Garlic Herb Butter Prime Rib Roast | Easy Holiday Dinner

Is there anything that says “special occasion” quite like a beautiful prime rib roast? This Garlic Herb Butter Prime Rib Roast is a classic holiday centerpiece, made with a simple but incredibly flavorful garlic and herb butter that gets rubbed all over the meat. As it roasts, that butter melts into every nook and cranny, creating a crust that’s packed with flavor and sealing in all those incredible juices. The result is a roast that’s impressive enough for Christmas dinner but straightforward enough for any home cook to master. It’s the kind of show-stopping dish that feels fancy but is really all about letting quality ingredients shine.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’re going to love this recipe because it delivers a restaurant-quality meal without the stress. The method is so simple—it’s mostly hands-off time while the oven does the work. That garlic herb butter? It’s the secret weapon. It bastes the meat from the inside out, making it so, so tender and ensuring every single slice is bursting with flavor. This is the ultimate centerpiece for your holiday food spread, guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds. And honestly, the aroma that will fill your kitchen is half the reward. So good.

Ingredients

• 1 (5-6 lb) prime rib roast, bones removed and tied (or bone-in standing rib roast): The star of our holiday dinner show.
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Creates a rich, basting crust.
• 8 cloves garlic, minced: For that essential, aromatic punch.
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped: Provides a woodsy, festive flavor.
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves: Adds a subtle, earthy note.
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
• 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper: Adds a little bit of spice.
• 1 tbsp avocado oil or neutral oil: Helps the outside get beautifully browned.

Step by Step Method

1. Take your prime rib roast out of the refrigerator about 2-3 hours before you plan to cook it. Letting it come to room temperature is a crucial step for even cooking.
2. Preheat your oven to 450°F. While it’s heating up, make the compound butter. In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper until it’s all well combined.
3. Pat the prime rib roast completely dry with paper towels. This helps the butter stick and promotes a great sear. Rub the entire outside of the roast with the tablespoon of oil.
4. Now, slather that garlic herb butter all over the entire surface of the roast. Get it into every little crevice. Don’t be shy!
5. Place the roast, fat-side up, in a roasting pan fitted with a rack. This allows the hot air to circulate all around the meat.
6. Roast at 450°F for 20 minutes. This initial high heat will give you that gorgeous, flavorful crust.
7. Without opening the oven door, reduce the heat to 325°F. Continue roasting until your meat thermometer reads your desired doneness. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 120-125°F. This will take about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes for a 5-6 lb roast, but always trust your thermometer over the clock.
8. Once it hits temperature, carefully remove the roast from the oven, transfer it to a cutting board, and tent it loosely with foil. Let it rest for a full 20-30 minutes. This is non-negotiable—it lets the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it incredibly tender.
9. After resting, remove the twine, slice against the grain, and serve immediately.

Oven Temperatures for Perfect Roasting

Getting the temperature right is the key to a perfect prime rib. We start with a blast of high heat (450°F) to sear the outside and lock in those delicious juices. This creates that incredible herb crust we all love. Then, we lower the heat to a more gentle 325°F to slowly and evenly cook the inside without burning the outside. This two-temperature method is the best way to achieve a beautiful edge-to-edge doneness without a gray ring of overcooked meat. Just remember, ovens can vary, so an instant-read thermometer is your best friend here.

Serving Ideas & Pairings

A glorious Garlic Herb Butter Prime Rib Roast deserves an equally fantastic supporting cast. For your Christmas dinner dishes, you can’t go wrong with classic, creamy mashed potatoes or rich, cheesy scalloped potatoes to soak up all those amazing juices. A bright, crisp holiday salad with apples and walnuts or some roasted seasonal vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus adds a nice color and balance. And don’t forget the gravy! The drippings in your pan are liquid gold—whisk in a little beef broth and flour for a simple, show-stopping sauce. For a true holiday meal ideas spread, start with a simple Christmas charcuterie board for guests to nibble on while the main event finishes resting.

Creative Variations

This recipe is a fantastic canvas for your own flavor twists! If you love a little smoky heat, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to your herb butter. For a citrusy kick, mix in the zest of one lemon. If you’re out of fresh herbs, you can use dried—just use one-third of the amount since dried herbs are more potent (so about 2 tsp dried rosemary and 2 tsp dried thyme). And if prime rib isn’t in the budget, this same garlic herb butter method works wonders on a more affordable beef tenderloin roast or even on thick, bone-in pork chops for a smaller holiday eve dinner ideas meal.

Storage Tips for Leftovers

Leftover prime rib is a true gift! Let the meat cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. The best way to reheat is gently—place slices in a baking dish with a splash of beef broth, cover with foil, and warm in a 300°F oven until just heated through. This helps keep it moist. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the meat tough.

Budget-Friendly Tips for Entertaining

Hosting a big holiday dinner ideas family gathering doesn’t have to break the bank. Keep an eye on sales at your local grocery store and buy your roast a few weeks ahead of time when prices are lower—it freezes beautifully. Stretch your prime rib by slicing it thinly. When paired with plenty of hearty sides like potatoes, dressing, and roasted vegetables, a smaller roast can comfortably feed more people. And remember, a beautiful, home-cooked meal made with love is always more impressive than the price tag of the ingredients.

FAQs

• What are some other easy Christmas dinner ideas? If you’re looking for simpler Christmas menu ideas, a beautifully roasted whole chicken using this same herb butter method is fantastic. Or, a large baked pasta dish can be assembled ahead of time, making your Christmas Eve dinner ideas much less stressful.
• How do I know when my prime rib is done? The only way to know for sure is with an instant-read meat thermometer. For medium-rare, pull it at 120-125°F (it will carry over to 130-135°F while resting). For medium, pull at 130-135°F.
• Can I make the garlic herb butter ahead of time? Absolutely! You can mix the compound butter up to 3 days in advance. Keep it covered in the fridge, and just let it soften a bit at room temperature before slathering it on your roast.