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Need a quick and easy prime rib recipe? You're going to love my recipe for Instant Pot Prime Rib! This prime rib instant pot recipe is ready in under an hour. Perfect for a last-minute Easter or Christmas dinner!
Jump to:
- Prime Rib in the Instant Pot
- Prime Rib Instant Pot Ingredients
- Instapot Prime Rib Instructions
- Expert Tips
- How long do you cook Prime Rib in an Instant Pot?
- Prime Rib Temperatures
- FAQ
- How to Make Prime Rib Gravy
- What is the difference between Prime Rib and Ribeye?
- How Much Prime Rib Per Person
- What to Serve with Prime Rib
- Instant Pot Prime Rib
- Reviews
Prime Rib in the Instant Pot
If you know me, you know one thing for sure: I love prime rib. I've been cooking prime rib for the holidays for years, from slow-roasting (bone-in AND boneless), to grilling, smoking, air frying, and of course, pressure cooking! If a method exists for cooking prime rib, I have tried it.
Out of all of my prime rib recipes, my Instant Pot Prime Rib is one of my favorites. It's quick and easy; you can have it ready in under an hour, so if you're in a hurry to get dinner ready or just want to save yourself some time, this is the prime rib recipe for you.
This was amazing! Easy. Fast. And amazing.
Brie on Pinterest
Prime Rib Instant Pot Ingredients
- Prime Rib Roast: You will need a boneless beef roast for this recipe. Be certain to measure and check that it fits in your Instant Pot before purchasing!
- Sea Salt: I highly recommend using sea salt or kosher salt rather than table salt. With a cut like prime rib, you really want to ensure best flavor, and a high quality sea salt is the way to do that.
- Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper is the best choice, if possible.
- Beef Stock: If you happen to make your own bone broth, you can also use that.
- Red Wine: Use Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, or your favorite red wine. Use a high-quality wine for best flavor, and not a cooking wine.
- Vegetable Oil: For searing the roast. We're doing a reverse-sear in this case.
- All-Purpose Flour: You can also use cornstarch or gluten-free flour if necessary. This is just for thickening the juices after cooking to serve with the roast.
- Optional: Sprigs of fresh herbs make great additions. Rosemary, thyme, or parsley are all good choices.
First recipe I tried in my brand new IP and it did not disappoint! Hubby has added this to the repeat list.
Amber on Pinterest
Instapot Prime Rib Instructions
- Score the fat cap of a boneless beef rib roast.
- Season your roast on all sides with sea salt and ground black pepper. Give it a good coating, even if it seems to be too much salt. Trust us, you want to coat it all over!
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot. Place the roast in the trivet. Add beef stock and red wine.
- Lock the lid in place and make sure the vent is in the “sealing” position. Choose the manual setting, low pressure, and set the timer for 5 minutes. Once the 5 minutes is done, do not remove the lid or release the pressure. Leave the roast in the pot for 30 more minutes. The Instant Pot will automatically switch modes to the “keep warm” setting.
- Once 30 minutes are up, open the pot and insert a meat thermometer at the thickest part of the rib. As always, be careful when removing the lid. The meat thermometer should read approximately 125°F. If the temperature is too low, put the lid back on and leave it warm for 5 to 10 minutes longer, then check again. The temperature will rise when searing, so you want to pull the prime rib out of the pot early (before it cooks to your desired temperature).
- Remove the roast to a plate. Strain the liquids from the Instant Pot into a cup and set it aside.
- Remove the trivet from the Instant Pot. Select the highest saute setting. Add vegetable oil to the pot. Place the prime rib roast back and sear it until it browns on all sides, approximately 10-15 minutes. The prime rib should have a nice crust on it. If you prefer, you can brown the roast in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop.
- Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the prime rib and cook it to your desired degree of doneness. For quick reference, the temperature for medium-rare prime rib is 135 °F and 145 for medium. Remove the roast to a platter, tent it with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Omg! Thank you so much. Followed yr recipe for my Christmas Dinner. It came out perfect I had the best party on my block!! # mrs Christmas hostess!!
