Christmas Prime Rib Roast – The Ultimate Luxurious Holiday Centerpiece

There are holiday meals… and then there is the Christmas Prime Rib Roast — the show-stopping, buttery-tender, deeply seasoned beef centerpiece that makes the entire table go quiet for a moment because everyone is too busy admiring it. Some Christmas traditions feel optional, but serving a perfectly roasted prime rib? That’s a celebration in itself.

A Christmas roast shouldn’t be stressful or complicated. In fact, this recipe transforms a premium cut of beef into a surprisingly easy, low-effort masterpiece. A handful of ingredients — garlic, fresh herbs, butter, salt, and pepper — work together to create magic: a beautifully browned crust, a succulent rosy interior, and enough fragrance to make the whole house smell like a holiday feast.

Whether you’re preparing Christmas dinner for family, hosting a big holiday gathering, or simply creating a cozy celebration meal at home, this Christmas Prime Rib Roast delivers everything you want: elegance, warmth, tradition, flavor, and an unforgettable experience.

Let’s dive into the ultimate holiday roast that guarantees applause.

Why Prime Rib Is the King of Christmas Roasts

1. It’s naturally tender and juicy

Prime rib comes from one of the most flavorful and marbled sections of the cow, which means you don’t have to do much to make it incredible.

2. It creates its own au jus

As it roasts, the meat releases savory drippings that become the perfect natural gravy.

3. It looks spectacular on the table

Thick, juicy slices with a holiday herb crust — it’s culinary perfection.

4. It’s surprisingly easy

Despite looking fancy, prime rib is mostly hands-off. The oven does all the work.

5. It’s holiday tradition

Families all over the world celebrate Christmas with a classic beef roast, and prime rib is the go-to centerpiece for good reason.

What Makes This Christmas Roast Special?

This recipe balances deep, savory flavors with bright, fresh aromatics to create the perfect festive roast.

A garlic-herb crust

A mixture of garlic, rosemary, thyme, butter, and pepper coats the roast, creating a golden, aromatic crust.

The reverse-sear method

Slow roasting keeps the interior perfectly pink and even from edge to edge. A final blast at high heat forms a rich crust.

Holiday aromatics

Fresh herbs and roasted garlic bring warmth and depth — ideal for Christmas dinner.

Simple, high-quality ingredients

Prime rib shines best when the flavors are clean and the seasoning is generous.

How to Choose the Best Prime Rib for Christmas

Bone-in or boneless?

Both work, but bone-in is the traditional choice — the bones help insulate the meat and enhance flavor.

How many pounds?

General rule:
1 pound per person for bone-in
¾ pound per person for boneless

Grade matters

USDA Prime is the most marbled and luxurious.
USDA Choice is also fantastic and more budget-friendly.

Ingredients

For the Roast

• 4–6 lb bone-in prime rib roast
• 4 tbsp softened butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Optional: 1 onion, quartered (for roasting pan)
• Optional: 2 carrots + 2 celery stalks (for extra flavor)

For the Au Jus

• Drippings from the roast
• 1 cup beef broth
• Splash of Worcestershire sauce
• Pinch of salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the roast.
   Pat the prime rib dry with paper towels. Let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour before roasting.
2. Mix the garlic-herb butter.
   Combine softened butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil until you have a fragrant paste.
3. Season generously.
   Rub the garlic-herb mixture all over the roast, pressing it into the surface.
4. Prepare the roasting pan.
   Optional: Place onion, carrots, and celery at the bottom for aromatic drippings.
5. Slow roast.
   Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
   Roast for 2.5–3.5 hours depending on size, until the internal temperature reaches:
   • 118–120°F for rare
   • 125°F for medium-rare
   • 135°F for medium
6. Rest the roast.
   Remove from the oven and tent with foil for 20–30 minutes.
7. Create the crust (final sear).
   Increase oven temperature to 500°F (260°C).
   Return roast to oven for 8–10 minutes until golden and crisp.
8. Make the au jus.
   Place roasting pan on stovetop. Add beef broth, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.
   Simmer 5–7 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
9. Slice and serve.
   Cut into thick slices and spoon warm au jus on top.

Christmas Prime Rib Roast

A luxurious, tender, garlic-herb crusted Christmas prime rib roast slow-roasted to perfection and finished with a golden crust. A stunning holiday centerpiece with rich au jus.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 480

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Prime Rib Roast

• 4-6 lb bone-in prime rib roast
• 4 tbsp butter softened
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Au Jus

• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Equipment

• Roasting pan
• Meat thermometer
• Mixing bowl
• Sharp carving knife

Method

 

1. Let prime rib sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
2. Mix butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil into a paste.
3. Rub garlic-herb mixture all over the roast.
4. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Place roast in pan.
5. Roast for 2.5–3.5 hours until internal temperature reaches desired doneness.
6. Remove and rest for 20–30 minutes under foil.
7. Increase oven to 500°F (260°C). Sear roast for 8–10 minutes until crust forms.
8. Simmer drippings with broth and Worcestershire to make au jus.
9. Slice roast and serve with warm au jus.

Notes

For extra flavor, season roast the night before and refrigerate uncovered.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday Classics to Pair With:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Green beans almondine
• Cheesy scalloped potatoes
• Roasted brussels sprouts
• Warm dinner rolls
• Yorkshire pudding

Garnish with:

Fresh rosemary, thyme, roasted garlic heads, or citrus slices for a festive look.

Flavor Variations

Herb-Crusted Christmas Roast

Add crushed juniper berries, extra rosemary, and a little Dijon for a deeper holiday flavor.

Garlic-Pepper Crust

Increase garlic and black pepper for a more robust, steakhouse-style crust.

Red Wine Au Jus

Replace half the broth with red wine and reduce until silky.

Expert Tips for a Perfect Christmas Roast

Let the roast come to room temperature

This helps it cook evenly and prevents cold centers.

Use a meat thermometer

This is the key to precision — especially for an expensive cut.

Don’t skip the resting period

This allows juices to settle for maximum tenderness.

Season more than you think

Large cuts need generous seasoning.

Reverse-sear for perfection

Slow roasting first ensures the roast is pink from edge to center.

Holiday Magic: Why Christmas and Prime Rib Are a Perfect Match

Prime rib roasts have been a Christmas tradition for generations. Families gather around the table, carving into a beautifully seasoned roast, sharing stories, laughter, and warmth. There’s something timeless and comforting about a juicy, slow-roasted beef feast during the holiday season — it feels festive, luxurious, and celebratory.

This roast isn’t just dinner… it’s an experience.