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Our Standing Rib Roast recipe proves that it’s easy to make a perfectly cooked, beautiful roast using only simple ingredients!
This Sunday rib roast is perfect for special occasions and the holidays. It makes the most memorable centerpiece for your Christmas dinner, and it is so much easier to make than you might think.
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What is a standing rib roast?
Standing rib roast is a cut of beef from the rib section of a cow. It is also called a bone-in prime rib, as it contains the prime rib cut of beef.
Usually, a rib roast holds between 2-7 ribs, and is prepared so it is “standing” when roasted. It makes the most beautiful presentation for a holiday table!
Prime rib is the most tender and succulent beef you will ever taste. If you cook it properly, it literally melts in your mouth. And I am going to show you how to cook it perfectly!
TIP—If you have trouble finding rib roast in the meat section of your local supermarket, ask the butcher! They usually can cut this to order for you, especially during the holiday season.
Ina Garten’s Sunday Rib Roast
It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Ina Garten recipes. In fact, my first roast recipe was Ina Garten’s Sunday Rib Roast. I’ve always loved serving it with a side of Roasted Artichoke Salad.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with her beef rib roast recipe. But, as someone who has a hard time following directions… my Sunday roast recipe evolved over time!
Now, I couldn’t be more excited to share with you my favorite recipe for garlic butter bone-in rib roast. It is so incredibly juicy and flavorful. I promise, you are going to love this easy roast recipe!
And, once you get it done once – it is so easy to come back to again and again. If you’re like me, maybe you’ll wind up putting your own spin on it!
🍽 Equipment
To make the most beautiful Sunday rib roast recipe, you will need the following:
- A roasting pan with a rack: This allows the roast to heat evenly as it cooks. Meaning, it is much easier to reach your desired degree of doneness!
- Aluminum foil: You will need this to tent the roast, but it is also necessary if you asked your butcher to French the roast for you. Covering the exposed bones with foil prevents them from drying out while the roast cooks.
- Meat thermometer: We highly recommend you use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of your beef!
- Roast Perfect App*
📱 Roast Perfect App
Before you plan to cook your roast, download the free Roast Perfect App from Certified Angus Beef® brand. This easy app takes ALL of the guesswork out of cooking the perfect prime rib!
The Roast Perfect App will show you step-by-step how to cook the perfect roast, from selecting the exact amount for how many people you’re serving to timing everything according to your preferred degree of doneness.
🥩 Ingredients
- Standing Rib Roast: Also known as bone-in prime rib. If you have trouble finding it at the supermarket, ask the butcher to cut it for you. While you’re at it, ask them to French the roast – this creates the most beautiful presentation!
- Butter, softened
- Fresh rosemary, minced
- Garlic, minced
- Black pepper and sea salt
- Ground thyme
The most important part about cooking an Angus beef rib roast is to choose the perfect cut of beef at the store. You want a cut with the most beautiful marbling.
What is marbling on beef?
Marbling refers to the white flecks and streaks of fat in the lean sections of beef. The term “marbling” comes from the fact that the streaks of fat actually resemble a marble pattern.
You may also hear it referred to as intramuscular fat. Either way, marbling adds so much flavor, and is one of the main factors in judging the quality of a cut of beef.
TIP—For maximum flavor and tenderness in your roast recipes, especially prime rib recipes, be sure to use Certified Angus Beef ® brand prime rib. Click here to find a retailer near you or order online.
What does it mean to French a prime rib?
Ask your butcher to “French” prime rib, and they will cut the excess meat and fat away from the bone so it is cleanly exposed.
This creates the most beautiful presentation on a rib roast! If you can, ask your butcher to French the roast for you.
👨👩👦 How much rib roast per person do I need?
A good estimate on how much rib roast you will need is about 1/2 pound per person when the roast is part of a holiday buffet, or 3/4 pound per person when it is the main course.
When you download the Roast Perfect App to make prime rib in the oven, just add the number of people you’re serving, and the app will do all the work for you. Easy peasy!
🔪 How to Cook a Standing Rib Roast
Before you do anything, let the prime rib sit for 2 hours to come to room temperature. This will allow the roast to cook evenly throughout.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Soften butter, then stir in rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme to create a garlic butter paste.
- Rub the paste all over the prime rib roast and wrap aluminum foil around all exposed rib bones. Place the roast in the center of a roasting pan with a rack.
- Roast at 450°F for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 325°F and cook for approximately 2 hours. (Check your meat thermometer for desired doneness).
- Remove from the oven and tent with aluminum foil. Let rest tented for 15 minutes. Slice rib roast, serve, and enjoy!
For full ingredient measurements and tips, scroll to the recipe card below!
⏲ How Long to Cook a Standing Rib Roast
The high heat/low heat roasting method we use in this recipe works very well for a standing rib roast.
Roast at 450 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 325 degrees and cook for approximately 2 hours. This will give the roast a beautifully caramelized exterior with a juicy, tender interior.
🍴 How to Carve Standing Rib Roast
- Stand the rib roast upright and hold the bones.
- Use a carving knife to cut between the bones. Carve as close to the bone as possible.
- Once you get to the bottom, cut along the bottom of the rib roast until you can remove the chop.
- Cut into smaller slices if desired. Always cut beef against the grain.
⭐ Family Foodie Tips
These are my best tips for cooking a roast perfectly. I know they’ll help you!
- Use the right pan: Use a roasting pan with a rack. This will help heat rotate evenly as the roast cooks.
