Prime Rib
When it comes to grilling, few dishes can match the succulence and elegance of a perfectly cooked prime rib. This mouthwatering cut of beef is known for its rich flavor, tender texture, and marbled fat that melts in your mouth. While traditional cooking methods like roasting or smoking can deliver delicious results, using a pellet grill takes it to a whole new level. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to prepare prime rib on a pellet grill, unlocking a world of flavor and ensuring a show-stopping centerpiece for your next special occasion.
Why Pellet Grills are Perfect for Prime Rib: Pellet grills have gained immense popularity among grill enthusiasts for their versatility and ease of use. They offer a unique cooking experience by combining the convenience of an electric grill with the smoky flavor of a wood-fired grill. The beauty of a pellet grill lies in its ability to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process, ensuring even heat distribution and precise control. This feature is crucial when it comes to cooking a prime rib to perfection, as it allows you to achieve that coveted medium-rare or medium doneness with a beautifully seared crust. The pellet grill we use is similar to the one below. It has never disappointed us and with the right thermometer you will be able to make perfect prime rib and other meats.
This post may contain links to products, as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
How to achieve the perfect Prime Rib:
Choosing the Right Cut: To create a truly memorable prime rib, start by selecting a high-quality cut of beef. Look for a well-marbled prime or choice grade rib roast, preferably bone-in for added flavor. Aim for a roast that has a good fat cap on the surface, as it will help keep the meat moist during the cooking process.
Prepping the Prime Rib: Before you fire up the pellet grill, there are a few essential steps to prepare the prime rib for cooking. Begin by removing the roast from the refrigerator and allowing it to come to room temperature for about an hour. This step ensures even cooking and prevents the meat from seizing up when it hits the grill.
While the roast is reaching room temperature, you can prepare a flavorful rub or marinade to enhance the taste. A classic blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and optionally other herbs like rosemary and thyme works wonders. Generously coat the prime rib with the rub, gently pressing it into the meat to create a delicious crust.
Grilling Technique: Now it’s time to unleash the power of your pellet grill and get grilling! Preheat the grill to a temperature of around 225-250°F (107-121°C). The low and slow cooking method is ideal for a prime rib, allowing the flavors to develop gradually and the meat to become tender.
Place the seasoned prime rib on the grill, bone-side down if it has bones. For added flavor, you can add a handful of wood pellets, such as hickory or oak, to the pellet hopper. The smoky aroma from the wood pellets will infuse the meat, enhancing its taste. This is completely optional.
Cooking Time and Doneness: The cooking time for a prime rib on a pellet grill will depend on the size of the roast and your desired level of doneness. A perfect medium rare should be around 130-135 degrees F. As a general guideline, you can estimate about 30 minutes per pound of meat. However, it’s crucial to rely on an accurate meat thermometer to determine the perfect internal temperature. The meat thermometer we love and use is this one from Meater.
For a medium-rare prime rib, aim for an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C). Keep in mind that the temperature will continue to rise a few degrees during the resting period. Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the prime rib from the grill and let it rest for 15-20 minutes (or longer), tented loosely with foil. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a tender and juicy prime rib.
Serving and Enjoying: After the agonizing wait, it’s finally time to carve and serve your delicious prime rib.
If you like to cook other meats in a pellet grill or smoker try my smoked pork loin roast, you can find the recipe here.
Prime Rib
Equipment
- 1 Pellet Grill
Ingredients
- 5-6 lb Prime Rib of Beef roast (bone in)
- 4 Tbsp Kosher Salt
- 3 Tbsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Granulated Garlic
Instructions
- Prepare your prime rib by letting it come to room temperature for 1 hour (this prevents the meat from tightening if it goes on the grill cold)
- Preheat your pellet grill to 250℉
- While the grill is preheating, Liberally season your prime rib on all sides with Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and granulated garlic. You may use more or less than listed above depending on the size of your prime rib.
- If you have a barbeque with a sear zone, then sear the prime rib on all sides before moving it to the pellet grill, bone side down. If you don't have a sear zone, then just sear the roast on the stove to seal it.
- Once the prime rib is on the pellet grill, insert your thermometer (make sure it is one that is heat resistant or intended to remain in the meat)
- Monitor the temperature as it cooks (this is where the Meater thermometer comes in handy) and cook until an internal temperature of 135℉ is reached
- Remove the roast from the pellet grill and place it on a tray. Tent the roast with aluminum foil and let it rest for at least 15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Slice the rested prime rib and Enjoy!