Sheila
Expert Tips
- Reverse-seared prime rib makes it easy to cook your rib roast to the perfect temperature while maintaining a beautiful crust on the outside!
- Beef stock vs red wine: If you prefer, you can substitute the red wine for additional beef stock.
- I recommend looking for a boneless rib roast with plenty of marbling.
- Marbling refers to the streaks of fat and white dots in a cut of beef, and it adds tons of flavor to a rib roast!
- Meat thermometer: Always use a meat thermometer to achieve your desired degree of doneness.
- Let it rest: Always let the roast sit for 15 minutes before carving. This helps lock in the flavor.
- Slice against the grain: For the most tender prime rib, slice against the grain.
- All we use to season our dish is salt and pepper. You don't need more than that for a beautiful roast like this! I highly recommend this simple prime rib butter rub for a more robust flavoring.
How long do you cook Prime Rib in an Instant Pot?
Leave the roast in the pot for 30 more minutes after the initial cooking time at pressure. The Instant Pot will automatically switch modes to the "keep warm" setting.
Once 30 minutes are up, open the pot and insert a meat thermometer at the thickest part of the rib. The meat thermometer should read approximately 125°F. If the temperature is too low, put the lid back on and leave it on warm for 5 to 10 minutes longer, then check again.
THANK YOU ... SO AMAZING! Did a 2.4lb Prime. OMG it did not disappoint! 4min low pressure 30 on keep warm. I did not have to do anything with the liquid to make it into Au jus. Just used as is! ♡♡♡♡♡♡ Ty
Jacquelyn on Pinterest
Prime Rib Temperatures
The USDA recommends roast beef cooking temp be a minimum of 145°F. See my full Prime Rib Temp Chart for more info.
| Beef Doneness | Internal Temperature |
|---|---|
| Rare beef temp | 125°F - bright red in the middle |
| Medium-rare roast | 135°F - warm red in the middle with slight pink around the edges |
| Medium roast | 145°F - warm pink throughout |
| Medium-well roast | 150°F - slightly pink at the center |
| Well-done roast | 160°F - little to no pink throughout |
FAQ
I do not recommend using a bone-in roast to make this recipe. The cooking time will not be the same as boneless, so I recommend only using boneless.
You can! Just follow these cooking times:
4 lb. roast - add 1 minute to the pressure cook time.
5 lb. roast - add 1 minute to the pressure cook time.
Make sure your roast fits before purchasing it.
How to Make Prime Rib Gravy
This recipe calls for all-purpose flour to make gravy from the drippings. Homemade gravy is easy, delicious, and adds flavor to the dish!
- When done, remove the roast to a platter, tent it with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- Add the strained liquids back to the pot, then add 3 Tbsp. All-purpose flour and stir to make gravy.
You can use our step-by-step instructions and make the perfect au jus.
What is the difference between Prime Rib and Ribeye?
The difference is that prime rib is a larger cut of beef serving as a roast, while the ribeye is a smaller cut of beef serving as a steak. The ribeye and rib roast come from the same beef section. Ribeye is cut from the rib roast. Both are juicy, delicious, and some of the best cuts of beef available!
How Much Prime Rib Per Person
You will need ½ pound of prime rib per person when the roast is part of a holiday spread or ¾ pound per person if serving it as the main course. Here is a quick reference guide for how much prime rib per person you will need according to your number of guests:
| Number of Guests | Prime Rib as Main Course (¾ lb. serving) | Prime Rib as part of Holiday Spread (½ lb. serving) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3-4 lbs. | 2 lbs. |
| 5 | 4-5 lbs. | 2.5 lbs. |
| 6 | 5-6 lbs. | 3 lbs. |
| 7 | 6-7 lbs. | 3.5 lbs. |
| 8 | 7-8 lbs. | 4 lbs. |
| 9 | 8-9 lbs. | 4.5 lbs. |
| 10 | 9-10 lbs. | 5 lbs. |
| 11 | 10-11 lbs. | 5.5 lbs. |
| 12 | 11-12 lbs. | 6 lbs. |
| 13 | 12-13 lbs. | 6.5 lbs. |
| 14 | 13-14 lbs. | 7 lbs. |
What to Serve with Prime Rib
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Almondine
- Roasted Artichoke Salad
Try my best Side Dishes for Prime Rib and my comprehensive guide to cooking prime rib, with all of my best prime rib cooking recipes!
