Prime Rib

By slebel

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 lb (2 to 2.5 kg) prime rib premium oven roast
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, softened
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) pink peppercorns, crushed lightly
• 2 tbsp (25 mL) Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) cracked black peppercorns
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp (5 mL) salt

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Pat the room-temperature standing rib roast (prime rib roast) dry with paper towels or napkins. Smear the cut ends only of the roast with the butter.

Do NOT salt the outside of your prime rib roast, as salt draws out moisture from the meat while cooking. You can use other seasonings, if desired, but I find it is not necessary. I know that some people do salt their prime rib roast before cooking, but trust me and don't salt - the result will be a juicy, delicious roast to serve your family and guests!

Place the roast, ribs down or fat side up, in a heavy stainless-steel Roasting Pan or other metal roasting pan. NOTE: Select a roasting pan that has sides at least 3-inches deep. (I do not recommend using nonstick pans, as these pans yield fewer of the cooked-on bits that make the tasty au jus juice or gravy.) The rib bones are a natural rack; you won’t need a metal one.

Sear the rib roast for 15 minutes at the higher oven temperature (450 degrees F.), then turn the oven to the lower temperature (325 degrees F.) for the rest of the cooking time. Every 1/2 hour, baste the cut ends of the roast with the fat accumulated in the roasting pan. Do Not Cover the roast.

About 45 minutes before the estimated end of the roasting (bake) time, begin checking the internal temperature (use a good instant-read digital meat thermometer). NOTE: Play it safe and start checking early, as you don't want anything to go wrong. This is even more important if you are adjusting for High Altitude Baking.

NOTE: If you ignore every other bit of advice I've given, please pay attention to this - For a perfectly cooked rib roast, invest in a good meat thermometer. Internal temperature, not time, is the best test for doneness and you don't want to blow this meal!

When checking the temperature of your prime rib roast, insert meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat or touching bone. Cook until rib roast reaches an internal temperature of 120 degrees F. (or your desired temperature). Remove from oven, cover with aluminum foil, and let sit approximately 15 to 20 minutes. NOTE: Cutting into the meat too early will cause a significant loss of juice. Do not skip the resting stage.

Approximate Weight
Oven Temperature
Total Estimated Time Only
Meat Thermometer Reading (Rare)

2 ribs
4 to 5 pounds
450 deg/325 deg F
60 to 70 minutes
120 degrees F

3 ribs
7 to 8.5 pounds
450 deg/325 deg F
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours
120 degrees F

4 ribs
9 to 10.5 pounds
450 deg/325 deg F
1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours
120 degrees F

5 ribs
11 to 13.5 pounds
450 deg/325 deg F
2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours
120 degrees F

6 ribs
14 to 16 pounds
450 deg/325 deg F
3 to 3 1/4 hours
120 degrees F

7 ribs
16 to 18.5 pounds
450 deg/325 deg F
3 1/4 to 4 hours
120 degrees F