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Standing Prime Rib Roast with Potatoes

Christmas roast with Yorkshire pudding.
Photo Credit
Lesya Dolyuk/Shutterstock
The Editors
Yield
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Category
Meat
Course
Main Dish
Occasions
Christmas
Preparation Method
Roast
Sources
Old Farmer's Almanac
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The standing prime rib roast is a classic Christmas favorite and a striking centerpiece on the holiday table. We roast our potatoes in the pan juices—for flavorful, golden goodness!

On Christmas, we try to have a meal that we wouldn’t have on other days of the year. A prime rib roast is indeed something special on a very special day.

 A “standing” rib roast means that it’s “bone-in,” so each diner gets a rib or two (or three) on the plate. Bone-in meat makes the meat around the bones extra-tender and juicy. When you order the roast from your butcher, ask for a “standing rib roast, larded on top.” You want to keep the outside fat, which keeps the meat underneath tender. Also, ask for the bones to be tied back onto the roast with kitchen string so that you can stand the roast up while cooking; this will make it easier to carve, too.

If you don’t have a bone-in roast, the directions below are essentially the same. Cook fat side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. 

A meat thermometer is very important for a roast to ensure you don’t overcook the meat. If you don’t have one, pick up a “remote” thermometer so you don’t need to open the door. You can’t mess this up as long as you use a meat thermometer.

This dish is incredibly delicious when served with Yorkshire Pudding.

Here are some more Christmas Dinner Ideas.

Ingredients
1 standing rib roast, 5 to 6 pounds
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons, fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Optional: 2 tablespoons each of fresh, chopped thyme and rosemary
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, peeled and cut into narrow wedges
4 to 6 russet potatoes, washed and quartered
Instructions

If you have time, salt your prime rib the night before. Pre-salting helps the roast release some moisture. Using a sharp knife, cut 1-inch crosshatch pattern across the top. Massage kosher salt all over the meat and into the crosshatch. Put in the fridge uncovered overnight (up to 96 hours).

  1. Remove the roast from the refrigerator 2 or 3 hours before cooking.
  2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.  Make room for the roast in the oven by adjusting the oven rack to lower-middle position if needed.
  3. Rub the meat with olive oil. Extra Tip: Rub butter on the cut ends of the roast.
  4. Then, coat the oil with pepper. Or, we love a pepper/herb mixture with rosemary and herb.  Press the herbs into the meat to adhere.
  5. Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain. Peel and halve each potato crosswise. 
  6. Place the roast with rib bones down into a roasting pan in the oven. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the center of the roast, not touching any bone.
  7. Brown the roast at 450°F temperature in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the roast is nicely darkened.
  8. Lower heat to 350 degrees and continue to roast, basting every 15 minutes with pan juices, for 1 hour more. After an hour, add the potatoes. Toss to coat. 
  9. Continue roasting about 45 minutes more, until the thickest part of roast registers 130 degrees on an instant-read thermometer (avoiding the bone) for medium-rare. Or, 140 degrees for medium.
    (The total cooking time should be about 2 hours.)
  10. Transfer roast to a cutting board (keep fat and pan juices in roasting pan for Yorkshire pudding) and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes. By giving the roast time to rest, the meat will be juicier and tastier. 
  11. To carve, cut between each rib, then cut each slice into desired portions. Serve with horseradish sauce, if desired.
About The Author

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

We love introducing fun new recipes as well as time-tested recipes, straight from the archives! Read More from The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors
 

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Comments

Don Marks (not verified)

1 year 3 months ago

Traditionally the parboiled potatoes are placed round the meat for cooking because they help stop the fat from spitting in the oven

Suzy (not verified)

4 years 3 months ago

Nowhere in the instructions does it say what to do with the sliced onion.

Hattie (not verified)

1 month 1 week ago

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M. M. Sands (not verified)

5 years 3 months ago

Elli, where does it say not to open the door? You're thinking of a different roast.

elli (not verified)

5 years 3 months ago

If your not suppose to open up the door,how can you baste every 15 min.?

Sam Scioli (not verified)

5 years 3 months ago

first you say to rub butter on the ends of the roast the top has fat for cooking where are you supposed to rub oil ?