This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
Garlic butter herb prime rib is melt in your mouth tender, cooked to medium-rare perfection, and marbled with fat. The seared garlic butter herb crust is incredible!
Impress your family with this beautiful cut of meat! When making this prime rib add Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, and Rolls for a complete meal.
The Best Prime Rib
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a prime rib roast. Well, I am here to bring you the best prime rib recipe with a few tips and tricks for cooking the perfect tender and juicy meat every single time. You are going to bring your A-game to Christmas dinner with a flavorful and bold beef rib roast that is actually really simple to make! Cook up some grilled asparagus or some Brussels sprouts. They will go so well with this!
With these easy-to-follow steps, you will have a perfect Christmas dinner that will be loved by all. Prime rib is top-of-the-line meat that tastes just as AMAZING as it looks. The marbled cut and beautiful bone structure are just what you need to have this slice of heaven on your plate. Cooking this beef does not have to take long. It is best to have a crispy outside and a tender, juicy inside. With this garlic butter herb prime rib recipe you will have the PERFECT decadent holiday dinner!
Herb Garlic Butter Prime Rib Ingredients
I always buy my roast with the bone. The butcher at our local grocery store cuts the bone but leaves it partially attached and ties it onto the roast. This makes it easier to carve the meat and the bone creates a rack for the meat to cook on. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
- Prime Rib: I like to get a cut that is bone-in and tied.
- Butter: Make sure that the butter is softened so that it will blend well with the herbs and seasonings.
- Garlic Cloves: If you don’t have any fresh garlic cloves on hand then you can use minced garlic! 1/2 teaspoon equals about 1 clove.
- Thyme, Oregano and Fresh Rosemary: I like to use freshly chopped herbs to make the flavor taste top notch!
- Salt and Pepper: Use these to taste!
How to Cook Prime Rib
Preparing steakhouse-worthy prime rib isn’t as tricky as it seems. Enjoy this decadent recipe this holiday season with friends and family!
- Prepare the Meat: Remove the meat from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before to bring it to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Mix Together Garlic Butter Herb Sauce : In a small bowl mix butter, garlic, thyme, oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper. Then, rub all of the butter on the outside of your prime rib and place in a roasting pan or large skillet with the fat side up.
- Cook Prime Rib: Cook for 15 minutes and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees. It is about 15 minutes per pound of meat. Bake until it reaches an internal temperature of 110 degrees.
- Let the Meat Rest: Remove from oven and let it rest with foil for at least 20 minutes. The temperature will rise to 130 degrees for a medium rare prime rib.
What Cut Of Meat Is Best?
A prime rib roast (or a standing roast) is cut from the back of the upper rib section of the steer. It usually is a total of 7 ribs. To make this slow-roasted prime rib then you will need a 3 bone rib roast. This is cut from either the chuck or the loin end of the rib sections. Here are some tips on how to choose the best meat!
- Bone IN: You will want a bone in prime rib. On average a 2 to 6 pound prime rib has 2 to 3 bones.
- Tied: When ordering from a butcher, ask to keep the strings on it if possible. This will ensure cooking it evenly and keeps its form while cooking.
- Deckle: If possible, ask to have the largest deckle. The deckle is tender and the most flavorful piece of meat.
Cooking Information Per Pound
The bones create a natural roasting rack for the meat. Cook the prime rib at a higher temperature of 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 325 degrees and continue to cook until the thermometer reads 110 degrees. About 15 minutes of cooking time per pound.
Cooking Tips
Melt-in-your-mouth garlic herb prime rib is just what you need to celebrate the holidays this year! These quick and simple tips will help cook it to perfection!
- Use a Thermometer: Using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat is the best way to ensure a perfect prime rib every time.
- Take it Out of the Fridge: Take your prime rib out of the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let it rest before cooking. This will ensure an even cook time.
- Keep the Bone In: You can remove the bones before cooking, but it is unnecessary. The bone in adds to the flavor and helps keep the prime rib tender and juicy.
- Let it Rest! Remove your prime rib from the oven when it is about 5 degrees lower than the temperature you want. Cover your meat and let it rest. It will slowly cook as it is resting.
Cooking Temperatures
Prime rib can be a little intimidating to make because you are trying to achieve the perfect medium-rare temperature. The closed oven method is where you roast the meat at 500 degrees for 5 minutes per pound. Then, you leave the oven closed for 2 hours and it slowly cooks. If using this method then I highly recommend putting a thermometer inside of the meat so that you can check on it without opening the oven while it cooks.
- Rare: 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit
- Medium-Rare: 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit
- Medium: 135 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit
- Medium-Well: 145 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit
- Well-Done: 155 degrees Fahrenheit
Storing Prime Rib
Having leftover meat is just another way to enjoy it a little longer! You still have all the tender, juicy flavors infused into the prime rib. Enjoy another slice of heaven a second time around with these storing ideas.
- How Long Does Prime Rib Last in the Refrigerator? It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.
- Can You freeze Prime Rib? Yes! Let it rest until completely cooled. Once it’s cooled then place in an ziplock freezer bag, letting all the air out. Lay flat in the freezer for 1 month. When ready to warm it up to eat it then place in the refrigerator overnight until thawed.
- Reheating: If it’s been frozen, let it thaw completely. Place in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until it has reached the desired internal temperature. Enjoy!
A Reader’s Review
This was absolutely amazing! The flavor was phenomenal. I like my meat well done and it was still super tender.
More Beef Recipes to Enjoy
This prime rib recipe is one of my very favorites! If you loved it as much as I do, then I have a few more that you should try! They are all so different but super delicious! Try one or try them all…. you can’t go wrong with any of them! Your family will thank you later!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Garlic Butter Herb Prime Rib Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Remove the prime rib from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before to bring it to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- In a small bowl mix butter, garlic, thyme, oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper. Rub all of the butter on the outside of your prime rib and place in a roasting pan or large skillet with the fat side up.
