Best Prime Rib Recipes Ever: 10+ Easy Ways To Cook Perfect Prime Rib! (2024)

My most popular prime rib recipes feature various cooking methods, including smoking, grilling, air frying, roasting, and more! I'm always testing out new tips and tricks for the best prime rib roast because it's a holiday tradition in my household. I can't narrow it down to a favorite because each of these recipes resulted in a tender, juicy, and flavorful roast beef worthy of any special occasion!

Complete your prime rib dinner with a few of my favorite side dishes for prime rib roasts! If you already have your roast, refer to my guides on how long you can freeze and how long you can refrigerate prime rib for the best results!

Best Ways To Cook A Prime Rib Roast (Boneless & Bone-In)

A succulent prime rib roast makes a show-stopping main course for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas dinner. Because it's a premium cut of meat and often a bit of a splurge, it's usually reserved for special occasions.

That means a dry, undercooked, or overcooked prime rib roast would be even more devastating than your average Tuesday night dinner. Luckily, I've tested these prime rib recipes so many times that they have clear and concise steps that anyone can follow!

1. Air Fryer Prime Rib

Air fryer prime rib is a hassle-free way to achieve a perfectly cooked, juicy roast. Season the prime rib with your favorite rub or steak seasoning, place it in the air fryer basket, and close.

Sit back and let the circulating hot air create a delicious, crispy crust outside your roast while maintaining a tender inside. The result is a flavorful prime rib that's both time-efficient and impressive!

2. Christmas Roast

Beneath the crispy seasoned crust, this Christmas prime rib roast is slathered in horseradish for an extra burst of flavor. Then, it is roasted low and slow in the oven to tender juicy perfection!

The heavenly smell alone will have your family scrambling to the Christmas dinner table!

3. Grilled Prime Rib

The tender and succulent goodness of a prime rib roast plus the smokey flame-kissed flavor from coming hot off the grill? Yes, please!

If we're craving prime rib in the summer months, this and smoked prime rib are my top two contenders.

4. Standing Rib Roast

A standing rib roast is like a picture-perfect postcard version of Christmas dinner. It's called 'standing' because it is typically roasted upright, with the ribs serving as a natural roasting rack.

This sought-after cut is well-marbled, providing succulence and a rich taste, making it a favorite for special occasions and holiday feasts!

5. Oven Roasted Prime Rib with Dry Rib Rub

This is my favorite method for cooking a perfect prime rib in the oven using a simple dry rub you can make with what's in your spice cabinet. You will need a roasting pan or roasting rack, but I promise it's worth the small investment!

6. Smoked Prime Rib

Achieve a melt-in-your-mouth beef roast with this foolproof recipe for succulent, slow-smoked prime rib. The tender meat absorbs the wonderful smokey flavor for a truly unique roast!

7. Smoked Bison Prime Rib

If you want something extra special, I highly recommend a bison prime rib. There's something about the natural, earthy, meaty taste of bison paired with a rustic, smokey flavor that makes this roast feel even more decadent.

8. Boneless Prime Rib

A bone-in prime rib will take longer to cook than a boneless prime rib, so I follow these guidelines if boneless is what I have on hand. This roast slices like butter and has so much rich, beefy flavor that it's almost a crime not to save the drippings and make an au jus!

9. Roasted Garlic Crust Roast

This is my first prime rib recipe on the site and what started the tradition of serving prime rib for extra special occasions. Coming from a family of garlic lovers, the roasted garlic crust on this roast makes it a timeless favorite!

10. No Peek Prime Rib

This popular oven-off method for cooking prime rib sears the roast in the oven at 500°F (260°C) for a crispy brown sear on the outside. Then, you just turn off the oven and don't touch it for 2 whole hours!

If it's not cooked to perfection after 2 hours, you can quickly turn on the oven to finish it up. It's practically hands-off, and the results are delicious!

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Best Condiments For Prime Rib

As if a gorgeous prime rib roast wasn't enough, you can elevate it even further with the right condiments. Zesty horseradish sauce is a classic (and my personal favorite).

However, you could also opt for a savory au jus if you aren't a fan of horseradish. Just save the beef drippings from your roast while it rests, and you can quickly whip up an au jus before dinner!

• Creamy Horseradish Sauce
• Prime Rib Au Jus
• Red Wine Au Jus

If you prefer a more traditional gravy that is thicker than au jus, you can save your roast drippings to make prime rib gravy with cornstarch!

What To Make With Leftovers

As delicious as it is, beef roast is incredibly filling, and I often end up with leftovers. You can reheat and eat those precious slices of leftover prime rib or use them to make something new and equally delicious!

For a quick and easy meal, pile thinly sliced prime rib high on two pieces of bread for a gourmet sandwich. Or, make another unforgettable family dinner and serve up prime rib ragu!

If I know we have more leftover meat on my hands than we can eat, I freeze it. Then, I thaw out my leftover roast for the most hearty and comforting chili when the winter weather gets dreadful!

I have a vast selection of leftover prime rib recipes on the site that are worth checking out if you want to plan ahead! Follow my guide to storing and reheating prime rib here to get the most out of your leftovers!

💭 Tips For Cooking The Best Prime Rib Roast

When it comes down to it, cooking a perfect prime rib isn't as difficult as it may seem. Here are a few essential tips that are true no matter what cooking method you choose!

1. Select a High-Quality Roast: Choose a well-marbled prime rib roast for the best flavor and tenderness. The marbling (aka the streaks of white fat) contributes to the juiciness and richness of the meat. In fact, I have an entire page dedicated to how to pick the perfect roast!
2. Bring the Meat to Room Temperature: Take the prime rib roast out of the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. This helps it cook more evenly.
3. Season Generously: Season the roast liberally with salt, pepper, and any additional herbs or spices you prefer, or use a dry rub. Make sure to season the entire surface, including the ends.
4. Use a Meat Thermometer: Invest in a good-quality meat thermometer to monitor your roast's internal temperature accurately. Follow these guidelines for prime rib's internal temperature and levels of doneness.
5. Let it Rest: Allow the roast to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, producing a juicier roast.

Do you have a favorite prime rib recipe or a cooking tip? Join the conversation in the comments below, and let's build a community of prime rib enthusiasts!

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