- Let it sit before cooking: Bring your standing rib roast to room temperature by letting it sit on the counter for approximately 2 hours. This will ensure even cooking throughout.
- Let it rest before cutting: Always make sure you let your rib roast rest for approximately 15 minutes before cutting into it. This will ensure the juices stay in the roast and you will have a juicy prime rib roast.
- Let your butcher make it pretty: Ask your butcher to French the rib roast for you. This makes for such a pretty presentation. When roasting, covered the bone ends with aluminum foil so they didn’t dry out.
- How to cut a rib roast: Always, always cut beef against the grain.
TOP TIP—Make extra garlic butter. Just trust me on that one! You’ll want to slather this butter on everything. It is so delicious. Even better if you’re serving the roast with Yorkshire Puddings or Air Fryer Biscuits to add the butter to.
🔥 Rib Roast Temperature Chart
It is always best to use a meat thermometer to make sure your prime rib roast recipe is done perfectly to your liking.
When using a meat thermometer to check doneness, look for the following numbers.
- Rare: 120-125°F – Bright red interior
- Medium Rare: 130-135°F – Pink on the outer crust with a deeper red center
- Medium: 135-140°F – Mauve/light pink colored interior
- Well-done: 145°F+ – Brown on the inside, no pink
The free Roast Perfect App will also give you a perfect estimate of how long your roast should cook for your desired doneness.
🥗 Side Dishes for Prime Rib
We love cooking for the holidays! Prime rib recipes are our favorite, especially with our best side dishes for roast beef and easy Christmas side dishes.
Try a few of our favorites:
- Scalloped Potatoes: Gluten-Free, Instant Pot, or Oven-Baked
- Mashed Potatoes: Traditional or Instant Pot
- Salad: Roasted Artichoke Salad and Orange and Fennel Salad
- Vegetables: Green Bean Almondine, Garlic Roasted Carrots, Instant Pot Candied Carrots, and Smashed Brussels Sprouts
- Bread: Yorkshire Pudding, Air Fryer Biscuits, and Instant Pot French Bread
📖 Leftover Roast Recipes
Leftovers are the best part of making a standing rib roast! It’s just as delicious the next day.
You can create a Hot Roast Beef Sandwich with Caramelized Onions with cheese sauce and Perfect Caramelized Onions that is out-of-this-world delicious!
A favorite in my household is an open-faced prime rib sandwich with toppings piled on. I personally love to make a prime rib and remoulade sauce sandwich.
Aside from sandwiches, leftover prime rib makes the most amazing beef pasta recipe. Try our Creamy Penne Pasta with Sliced Prime Rib for the best way to use leftover prime rib, hands down. It’s delicious!
📖 Easy Prime Rib Recipes
Love cooking prime rib as much as we do? Then you’ll love our other easy prime rib recipes:
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Standing Rib Roast Recipe
🍳 Equipment
🥘 Ingredients
- 7-8 Pounds Standing Rib Roast or Bone-in prime rib
- 1 Cup Butter Softened
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Rosemary Minced
- 8 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 Tbsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Sea Salt
🔪 Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Soften butter, then stir in rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme to create a garlic butter paste.
- Rub the paste all over the prime rib roast and wrap aluminum foil around all exposed rib bones. Place the roast in the center of a roasting pan with a rack.Roast at 450°F for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 325°F and cook for approximately 2 hours. (Check your meat thermometer for desired doneness).
- Remove from the oven and tent with aluminum foil. Let rest tented for 15 minutes. Slice rib roast, serve, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use a roasting pan with a rack. This will help heat rotate evenly as the roast cooks.
- Bring your standing rib roast to room temperature by letting it sit on the counter for approximately 2 hours. This will ensure even cooking throughout.
- Always make sure you let your rib roast rest for approximately 15 minutes before cutting into it. This will ensure the juices stay in the roast and you will have a juicy prime rib roast.
- Ask your butcher to french the rib roast for you. This makes for such a pretty presentation. When roasting, covered the bone ends with aluminum foil so they didn’t dry out.
- Always cut beef against the grain.
Audrey says
Sounds gfreat. I had a recipe years ago that utilized the ribs after roast was carved. You set them aside and then did smething the next day or so with them and the oven but I have lost the recipe and it is too long ago to recall how they were fixed. can anyone help?
Marion Myers says
Hi Audrey, I use the ribs to make a delicious broth for gravy, soup/stew, french dip sandwiches, etc… So many uses. Cook the bones at 325°F until they are brown on the outside. In a big pot add the bones, any reserved fat trimmings from the roast, 2 med yellow onions (quartered), 2 med carrots, chopped, a stalk of celery, chopped, 3-4 cloves garlic, some fresh thyme sprigs, about 10 peppercorns, a couple teaspoons kosher salt, and a bay leaf. Add water to cover. Let that simmer for about 3 hours or more to your taste. Strain out the solids. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Put it in the fridge so the fat can harden and then discard hardened fat. Great for so many uses.
Vicki says
This was extremely good there wasn’t much of a fat cap on this standing rib roast I bought so I thought I’d try your recipe and it was outstanding merry Christmas to you and thank you for the recipe
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Vicky, Thanks so much for reaching out and letting me know you enjoyed the standing rib roast recipe. It is also one of my favorites. I hope you had a fabulous holiday.
Susan says
This is such a delicious recipe! My butcher cut out the bones and tied them back on and it was outstanding!
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for letting us know you enjoyed this recipe. It is truly a favorite on our holiday table!