There’s just something magical about a perfectly roasted prime rib, isn’t there? The aroma alone can transport you straight to cozy holidays and big family gatherings. I still remember my very first attempt at making a Family Favorite Prime Rib for Christmas Eve. My kitchen was filled with the warm scents of rosemary, garlic, and buttery anticipation, and I’ll admit, I probably checked my meat thermometer more times than I should have! But when that golden, glistening roast finally made it to the table, seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces made every anxious moment melt away. That’s why I’m so excited to share this recipe with you. As a culinary content creator, my passion is taking those beloved comfort dishes that feel special and making them totally doable for *you* in your own kitchen. This guide is all about helping you create those heartwarming memories, transforming prime rib from an intimidating holiday centerpiece into a joyful, repeatable tradition for your family.
Why This Family Favorite Prime Rib Recipe Works
You might think a prime rib recipe like this is tricky, but trust me, it’s designed to be your new go-to! Here’s why this Family Favorite Prime Rib is such a winner:
- It’s surprisingly simple to make, letting you actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck bossing the oven around.
- The garlic herb butter rub gives it an incredible, savory flavor that’s just melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- It’s perfect for those big holiday dinners or any time you want to make a meal feel extra special without all the fuss.
- The two-temperature cooking method ensures a beautiful sear on the outside and that perfect, juicy medium-rare center every single time.
Gather Your Ingredients for Family Favorite Prime Rib
Alright, let’s get our shopping list ready! Having everything prepped makes the cooking process so much smoother. For this delicious Family Favorite Prime Rib, you’ll need a few key players for that amazing rub, plus the star of the show, of course.
Here’s what you’ll need for the roast itself:
- A beautiful 6-pound bone-in prime rib. Make sure to ask your butcher to cut off the ribs and then tie them back on – this helps it cook like a dream!
- ½ cup of softened butter. You want it soft enough to mix easily, but not melted.
- 6 cloves of garlic, all minced up nice and fine.
- 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. It really brings out all the flavors!
- 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme, chopped small.
- 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary, also finely chopped. The fresh herbs make all the difference!
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
And if you’re feeling fancy and want to whip up the optional Red Wine Au Jus, grab these:
- ¼ cup of drippings from the prime rib pan. Just be sure to skim off most of the fat before you use it!
- 2 cups of beef broth.
- 1 ½ cups of red wine. A dry red works best here.
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch or arrowroot powder mixed with a little water to make a slurry (this is optional if you like a thicker sauce).
Essential Equipment for Your Roast Dinner
Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients looking mighty fine! Now let’s talk tools. You don’t need a whole fancy kitchen for this, just a few trusty items to make sure your Roast Dinner goes off without a hitch!
Oven-Safe Pan or Roasting Tray
This is where all the magic happens! You need something sturdy that can handle the heat of the oven and catch all those delicious juices.
Small Bowl
Perfect for whipping up that dreamy garlic herb butter. Keeps everything contained so you don’t get butter all over the counter!
Meat Thermometer
Honestly, this is your best friend for prime rib. It takes all the guesswork out and ensures you get that perfect medium rare center we’re all aiming for. Non-negotiable!
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Family Favorite Prime Rib
Alright, deep breaths! You’ve got your ingredients, you’ve got your tools – let’s make some magic happen. This is where your Family Favorite Prime Rib really comes to life. It’s easier than you think, I promise!
Bringing the Roast to Room Temperature
First things first, take that beautiful prime rib out of the fridge about 2 to 3 hours before you plan to cook it. This step is super important for making sure it cooks evenly all the way through. No one wants a cold center, right? It’s like letting your ingredients relax before the big show!
Creating the Garlic Herb Rub
While the roast is getting comfy on the counter, let’s make that killer rub! Just toss your softened butter, minced garlic, kosher salt, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, and black pepper into a little bowl. Give it a good mix until it’s all combined and fragrant. Easy peasy!
Applying the Rub and Preheating
Once your prime rib has had its little warm-up, pat it totally dry with paper towels – this helps get a nice crust. Now, slather that glorious herb butter all over the outside of the roast. Seriously, cover every nook and cranny! Get it nice and coated.
Don’t forget to kick your oven on to 450°F (230°C)! We need it nice and hot to get a good sear right off the bat. Perfecting this initial sear is key, much like when we’re getting a good crust on chicken!
The Roasting Process: Sear and Slow Cook
Pop that seasoned beauty, bone-side down and fat-side up, into your oven-safe pan. First, let it sear in the hot oven for about 20 minutes. This gives it that gorgeous golden-brown crust we love. Then, turn your oven down to 325°F (160°C). Now, let it cook slowly until your meat thermometer reads 120°F (50°C) for that perfect medium rare. This usually takes about 1.5 hours for a 6-pound roast, but ovens can be a bit funny, so trust that thermometer! It’s your best tool for hitting that sweet spot.
The Crucial Resting Period
This is probably the hardest part – waiting! Once it hits that 120°F mark, pull your prime rib out of the oven. Tent it loosely with foil and let it rest for a good 20 to 30 minutes. Trust me, this is where the juices redistribute, making every slice incredibly moist and tender. It’s a step you absolutely cannot skip for the best results!
Making the Optional Red Wine Au Jus
If you’re making the au jus, after you pull the roast out, carefully pour the pan drippings into a saucepan. Add your beef broth and red wine. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes to let those flavors mingle. If you like it a little thicker, now’s the time to whisk in your cornstarch or arrowroot slurry and let it bubble away until it’s just right. Delicious!
