This is a fool proof method for making the best medium rare prime rib. Your seasonings can be changed according to your preference, but what’s listed works perfectly. It’s the cooking method that is the key. It cannot be stressed enough, the roast MUST be at room temperature in order for this to work. If it is the least bit cold in the middle of the roast, you will come out with a very rare roast. A mistake I only made once because I was worried about leaving it out to get warm. Don’t worry! It will be fine! I usually purchase 4.5 to 5 lb roasts and take it out of the fridge for a minimum of 5 hours to be sure it is room temp. It comes out absolutely PERFECT and juicy every time.
I know this is a culinary no-no, but we don’t link pink meat, so while I partially use this method, I didn’t do it exactly as Chef John suggests. I had a 4 lb boneless rib roast, which I let sit out at room temp for 4 hours. While the meat was coming to room temp I also let my butter sit out to soften. I placed the butter in a small bowl, added about 1 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, 4 tsp of coarse kosher salt, 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 6 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tsp of thyme. (We don’t care for Herbs de Provence.) I mixed this up with a fork then slathered the meat all over with it. I roasted the meat for 20 minutes at 500 degrees to get a nice crust, then I reduced the oven temp to 325 and continued roasting for another two hours. This gave us meat which was almost well done. It was still absolutely delicious this way, and perfectly flavored and juicy. Served with some twice baked potatoes and green beans. Perfect meal!
I have used this recipe for years and it works perfectly- ONE THING that will cause the meat to be less than medium rare, besides not having the rib at room temperature, is the fan in newer ovens!! I had no issue for many years until I got a new oven in 2012. Many new ovens have a fan that comes on when you turn the oven off. It quickly lowers the temp, which, obviously, will not work for this recipe. Since I have a built-in oven, I actually shut off the breaker to the oven so the fan doesn’t come on. Otherwise you can just unplug it. I guarantee that was the problem with folks who had theirs come out rare!
This works well for certain ovens. Here is the fool proof plan! After your calculated 500 degree blast turn off the oven. In 30 minutes check the oven temp by setting it to bake at 325 degrees. If your oven is below 325 and begins to heat up your oven either has a vent fan or cools off too quickly. No problem. Set it to 275 and leave it for the next hour. You are now at 1.5 hours after the blast. Turn oven off for the last half hour. Perfection. If your oven is over 325 one half hour after the first half hour blast you should be good with original recipe.
Absolutely, the easiest way to make perfect prime rib every time. But do not be tempted to open up the oven door until time is up.
I was really skeptical – I’m a thermometer checker with my meats and keeping the oven off for two hours with the door closed about killed me! I had a 7 pound prime rib roast and with the exception of the seasoning (I make my own), I followed the recipe exactly as written – roasting at 500 degrees for 35 minutes and then oven off for 2 hours. Turned out perfect. My husband was beyond impressed. I also made Chef John’s Beef Au Jus. A meal my entire family loved. Thank you!
I wish there was an ability to give 10 stars! Chef John, I followed your directions… (except I was all out of Kosher salt so I only used sea salt, dang it)…and I got rave reviews. Due to having big eaters and more people than normal, I made an 11.13 pound rib roast and the directions worked for that big of an item. I couldn’t believe it. Thank you so much. I have deleted the other prime/rib roast from my recipe box and now only have yours. Words cannot express my gratitude.
Ingredients :
1 prime rib roast with or without bone (any size)
Garlic powder
Salt
Pepper
Directions :
Preheat oven to 550F degrees.
Make a rub of salt, pepper and garlic powder and apply to meat. Place meat in a shallow roasting pan fat side up.
Roast at 550 at 5 minutes per pound for RARE, or 6 minutes per pound for MEDIUM and 7 minutes per pound for WELL DONE.
Turn off oven at the end of cooking time and DO NOT OPEN OVEN DOOR FOR TWO HOURS.
At the end of the 2 hours, remove meat from oven to slice; it comes out perfect everytime.
Works the same with Roast beef. Try it you won’t be disappointed.
