Spreading Christmas Cheer: Ranch Style

Year round we are thankful for the lifestyle that we are able to lead. However, sitting around the Christmas tree with your family, telling old cowboy stories while playing cards, and hearing the wood fire crackle in the background is hard to beat…except Christmas doesn’t feel quite complete until the smell of a slow roasted prime rib rolls through the house. If you’re looking to serve up a holiday supper that will be remembered long after the tree goes back outside, here is how to cook a prime rib that is worthy of the season. Around here, we say that the cattle did all the hard work, it’s now your job to honor that work and make sure it counts.

The key to success is finding the perfect rib roast from a local rancher or butcher shop. Look for a roast with generous marbling and bright color. While you’re in town, make sure to grab a meat thermometer if you do not have one yet. Cooking times can range widely, so this will be your best friend to ensure you do not overcook the prime rib. 

Ingredients 

• 1 bone in prime rib roast (8-10 pounds)
• 6 Tbsp olive oil
• 4 Tbsp kosher salt
• 3 Tbsp crushed peppercorns
• 3 sprigs rosemary
• 3 sprigs thyme
• 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Instructions

• About an hour before you are ready to start cooking, take your prime rib out of the fridge to allow it to come to room temperature. This will help prevent uneven cooking.
• Preheat your oven to 500°F.
• While your oven is preheating, strip the leaves from the rosemary and thyme sprigs. Mix the salt, crushed peppercorns, rosemary leaves, thyme leaves, and garlic.
• Give your rib roast an olive oil bath. Then evenly coat all sides of the prime rib with your spice mixture. This will allow a nice crust to form while the meat is cooking.
• Place the roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 500°F. Then drop the temperature down to 300°F for the remainder of cooking the meat. Meat will continue to cook after you remove it from the oven. So you will want to pull it from the oven 5°-10° before it reaches your ideal temperature. For medium rare, wait until the thermometer reads 120°-125°F and then remove from the oven.
• Let rest for at least 15-20 minutes.
• Cut up, and enjoy!

The entire team at Western Ranch Brokers wishes you and yours a wonderful holiday season. Whether you are cooking the meal and serving prime rib, traveling with loved ones, or staying home on the ranch to feed livestock, we hope it is joyful and merry. 

As we look into the New Year, let our experience of a combined 50+ years lead the way for you as you navigate the buying and selling process. Contact our team to find out how we can work for you.