Indulging in a succulent prime rib is an experience that every meat lover cherishes. Its tender, juicy, and rich flavor make it a true culinary delight. Surprisingly, cooking prime rib is an easy and relatively quick process that you can master with the right recipe. In this blog post, I will share with you a delicious prime rib recipe that guarantees a perfectly smoked and flavorful result that will leave you craving for more.
Smoking Prime Rib to Perfection:
You can prepare Prime Rib in the oven and it will be delicious. I’ve discovered that my favorite cooking method for Prime Rib is using a Wood Pellet Grill coupled with blended pellets. Placing your rib roast on the smoker along with a couple of sprigs of rosemary on top of the roast will infuse it with a beautifully balanced smoky taste that no oven will be able to provide.
The Recipe:
To start, you’ll need to gather the following ingredients: rib roast, salt, pepper, sprigs of rosemary, olive oil, lemon, garlic cloves, thyme, red wine, and water. Now, let’s dive into the cooking process:
Perfect Prime Rib
6
servings1
hour3
hoursKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 1 Prime Rib Roast (usually around 5-7 lbs 4 or 5 ribs)
Olive Oil to Taste
1 1 Lemon
5 5 Garlic cloves, minced
5 5 Rosemary sprigs
2 tbsp 2 tbsp Thyme
1 cup 236.59 ml Red wine
1 cup 236.59 ml water
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions
- Prepare the Rub: Mix together salt, pepper, thyme, minced garlic, and the leaves from two sprigs of rosemary to create a flavorful herbal rub.
- Sprinkle olive oil all over the prime rib and generously coat it with the rub mixture. The combination of these herbs and spices will enhance the natural flavors of the meat. Make sure you rub enough salt and pepper to give it sufficient flavor.
- Place the remaining rosemary sprigs on top of the roast to infuse additional flavor.
- Choose Your Cooking Method: You have two options to cook your prime rib. The first method involves placing the seasoned meat directly on the grill’s top rack with the fatty side up. Set the pellet grill temperature to 280°F and let it cook undisturbed until the internal temperature reaches 120°F for a rare finish. Place an au just rack with the ribs on the bottom rack. The second option is to cook the rib roast together with the au jus on a roasting pan. The result will be a bit more juicy as this method allows the meat to absorb the delighful flavors of the liquid while cooking. However, it will also result in a less attractive bark.
- Once the meat’s internal temperature reaches your desired temperature, remove it from the grill or oven. Let it rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with your favorite sides and the Au Jus.
- Au Jus
- On a roasting pan place the ribs from the roast, add one cup of red wine, one cup of water, and the juice of one lemon. You can also add additional thyme, and rosemary to the liquid have an additional herbal flavor to the liquid. Place the tray directly below the rib roast on the grill to catch juices and rendered fat from the rib roast. Otherwise, if you cook the roast directly on the roasting pan, just place the roast on top.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Let the prime rib sit at room temperature for at least an hour before cooking to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Keep a close eye on the internal temperature using a meat thermometer as it nears your desired level of doneness to avoid overcooking.
- Opt for any dry red wine, such as Chianti, to enhance the flavors of the meat.
- Allow the cooked prime rib to rest for approximately 20 minutes before serving to retain its juiciness.
- I cook my Prime Rib at 280F on a Pellet Grill, it will be done it about 3 – 4 hours depending on the size of your cut of meat and it will have a delicious smoked flavor. You can opt for a higher temperature such as 300F or 325F for a faster cooking but also less smoke.
- I highly recommend that you buy a heat safe meat thermometer as it will help you determine the moment to remove the prime rib from the heat and avoid overcooking this delicious piece of meat. Remember, there’s no turning back once it’s overcooked!
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Finding Your Perfect Doneness:
While I prefer a rare prime rib, the level of doneness can vary depending on individual preferences. Here are some guidelines to help you determine the ideal internal temperature at which you should remove the prime rib from the oven or grill:
- 120°F for rare
- 125-130°F for medium rare
- 135-140°F for medium
- 145-150°F for medium well
You need to take into account that we’ve given a lower internal temperature range as the prime rib will continue cooking about an extra 5°F while resting. Additionally, while the middle sections may be at your desired level of doneness the sides will be more cooked. That’s why shooting for a medium rare level at the center will most probably please the majority of your party as the sides will be cooked to medium or even medium well.
You can serve the prime rib with your favorite sides, just take into consideration that you want this mouthwatering and perfectly cooked cut of beef to take center stage. We recommend potatoes or salad.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of cooking a perfect prime rib is a skill that will earn you praises from family and friends. With this recipe and the cooking tips provided, you can achieve a flawlessly smoked prime rib that will leave everyone wanting more. So, next time you’re looking to impress your loved ones with a culinary masterpiece, give this recipe a try and savor the delightful flavors of a well-prepared prime rib.
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