Prime Rib Seasoning Recipe

Home / Recipes / Dinner / Beef / Prime Rib Seasoning

Published on December 23, 2023 · · By Aysegul Sanford

This Prime Rib Seasoning is the ultimate blend to give your cut of beef a tasty, elegant, and perfectly complementary finish. With this easy homemade mixture, you can expertly season your standing beef roast without spending extra money on store-bought versions—whether you make a roast, grilled, smoked, or reverse seared prime rib roast recipe. This simple guide will teach you how to make prime rib roast seasoning in two ways (both a dry rub and a wet rub), as well as when and how to season a rib roast before cooking.

Yields: 4 tablespoons

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Jump to Recipe

Prime Rib Seasoning Recipe - Foolproof Living (2)

Table of Contents show

Prime Rib Rub Ingredients

The best way to season a ribeye roast is to make a seasoning mix that accentuates the beef’s natural richness. This blend of five simple ingredients ensures your meat and roasting pan drippings are maximally flavorful, keeping your Prime Rib Au Jus as flavorful and savory as possible.

Prime Rib Seasoning Recipe - Foolproof Living (3)

Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper will give your beef rib roast an irresistible touch of deep spice and a delectably peppery crust.
Dried rosemary: You can use dried or fresh rosemary to give this spice rub piney, aromatic notes. However, if you use a fresh version, I suggest doubling the amount you use to compensate for dried rosemary’s more potent flavor.
Dried thyme: Both dried and fresh thyme make excellent additions to this prime rib crust seasoning, lending it a mildly clove-like, earthy finish. Just like the fresh rosemary, double the amount if you use fresh thyme, thereby keeping its garden-fresh taste from getting buried under this recipe’s other flavors.
Garlic powder: We find that using garlic powder helps with evenly distributing garlic flavors throughout the roast. You can use fresh garlic cloves if you prefer, but make sure that it is minced finely.
Kosher salt: Salt is an essential ingredient to bring out the natural savoriness of a standing rib roast. I suggest using Diamond Kosher salt if possible due to its mild flavor and flaky texture. If you use other brands, such as Morton kosher salt, halve the amount you use to avoid oversalting your meat. Furthermore, if you salt your beef beforehand (like we do in our Reverse Seared Prime Rib Recipe), I suggest omitting this ingredient from your prime rib rub recipe to prevent a prime rib that is overly salted.

Optional Add-Ins

My approach to seasoning prime rib is keeping it simple, as this cut of meat has a naturally succulent, savory flavor. However, you can play with different spices and seasonings if you want an exciting new flavor profile.

Keep in mind, however, that if you decide to use one (or more) of the additions below, I recommend starting small and adding more as needed. That way, you don’t encounter the problem of overseasoning your meat or creating an imbalanced mix.

Onion powder: Pungent and savory, onion powder is a robust addition that can immediately satisfy anyone who loves a bold, meaty main.
Paprika: You can easily lend your beef warm, smoky spice by adding paprika (or smoked paprika!) to your seasoning mixture.
Red pepper flakes: If you want a slight kick of heat, adding a spoonful of red pepper flakes to your spices is an easy way to please any spice-lover on your dinner party list.
Brown sugar: Optional brown sugar can give your roast a slight sweetness that balances the savory and spicy flavors.
Oil: If you choose to make a wet rub, I recommend using an oil with a high smoking point, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or ghee, to avoid burning. I would recommend using 4-5 tablespoons of oil for a 7-pound prime rib.
Dijon mustard: Give your roasted beef a sharp and tangy taste with the simple addition of Dijon mustard.

How to Make Prime Rib Seasoning?

A correctly seasoned prime rib produces the most delicious crust, which beautifully complements the soft and tender meat inside. This basic recipe is all you need to make a perfectly cooked prime rib—in just two steps!

