How to Make Holiday Prime Rib for Christmas Dinner

Few dishes make a holiday table feel as special as a roasted prime rib. With its golden-brown crust, tender slices, and fragrant herbs, this classic centerpiece brings a sense of occasion to Christmas dinner.

Learning how to cook prime rib is simpler than you might think. Choosing the right cut, seasoning it well, and monitoring its internal temperature can help you prepare an impressive roast without spending the entire holiday in the kitchen. Whether you're hosting for the first time or continuing a family tradition, here's how to bring it all together.

Why This Herbed Prime Rib Recipe Works

Great prime rib starts with quality beef and a seasoning blend that complements its natural flavor.

Our Herbed Prime Rib Recipe combines McCormick® Basil Leaves, Oregano Leaves, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and Pure Ground Black Pepper with oil and salt. The herbs create an aromatic crust, while garlic and onion lend savory depth to every slice.

Prime rib's natural marbling is another reason this cut works so well for holiday entertaining. Fine streaks of fat throughout the meat contribute to its tenderness, while a thin exterior fat layer helps protect the roast during cooking.

With just a handful of seasonings and a straightforward oven-roasting method, you can let the beef take center stage.

Choosing and Preparing Your Prime Rib Roast

Selecting the Right Cut

Prime rib comes from the rib section of beef and is available bone-in or boneless.

At the butcher counter, you'll typically encounter two USDA beef grades. Prime generally has more marbling, while Choice offers slightly less but can still produce an excellent roast.

Bone-in prime rib makes a traditional holiday presentation, with the ribs serving as a natural roasting rack. Boneless cuts are easier to season, carve, and portion.

For our Herbed Prime Rib, start with a 5- to 6-pound boneless beef rib roast.

How Much Prime Rib Per Person?

Plan for approximately ½ pound of boneless prime rib per guest or ¾ to 1 pound per person for bone-in, accounting for the weight of the bones.

For eight guests, a 4- to 5-pound boneless roast is a useful starting point. Consider buying a little extra if you're serving fewer side dishes or hoping to enjoy leftovers.

Preparing and Seasoning the Roast

Trim excess exterior fat, leaving approximately a ¼-inch layer. If your roast is unevenly shaped, secure it with butcher's twine to help it cook more consistently.

Let the beef sit out briefly while preparing your seasonings and preheating the oven, without leaving it at room temperature for more than two hours.

To prepare the herb rub, combine basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Brush the roast with oil, sprinkle with salt, and coat evenly with the seasoning mixture.

Prefer herb butter? Combine softened butter with garlic, herbs, and pepper, then spread it over the beef before roasting. A dry rub delivers concentrated seasoning, while herb butter lends a little extra richness. Choose whichever approach suits your taste and preparation style.

How to Cook Prime Rib in the Oven

Knowing how to cook prime rib in the oven comes down to selecting a roasting method, checking the internal temperature, and allowing time for the meat to rest.

Follow the Herbed Prime Rib Method

For a classic holiday roast, follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Combine the herbs and spices in a small bowl.
3. Place the trimmed roast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
4. Brush with oil, sprinkle with salt, and coat with the seasoning mixture.
5. Roast uncovered until the beef reaches your desired doneness.

For a 5- to 6-pound boneless roast, use these approximate cooking times:

Cooking times vary depending on the roast's thickness, shape, and starting temperature. Begin checking before the estimated finish time rather than relying on the clock alone.

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest portion of the beef, avoiding bone and large pockets of fat.

Alternative Prime Rib Cooking Methods

While roasting at 350°F is a straightforward approach, other techniques can help you achieve different results.

Low-and-slow roasting uses a lower oven temperature to encourage even cooking throughout the meat.

High-heat sear-and-roast begins with a hotter oven to develop a browned exterior before reducing the temperature.

Reverse searing takes the opposite approach, roasting gently before finishing with a brief period of high heat.

Whichever method you choose, monitor the internal temperature and account for carryover cooking as the roast rests.

Carving and Serving Your Christmas Prime Rib

Once the roast comes out of the oven, cover it loosely with foil and let stand for approximately 15 minutes before carving. The internal temperature may rise about 10 degrees during resting.

For bone-in prime rib, carefully cut along the bones to separate them from the meat. Then slice across the grain with a sharp carving knife.

Slices approximately ½ to ¾ inch thick work well for a traditional plated dinner.

What to Serve with Prime Rib

Deciding what to serve with prime rib is an opportunity to balance the beef with creamy potatoes, vegetables, fresh bread, and complementary sauces.

Start with Caramelized Onion Au Jus Gravy. Made with McCormick Caramelized Onion Au Jus Gravy Seasoning Mix and water, it comes together in about five minutes. Serve it alongside the beef or incorporate some of the roast's pan juices.

For a sharper contrast, mix prepared horseradish with sour cream, lemon juice, and a pinch of McCormick Garlic Powder and Black Pepper.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes combine Russet potatoes with McCormick Garlic Powder, Pure White Ground Pepper, butter, and sharp Cheddar. For more preparation advice, explore How to Make Mashed Potatoes in 6 Easy Steps.

Add color with Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, featuring McCormick Garlic Powder, Whole Thyme Leaves, and Coarse Ground Black Pepper. Since they're prepared in a skillet, they also leave oven space available for the roast. Discover additional techniques in How to Cook Brussels Sprouts.

For something fresh from the oven, Homemade Rolls with Cinnamon Honey Butter pair soft dinner rolls with a spread of butter and honey, along with McCormick Ground Cinnamon and Pure Vanilla Extract. The How to Make Homemade Dinner Rolls guide offers more help with the process.

Round out your menu with inspiration from Holiday Side Dishes That Will Steal the Show or 6 Delicious Holiday Cranberry Recipes That Aren't Cranberry Sauce.

Make the Most of Leftover Prime Rib

Extra beef can become the starting point for several easy meals after Christmas.

Refrigerate cooked prime rib within two hours in airtight containers or securely wrapped portions. Use refrigerated leftovers within three to four days or freeze them for later. Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F.

For a next-day lunch, try our Leftover Prime Rib Sandwich. Thinly sliced beef is warmed in au jus and layered onto toasted rolls with provolone, sautéed onions, mushrooms, and arugula. Serve with additional jus for dipping.

You can also dice leftover prime rib for a breakfast hash with potatoes and onions or incorporate it into a vegetable-packed soup.

Bring Your Christmas Dinner Together

There's something special about bringing a prime rib to the table and carving it while everyone gathers around. The fragrant herb crust, tender slices, and favorite holiday sides make the meal feel like a celebration before anyone takes the first bite.

Once you've learned how to make prime rib, you can make the tradition your own. Explore more Christmas Dinner Ideas, consider How to Cook a Ham for another seasonal gathering, or find a sweet finish in 7 Easy Cookie Recipes to Feel Like a Baking Pro.

And when the plates are cleared, you might just find that the roast everyone gathered around becomes the meal they ask you to make again next Christmas.