- Cook for 15 minutes and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees. It is about 15 minutes per pound of meat. Bake until it reaches an internal temperature of 110 degrees.
- Remove from oven and let it rest with foil for at least 20 minutes. The temperature will rise to 130 degrees for a medium rare prime rib.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
CAN YOU TELL ME, THE BUTTER, IS IT SALTED, OR UNSALTED?
THANKS, GONNA TRY THIS FOR THANKSGIVING!
Hi Patty,
The butter is unsalted but you can always use salted butter too if that is what you have on hand.
How do I see the video for making prime rib on your site
I just checked and it is working. It is the movie before the recipe. Let me know if you cannot see it.
Sounds delicious! I cut the bone away from the meat and then tie it back on with seasoning between the roast and bone. After it has rested I cut the string off, remove the bone and the meat is so much easier to carve without the bone.
Wow, this really looks good. My husband will be really surprise if I will able to do this. I have’nt experience cooking any ribs, steak and others. This one I want to give it a shot and hope it will be perfect for his taste since his a steak and rib fan. May I ask what is the baking time and temperature for a well done rib? Thank you.
For a well done is 155 degrees Fahrenheit. Try and go a little under this. I promise, you will still be overly happy with the cut and color!
I’m making it tight now it’s in oven for first time ?? We shall see
Yes thank you for the well done question. I prefer my meat to be cooked a bit more than most. I know some call that harsh. I call it BETTER. LOL
I love this recipe. My only problem is I have not heard the term “plave” the pan. I can not find a definition in all my searches. I roasted the meat using other recipe guide for roasting.
Again, this is a very tasty recipe.
Can I just say this ‘plave’ comment got me laughing SO hard…?! I love that a typo can cause such confusion! ‘Recipe sounds amazing and I’ll be saving it for our Christmas prime rib, when I’ll be sure to PLACE it in the roasting pan. Cheers!
I cant wai to try this. I had been in search of great restaurant to have prime rib and have been disappointed each time. If i can make it at home would be wonderful. And will make holidays so special. Is there a grade or specific kind of meat to ask for and do you make a broth/au ju you serve with it? And do you put garlic in mashed potatoes or favorite sides to serve with it. do you wrap prime rib night before with seasoning or wine?
I ask the butcher for a prime rib. They know just what to get me when I ask.
Loved the recipe. I didnt have all of the spices. Instead i used 3.5 tbs of Italian seasoning and pink himalayan salt. Everything else was the same. I did add one special touch, I smoked it for 1.5 hrs at 300 deg with black walnut.. it’s truly a different taste that you wont forget..
Lol it’s a typo, it’s place
Cathy I just bought yesterday, not sure if you already tried. There are different levels of prime rib, choice cut prime rib is less expensive at about $13 per lb and prime cut prime rib is about $17 per lb. The first place I went did not specify they only had choice, I had to ask.
I look forward to trying this recipe today!!
Hi I’m cooking a prime rib tomorrow my first hope it turn out great.
I like my prime rib med well, for guests will need
med + how do i achieve that with a 3 bone prime rib?
You can take their piece out and serve them while leaving your piece still in the oven to finish med well cooking.
Tonight will be my THIRD time making this dish! Completely perfect and delicious!
That is awesome to hear! Thank you for sharing! I am so glad that you enjoy it so much! It is one of our favorites!
I have cooked this twice and the roast came out perfect both times. This is definitely a keeper.
Hi I made this for New Years eve and it was amazing. However I am cooking it for easter too and the three bone roast came out to be 8 pounds total. Any changes for something as big as this roast?
When you make this do you rub the bottom or just the sides and top ?
I like to rub it all over but top is great too!
Plan to make this on the weekend… have a 2 lb prime rib roast… from all I’ve read, I assume I cook it for 5 min at 450 and then 15 min at the 325 temp for a total of 20 min cooking time… is that correct? Or do I cook it for 15 min at the high temp? And if that’s correct… then how long at the 325 temp? Also plan to use a meat thermometer for med rare. Don’t mean to be dense but don’t want to ruin this terrific piece of beef!
Yes, you have the cooking times and temperatures down correctly. You will have a great turn out by following the meat thermometer and the first set of directions you have listed. Enjoy!
For a 2 pound roast, you do 15 minutes at 450, then an additional 30 minutes at 325 (15 min per pound). Remove from oven when thermometer reads 110 degrees, cover with foil and rest at least 20 minutes. Thermometer should read 130 after that resting time, for total cook/rest time of 1 hour and 5 minutes. Be sure to take it out of the fridge at least an hour before you put in the oven, as well.
15 minutes at 500 for 2 lbs – I won’t burn it?
Me too- I found a small one at Kroger’s and want to prepare it – just over 2 pounds – help with directions! As I want to cook it right – Patricia Adam
Me too- I found a small one at Kroger’s and want to prepare it – just over 2 pounds – help with directions! As I want to cook it right – Patricia Adam
Omg…this was so easy and delicious. I used dry ingredients. I didn’t have fresh ingredients on hand. Followed this recipe to a “t”. My boyfriend said “this was absolutely the best Prime Rib he ever tasted”. Mind you, he’s the pickiest eater ever. This will be my go to receipe for Prime Rib.
What do you mean when you say “let it rest with foil”? Do you mean let it rest “on” aluminum foil, or let it rest wrapped “in” aluminum foil?
You will let it rest with it wrapped in aluminum foil.
How do you make gravy from the drippings? I made this before and the recipe had a gravy recipe with it.
You can add flour and milk to make a basic gravy. That will taste great with this prime rib. Enjoy!