Print

Perfect Garlic Butter Prime Rib Recipe with Rich Au Jus

garlic butter prime rib - featured image

A simple and foolproof garlic butter prime rib recipe that delivers a perfectly golden crust, juicy tender meat, and a rich au jus, perfect for special occasions or a weekend treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 to 5 pounds bone-in prime rib roast
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 cups (480 ml) low sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry red wine (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, and cracked black pepper. Mix until well blended.
  2. Pat the prime rib roast dry with paper towels. Slather the garlic butter mixture all over the roast, including where the bones meet the meat.
  3. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Place the roast fat side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. Drizzle olive oil over the top.
  4. Roast at 450°F for 15 minutes to develop a crust, then reduce oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) and continue roasting until desired doneness (120°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium), about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  5. Remove roast from oven and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest for at least 20 minutes.
  6. While resting, place roasting pan on stovetop over medium heat. Add beef broth and red wine to drippings, scraping brown bits with a wooden spoon. Simmer 5-8 minutes until slightly reduced. Strain if desired and serve warm alongside the prime rib.

Notes

Do not skip the initial high-heat searing step at 450°F to seal in flavors and create a crispy crust. Let the roast rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness. Tent loosely with foil to keep crust crisp but avoid steaming. For a gluten-free option, verify beef broth ingredients. For dairy-free, substitute butter with plant-based alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: prime rib, garlic butter, au jus, roast beef, holiday recipe, easy prime rib, special occasion, beef roast