Perfectly tender, perfectly juicy, and deliciously seasoned, this show-stopping Boneless Prime Rib Roast is a bold and beautiful Holiday dinner recipe packed with flavor. 

Don’t forget to grab a side of jus from my Roasted Prime Rib au jus to go with your boneless prime rib roast. And if you’re looking for more cozy roast recipes, try my Pork Roast and this hands-free Slow Cooker Coq au Vin.

 

Easy Boneless Prime Rib Roast Recipe

Sometimes, cooking involves teasing the best flavor and texture from challenging ingredients. But, other times, it’s about letting your already amazing ingredients shine! That’s how I feel about prime rib roast. These roasts are top-of-the-line in terms of quality, flavor, and tenderness, so I like to use a very simple set of seasonings and techniques, allowing the prime rib to be the star that it is!

This roast is a showstopper, perfect for special occasions like Christmas dinner, on par with a succulent Roast Turkey and Gravy. Everyone needs a reliable Prime Rib Roast recipe, and this one is a winner, sure to impress every time.

What Is Prime Rib?

At the grocery store, you’ll typically find two grades of prime rib meat: USDA prime grade and USDA choice grade. Prime grade boasts more fat and marbling, making it a delicious, juicy cut, but that’s the more expensive option. If in doubt, consult your butcher to clarify whether you’re getting a prime or choice cut, as the packaging might not always indicate this. More often than not, the cuts available are of the “choice” grade.

When shopping for a boneless prime rib, you might encounter various labels for this cut of meat. It can also be referred to as a “standing rib roast,” “beef rib roast,” “boneless ribeye roast,” or “boneless rib roast.” This can be a bit confusing, so if you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to ask the butcher for assistance so that you will purchase the correct cut and avoid any mix-ups.

Ingredients For Prime Rib

This recipe is for a 3 to 4-pound boneless roast. I like to use boneless prime rib roasts because they are easy to carve and also because it’s easier to calculate how much roast you have and need. A good estimate is ½-pound per person so a 3-pound roast will feed six people. However, if sticking to the recommended weight of a single serving size, a 3-pound roast can feed 8 and up to 10 people.

• One Prime Rib Roast: I recommend buying a boneless roast between 3 and 4 pounds.
• Salt and Pepper: You’ll need a generous amount to season a roast this size! I use two teaspoons of kosher salt and one of ground pepper.
• Butter: Soften the butter before using.
• Thyme and Rosemary: I use dried herbs in this recipe, one teaspoon of dried thyme and half a teaspoon of rosemary.
• Garlic Powder: This gives a wonderful, savory flavor to the meat.
• Bay Leaf: A whole bay leaf is essential for that classic roast-beef aroma and taste.

How To Cook A Boneless Prime Rib Roast

You’ll need a few special items to make this roast the best it can be. Kitchen twine is one of those items. Is it possible to make the toast without tying it up? Definitely! But tying it will result in the most even cooking and juicy roasting, so I really do recommend it. It’s also A MUST to have an instant-read meat thermometer and a good roasting pan. I use a big cast iron skillet.

1. Bring the Roast to Room Temperature (Roughly). Take the beef out of the fridge one hour before you’re ready to cook it. Let stand at room temperature.
2. Preheat the Oven and Dress the Roast. Preheat your oven to 450˚F. Sprinkle salt and pepper all over the beef. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, thyme, garlic powder, rosemary, and crushed bay leaf; mash with a fork until combined and rub this mixture all over the roast. Finally, tie kitchen twine around the roast at 2-inch intervals, to create a tidy bundle.
3. Pre-Roast at High Heat. Place the seasoned and tied beef in a large cast iron skillet. Roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, to seal in the juices.
4. Continue Roasting at a Lower Heat. Turn down the oven temperature to 325˚F and continue to roast until the internal temperature of the beef reaches 120˚F. Make sure to start checking for doneness around the 35-minute mark, so you have an idea as to how much longer you need to cook it. It’s very important to use an instant-read thermometer to check the meat, because it is fast and accurate and won’t interrupt the cooking process needlessly.
5. Cool and Slice the Roast. When the roast is done to your liking, remove it from the oven, and transfer the beef to a cutting board. Cover it with foil and let it stand for 20 minutes before slicing. When ready, slice the roast as thinly as you prefer and serve immediately.

Tips To Make The Perfect Prime Rib Roast

• Take Time into Account. It’s very important to allow enough time for this recipe! You need a whole hour before cooking to let it come to room temperature, plus half an hour afterward to let it stand before carving.
• Don’t Cover While Cooking. It’s common to tightly cover certain types of meat, to give it the most tenderness, but prime rib does better uncovered. The high temperature at the beginning of the roasting sears the meat, sealing in juices; that’s all you need! No covering required.
• Test the Temperature Early. As the roast gets closer to being done, the internal temperature goes up faster and faster. So check it a little early, and continue to check fairly frequently until it hits your target temperature. And, remember, it will continue to cook after you take it out of the oven.

What Goes With Prime Rib?

• Bread: Perfect for sopping up leftover juices, serve this prime rib with a side of homemade Dinner Rolls.
• Potatoes: I love pretty much any potato dish, and so does this roast! From Loaded Potatoes Au Gratin to Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes and Hassleback Potatoes, it’s all amazing!
• Cauliflower: Potatoes not your thing? Try my Creamy Mashed Cauliflower for a perfect low-carb side!
• More Veggies: My Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce is a perfect complement to a hearty boneless prime rib roast, as are these Creamy Green Beans with Mushrooms and Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts.
• Salad: Pair this roast with a side salad, like this Brussels Sprouts Salad or Cranberry Chicken Salad.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

• To refrigerate, put in airtight containers or wrap leftovers tightly and seal in food storage bags. Leftovers will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• To reheat, place prime rib in a baking dish. Add a splash of beef broth (or leftover gravy, au jus, etc), and cover tightly with foil. Bake at 300˚F until heated through. The amount of time will vary depending on how large and thick the piece(s) of roast are.

Can You Freeze Prime Rib?

• Yes! To freeze, wrap leftovers tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, and then seal into freezer bags, pressing out as much air as possible. Leftovers will keep for 4 to 6 months.
• Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before reheating.

ENJOY!

More Dinner Ideas

• Beef Bourguignon
• Maple Butter Whole Roasted Chicken
• Maple Teriyaki Salmon with Veggies
• Sirloin Tip Roast