Standing Rib Roast is considered by many to be the best roast beef in the world. Also known as Prime Rib, it’s a beef cut that’s incredibly succulent with superior taste. The safe, easy, and very effective way to roast the beef in this recipe makes it pink all the way through.
This is a great tip: take the beef out of the oven before it reaches the right temperature. As it rests, it continues to cook, turning medium-rare beef into medium. Otherwise, it overcooks while resting!.
A glistening beef rib roast makes for the ultimate celebratory centerpiece. When perfectly cooked, this impressive cut rewards you with incredibly tender, succulent meat surrounded by a crispy, flavorful crust. But determining the right cooking time for a 5 pound beef rib roast takes finesse. Undercook it and you risk food safety issues. Go too long and you’ll end up with a dried-out disappointment. Use this guide to learn how to roast a 5 pound beef rib roast to juicy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Checking Doneness – Use a Meat Thermometer
The most reliable way to test doneness for any roast is to use an instant-read thermometer. This takes the guesswork out of determining when your beef rib roast is ready. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the roast taking care to avoid touching any bones. Beef rib roast can be cooked to the following internal temperatures for different doneness levels
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
- Medium Well: 150-155°F
- Well Done: 160°F and above
For prime rib, medium rare is generally preferred to highlight the tenderness of the beef. Regardless of time estimates, always rely on the thermometer for accuracy.
Estimating Cook Time for a 5 Pound Rib Roast
A whole prime rib roast usually weighs between 6-10 pounds. A 5 pound roast is a smaller cut, ideal for special meals without lots of leftovers. Here are general time estimates for roasting a 5 pound beef rib roast
- Rare: 50 minutes to 1 hour
- Medium Rare: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Medium: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Medium Well: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Well Done: 1 hour 40 minutes
Keep in mind cook times vary depending on the shape and thickness of your particular roast. The only sure way to know it’s done is by temperature. If estimating, check at the low end of the time range with a thermometer, then continue roasting if needed.
Oven Roasting Method
Use these tips to oven roast a 5 pound beef rib roast to perfection:
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Preheat oven to 450°F. High heat at the start sears the meat.
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Place roast bone-side down on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
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Season generously with salt, pepper and herbs. Garlic, rosemary and thyme are ideal.
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Roast at 450°F for the first 20 minutes to brown the exterior.
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Reduce heat to 325°F and continue roasting until it reaches 5° below desired internal temperature.
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Rest roast for 15-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
Getting Creative with Crusts and Rubs
While simple salt and pepper nicely complements beef rib roast, get creative with rubs and herb crusts to take the flavor up a notch:
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Mustard and herb crust – smear Dijon on the roast and press on chopped fresh herbs.
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Spice rub – coat with bold spices like chili powder, cumin and paprika.
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Coffee spice rub – add intense flavor with coffee grounds, garlic, salt and pepper.
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Pepper crust – press cracked black peppercorns into the coated roast.
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Balsamic glaze – brush on tangy-sweet glaze for sheen and flavor.
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Ancho chile crust – coat with ancho chile powder, cumin and brown sugar.
Mastering the Perfect Medium Rare
Achieving that ideal medium rare roast with a nice brown crust and pink, juicy interior takes practice. Start the beef rib roast at a high temp to develop the crust, then reduce heat to gently finish cooking the center without overdoing the outer sections.
Monitor temperature carefully and remove it before it reaches your final target, since the temp will continue rising as it rests. Letting the roast rest allows the juices to distribute evenly throughout the meat.
While roasting an impressive rib roast requires time and attention, the active effort is minimal. With the right technique, your oven does most of the work while you relax until it’s time to slice into tender, juicy perfection.
Common Roasting Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to commit rib roast rookie mistakes. Avoid the following pitfalls:
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Not using a meat thermometer – this leads to overcooking or undercooking.
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Cooking at too low a temperature – won’t achieve a nice browned crust.
