There’s something truly special about preparing a delicious meal for your loved ones—it’s fulfilling, and the joy on their faces makes it all worthwhile. One of my favorite cuts of beef for special occasions is a prime rib roast. The anticipation in my family and friends as they await their succulent prime rib fills my heart with happiness.

When I first attempted this roast, I felt a wave of intimidation; I was determined to get it just right. If you’re not an expert cook and worry about ruining such a prized cut of meat, I have a reassuring solution: a reliable cooking tool.

For the best chance of success, I recommend using an electric roaster oven. This appliance is perfect for a prime rib roast, offering convenience while expertly preserving the juices and flavors. It’s the easiest way to achieve a beautifully cooked prime rib.

After conquering my fear of the roaster—once a source of intimidation for me—I have gone on to master cooking turkeys, roasts, hams, and more. If you don’t have an electric roaster, I encourage you to consider getting one.

Prime rib, often referred to as a standing rib, hails from the back of the upper rib section, showcasing some of the most tender parts of beef. The price reflects its precious nature, but don’t let that pressure you.

Rest assured, even if it doesn’t come out perfectly, it will still be delicious—I’ve experienced this myself more than once! It’s absolutely worth a try.

Additionally, the meat itself is so flavorful and tender that it requires minimal seasoning. Just keep in mind not to lift the lid too often while cooking; the roaster self-bastes, ensuring a moist and delectable result. Electric roasters excel at cooking large pieces of meat while retaining moisture, allowing the flavors to shine.

Now, let’s dive into the recipe! Here’s what you’ll need for a melt-in-your-mouth prime rib:

Ingredients:

• 5-7 lbs strandquist family farm prime rib roast

• 3-4 tablespoons butter

• salt to taste

• pepper to taste

• 1 to 2 teaspoons dried rosemary

• 1 to 2 teaspoons dried thyme

• 5 – 6 cloves minced garlic 

Directions:

Step 1: Take the prime rib out of the fridge, put it on the rack from the roaster fat side up and allow it to sit until it’s at room temperature so it cooks evenly, approximately 2 hours.

Step 2: If you want the seasoning to soak into the prime rib even more, season your prime rib 24 hours beforehand (you can also add some criss crosses to the prime rib with a knife to the let the seasonings soak in as well).  

Before you start to season, you’ll want to blot the prime rib with a paper towel to get rid of extra moisture so the seasonings will stick even better to the roast.

Step 3: Rub butter over the roast and then liberally salt the roast on all sides (the salt also helps you achieve a crispy seared crust). Next, mix together the black pepper, rosemary, and thyme and spread evenly over the entire roast then add your minced garlic (and you can add the minced garlic or garlic cloves into the crisscross slits you made).

Step 4: Preheat your electric roaster oven to 450°F (8-10 minutes). Then place the rack with the meat into the roaster. Do not add water to the bottom of the roaster, as this will cause the roast to be steamed instead.

Step 5: Close the lid and continue to cook on high (450°F) for 15 minutes in order to sear the meat. Then bring down the temperature to 350°F. Check out the cooking times below and calculate yours according to how you like your meat. Let the prime rib rest for at least 15-30 minutes after you take it out from the roaster, depending on what size it is.

*Remember, when it rests, it continues to cook. For example, if you want your prime rib rare, take it out sooner than 130 º F.

• Rare – 130º F – 10 to 12 minutes per pound, cooking time approx. 1 hour

• Medium Rare – 135º F – 12 to 14 minutes per pound, cooking time approx. 1 1/4 hours (we like to cook our prime rib to Med. Rare)

• Medium – 140-145º F – 15 to 17 minutes per pound, cooking time approx. 1 1/2 hours

• Medium Well – 150-155º F – 17 to 19 minutes per pound, cooking time approx. 1 3/4 hours

• Well Done – 160º F – 19 to 22 minutes per pound, cooking time approx. 2 hours

  *cooking times may vary

If you want to add even more to your prime rib, prepare a quick and simple horseradish cream sauce to go along with your beautiful prime rib:

Sauce Recipe:

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 2 tbsp. horseradish sauce or prepared horseradish, drained

• 2 tbsp. mayo

• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

• 1/8 tsp. black pepper

• 1 tbsp. chives or parsley, fresh or dry

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients together and serve immediately or refrigerate for a couple of hours.

I’m excited to make my next prime rib roast and I hope you are too!

Warmly,

Tessa

If you don’t have an electric roaster, I highly recommend the Nesco Roaster Oven, 18 Quart. It’s been my favorite since I received it as a wedding present 14 years ago, and I’ve been using it ever since! Click HERE to shop now.

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