Tips for the Best Prime Rib
Want to make sure your Family Favorite Prime Rib turns out absolutely perfect? I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that really make a difference. It’s all about paying attention to a few key details. And that amazing Garlic Herb Rub? It’s the foundation for so much flavor!
When you’re picking out your prime rib, look for a good amount of marbling – those little streaks of fat are pure flavor gold! Also, don’t rush the room temperature step; it seriously helps the roast cook evenly from edge to edge. And that initial hot sear? It’s crucial for locking in those juices, kind of like how we get a great crust on chicken thighs. It creates that beautiful caramelized exterior while keeping the inside tender.
Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Roast
Now that you’ve got this gorgeous Holiday Roast, you need some friends for it on the plate, right? A fantastic prime rib deserves a spectacular Roast Dinner to go with it. I love keeping things classic and comforting, but there are always ways to lighten it up too! Think about pairing it with something cozy, like you would a comforting chicken dish on a chilly evening.
Classic Sides
You really can’t go wrong with the classics! Creamy mashed potatoes are an absolute must, of course. And don’t forget some beautifully roasted root vegetables like carrots and parsnips, or maybe some fluffy Yorkshire puddings if you’re feeling ambitious. They soak up all those delicious juices!
Lighter Options
If you’re looking for something a little fresher, a big, bright green salad with a zesty vinaigrette is always a winner. Steamed asparagus or green beans with a touch of lemon also pair wonderfully and add a lovely pop of color and freshness to the plate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Favorite Prime Rib
Got questions about making your Family Favorite Prime Rib? I’ve got answers! It’s totally normal to have a few queries when you’re making something special like this, so let’s clear them up. If you have more questions after this, feel free to reach out!
What is the best temperature for medium-rare prime rib?
For that perfect slice of medium rare, you’re looking for an internal temperature of about 120°F (50°C) when you pull it from the oven. Remember, it will continue to cook a bit while it rests!
Can I cook prime rib without the bones?
Absolutely! You can use a boneless prime rib roast. Just know that the bones really do help with even cooking and adding flavor, so you might need to adjust your cooking time slightly. Keep an eye on that thermometer!
How do I prevent my prime rib from drying out?
The biggest secrets are to not overcook it – seriously, use that thermometer! And don’t skip the resting period; it lets the juices chill out and redistribute. Letting your roast come to room temperature before cooking also helps a ton.
What if my prime rib is too large for the pan?
No worries! If your roast is a bit of a squeeze, you might need to use a larger roasting pan. You can also try adjusting your oven rack placement to make sure you have enough clearance and that the heat can circulate nicely around the entire roast.
Nutritional Information Disclaimer
Hey everyone! Just a little note from my kitchen to yours: the nutritional information you might see for this Family Favorite Prime Rib is always going to be an estimate. It can vary a fair bit depending on the exact ingredients you use, the brands you pick up at the store, and, of course, how big of a slice you decide to serve yourself (no judgment here!). It’s always best to think of these numbers as a ballpark guide rather than an exact science.
Share Your Family Favorite Prime Rib Experience
I absolutely LOVE hearing from you! Once you’ve made this Family Favorite Prime Rib, please hop down to the comments and let me know how it turned out. Did you try the au jus? What sides did you serve? Sharing your cooking triumphs and even little kitchen adventures really makes my day and helps other home cooks too. And if you snap a pic for social media, tag me! I can’t wait to see your beautiful roasts! You can learn more about my passion for connecting through food right here.
Family Favorite Prime Rib
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Remove the prime rib from the refrigerator 2 to 3 hours before cooking to allow it to reach room temperature.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, kosher salt, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Once the prime rib has reached room temperature, pat it dry with paper towels. Rub the herb butter mixture evenly over the entire outside of the roast.
- Place the prime rib, bone-side down and fat-side up, in an oven-safe pan or roasting tray. If making the red wine au jus, place quartered onion slices in the pan around the meat. Otherwise, you can omit the onions.
- Cook the prime rib in the center of the preheated oven for 20 minutes at 450°F (230°C) to achieve a good sear. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 120°F (50°C) for medium-rare. This typically takes about 1.5 hours, but cooking time will vary based on the size of your roast and your oven. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Remove the prime rib from the oven and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. You can tent it loosely with aluminum foil to keep it warm. After resting, remove the string and bones, then slice the prime rib into ½-inch thick pieces.
Notes
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Megan Lawrence is a seasoned Recipe Developer, culinary writer, and digital food educator dedicated to helping home cooks discover flavorful, approachable, and reliable recipes they can return to again and again. With years of experience in recipe creation, food content strategy, and cooking education, Megan has developed a trusted voice in the culinary space—known for her clear teaching style, dependable kitchen techniques, and flavorful recipes that work for real life. Today, she proudly serves as a core author at grevva.com, where she develops recipes designed to inspire confidence and creativity in every kitchen.
Megan’s culinary journey began in community kitchens and local food programs, where she worked hands-on with families to teach cooking fundamentals, meal planning, and budget-friendly recipe creation. These early years ignited her passion for food education and revealed the true mission that continues to drive her work: to make home cooking simple, joyful, and empowering, not overwhelming. Determined to reach a wider audience, she transitioned into food writing and recipe development, building a portfolio that blends practical home cooking with chef-inspired flavors.
