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Close-up of a perfectly cooked Small Prime Rib Roast with a dark herb crust and medium-rare pink interior.

Small Prime Rib Roast (Serves 4–6) — Big Flavor, Fast

This recipe delivers a flavorful prime rib roast for a small gathering with minimal cooking time. It uses a high-heat sear followed by a long, slow resting period to cook the meat perfectly.
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Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 2 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 1757
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bone-in prime rib roast 4 pound, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
  • to taste kosher salt

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Small bowl
  • Plate

Method
 

  1. Place the prime rib roast on a plate and let it reach room temperature for 2 to 4 hours. For best results, aim for 6 hours if time allows.
  2. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
  3. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, black pepper, and herbes de Provence. Mix until well combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the entire roast. Season generously with kosher salt.
  4. Roast the 4-pound prime rib in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. If your roast has a different weight, multiply its exact weight by 5 minutes to determine the roasting time.
  5. Turn off the oven. Do not open the oven door. Leave the roast inside the oven for 2 hours. The trapped heat will finish cooking the meat.
  6. Remove the roast from the oven. Slice and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 1757kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 73gFat: 161gSaturated Fat: 70gCholesterol: 362mgSodium: 343mgPotassium: 1189mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 8mg

Notes

This method is ideal for busy cooks who want to serve an impressive prime rib without a long cooking process. The resting time is crucial for achieving a tender and evenly cooked roast.

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