Go Back
+ servings
A beautifully roasted Prime Rib for Christmas Dinner, sliced to show a perfect medium-rare center on a wooden cutting board.

Prime Rib for Christmas Dinner — Step-by-Step Plan

This guide will help you prepare a delicious prime rib roast for your Christmas dinner. It breaks down the process into simple steps, making it easy for any home cook to create a show-stopping centerpiece.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dinner, Holiday
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

Prime Rib Roast
  • 1 Prime rib roast (6-7 pounds) Bone-in for flavor and presentation, boneless for easier carving and faster cooking
Seasoning Rub
  • 3 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 6-7 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Coarse salt
  • 1 tablespoon Black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika
Finishing Butter
  • 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Optional

Equipment

  • Roasting pan
  • Meat thermometer
  • Sharp Knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Pat the prime rib dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, coarse salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix well to create a paste.
  3. Rub the prime rib roast all over with the olive oil, then generously coat it with the herb and spice mixture. If using, spread the Dijon mustard over the roast.
  4. Place the seasoned roast, fat-side up, in a roasting pan. If your roast is bone-in, you can rest it on the bones.
  5. Roast at 450°F (230°C) for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and continue roasting for about 13-15 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roast (not touching bone) registers your desired temperature.
  6. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 120-125°F (49-52°C). For medium, aim for 130-135°F (54-57°C).
  7. Once the roast reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent it loosely with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful roast.
  8. While the roast is resting, mix the softened butter with any pan drippings if desired. You can serve this as a compound butter or use it to make a simple gravy.
  9. Carve the prime rib against the grain using a sharp knife. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

For a crispier crust, you can increase the oven temperature to 500°F (260°C) for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning. If you are using a boneless roast, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!