5 Tips to Keep Prime Rib Warm Without Overcooking

Prime rib is a large cut of beef that is attached to seven rib bones. Prime rib is one of the nine cuts from a side of beef, in addition to beef chuck and beef loin.

Serving prime rib is often associated with a holiday or special occasion- and serving it provides the wow-factor that you want for guests or loved ones.

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Prime Rib Done Too Early, though?

Since a prime rib is a large cut, you will probably be preparing it ahead for a crowd or gathering. In this case, you want to cook the rib to temperature, and then keep it warm until serving or until you are ready to eat.

As with other fine cuts of beef, overcooking it can truly ruin the prime rib, so how to keep the prime rib warm before serving is key. When it comes to prime rib, here is what you need to know:

Cook It Slowly 

Before you can keep it warm, you need to cook it. The best approach is to slow-cook prime rib, at a low temperature in the oven. Season the meat as desired, and let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours- or overnight- before bringing the meat to room temperature to cook.

Do not skip this step, or you could have issues with your cooking time and end up with tough beef. Set your oven temperature at 225 degrees Fahrenheit and bake until the meat has the internal temperature that you want, from rare to well-done. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the temperature of your cooked prime rib.

Reverse Sear the Rib 

Next, it is time to sear your meat. Now that the prime rib has been cooked slowly and low in the oven, turn the temperature up to high heat – at least 550 degrees Fahrenheit to get a tasty crust on the outside of your perfect prime rib.

Make sure that you have a clean oven before you crank up the heat, or plan on your smoke detectors going off! Bake the roast in the hot oven uncovered for about seven minutes to sear and create the crust.

Let It Rest 

Ideally, you should allow the cooked beef to rest for a half hour. This gives the juices time to redistribute throughout the meat. If you are not eating right away, use the following suggestions for how to keep prime rib warm before serving, without overcooking your beef.

Reheat Like a Restaurant 

If you want a surefire way to learn how to keep prime rib warm before serving, ask a chef! That is, use the same method that restaurants use to reheat pricey cuts of beef. Typically, a restaurant chef will keep the rib warm by putting it in the oven.

In most cases, the restaurant staff will keep the prime ribs warm by placing them inside the oven. Prepare, bake, sear, and rest your prime rib as the recipe commands. Loosely cover the entire rib and gaps of the pan with foil. It does not need to be tight, but it should cover the pan and meat completely.

Heat the oven to a low of 170-200 degrees Fahrenheit but be careful that it is no hotter than that or you risk overcooking, drying out, and toughening up your meat. Keep the oven on and the meat inside as long as you need to before serving.

Warm the Plate 

Another way to reheat or keep your prime rib warm is to use a warming plate or platter for the cooked beef. Again, follow the recipe for baking your beef and allow it to rest thoroughly before proceeding. Do you have a warming plate or chafing dish? These are often seen being used in buffets and banquets to keep hot food warm during service.

This is what you need- a metal serving dish with a power cord that you plug in to warm. You will find similar products available online for both home and commercial use. Temperature is everything or you risk the texture and outcome of your prime rib. Choose a low setting to keep the beef warm without continuing to cook it, from low to medium-low.

Cover with aluminum foil that is tented but not tight, to keep the meat warm for up to four hours. The result of this method? You will have tasty, juicy, and warm prime rib- whenever you are ready to serve or enjoy it!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can prime rib rest before serving? 

Allow your prime rib to rest for at least 20 minutes before serving, ideally, allow to rest for a solid 30 minutes. Any longer, and you risk cooling the meat down.

How do you keep prime rib at temp? 

Keep your prime rib at temperature until ready to serve by placing it in an oven set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but no warmer than 200 degrees.

What do I do if my prime rib is done early? 

If your prime rib is done early, keep it warm in a low oven covered completely, though not tightly, with foil. Set the oven at no higher than 200 degrees Fahrenheit or you risk overcooking the beef.

How do you keep prime rib warm?

To keep prime rib warm, it is recommended to maintain the oven temperature at or below 200 degrees Fahrenheit. One option is to keep the prime rib in a hot oven or wrap it in multiple layers of aluminum foil to retain the heat. However, it is important to note that while some restaurants use warmers to keep prime rib hot, this may not be feasible in most home kitchens.

How do you reheat prime rib and keep it medium rare?

To reheat prime rib and maintain medium rare doneness, you can achieve the closest result by designating the thickest section of the roast for reheating. Place the leftover prime rib in a pan and cover it with foil. To preserve the juicy texture of the meat, incorporate a small amount of au jus from the previous day or 1/4 cup of low-sodium beef stock.

How do you prepare prime rib in advance?

To prepare prime rib in advance, you can refrigerate it overnight after placing it in a casserole dish or large-rimmed pan and loosely covering it with plastic wrap. Before roasting, allow the prime rib to come to room temperature for 2 hours.

How do you keep prime rib moist?

The prime rib can be kept moist by allowing the meat to cool to a temperature of 120 to 125 F. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the cells of the meat. As a result, when the prime rib is sliced, there will be minimal juice escaping, ensuring that each bite remains as moist as possible.

How do you keep steak warm before serving?

To keep steak warm before serving, it is acceptable to let them rest uncovered on a warm plate. If you prefer the steaks to stay exceptionally hot, you can place them in a 150 °F (66 °C) oven. However, this method of resting steaks is a subject of debate. While the low heat from the oven will maintain the warmth of the meat during the resting period, some argue that it may cause the steaks to become dry.

How long should the prime rib rest before carving?

Prime rib should rest for a minimum of 45–60 minutes before carving once it has been cooked to the desired internal temperature.

How long should prime rib sit after cooking?

Prime rib should sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour in a warm spot on the counter after cooking. This allows the roast to rest and retain its juices before slicing.

How long to bring prime rib roast to room temperature?

The prime rib roast should be brought to room temperature by removing it from the refrigerator and allowing it to sit for approximately 3 hours, depending on its size. After that, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

What do I do if my prime rib is done too early?

If your prime rib is done too early, you can consider filling a cooler with hot water, and allowing it to sit for 30 minutes with the lid closed. Once the cooler is emptied, you can line it with clean towels and place the wrapped prime rib inside for a maximum of 4 hours.

How long does it take a 12 lb prime rib to come to room temperature?

The 12 lb prime rib will take approximately 3 hours to come to room temperature, varying according to its size.

How do you reheat prime rib without making it tough?

To reheat prime rib without making it tough, you can gently warm up the sliced meat by steaming it. Simply place the prime rib in a steamer basket or on a plate covered with tin foil or an aluminum pie plate. Add a few tablespoons of water to a pot and bring it to a simmer. Then, place the prime rib in the steamer basket or on the plate, cover it, and allow it to steam until it is heated through. This method will help maintain the tenderness of the prime rib while reheating it.

Should I wrap prime rib in foil?

You should not wrap prime rib in foil while cooking; however, you can cover the tips of the bones. To protect them from direct heat, you can wrap aluminum foil around all exposed rib bones while the beef cooks.