Grilled Prime Rib Roast

Grilled Prime Rib Roast is a special dinner that is easier than you think to prepare. I remember having a prime rib roast for special occasions when I was growing up; it was a meal that everyone loved! This recipe is very easy, you slow cook the prime rib after putting on a gorgeous rub, and it comes out absolutely perfect!

Can you grill a prime rib roast?

Can you grill a prime rib roast? The answer is….of course, you can!! I really believe that this is the best way to cook this wonderful piece of beef in the summer months. It doesn’t matter if you have a gas grill or are using a charcoal grill. With the right technique, it will be something you will be proud to serve to your family and friends.

Prime Rib is a beautiful cut of meat and is not inexpensive! You want to make sure that you cook it to perfection.

I had our butcher Ryan from R.F.G. Meats and Seafood, cut our prime rib roast in half. So rather than a 4 rib bone roast, we got 2 smaller roasts, perfect for our small family! I don’t get a boneless prime rib roast as the rib bone adds so much flavor, and they are great to eat too! Plus they come with a built-in rack to cook on. 

How long does it take to BBQ a prime rib roast?

The cook time for your prime rib will vary depending upon the size of your roast. The first thing you want to do is make sure you take it out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you start to grill it. You want to allow your roast to come up to room temperature.

I used vegetable oil for the rub but you can use olive oil if you like. Make sure that you work the rub all over so that the whole roast is well covered.

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Minced garlic
• Black pepper
• Montreal steak spice
• Kosher salt
• Brown sugar
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Prime rib roast

Place your prime rib bone side down when cooking prime ribs. This allows the fat on top to run over the meat while it is grilling. I don’t use a drip pan to catch the drippings; you can if you like.

Your most valuable tool for this is a good quality meat thermometer! This Thermoworks Cooking Alarm Thermometer is the best tool that I have found. You need to make sure that you insert the probe into the center of the roast.

Set the internal temperature that you are looking for and you are done. The alarm will go off when your roast has reached your preset temperature.

What temperature do you pull a prime rib?

I usually cook my prime rib roasts to an internal temperature of 125 degrees F to 130 degrees F for medium-rare. Keep in mind that your roast will continue to cook. 

Here is a rough guide to doneness temperatures for prime rib:

Preferred Doneness	Degrees F	Degrees C
Rare	120-129°F	(49-54°C)
Medium Rare	130-134°F	(55-57°C)
Medium	135-144°F	(58-62°C)
Medium Well	145-154°F	(63-67°C)
Well Done	155-164°F	(68-73°C)

**Remember that these are final doneness temperatures. Your “pull from the heat” temperature should be 5-7°F (3-4°C) below the temperatures shown (depending upon the size of the prime rib roast) to allow for carryover cooking. (Doneness information chart from ThermoBlog).

Once you reach your desired temperature, remove from the grill, cover loosely with foil, and let stand for a minimum of 15 minutes to 20 minutes. 

Should I use a Rotisserie for Prime Rib Roast?

Rather than using a rotisserie for my prime rib, I like to prepare my grill for indirect grilling. Generally, I find when I use the rotisserie it is a little drier than I like. Also with a rotisserie, it can be difficult to balance it evenly on the spit. This can result in an uneven rotation.  

How do you carve a Prime Rib roast?

You are going to want to carve your prime rib roast very carefully! No, seriously, it is actually very simple to carve your prime rib roast. Once you have allowed it to rest on your cutting board simply start to slice. I like to slice it as thin as I can, but that will depend on your preference. Once I get to the rib bones I turn the roast over and remove the bones. This makes it easy to slice the whole roast. Save those rib bones; they make for a great midnight snack!! 

You don’t need to add much to this prime rib roast as the rub is super flavorful, and the meat will be tender and juicy. Serve it with some creamy mashed potatoes, some veggies, or a salad on the side, perfection!!