Italian Style Prime Rib Roast

Make the perfect prime rib roast every time with no second guessing “Am I doing this right?” This Italian Style Prime Rib Roast recipe is tried and true, starts with a sear, then a rub of Italian spices is added before cooking it low and slow.

Learn how to cook the prime rib to a rare stage where it’s tender and juicy, but has the ability to bring it up to temperature to keep everyone at the table happy with their cut of meat.

Prime Rib is a meal that special occasions are made of. This Italian Style Prime Rib Roast is perfect each and every time, a recipe from my Mother and Father In Law, that brings back loads of memories for me. I originally wrote this recipe back when we celebrated Christmas each year at their farm in Iowa.

My Father-in-Law passed away in 2018 and his loss is still felt daily by all of us. We have continued his tradition of Prime Rib during the holiday season, and it’s a family tradition I hope that my kids take over someday.

My Original Story from 2012

Even though I am updating this post, for sentimental reasons this part is staying. Read it if you like, or go ahead and scroll down to the printable recipe card for the recipe. 

No… your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you… that is 24, yes, 24 pounds of PRIME RIB right there. My In-Laws have always done Prime Rib for Christmas dinner.

I will honestly tell you that until I had this magnificent dinner, I had never had Prime Rib in my life. After having it, I would try to order it in a restaurant, and it was such a HUGE disappointment!

 They do it best I will tell you. I’m not sure why I should be surprised, though.  In the department of Mother and Father-In-Law, I just plain hit the jackpot. They are such a fantastic family, and I thank God for them every night I lay my head on my pillow.

 Denny, my Father-in-law, loves to read my blog and gets a huge kick out of me taking pictures of food when he visits.  “Don’t ‘cha wanna take a picture of that one, Kala?”  This year, I decided to document the making of the Prime Rib. With the help of my hubby. If you want to make a Prime Rib that will wow the masses…. here is what it takes!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR PRIME RIB ROAST RECIPE

Find the complete measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• 4-5 pound rump or prime rib roast – Look for a bone-in prime rib roast. Your local butcher can help you with choosing your roast and any trimming. There are three different grades: Prime, choice, and select. The grades refer mainly to the amount of fat marbling in the muscle; Prime beef must contain at least 8% intramuscular fat, which is why prime is usually more tender and flavorful than the other grades.

• Worcestershire Sauce
• Herb and Spice Mix – This consists of dried parsley flakes, basil, black pepper, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion salt.
• Au Jus Mix – McCormick is my favorite brand.
• Beef bouillon cube – You will dissolve this in 1 cup of water or you can use a cup of beef broth or beef stock. 

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST PRIME RIB RECIPE

FIRST: Take the meat out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature. Put the meat in an ungreased shallow roasting pan on a rack, fat side up.

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes to sear the meat.

SECOND: Remove from the oven and rub all over with Worcestershire Sauce.

In a small bowl, mix the herbs and spices together and sprinkle over and rub into the meat.

THIRD: Set your oven temperature to 250 degrees and cook your roast for a total time of 15 minutes per pound until meat is medium rare.

Use an instant-read thermometer to measure the internal temperature. 

To make your own Au Jus: Skim the fat from the drippings, and return the drippings to the pan. Combine with beef bouillon and water. Add bouillon to drippings to make Au Jus.

For extra Au Jus, just use McCormick au jus packets, according to package instructions.

We heat the extra au jus in an electric skillet, and as we carve the roast, add the slices to the au jus to bring it up to temperature for the person who will be enjoying it. It only takes a couple of seconds!

Love it? Pin It!

If you love this Italian Style Prime Rib Recipe recipe make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

FAQS

What is the difference between prime rib and standing rib roast? The term “standing” rib roast actually refers to the cooking method or position in which you place the roast in the pan. Prime rib is a Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. and is a specific cut of beef from the rib section of the cow. The ribs are numbered and a whole prime rib consists of ribs 6 to 12 and is considered the best. Any ribs outside those numbers would not be considered prime rib but rather just a rib roast. Prime rib will always have the rib bones and a rib roast may or may not have bones. 

What cut of meat is prime rib? Prime rib is a tender, flavorful loin that is cut from the bottom part of the beef ribs. A whole prime rib is composed of 6 ribs (ribs 6 to 12), which can weigh anywhere from 12 to 16 pounds. It is sometimes called chuck end roast or top loin. It is traditionally slow-roasted and then served as an entrée. Ribeye steaks are cut from the prime rib roast. 

How is prime rib best cooked? Prime rib is best served rare or medium-rare. It is usually slow-roasted and should be cooked through, resulting in a flavorful crust and tender marrow. Prime rib is typically cooked to a temperature of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, some may prefer it rarer or more well-done. Cooking to this temperature allows the prime rib to become very juicy and succulent. Cooking prime rib at the hottest temperature (325 degrees f) is the “prime” method. You can also cook it at a lower temperature (250 degrees f) for longer – this method is called “gourmet”. 

TIPS AND TRICKS

• If you need more au jus, you can use extra au jus packets and prepare them according to the package instructions. Blend with the homemade au jus.
• You can make your own creamy horseradish sauce with my recipe. Many people enjoy horseradish sauce with prime rib.
• There are so many great side dishes to serve with prime rib. Some of my favorite choices would be Potatoes Au Gratin, Cauliflower Gratin, Mashed Potatoes, and, of course, a glass of red wine is a must!
• If you happen to have leftovers, store your prime rib in an airtight container for 5-7 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze your cooked meat for up to 6 months. It’s great for sandwiches, or use it for soups or making a batch of beef tips and gravy.

I hope you enjoy this family recipe as much as we do! This easy recipe for Italian Style Prime Rib will become one of your favorite meals for your holiday dinner or any special occasion!