Perfect bone-in Prime Rib of Beef with the Mysterious “Method X”

Perfect prime rib is an easy undertaking if you follow a few key steps. The most important is using an accurate digital thermometer. This is the only way to ensure the desired doneness, which hopefully is a perfectly pink medium-rare, when the flavor and texture are at their best.

This prime rib recipe will work no matter what size roast you’re using. A great rule of thumb is each rib will feed 2 guests. So, a 4 rib roast will serve 8 guests.  Cooking time varies with the rib size, you need to verify your oven comes to 500 degrees! Repeat, your roast must be at room temperature for this to work!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 Hours plus initial roasting time.

Ingredients:

1 standing beef rib roast (4 to 7 ribs, 9 to 18 pounds)

fresh course-ground black pepper, as needed

kosher salt (or other larger grain, flake-style salt), 1/2 teaspoon per bone

softened butter, 1/2 tbsp per rib of beef

large metal roasting pan with at least 3-inch sides.

1 quart cold beef broth

This method is said to work for any size prime rib. The meat is brought to room temperature (this is critical), and seasoned anyway you like. Then you multiply the exact weight times 5 minutes. For me it was 3.75 x 5 = 18.75 minutes. The roast is cooked at 500 degrees F. for exactly that many minutes. The heat is turned off, and you wait 2 hours without opening the oven door.

Once you remove the prime rib, you’ll be slicing into the juiciest, tenderest, most perfectly medium-rare meat you’ve ever seen.

Preparation:

1. Remove the prime rib from the refrigerator and place in the pan. No rack is needed as the rib bones form a natural rack, and will keep the prime rib off the pan. Rub the entire surface of the cold roast with butter, and coat evenly with the kosher salt and black pepper.

2. Leave the prime rib out at room temperature for 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. When the oven is hot, put the roast in and cook for 20 minutes to sear the outside of the roast. After 20 minutes turn the oven down to 325 degrees F. and roast until the desired internal temperature is reached (see guide below). For medium-rare this will take approximately 15 minutes per pound.

3. Transfer to a large platter, and let the prime rib rest, loosely covered with foil for 30 minutes before serving. Cutting into the meat too early will cause a significant loss of juice.

To Make the “Au Jus” Sauce

While the prime rib is resting, pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan and place on the stovetop over medium heat.  Pour in the beef broth and whisk into the drippings, scraping all the caramelized beef drippings from the bottom of the pan.

Turn heat to high and cook the sauce for 10 minutes until it reduces slightly. (this is not a gravy, so don’t expect a thick, heavy sauce). Adjust seasoning, strain and serve along side the prime rib. Serve with mashed potatoes (flavored or not) and asparagus or sautéed broccoli raub.

Internal Temperature Guide

Below are the internal temperatures to go by, depending on how done you like your prime rib. Remember, these are the temperatures to remove the beef, and not the final temperature. The roast will continue to cook after it’s removed.

Rare: remove at 110 degrees F. (final temp about 120)

Medium-Rare: remove at 120 degrees F. (final temp about 130)

Medium: remove at 130 degrees F. (final temp about 140)