Looking to start a new holiday tradition? This year, make an easy prime rib recipe and have it be the star of your holiday dinner.
Tender and juice, prime rib tastes and looks like a showstopper. And, thankfully, it’s easier to make than you might think. Here’s everything you need to know to serve delicious holiday prime rib, from selecting a roast, to choosing a recipe, to making mouthwatering gravy.
Start with the right prime rib cut
Is there such a thing as subpar prime rib? Surprisingly, yes. While the name “prime rib” may have you expecting outstanding quality, it’s still important to be choosy when selecting your cut.
In general, you’ll get the best results if you ask for a cut from the fattier chuck end of the roast, rather than the leaner loin end. The fat over will render over a long roasting time for a melt-in-your-mouth main course.
Pro tip: Before you’re ready to cook, warm the roast to room temperature. Drastic changes in temperature — like going from the fridge to the oven — can “seize” the meat, yielding a tougher and chewier final product.
Pick the perfect prime rib recipe
Whether you’re in the mood for a traditional herb-forward roast, a peppery treat or a smoky BBQ holiday classic, we’ve got an easy prime rib recipe you’ll love.
Holiday Herbed Prime Rib
It’s here, the holiday herb-crusted roast of your dreams. Tender prime rib gets a serious upgrade with a homemade rub of basil, oregano, garlic and pepper for well-balanced savory and herbaceous flavor. This roast also looks fancy, but it’s easy to make. It requires just 10 minutes of active prep time to make the rub, then you can relax as it roasts to perfection.
Prime Rib Au Poivre
If you’re looking for a more peppery take on holiday roast, this prime rib au poivre is a must-try. It’s loaded with sophisticated savory flavor, thanks to a homemade rub made from French's Chardonnay Dijon Mustard Squeeze Bottle, minced garlic and, of course, plenty of peppercorns. This is the ideal option if you’re looking for a bolder roast, and it will be perfect for Sunday dinners in the new year, too.
Stubb's Grilled Prime Rib Roast
If you like to celebrate grilling season all year round, we’ve got the roast for you. This tender grilled roast couldn’t be easier to make: Just coat the prime rib with Stubb’s BBQ Rub and grill for three hours. This simple-but-delicious roast keeps it casual, so it’s best for either a fun and festive get-together or a low-key dinner with your loved ones.
Complete your prime rib with gravies and sauces
Prime rib is delicious on its own, but you can bring it to the next level with these homemade gravies and sauces.
Au Jus Gravy Mix
Au jus — French for “with juice” — is traditionally made by simmering the ultra-flavorful liquid left in the pan after roasting your prime rib until it thickens into a sauce. But if you don’t have time for simmering, or you grilled your prime rib instead, use Au Jus Gravy Mix to make your sauce instead. All you need is a packet of mix and water, and you can have tastes-like-homemade gravy on the table in five minutes.
Perfect Brown Gravy
Everything tastes better drizzled with traditional brown gravy — including tender prime rib. This recipe mixes beef drippings, water and McCormick Brown Gravy Mix for an intensely flavorful gravy that comes together in minutes. Each batch makes nearly two cups of rich and savory gravy: Enough for holiday dinner and for leftovers.
Triple Heat Horseradish Sauce
Beef and horseradish are a match made in heaven, and this sauce adds a bold hint of spice, too. This simple five-ingredient recipe comes together in just a few minutes, and it actually tastes better made in advance and stored in the fridge overnight, so it’s perfect for stress-free entertaining. If you're not a fan of fire, reduce the amount of hot sauce to keep it mild.
Ready to Make Your Own Easy Prime Rib Recipe?
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