Prime Rib Roast (Oven) — Reverse Sear for Juicy, Even Pink

Perfect prime rib with a foolproof reverse-sear: crispy, herb-garlic crust; rosy center edge-to-edge; mostly hands-off in ~2½ hours.

Salt, slow heat, and a final blast deliver steakhouse-level prime rib without stress.

Why You’ll Love It

• Perfect Prime Rib, repeatable: Reverse-sear locks in an even pink from crust to core—no gray banding.
• Oven-first, with smart alternates: Clear steps for How To Cook Prime Rib In The Oven, plus notes for Prime Rib Steak and a Sirloin Tip Roast (Oven) swap.
• Flavor-forward rub: Simple Prime Rib Rub Recipe with herbs, garlic, and pepper—balanced, not overpowering.
• Holiday-ready: Timings + make-ahead tips for a Prime Rib Christmas Dinner your guests will remember.
• Leftovers plan baked-in: Ideas for high-CTR Leftover Prime Rib Recipes (hash, French dip, steak salad).

Ingredients — notes only

Roast

• 1 bone-in prime rib (standing rib roast), 5–7 lb (2–3 bones) or boneless ribeye roast; marbling = tenderness and flavor.
• Optional: kitchen twine to cinch a boneless roast evenly.

Prime Rib Rub (herb-garlic)

• Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal preferred) for dry-brining: ~2 tsp per lb.
• Freshly cracked black pepper: coarse for a crunchy bark.
• Garlic powder + grated fresh garlic: layered savoriness.
• Dried or fresh rosemary + thyme: classic steakhouse aroma.
• Neutral oil or softened butter: helps crust adhesion.

Pan & Extras

• Roasting rack over a sheet pan; instant-read/probe thermometer.
• Beef stock + splash of Worcestershire for quick pan jus.

Sirloin Tip Roast (Oven) note: Leaner and budget-friendly; cook to 125–130°F (medium-rare) or it’ll dry out. See “Variations.”

Step-By-Step (Reverse Sear Oven Method)

1. Dry-brine (12–48 hrs): Pat roast dry. Salt all over (≈2 tsp/lb). Leave uncovered on a rack in the fridge.
2. Rub & preheat: 45 minutes before roasting, mix pepper, garlic powder, herbs + a little oil/butter. Rub all over. Preheat oven to 225°F (107°C); position rack middle.
3. Slow roast: Set roast fat-cap up on rack. Insert probe into center (not touching bone). Roast until 118–122°F for rare, 123–127°F for medium-rare, 130–135°F for medium. (Plan ≈ 30–35 min per lb, but go by temperature.)
4. Rest long (crucial): Transfer to a board; tent loosely. Rest 30–60 min. Meanwhile, raise oven to 500°F (260°C).
5. Make quick jus (optional): Deglaze pan with 1 cup beef stock + splash Worcestershire; simmer to reduce.
6. Final sear: Return roast to the hot oven 8–12 min until a deep brown crust forms.
7. Slice: Recheck internal temp (carryover adds ~5–10°F). Stand roast, cut along bones to release, then slice ½–¾-inch slabs.
8. Serve: Spoon jus, finish with flaky salt.

Target serve temps (after sear & rest): rare 125°F, medium-rare 130–135°F, medium 135–140°F. (USDA recommends 145°F; choose your preference.)

Pro Tips

• Thermometer = truth: Time is guidance; temp is law. Use a leave-in probe + instant-read for spot checks.
• Dry-brine uncovered: Dehydrates the surface for better browning and deeper seasoning.
• Bone-in advantage: Bones act as a roasting rack and help buffer heat.
• Don’t skip the long rest: It stabilizes juices so slices stay plush, not puddled.
• Pepper last if sensitive: For ultra-hot sears, crack pepper after sear to avoid bitterness.
• Pan placement: Middle rack minimizes uneven browning; rotate once if your oven has hot spots.

Variations

• Best Prime Rib Recipe Ever (reverse-sear classic): As written—salt, slow roast, rest, hot finish.
• Prime Rib Steak (thick-cut): Slice 1½–2-inch steaks from a raw roast. Sear in cast iron 2–3 min/side, then oven 250°F to 125–130°F; rest 10 min; baste with garlic-herb butter.
• Sirloin Tip Roast (Oven): Use the same rub; roast at 225°F to 122–125°F (medium-rare), rest 20–30 min, then 500°F blast 6–8 min. Slice thin—this cut is lean.
• “Crockpot” note: A slow cooker excels for chuck or for holding sliced prime rib in warm jus, but it overcooks prime rib if used start-to-finish. If needed, cook oven-style to temp, slice, then hold in slow cooker on Warm in beef jus for serving.

How to Serve

• Holiday plate: Creamy horseradish sauce, pan jus, chive mashed potatoes, and a crisp salad.
• Festive sweet finish: Pair your Prime Rib Christmas Dinner with Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies.
• New Year’s luck side: Add Black-Eyed Pea Salad for January 1st spreads.
• Fun dessert for kids’ table: Make Strawberry Shortcake Sushi Rolls after dinner.

Make Ahead & Storage

• 2 days ahead: Dry-brine.
• Morning of: Rub + set on counter 45 min.
• Hold for serving: After slicing, keep portions warm in 140–150°F jus (or slow cooker Warm).
• Fridge: 3–4 days, airtight.
• Freeze: Up to 2 months, sliced and wrapped in jus.
• Reheat: 250°F oven or 50% microwave power, covered, with a little jus until just warm (avoid recooking).

Leftover Prime Rib Recipes

• French Dip Sandwiches: Sliced beef + provolone on baguette, dunked in hot jus.
• Steak & Eggs Hash: Crisp diced potatoes, peppers, onions; fold in cubed prime rib at the end.
• Creamy Mushroom Pasta: Thin slices in a light garlic-cream sauce with thyme.
• Philly-style Melt: Peppers, onions, provolone on toasted hoagies.
• Beef Fried Rice: Quick high-heat toss with scallions, peas, and soy-butter.

FAQs

How big a roast per person?
Bone-in: 1 rib (about 2 lb) serves 2–3; plan ¾–1 lb per person.

Do I need to bring the roast to room temp?
Not required, but 45 minutes out of the fridge helps the rub hydrate and promotes even cooking.

Can I start hot, then go low?
You can, but reverse-sear (low then hot) delivers more even doneness and a better crust with less risk.

Which salt?
Coarse kosher (Diamond Crystal) for reliable grain size. If using Morton, reduce by ~25%.

What if my crust isn’t dark enough?
Extend the 500°F blast a couple of minutes or finish in cast iron with butter, garlic, and thyme.

Simple Nutrition (estimate, per 8-oz serving)

Calories: ~560 | Protein: ~45 g | Carbs: ~1 g | Fat: ~42 g | Sodium: varies by salt
Estimates only; adjust for cut and trim.