Prime Rib
Quarterly

Prime Rib

1 day
Serves 9
beefholidayroast

A 4-bone standing rib roast seasoned overnight, blasted at 425°F then finished low and slow at 275°F to 125°F internal. Served with au jus and horseradish.

The Story

Prime rib is a two-day commitment and it's worth every hour. The night before, french the rib bones — scrape the meat and fat back from the ends so they're clean and presentable — then season the whole roast generously with salt, pepper, and a little thyme. Into the refrigerator overnight, uncovered if you can manage it, so the surface dries out and the seasoning penetrates. Three hours before it goes in the oven, pull it out and let it come all the way up to room temperature. A cold roast going into a hot oven cooks unevenly — the outside overcooks before the center reaches temperature. The cook is a two-stage process: 425°F for 20 minutes to build a crust, then drop to 275°F and go low and slow until the internal temperature hits 125°F — that's medium-rare, which is where prime rib belongs. Rest it 20 minutes before you touch it. Slice with a long carving knife and serve with au jus and horseradish. Any potato dish works alongside it — roasted, mashed, au gratin. Asparagus or creamed spinach on the side. Leftovers make excellent hash in the morning.

Equipment

  • Elevated roasting pan
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • 12–14" carving knife
  • Oven @ 425°F then 275°F

Ingredients

  • 4-bone (10–12 lbs)standing rib roast
  • to tastekosher salt and black pepper (generous)
  • a littlefresh or dried thyme
  • for servingau jus
  • for servingprepared horseradish

Pudgy's Notes

Let the roast come fully to room temperature before it goes in the oven — 3 hours is not an exaggeration for a 10–12 lb roast. A cold center means the outside overcooks before the middle reaches temperature. The overnight rest in the refrigerator is what makes the crust: the surface dries out and the salt has time to work into the meat. Season more generously than feels right — a roast this size needs it. The two-stage cook (blast at 425°F, then low at 275°F) gives you a proper crust without a thick gray band of overcooked meat under the surface. Pull at 125°F — it will carry over to 130°F during the rest, which is perfect medium-rare. If you want medium, pull at 130°F. Don't skip the rest; the juices redistribute and the roast finishes cooking. Leftovers make excellent hash — dice the meat, fry with potatoes and onions, season well.

Instructions

  1. 1

    French the rib bones: scrape the meat and fat back from the bone ends so they're clean. Season the entire roast generously with salt, pepper, and a little thyme. Optionally truss the roast. About 15 minutes.

  2. 2

    Place the seasoned roast on the elevated roasting pan and refrigerate overnight, at least 12 hours. Uncovered is ideal — it dries the surface for a better crust.

  3. 3

    Remove the roast from the refrigerator 3 hours before cooking and let it come fully to room temperature on the roasting pan.

  4. 4

    Preheat the oven to 425°F. Roast for 20 minutes to develop a crust on the outside.

  5. 5

    Reduce the oven temperature to 275°F. Continue roasting until the internal temperature reaches 125°F (medium-rare), approximately 2.5 hours depending on roast size.

  6. 6

    Remove the roast from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes. Do not cut into it before resting.

  7. 7

    Slice with a 12–14" carving knife and serve with au jus and horseradish. About 10 minutes.

Pudgy's Place

Made with by Pudgy

Real food for real weeknights — recipes passed down, written down, and cooked with love.

© 2026 Pudgy's Place. All rights reserved.