Easy Garlic Herb Prime Rib with Red Wine Au Jus — A Stunning Holiday Dinner Made Simple

A beautifully roasted prime rib is the centerpiece of many holiday dinner tables. With its rich marbling, tender texture, and bold beef flavor, it turns any meal into something memorable. But despite its impressive presentation, prime rib is surprisingly easy to make at home, especially when prepared with a flavor-packed garlic herb crust and paired with a silky red wine au jus.

This Easy Garlic Herb Prime Rib with Red Wine Au Jus is everything you want in a holiday roast: juicy, tender, deeply savory, aromatic, and absolutely show-stopping. It requires minimal prep, simple ingredients, and zero complicated techniques — just the right timing and a flavorful butter rub that creates a golden, crispy crust.

Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, planning a celebratory feast, or just treating your family to something special, this recipe makes you feel like a professional chef without the stress.

Let’s break down everything you need to make perfect prime rib at home.

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Why This Prime Rib Recipe Works

⭐ 1. Foolproof garlic herb crust

A mixture of garlic, rosemary, thyme, butter, and salt locks in moisture and creates an irresistible golden crust.

⭐ 2. Slow roast for perfect tenderness

Low heat ensures gentle cooking and an evenly pink interior.

⭐ 3. High-heat finish for a crispy exterior

A final blast in a hot oven gives the roast its signature crust.

⭐ 4. Easy homemade red wine au jus

Made from pan drippings, broth, and wine — no flour needed.

⭐ 5. Perfect for holidays & special occasions

Impressive, flavorful, and elegant.

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Choosing the Right Cut

A prime rib roast may be labeled as:

• Standing rib roast
• Ribeye roast
• Bone-in rib roast (most flavorful!)

Bone-in roasts generally cook more evenly and stay juicier.

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Seasoning & Flavor

This roast uses a bold flavor combination:

• Fresh garlic
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper

These simple ingredients deliver maximum steakhouse-level flavor.

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Step-by-Step: How to Make Garlic Herb Prime Rib

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Step 1: Bring roast to room temperature

Set the roast out for 1–2 hours before cooking.
This ensures even cooking.

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Step 2: Prepare the garlic herb butter

Mix:

• Soft butter
• Fresh garlic
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper

Rub it generously over the entire roast.

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Step 3: Roast low and slow

Place roast in the oven at 250°F (120°C).
Cook until internal temperature is:

• 120°F for rare
• 130°F for medium-rare (recommended)
• 140°F for medium

Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.

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Step 4: Let the roast rest

Rest 20–30 minutes before carving.
This keeps juices inside the meat.

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Step 5: Sear at high heat

Crank oven to 500°F (260°C) and roast 10 minutes to crisp the crust.

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Step 6: Make the red wine au jus

Simmer pan drippings with:

• Red wine
• Beef broth
• A splash of Worcestershire
• Fresh herbs

Reduce until rich and glossy.

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Step 7: Slice and serve

Carve along the bone, slice thick pieces, and spoon warm au jus over the meat.

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Tips for PERFECT Prime Rib

🔥 Use a thermometer — always.

This is the #1 key to perfect doneness.

🧈 Don’t skip the rest time.

It locks in all the juices.

🌿 Use fresh herbs, not dried.

It makes the flavor brighter and fresher.

🥩 Bone-in is best.

Bones help insulate the meat and keep it tender.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve prime rib with:

• Mashed potatoes
• Creamy horseradish sauce
• Roasted garlic
• Green beans
• Yorkshire pudding
• Crusty bread
• Buttered herb carrots

The meal will feel like a classic steakhouse Christmas dinner.

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Storage Instructions

• Refrigerate up to 4 days
• Freeze sliced prime rib up to 2 months
• Store au jus separately

Reheat gently to avoid drying the meat.

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Ingredients (List Format)

Prime Rib

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

Red Wine Au Jus

• 1 cup beef broth
• ½ cup red wine
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Pan drippings

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Instructions (Numbered Steps)

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. Pat roast dry and bring to room temperature.
3. In a bowl, mix butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Rub mixture all over the roast, including between fat layers.
5. Place roast bone-side down in a roasting pan.
6. Roast until internal temperature reaches 120–130°F depending on desired doneness.
7. Remove roast and rest 20–30 minutes.
8. Increase oven to 500°F (260°C).
9. Return roast for 8–10 minutes to crisp the crust.
10. Transfer roast to cutting board and allow final rest.
11. For au jus: Place roasting pan on stovetop, add broth, wine, and Worcestershire.
12. Scrape up browned bits and simmer 5–7 minutes until reduced.
13. Strain if desired.
14. Slice roast and serve with warm au jus.