Reverse Sear Instant Pot Prime Rib

Make the most gorgeous, PERFECT prime rib right in your Instant Pot! Our Instant Pot Prime Rib is as easy as it gets and delicious, too.

Learn how to cook prime rib in the Instant Pot, including the rub to use and how to make prime rib gravy from drippings. This reverse sear prime rib is the best prime rib roast recipe ever and is so delicious for the holidays or as a Sunday dinner!

When I first heard about cooking a prime rib in the Instant Pot, I thought, how awful. What a great way to ruin a prime rib. Did I learn a lesson, I was totally wrong!

This reverse seared prime rib method is so quick and easy, and the beef comes out full of flavor. Give it a try, I bet you’ll be impressed!

Can you make a prime rib in an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can! Not only can you make Instant Pot prime rib, but you can make the perfect prime rib. Tender, cooked at just the right temperature, and full of flavor.

In fact, the Instant Pot may just be the best way to cook prime rib. It frees up space in your oven and makes everything from the rib roast itself to the prime rib gravy as easy as can be!

I love trying new things! After making Slow Roasted Prime Rib, a Boneless Prime Rib Roast, and a Standing Rib Roast all in the oven, I can safely say that cooking prime rib in the Instant Pot is my favorite way to save on time and space in the oven.

All methods of cooking prime rib roast are delicious, but I just love how easy it is, and what a time-saver it is, to make it in the Instant Pot!

Prime Rib Instant Pot Ingredients

• 3 lbs. boneless beef rib roast
• Sea salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• 1 cup unsalted beef stock
• 1/2 cup red wine (Merlot, shiraz, pinot noir or your favorite red wine)
• 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• Optional: sprigs of fresh herbs (we recommend rosemary, thyme, or parsley)

The best prime rib recipe calls for the best prime rib cut. We recommend looking for a boneless rib roast with plenty of marbling.

Marbling refers to the streaks of fat and white flecks in a cut of beef, and it adds tons of flavor to a rib roast! For the best marbling and flavor, we recommend using a Certified Angus Beef® brand prime rib cut.

How much sea salt and black pepper you use is up to you. Keep in mind you’ll be using it for the prime rib rub, so make sure you have plenty.

The sea salt in the prime rib seasoning will be enough for salt, so double check your beef stock is unsalted.

Prime Rib Gravy Ingredients

This recipe calls for all-purpose flour for the purpose of making a gravy from the drippings. Homemade gravy is easy, delicious, and adds so much flavor to a prime rib roast recipe!

Prime rib vs ribeye: what’s the difference?

The difference between prime rib and ribeye 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.

Both the ribeye and the prime rib come from the same section of beef. In fact, ribeye is cut from the rib roast.

Both are juicy, delicious, and some of the best cuts of beef available. You have got to try our Reverse Sear Ribeye Steak, you will know exactly what I mean.

What supplies will I need?

To make prime rib in the Instant Pot, you will need an Instant Pot. Here’s one of our favorites: the Instant Pot Duo Nova. It’s a 6 qt Instant Pot with 7 functions.

You’ll also need a trivet for your Instant Pot. This trivet with silicone handles is inexpensive and will do the trick!

How Is Prime Rib Cooked in an Instant Pot?

The key to a great prime rib cooked in the instant pot is the reverse sear method. The key is to sear in the juices once the beef is almost done. We are sharing how to do this step by step below.

And don’t forget the prime rib gravy. This is one of the reasons we love this recipe. Everything is done in one pot for easy cleanup!

How to Make Prime Rib in Instant Pot|Instant Pot Prime Rib Gravy

1. Score the fat cap of a 3 lb. boneless beef rib roast.
   
   
2. 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!
   
   
3. Place the trivet in the Instant Pot.
   
4. Place the roast in the trivet.
   
5. Add 1 cup unsalted beef stock and 1/2 cup red wine.
   
   
6. Optional step: Add a few sprigs of fresh herbs to the Instant Pot, such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley (whichever you prefer).
   
   
7. 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.
   
8. Once the time 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.
   
9. 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.
   
10. The meat thermometer should read approximately 115°F.
11. 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.
12. When searing, the temperature will rise, so you want to pull the prime rib out of the pot early (before it cooks to your desired temperature.)
13. Remove the roast to a plate. Strain the liquids from the Instant Pot into a cup, and set aside.
    
    
14. Remove the trivet from the Instant Pot. Select the highest saute setting.
15. 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.
16. The prime rib should have a nice crust on it.
17. If you prefer, you can brown the roast in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. This is a method for reverse searing prime rib, which locks in flavor and ensures a perfectly cooked cut of beef versus searing it at the start.
    
    
18. 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 checking prime rib temp, see the chart below.
19. For quick reference, the temperature for medium-rare prime rib is 135 °F .
    
20. Remove the roast to a platter, tent with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes.
21. Add the strained liquids back to the pot, then add 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour and stir to make a gravy.
    
    
    

Tips for Cooking Prime Rib Roast in the Instant Pot

• Reverse searing prime rib: We recommend you reverse sear prime rib as we outline in the steps above.
• 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 would prefer, you can substitute the red wine for additional beef stock.
• Meat thermometer: Always use a meat thermometer to achieve your desired degree of doneness.
• Let it rest: Always let the prime rib sit for 15 minutes before carving. This helps lock in the flavor.
• Slice against the grain: For the most tender prime rib, slice the beef against the grain.

Prime Rib Temperatures: Picking the Right Prime Rib Temp

• Rare: 125°F
• Medium-rare: 135°F
• Medium: 145°F
• Medium-well: 150°F
• Well done: 160°F

Make sure to use a meat thermometer for accuracy.

How long do I cook Prime Rib in Instant Pot?

Leave the Prime Rib 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.

The meat thermometer should read approximately 115°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.

How much prime rib per person?

This Instant Pot boneless prime rib recipe will serve about 6 people if you are serving 1/2 an lb. of prime rib per person, or 4 if you serve larger portions.

For more information on how much prime rib per person to use, check out our Slow Roasted Prime Rib recipe linked above.

Prime Rib Side Dishes

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes
• Easy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Green Bean Almondine
• Roasted Artichoke Salad

I truly love this boneless prime rib recipe. It may be my new favorite way to cook prime rib!

If you’re wondering how to cook a prime rib in the oven, check out our post on How to Make a Roast. Or any of our prime rib recipes linked in the post above.

Leftover Prime Rib Ideas

Our absolute favorite recipe for leftover prime rib is this Creamy Penne Pasta with leftover prime rib slices.

Leftover Prime Rib is also delicious sliced thinly over the following recipes:

• Easy Fettucine Alfredo
• Instant Pot Risotto

Or you can slice it up thin and make a sandwich out of it with our remoulade sauce. I tell you, I dream about this sandwich.

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• Mexican Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
• Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Zuppa Toscana Instant Pot Soup