Prime Rib Seasoning Recipe - Foolproof Living (4)

Combine the spices for prime rib: Add the salt, black pepper, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and garlic powder to a small bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
Use: Spread the spice rub evenly over the outside of the roast before beginning the cooking process. If you plan to use the spice in the future, store it in a jar until ready to use.

When is the Best Time to Season Prime Rib?

Knowing when to season prime rib is the key to ensuring your meat has the ultimate balance of savory, succulent flavor—without overpowering the beef’s natural taste. Therefore, the answer to this question depends on your specific recipe, as described below:

Salting beforehand: If your recipe suggests salting before cooking, begin your preparation by dry brining your meat with an even layer of salt 24-48 hours in advance. Then, you can season your prime rib with the remaining spice mix ingredients just before roasting.
Adding seasoning right before cooking: If your recipe doesn’t require salting ahead of time, sprinkle the whole roast with an even layer of this meat seasoning.

Prime Rib Seasoning Recipe - Foolproof Living (5)

How to Store Prime Rib Seasoning Rub?

Storing this rub for prime rib is an effortless hack for meal prep, whether you’re getting ready for the holiday season or want a tasty mix for easy weeknight meals.

Storing a dry rub: If you make this prime rib dry rub seasoning recipe using only dry ingredients, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to two months.
Storing a wet rub: If you use fresh herbs in this recipe or make a wet rub for prime rib roast (i.e., your recipe includes oil or mustard), it’s best to use within 2-3 days after preparation.

Expert Tips

This simple rib roast spice rub is one of the easiest ways to make the best prime rib—delectable, rich, and classically flavored. For even more tips on making a perfectly tailored spice blend, this master guide will guide you through everything you need to prepare and apply your seasonings.

Plan in advance: There are so many ways to cook prime rib, so be sure to read your recipe beforehand to ensure you prep it accordingly. For instance, if you choose to follow our prime rib recipe, you will see that you need to salt your rib roast 24 hours before serving. So, taking the time to read your recipe and planning accordingly is important
Dry your prime rib: It’s essential that you thoroughly pat your standing rib roast with paper towels before seasoning it. Otherwise, the seasoning blend won’t adhere to the flesh, creating uneven clumps of spice.
Evenly distribute the seasoning: To avoid an uneven taste or bland spots, I encourage you to apply your seasoning evenly across all sides of the prime rib—including on the fat side. This complete covering will ensure every bite explodes with a luscious, complex flavor.
Can be used with bone-in and boneless prime rib: You can use this all-purpose spice mix in both bone-in and boneless prime rib cuts, making it an ideal choice for Christmas dinner, special occasions, and more.

Other Ways to Use This Seasoning

The best seasoning for a prime rib dinner is as versatile as it is tasty. You can use this multipurpose mix in everything from rich bread dips to tender veggies, taking all your favorite dishes to the next level in minutes.

Can be used for seasoning other meat cuts: Though I love using this rub to make seasoned prime rib, it also makes an irresistible addition to pork, chicken, turkey, and other beef recipes, such as traditional steak or my Beef Tenderloin.
Sprinkle over vegetables as seasoning: There’s no question that this recipe is the perfect blend to use when seasoning a prime rib roast. However, it also makes an incomparable flavor enhancer for vegetables, whether you follow a vegetarian diet or want easy veggie side dishes to complete your dinner menu.
Turn it into a marinade by mixing it with oil: All you need is to add a bit of oil to these easy ingredients to transform it into a gourmet meat marinade.
Make it a bread dip: You’ll never have to worry about elegant appetizers again when you have this spice mix on hand. Mix it with olive oil and shredded parmesan, and you’ll have a five-minute dish perfect for special occasions or weekday snacks—just like my Bread Dipping Oil!
Incorporate it into softened butter to make herb butter: It’s no secret that butter is the secret to adding full-bodied richness to any recipe. Mix this simple seasoning into a serving of softened butter (such as our Roasted Garlic Butter), and you’ll be licking its herby, savory taste off your fingers.

