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Take your next prime rib from amazing to showstopping with my easy Prime Rib Seasoning recipe! Done in minutes with only five easy ingredients, this butter rub for beef forms the perfect, delectable crust!
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Prime Rib Seasoning Recipe
When I bring home a prime rib for a special occasion, the pressure is on to make it a meal worth remembering! And with a roast like this it all starts with the perfect seasoning for prime rib.
The secret to prime rib seasoning? Keep it simple. You don’t need a fancy seasoning blend for prime rib. Once you salt the meat, all it really takes is a bit of butter and some fresh herbs to make the perfect prime rib rub. Whip it up in a matter of minutes, and it’s all done!
That’s the great thing about how to season prime rib! The beef is so rich and flavorful on its own, the rub just makes it even better. With an herby, buttery crust and juicy meat, you’ll be serving up the best prime rib you’ve ever tasted!
Prime Rib Seasoning Ingredients
- Butter
- Garlic powder
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Pepper
I use salted butter for this butter rub recipe. However, you can use unsalted butter if you prefer.
Make sure to season your prime rib with kosher salt and allow it to rest in the refrigerator, uncovered, for at least 1 hour before adding the butter rub and cooking.
Salt is not added to this rub as it should be directly added to the prime rib.
How to Season Prime Rib
- Soften the butter on the counter or by setting it under a hot glass, and chop the herbs. When softened, combine butter, garlic powder, herbs and pepper in a bowl and mix to combine.
- Spread the butter rub over the meat, making sure to cover all sides of the roast.
- Prepare the roast, and serve! Save any spare rub (that hasn’t been in contact with the meat!) for spreading on toast, vegetables, and more!
Ready to truly up your Prime Rib game? Then it’s time to try Dry Aged Prime Rib! It’s easier than you think, and unbelievably deluxe.
How to Soften Butter Quickly
Butter rubs are amazing, but every time I need one in a pinch, I suddenly remember I haven’t softened any butter. But never fear- there’s a quick, super-easy way to soften butter in minutes!
All it takes is a deep glass or pottery cup or jar and a plate. Pour boiling water into the cup, then set the butter on the plate, still in its wrapper, so its standing upright. Pour out the boiling water and set the cup over the butter. Wait a few minutes, and voila- softened butter ready to spread!
Prime Rib Rub Recipe Tips
- Fresh herbs are ideal, but if you’re in a pinch, dried herbs will work too! Just limit the amount to about half, as dried herbs are more potent and too many can quickly become overpowering.
- I prefer to use salted butter for a more flavorful rub. If using unsalted butter, add a little salt to the mix.
- Make extra, and set aside a portion to store. This butter rub is essentially herb butter, and tastes incredible used in all sorts of ways! I like to add a little to the pan before cooking up sandwiches, or add it on top of mashed potatoes.
- Spare butter can be stored in a container in the fridge or wrapped up into a log shape using plastic wrap.
- Feel free to mix and match the herbs in this rub. You may prefer more thyme, more rosemary, or a mix of sage!
- You can use this rub with any method of cooking prime rib, from the oven to sous vide.
- Additionally, you can use this rub for bone-in prime rib or boneless.
- Use a meat thermometer when cooking prime rib to measure the internal temperature. For medium rare, aim for 135°F.
- With any prime rib, you can collect the drippings from the roasting pan to make an au jus. It’s even more delicious when you use this butter rub!
Prime Rib Rubs FAQ
More than anything, it’s important to be reserved when seasoning prime rib. The meat itself is incredibly rich and flavorful, so the best way to season prime rib is to only lightly enhance the flavors. This is best done with salt, pepper, butter, and herbs- just enough to brighten the rich beef!
In my opinion, the best flavor is achieved by seasoning the prime rib twice; first with a simple dry rub of salt, pepper and garlic powder, and then a second time after the prime rib has been partially cooked by using a butter rub with herbs.
Prime rib is best seasoned before and during cooking. Before it’s cooked, season the prime rib with salt; this should be done either 40+ minutes before cooking it, or directly before. Then, after the meat has partially cooked or seared, add on the butter rub to ensure juicy, flavorful meat with a perfect crust!
Prime Rib Recipes
Now that you’ve made the perfect rub, it’s time for the prefect roast! Use this rib rub as the seasoning for any of these recipes, or try something new!
Or, for something totally different, try out my Smoked Prime Rib!
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📋 Recipe
Prime Rib Seasoning
Equipment
- Small bowl
Ingredients
- 1 stick Salted butter softened
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh rosemary
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh thyme
- 1 Tablespoon Black pepper
See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!
Instructions
- Soften the butter on the counter or by setting it under a hot glass, and chop the herbs. When softened, combine butter, garlic powder, herbs and pepper in a bowl and mix to combine.1 stick Salted butter, 2 Tablespoons Garlic powder, 1 Tablespoon Fresh rosemary, 1 Tablespoon Fresh thyme, 1 Tablespoon Black pepper
- Spread the butter rub over the meat, making sure to cover all sides of the roast.
- Prepare the roast, and serve! Save any spare rub (that hasn't been in contact with the meat!) for spreading on toast, vegetables, and more!
Notes
- Fresh herbs are ideal, but if you’re in a pinch, dried herbs will work too! Just limit the amount to about half, as dried herbs are more potent and too many can quickly become overpowering.
- I prefer to use salted butter for a more flavorful rub. If using unsalted butter, add a little salt to the mix.
- Make extra, and set aside a portion to store. This butter rub is essentially herb butter, and tastes incredible used in all sorts of ways! I like to add a little to the pan before cooking up sandwiches, or add it on top of mashed potatoes.
- Spare butter can be stored in a container in the fridge or wrapped up into a log shape using plastic wrap.
- Feel free to mix and match the herbs in this rub. You may prefer more thyme, more rosemary, or a mix of sage!
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