How to Cook Prime Rib 5 Different Ways

Prime rib is an elegant and decadent cut of meat that makes for a special dinner. It takes time to cook, but you’ll be rewarded with juicy, succulent meat. If you want to know how to cook prime rib, we have 5 excellent methods that will help you prepare it for your next dinner party, holiday, or even a special Sunday dinner.

Pro Prime Rib Tips

One thing to know about how to cook prime rib is that no matter which of these 5 methods you use, you should always let the meat get to room temperature first. Set it out on the counter for an hour or two as this will help it cook more evenly.

Additionally, you’ll want to cook it to your desired level of doneness. A meat thermometer can make sure you get it to your liking as follows:

– Rare: 120°F

– Medium Rare: 130°F

– Medium: 140°F

– Medium Well: 150°F

A prime rib recipe will continue to cook while it rests, another important step to take before you serve it. This means you’ll want to remove it from your heat source when it measures 5 to 10 degrees lower than your desired internal temperature.

Never just carve into a prime rib right after you finish cooking. Always give it 15 to 30 minutes first, and carve it against the grain. It’s great served with horseradish or Dijon mustard sauce, or you can simply serve it with au jus or gravy. Add some mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, honeyed carrots, and steamed asparagus for the perfect prime rib meal that will turn your dining room into a superb steakhouse.

How to Cook Prime Rib in the Oven

The oven is one of the best ways for how to cook prime rib. You’ll want to put your oven rack in the center, then preheat to 500°F. Season and prepare your prime rib according to the recipe instructions, then place it with the bones facing down in a roasting pan. If your prime rib is boneless, put it on a rack inside your pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 325°F until it reaches your ideal level of doneness.

How to Cook Prime Rib on a Grill

Want to know how to cook prime rib on your grill? Just preheat it for indirect cooking to get it to 450°F. Put a rotisserie rod in the center of the meat and secure it into the grill. Cloe the lid and let it grill for about 2 hours or until it reaches 125°F internally. When it rests, it will arrive at 135°F for medium rare.

How to Cook Prime Rib in a Smoker

Enjoy wonderfully smokey prime rib when you know how to cook it in the smoker. Preheat your smoker to 225°F and prepare your prime rib according to the recipe. Once the smoker is heated, put the prime rib in and close the lid. Smoke until it reaches your desired temperature for rare, medium rare, medium, or medium well.

Next, you must let it rest for 20 minutes, covering it with foil as it does. You’ll increase the smoker temperature to 400°F, then sear until it finishes to your desired temperature.

How to Cook Prime Rib in a Crock Pot

If you have a Crock Pot, first you will want to sear the prime rib until it is browned on all sides. Then you can add it to your Crock Pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. It helps to add beef broth or red wine along with it to give the Crock Pot some liquid to cook with your meat. Let it rest when it is finished.

How to Cook Prime Rib in a Slow Cooker

While a Crock Pot is a type of slow cooker, not all slow cookers are the same as a Crock Pot. You can follow similar steps for a Crock Pot, but it works best to rub it with butter and seasonings after searing, then set it on low for 3 to 5 hours if you want it medium rare. Increase the cooking time to 4 hours and 30 minutes up to 5 hours for medium. When it’s finished to your liking and the temperature reads accordingly, let it rest on a cutting board, loosely covered with foil before slicing.