FAQs

You don’t have to be a chef to make this easy rib roast seasoning. If you have any questions about this hassle-free spice recipe, you’ll find helpful tips below to ensure you make the perfect prime rib roast.

Should I season my prime rib the night before?

If your recipe suggests it, I highly encourage you to season your prime rib with salt the night before cooking. Dry brining rib roasts 24-48 hours ahead is a great way to remove excess moisture and more deeply infuse your meat with savory flavor (especially when making my Reverse Sear Prime Rib recipe!). Then, you can add the remaining seasonings just before cooking your meat.

Do you use butter or olive oil for prime rib?

If you opt for a wet rub, you can certainly use butter or olive oil in your seasoning mix. However, it’s best to use clarified butter (such as ghee) or vegetable oil with a high smoke point, as a regular butter rub can burn in the oven.

Other Homemade Spice Mix Recipes You Might Like

Don’t be surprised if you want to use this prime rib marinade rub for every meat dish you prepare. However, if you want to diversify your spice cabinet with peppery, savory, and smoky mixes, these five-minute recipes are for you.

Blackening Seasoning
Turkey Rub Recipe

If you try this Prime Rib Seasoning recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute torate the recipeand leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them onInstagramusing #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

By Aysegul Sanford

Ingredients

▢ 2 tablespoons of kosher salt*
▢ 1 tablespoon black pepper coarsely ground
▢ 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped)
▢ 1 ½ teaspoons dried rosemary or 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped)
▢ 2 teaspoons garlic powder

Instructions

Mix together the salt*, black pepper, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Mix until combined.
Spread the spice mixture evenly on your seasoned prime rib before cooking. Alternatively, you can store the mixture in a jar and store it until you are ready to use it.

Notes

Yields: This recipe makes 4 tablespoons of prime rib rub (including the salt), enough for a 7 lbs prime rib roast. You can multiply the recipe if you are cooking a larger roast.
Kosher Salt: We used Diamond kosher salt in this recipe. If you are using Morton kosher salt, please use half the amount.
Read your prime rib recipe fully before preparing this spice mix: Before making and using this spice mixture, be sure to check the recipe you are using, as some prime rib recipes (such as our Reverse Sear Prime Rib recipe) suggest dry brining the meat 24 hours before cooking and letting it sit in the fridge. If that is the case, use the salt for dry brining your meat and then spread the rest of the mixture over it right before cooking.
Make it a wet rub: If you choose to make a wet rub, I recommend using an oil with a high smoking point, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or ghee, to avoid burning. I would recommend using 4-5 tablespoons of oil for a 7-pound prime rib. Additionally, you can add a teaspoon (or two) of Dijon mustard for a tangy flavor.
Storage: This spice mix will store well in a small jar for up to 2 months if you use dried herbs. If you use fresh herbs, it should be used within 2-3 days of making it.

Nutrition

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegan

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @FoolproofLiving or tag #foolproofeats!

Like this recipe? Consider sharing:

About Aysegul Sanford

Hello Friend! I’m Aysegul but you can call me “Ice.” I’m the cook/recipe-tester/photographer behind this site.

If you’re looking for approachable yet creative recipes made with everyday ingredients, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’re all about recipes that have been meticulously tested to provide you with a truly foolproof cooking experience regardless of your level of cooking.

Check out my about page to learn more about me.

Did you make a recipe? Be sure to tag @foolproofliving on Instagram so that I can see.

Instagram |Pinterest |Facebook |YouTube

CLAIM YOUR
FREE E-BOOK

Sign up to get your free 50-page e-book of wholesome vegetarian salad recipes and receive weekly updates and goodies from me.

Reader Interactions

Richard Jean
December 25, 2023 at 10:09 am

I believe dry rubs make the meats taste so much better than wet sauces. Anyone can cover in retrospect.
Reply

Prime Rib Seasoning Recipe - Foolproof Living (2024)