wow! Who knew prime rib was so straightforward and simple. Love the flavor and decadence of this. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Simi says
Absolute delicious Christmas dinner. Keep sharing such nice n yum recipes. Thanks
Cynthia says
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
Sandy L says
Used your recipe a couple of years ago for Christmas Eve with great success and adulation! Coming back this year for a “recipe refresher“. XX
Sandy L says
My 2020 memory fails me, it was LAST year!! LOL
Cynthia says
lol…we’re at that age!
Cynthia says
Thank you!
Noelle Simpson says
This was delicious, a very classic recipe with great flavors! Saving to make it my new go-to!
Cynthia says
Thank you Noelle! I’ve been making this recipe for close to 40 years!