Cooking prime rib in the Instant Pot is an easy, quick way to serve a gorgeous prime rib roast large enough to feed up to 6! This is a great solution for a holiday dinner or special occasion meal that is completely stress-free and beginner-friendly.
Instant Pot Prime Rib
Video
Equipment
- Trivet
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. boneless beef rib roast
- sea salt - to taste
- black pepper - to taste
- 1 cup unsalted beef stock
- ½ cup red wine - Merlot, shiraz, pinot noir or your favorite red wine
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- optional: sprigs of fresh herbs - we recommend rosemary, thyme, or parsley
Instructions
- Score the fat cap of a 3 lb. boneless beef rib roast.3 lbs. boneless beef rib roast
- Generously season your roast on all sides with sea salt and ground black pepper. Give it a good coating, even if it seems like too much salt. Trust us, you want to coat it all over!sea salt,black pepper
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot. Place the roast in the trivet. Add 1 cup unsalted beef stock and ½ cup red wine.Optional step: Add a few sprigs of fresh herbs to the Instant Pot, such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley.1 cup unsalted beef stock,½ cup red wine,optional: sprigs of fresh herbs
- Lock the lid in place and make sure the vent is in the “sealing” position. Choose the manual setting, LOW pressure, and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- Once the 5 minutes is done, do not remove the lid or release the pressure. Leave the roast in the pot for 30 more minutes. The Instant Pot will automatically switch modes to the “keep warm” setting.
- Once 30 minutes are up, carefully open the pot and insert a meat thermometer at the thickest part of the rib. It should read approx. 115°F. If the temperature is too low, put the lid back on and leave it on warm for 5-10 minutes, then check again. Note: When searing the roast, the temperature will rise, so you want to pull it out of the pot before it cooks to your desired temperature.
- Remove the roast to a plate. Strain the liquids from the Instant Pot into a cup, and set aside.
- Remove the trivet from the Instant Pot. Select the highest saute setting. Add 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil to the pot. Place the prime rib roast back and sear it until it browns on all sides, approximately 10-15 minutes. Note: The prime rib should have a nice crust on it. If you prefer, you can brown the roast in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop.3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the prime rib and make sure you cook it to your desired degree of doneness. For quick reference, the temperature for medium-rare prime rib is 135°F and 145 for medium.
- Remove the roast to a platter, tent with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, add the strained liquids back to the pot, then add 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour and stir to make a gravy. Enjoy!3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
Notes
- Reverse searing prime rib: We recommend you reverse sear prime rib as we outline in the steps above.
- Beef stock vs red wine: If you would prefer, you can substitute the red wine for additional beef stock.
- Use a meat thermometer: Always use a meat thermometer for accuracy to achieve your desired degree of doneness.
- Let it rest: Always let the prime rib sit for 15 minutes before carving.
- Slice against the grain: For the most tender prime rib, slice the beef against the grain.
Dana says
Made this on a wish and a prayer, hoping it would work for Thanksgiving, and it DID! I was shocked that a rib roast could be done in 30 mins or so! Was absolutely fantastic! ONLY thing was with so much salt on the roast, the gravy was almost inedible due to being so salty. But the rib was perfect--I didn't expect it to work, but it did!!!
Em Beitel says
We're so glad you enjoyed it, Dana! Thank you so much for your comment! Enjoy the holiday season!
Sheila says
Omg! Thank you so much. Fallowed yr recipe for my ) Christmas Dinner. it came out perfect I had the best party on my block!! # mrs Christmas hostess!!!
Em Beitel says
We are so happy to hear it, Sheila! That is awesome!! Have a great new year!