Foolproof Rib Roast

Impress everyone at your table with a wonderfully tender and juicy prime rib roast. The best part? Nobody will know just how easy it was to make. Even beginners will love this top-rated standing rib roast recipe.

What Is a Standing Rib Roast?

A standing rib roast, also known as a prime rib roast, is a cut of beef from the primal rib. It's called a standing rib roast because it's usually cooked "standing" on the bones (so that the meat doesn't touch the pan).

Prime rib is generally considered a superior cut of beef: It's tender, juicy, and wonderfully flavorful.

How to Cook a Prime Rib Roast

Though this rib roast recipe is incredibly impressive, it's surprisingly simple to make. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect:

Rub the room temperature roast with seasonings and place it on a rack in a roasting pan with the fatty side up and the rib side on the bottom. Roast in a preheated oven for an hour, then turn off the oven. Let the roast stand in the hot oven for about three hours without opening the door. Heat the oven again and let the roast continue to cook until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F.

Rib Roast Seasonings

This rib roast is simply seasoned with salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Of course, you can add more seasonings to taste (but make sure not to overpower the meat's natural flavor).

How Long to Cook a Rib Roast

This rib roast recipe should be done in a little under five hours, with about 90 minutes of actual cook time. You'll know the rib roast is done when an instant read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 145 degrees F.

What to Serve With Rib Roast

Looking for crowd-pleasing side dish inspiration? We've got you covered. Peruse our entire collection of the 20 Best Side Dishes for Prime Rib. Or try one of these standout recipes:

Gourmet Mushroom Risotto
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
Truffled Cauliflower Gratin
Oven-Roasted Carrots
Fried Brussels Sprouts

Plus, explore our entire library of Side Dish Recipes.

How to Store Leftover Rib Roast

Wrap leftover rib roast tightly in storage wrap and refrigerate for up to five days. Reheat in the oven, not the microwave, so the roast doesn't get rubbery.

Learn more: The Right Way to Reheat for the Juiciest Prime Rib

Can You Freeze Rib Roast?

Yes, rib roast freezes well. Allow the roast to cool, cut it into the portions you'd like to freeze, and wrap them individually in freezer wrap. Follow it up with a layer of foil for added protection. Place the wrapped rib roast into an airtight freezer bag and freeze for up to 9 months.

Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This is by far the BEST recipe I've ever used for rib roast," raves NAUTICOLE. "It doesn't matter what size roast you have, just follow these cooking instructions. I was very skeptical, but this was soooo tender and delicious. I'll only cook rib roast this way in the future."

"Just sat down from cleaning up after our outstanding feast," says Mary Kay Davignon. "I've made prime rib before, always struggling to not overcook and ruin such an expensive cut of meat. This recipe has solved that problem. I followed the cooking instructions to the letter and produced a perfectly cooked, medium rare, tender prime rib."

"The high ratings on this recipe are more for the cooking technique than the actual four ingredients," according to Debbie22. " You can play with the spice mix however you want — I doubled the garlic powder and added Montreal Steak seasoning and rosemary. It came out absolutely perfectly."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams