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A thick slice of medium-rare Garlic-Herb Prime Rib with a dark, seasoned crust resting next to the main roast.

Garlic-Herb Prime Rib with Au Jus (Holiday Favorite)

This recipe for Garlic-Herb Prime Rib with Au Jus is a holiday favorite, perfect for impressing guests with an elegant and flavorful centerpiece. The rich herb butter and optional red wine au jus create a memorable meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dinner, Holiday
Cuisine: American
Calories: 1129

Ingredients
  

Prime Rib
  • 6 pounds prime rib bone-in bones cut off and tied back on
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium yellow onion quartered (if making the red wine au jus)
Red Wine Au Jus (Optional)
  • ¼ cup drippings from prime rib pan separate the fat from the drippings
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 ½ cups red wine
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder in a slurry, to thicken (optional)

Equipment

  • Oven-safe pan or roasting tray
  • Small bowl
  • paper towels
  • Aluminum foil
  • Fat separator (optional)
  • Saucepan
  • Strainer

Method
 

  1. Remove the prime rib from the refrigerator 2 to 3 hours before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.
  2. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, kosher salt, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, and black pepper to make the herb butter.
  3. Pat the prime rib dry with paper towels. Rub the herb butter mixture all over the outside of the prime rib.
  4. Place the prime rib bone-side down, fat-side up, in an oven-safe pan or roasting tray. If making the au jus, place the quartered onion slices in the pan around the meat.
  5. Cook the prime rib in the center of the oven at 450°F (230°C) for 20 minutes to sear the outside. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 120°F (50°C) for medium-rare. Cooking time will vary based on the size of the roast and your oven; rely on temperature for doneness.
  6. Remove the prime rib from the oven and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes, tented with aluminum foil to keep it warm. After resting, remove the string and bones, and slice the prime rib into ½-inch thick slices.
  7. For the optional Red Wine Au Jus: After removing the fat from the prime rib pan, add up to ¼ cup of the drippings back into the pan along with the beef broth and red wine. Add any leftover herbs if desired. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half. If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk in a cornstarch or arrowroot slurry and simmer until thickened.
  8. Strain the au jus through a strainer to remove the onion and browned bits. Transfer the au jus to a serving bowl or drizzle it over the sliced prime rib.

Nutrition

Calories: 1129kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 47gFat: 100gSaturated Fat: 43gCholesterol: 225mgSodium: 1193mgPotassium: 824mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 207IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 5mg

Notes

It is helpful if your butcher cuts the bones off the prime rib and ties them back on, making them easy to remove after cooking. Monitor the internal temperature of the prime rib during resting, as it can continue to rise slightly. Using a fat separator for the au jus will help ensure a less greasy sauce.

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