Smoked Prime Rib Roast Recipe
This smoked prime rib roast boasts a crispy exterior with a juicy, flavorful interior. Perfectly seasoned and cooked low and slow in a smoker, it's sure to be the star of any meal. Below is a detailed guide to achieving the perfect smoked prime rib roast.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 (5-pound) boneless prime rib roast
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- teaspoon cayenne pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Begin by gathering all your ingredients. Once you have everything, sprinkle kosher salt evenly over the entire surface of the roast. After salting, wrap the roast tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible, to allow the flavors to develop.
Step 2: While the roast is resting in the refrigerator, prepare the seasoning oil blend. In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, dried rosemary, dried thyme, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Let the mixture sit for about an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 3: Once the oil mixture is ready, remove the roast from the fridge. Pour about three-quarters of the oil blend over the top of the roast, massaging it thoroughly into the surface of the meat. Flip the roast and repeat with the remaining oil mixture. Place the roast back on a plate and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour, or up to 12 hours for even better flavor.
Step 4: Preheat your smoker to 225F (110C) to 230F (107C). Add your choice of wood chips, preferably hickory or pecan, to the smoker for that perfect smoky flavor. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the roast, ensuring it's not touching any bone.
Step 5: Place the roast in the smoker and cook it low and slow until it reaches medium-rare, about 3 to 3 hours. Youre looking for an internal temperature of 130F (54C). Once the roast is done smoking, carefully remove it from the smoker.
Step 6: Preheat your grill to the highest setting, or alternatively, heat your oven to 500F (260C) to 550F (288C). Place the roast on the grill or in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until the exterior becomes crispy and golden brown, achieving a reverse sear.
Step 7: Once the roast has a nice, crunchy crust, remove it from the heat and allow it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. This resting period ensures the juices redistribute, making for a more flavorful and tender roast when sliced.
Step 8: Slice the prime rib roast into thick cuts and serve. Enjoy your perfectly smoked prime rib!
Cook's Notes
- For salting, use teaspoon of salt per pound of roast to ensure an even seasoning.
- Do not use a roasting pan with a V-shaped rack for smoking the roast. This can block airflow around the meat, resulting in uneven cooking and a soggy crust.
- If you wish to save the juices for au jus, place a pan under the roast in the smoker to collect the drippings.
- For a more well-done roast, heat beef broth in a frying pan until boiling. Place a slice of roast in the pan for 30 seconds, flip, and cook for another 30 seconds. Keep in mind that this will alter the beautiful pink color of the roast.
What to Serve With Smoked Prime Rib
Pair this mouthwatering smoked prime rib with these delicious sides:
- Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
- Fast and Easy Creamed Spinach
- Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Nutrition | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 358 |
| Total Fat | 26g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Cholesterol | 80mg |
| Sodium | 555mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Protein | 27g |
| Vitamin C | 1mg |
| Calcium | 26mg |
| Iron | 4mg |
| Potassium | 409mg |
Comments
Jessica Edwards
10/04/2025 02:54:24 PM
I recently cooked two 7-pound roasts and the results were outstanding. After removing the bones and saving them for smoking, I tied the roasts to shape them evenly. I added whole cloves of garlic by poking holes into the roasts. Using an electric smoker at 200 degrees, I smoked the roasts with a blend of cherry and hickory wood for around 3 hours, ensuring to check the temperature with a good thermometer. Once the internal temperature reached 115 degrees, I wrapped the roasts in foil and kept them in a thermal cooler until the temperature reached 123 degrees. Then, I seared them on a hot gas grill for about 45 seconds on each side to get that perfect crispy crust, bringing the temperature up to 130 degrees. After allowing them to rest for 10 minutes, the roasts were perfectly pink from end to end, with no overcooked parts. The leftovers froze well, and when reheated as "prime rib steaks" on a hot gas grill for about 1 minute per side, they were deliciously close to the original prime rib. The grilling process added a delightful smoky flavor and the grill marks provided an extra layer of texture.
Emma Turner
10/04/2025 07:31:30 PM
The roast turned out incredibly tender and delicious. I may have used a bit too much smoke, but that was my error, not the recipe's. I found the amount of pepper to be slightly overpowering; next time, I'll probably reduce it to 1.5 tablespoons. While I enjoy pepper and spicy flavors, I felt it overshadowed the overall taste of the crust. However, this is simply a matter of personal taste.
Amanda Brown
10/04/2025 05:00:41 PM
I removed it from the smoker at 119F after 3.5 hours at 255F, then transferred it to the oven at 500F for approximately 25 minutes until it reached 131F in the center of the thicker end. The result was incredibly delicious.
Virginia Turner
10/01/2025 01:01:57 PM
I prepared a 2.5 lb roast and the flavor was spot on, but in the future, I plan to cut down or skip the oven time altogether since I prefer my meat on the rare side. Giving it just 10 minutes in the oven resulted in it being too well-done for my liking.
Michael Gomez
10/04/2025 12:29:44 AM
Excellent instructions for cooking! The smoking time followed by the perfect searing resulted in a perfect outcome.
Timothy Lewis
10/01/2025 05:47:31 PM
Rewritten review: As someone with years of experience in smoke cooking, I decided to try my hand at preparing a prime rib for the first time. I have a particular preference for rare meat, ensuring it reaches 135°F or less before resting and slicing. Hoping to elevate the traditional prime rib roast, I carefully followed a recipe, albeit with a slight modification of removing the meat from the smoker at 125°F and then searing it briefly to retain its rareness. Although the end result was good, I felt somewhat let down by the outcome. The smoke flavor, rather than complementing the rich beef taste, ended up overpowering it. Despite the efforts invested, I found the overall experience to be disappointing and not quite meeting my expectations.
Kelly Flores
10/01/2025 08:38:42 AM
The recipe is amazing! It's packed with flavor! When I used my smoker for the first time, I accidentally left it in too long while figuring out temperature issues. Despite that, the meat was still juicy!
Jessica Hall
10/03/2025 01:41:10 AM
Excellent! I carefully make several cuts on the top of the rib to enhance the penetration of the marinade and smoking flavors into the meat.
Gary Young
10/01/2025 05:53:56 PM
Superb!