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Skipping a rest period – causes juices to flood out when sliced.
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Cutting the roast right after cooking – won’t be as moist or tender.
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Roasting from frozen – prevents even cooking.
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Tenting too tightly while resting – softens the crust.
Serving Suggestions for Your Prime Rib Feast
A perfectly roasted prime rib is the star of your meal, but creative sides can make it a true feast:
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Twice baked potatoes – rich and indulgent
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Roasted asparagus – fresh veggie balance
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Yorkshire pudding – classic accompaniment
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Au jus or horseradish sauce – for dipping sliced beef
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Creamed spinach or roasted mushrooms – earthy compliments
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Green salad with vinaigrette – bright, crisp contrast
Ready to Roast Rib Eye Perfection?
Roasting prime rib for a holiday or special gathering may seem intimidating to novice cooks. But armed with the right tools, ingredients and technique, you can master the art of cooking a 5 pound beef rib roast. Rely on an instant-read thermometer for guaranteed success. Prep the roast properly and choose a nice high temp to start for a crispy exterior. Then let the oven do the work while you relax and wait for tender, juicy beef rib perfection.
Internal temperature of cooked prime rib
When prime rib rests, its internal temperature rises by about 4°C / 5–7°F. This means it needs to be taken out of the oven before it reaches the Target Internal Temperature for the level of doneness you want.
| Doneness | Pull temperature | Target Temp after rest |
|---|---|---|
| Rare | 48°C/118°F | 51°C/124°F |
| Medium rare (recommended) | 50°C / 122°F | 54°C / 129°F |
| Medium | 53°C/127°F | 57°C / 135°F |
| Medium well done | 55°C/131°F | 59°C/138°F |
| Well done | Never! | n/a |
- Target temperature after resting: this is the temperature inside the meat at each level of doneness after it has been resting.
- The pull temperature is the internal temperature you want it to be when you take it out of the oven. It needs to be lower than the target temperature to be done to your liking. The temperature rises when the beef is resting. When the beef comes out of the oven at the Target Temp, it will be done more than you wanted by the time it’s cool.
Key tip: take out of fridge 2 hours prior
It takes a lot of meat to cook a standing rib roast evenly, so I like to take it out of the fridge two or three hours before I cook it.
By making the beef less cold, this stops it from cooking, leaving a thick layer of overcooked beef on the outside and a small circle of pink, perfectly cooked beef in the middle. What you end up with is
The Guide to Cooking A Perfect Standing Rib Roast
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a 5 lb rib?
Is it better to cook prime rib at 325 or 350?
What is the best temperature to cook a prime rib roast?
How long does it take to cook a 5 lb roast at 325 degrees?
How long do you cook a rib roast in the oven?
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place the rib roast bone-in on a rack in a roasting pan, fat side up. Cook at this high temperature for about 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C). Continue cooking for approximately 20 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches your desired level of doneness.
How long do you cook a bone in beef rib roast?
For a bone-in beef rib roast, a good rule of thumb is to cook it for approximately 15 minutes per pound at 500°F, then lower the temperature to 325°F and continue cooking for approximately 10-12 minutes per pound for rare, 13-14 minutes per pound for medium rare, or 14-15 minutes per pound for medium well.
How long does a prime rib roast take to cook?
Roast the prime rib for 15 to 20 minutes per pound, about 1 ½ to 2 hours for a 5-pound roast. Remove the roast from the oven and place on a cutting board for about 10 minutes to rest before carving and serving. To boost your chances of cooking a perfect prime rib roast at home, follow these tips:
How do you cook a 5 pound prime rib?
Instructions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush olive oil on all sides of the roast. Combine seasonings together in a small bowl. Rub generously into all sides of the roast. Place the roast with its fat cap side up on a wire rack inside a roasting pan. Roast the prime rib for 15 to 20 minutes per pound, about 1 ½ to 2 hours for a 5-pound roast.