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A beautifully roasted and sliced Prime Rib for Christmas Dinner, showing a medium-rare center and herb crust.

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

This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step plan for preparing a delicious prime rib roast for your Christmas dinner. It balances tradition with practical cooking tips, perfect for home cooks and families looking to create a memorable holiday centerpiece.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Christmas Dinner, Holiday Meal, Roast
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For the Prime Rib
  • 1 Prime rib roast (6-7 pounds) Bone-in for flavor and presentation, boneless for easier carving and faster cooking
  • 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
  • 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter softened
Optional
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Equipment

  • Roasting pan
  • Meat thermometer
  • small bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Remove the prime rib from the refrigerator about 1 hour before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, coarse salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix well to create a paste.
  3. Pat the prime rib dry with paper towels. Rub the herb and spice paste all over the roast, ensuring it is evenly coated. If using Dijon mustard, spread it over the roast before applying the paste.
  4. Place the prime rib, fat-side up, in a roasting pan. If your roast is bone-in, you can rest it on the bones. If it's boneless, you can place it directly in the pan.
  5. Sear the roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes at 450°F (230°C). This helps to create a flavorful crust.
  6. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C). Continue roasting for approximately 13-15 minutes per pound for medium-rare (125-130°F or 52-54°C internal temperature), or longer for your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roast, avoiding the bone, to check the temperature.
  7. Once the roast reaches your desired internal temperature, remove it from the oven. Place the softened butter over the top of the roast. Tent 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. To carve, use a sharp knife. If bone-in, you can slice between the bones. If boneless, slice against the grain into your desired thickness.

Notes

For a more robust flavor, you can marinate the prime rib with the herb and spice mixture for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator before roasting. Ensure the roast is at room temperature before cooking for even results.

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