Reverse Sear Prime Rib (Mouthwatering)

4.79 from 56 votes

This classic prime rib recipe uses the reverse-sear method to create mouth watering, medium-rare meat throughout the entire roast. It doesn't get better than that.

Prep Time5

Cook Time2 10

Total Time2 15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings (change as needed): -5

Author: Cheryl Avrich

Ingredients

3 pounds (1.36 kg) prime rib of beef, well marbled, Note 1 (2 ribs or bones)
2 garlic cloves, sliced into thin slivers
Optional: 2 tsp Dijon mustard and fresh or dry thyme
kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions

OPTIONAL PRE-SEASONING the day before. Note 2
HEAT OVEN to 250F/121C.
PREPARE ROAST: Pat roast dry with paper towel. Insert garlic slivers into roast all over between meat and fat (separate with fingers and slip in garlic). Leave the fat cap on the top of the meat for great flavor. If using Dijon, smear it all over roast. Season roast liberally with kosher salt and black pepper. Sprinkle on thyme if using. Place roast bone side down in shallow pan lined with foil (for easier clean up). If you have a temperature probe, insert it in the center of the roast. If not use an instant-read thermometer.
START ROASTING AT LOW TEMP: Roast in oven, fat side up, at 250F/121C for about 2 to 2 1/4 hours or until internal temperature reaches 120F/49C for medium rare on instant thermometer (you'll be cooking it longer later on). Or 130F/54.4C for medium.
REST ROAST: Remove roast, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for at least 30 minutes and up to 90 minutes.
FINISH ROASTING AT HIGH TEMP: While roast is resting, increase oven temperature to 500F/260C. 10 minutes before you're ready to serve, place roast in hot oven. Roast for 6-10 minutes (or 5 minutes longer if roast is bigger) until exterior browns nicely. Insert meat thermometer to check temperature of meat - it should rise to 130F/54.4C for medium rare. Or 140F/60C for medium measured with an instant-read thermometer. Note 3 for internal temperatures the way your like your beef cooked.
SLICE AND SERVE: On cutting board, turn roast on side and slice off bones. Then turn meat, cut side down, on board and slice. Remove garlic slivers. Serve immediately with gravy (Note 4) or au jus.

Video

Notes

What is a prime rib cut: Look for USDA Prime on the package. USDA Choice is not as high-end as Prime, but it's still good. Other markings (in Canada, for example) are AAA and Certified Angus Beef. Select is less tender.
- How much meat to buy per person:
  - By rib: Generally figure 1 rib will serve 2 people. 4-5 ribs will serve 8-10 people. 2 ribs will serve 4-5 people
  - By weight: For a bone-in roast, figure about 1 pound/0.54 kg per person. For a boneless beef rib roast, figure a bit more than 1/2 pound/0.28 kg per person.
Pre-seasoning option: To add even more flavor and a crustier darker exterior, dry brine the roast. A day or two ahead, pat the roast dry with a paper towel, salt it, then place it in the fridge on a rack, uncovered, to dry out and allow the flavor of the meat to develop. Bring the roast to room temperature (2 hours) before roasting. I often skip the dry brine since I always serve my prime rib with gravy which also adds to the flavor. Alternatively, you can also dry the roast in the fridge without the salt. This won't add flavor, but it will give you the crustier exterior.
Doneness (internal temperature). Here's how What's Cooking America measures doneness using an instant-read thermometer:
- Rare – 120 to 125 degrees F (49-51.7C) – center is bright red, pinkish toward the exterior portion
- Medium Rare – 130 to 135 degrees F (54-57C) – center is very pink, slightly brown ring at the edge
- Medium – 140 to 145 degrees F (60-63C) – center is light pink meat, small outer portion is brown
- Medium Well – 150 to 155 degrees F (65.6-68C) – not pink
- Well Done – 160 degrees F (71C) and above
To make gravy, check out our recipe for beef gravy without drippings (but INSTEAD of butter or oil, use the fat beef drippings from the roast if you like and make it while the beef is resting)
Make ahead/Store/Reheat:
- You can make the roast up to 100 minutes ahead of serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- To reheat prime rib, it's best to go low and slow (the microwave is not the best option). America's Test Kitchen suggests the oven method for reheating:
  1. Place roast, uncovered, on a wire rack placed in rimmed baking pan. Place the pan on the middle rack in a 250F/121C oven.
  2. Roast until the meat reaches a temperature of 120F/49C (1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on the size of your roast). Pat surface dry with paper towels.

Nutrition values are estimates for very generous portions for 4 people. They would reduce if serving 5.