Prime rib is the perfect main dish for a special occasion or holiday meal. This special cut of beef is beloved for its tender juiciness, setting it apart from other cuts. As succulent and delicious as prime rib is, it can be hard to plan a meal based around it and figure out how much to serve to each person. No one wants a tiny portion, but you also don't want an overwhelming amount of leftovers. Here's how much prime rib per person to serve for a mouthwatering, classy meal.
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What is Prime Rib?
Prime rib, also called a standing rib roast, is cut from the back of the upper rib section of a steer, and typically includes six or seven ribs. In fact, rib eyes are steaks cut from this section. These delicious cuts of meat are sold bone-in or boneless, but bone-in is usually favored as the juicier choice than a boneless roast.
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To buy prime rib, go to your butcher and ask them to cut the prime rib to the right amount for the number of people you're serving, which we'll get into below. You can ask the butcher to cut the meat off the bones and then tie it back on to make the carving process easier for you. Make sure to get prime rib rather than the USDA grade of prime, since these are two different things.
Prime rib is special because of the "eye" of meat in its center, which marbled with fat and incredibly juicy. The muscles and fat surrounding the eye aren't used much, making prime rib amazingly tender. This is why prime rib is more expensive than other pieces of meat and is often reserved for fancy occasions like holiday dinner parties and anniversaries.
Because of this, it's especially important to get it right when cooking prime rib. If your rib is extra thick or large, make sure to use extra seasonings to make it flavorful. Although it depends on the recipe, many involve flavors like garlic, salt, and lots of herbs and spices.
How Much Prime Rib Do I Need Per Person?
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When planning your fancy prime rib dinner, the most important question is how much prime rib to prepare for each person. With a meal so delicious, nothing could be worse than not having enough for everyone!
To figure out how much to buy for each person, first decide whether the prime rib is the main course or part of a holiday buffet full of side dishes. If it's part of a larger dinner and isn't considered the main, you should have a 1/2 pound of prime rib per person.
However, if the prime rib is the main course and star of the show, the general rule of thumb is to get 3/4 to 1 pounds per person, or one rib for every two guests. So, if you're serving eight guests, get a four-bone roast, weighing about eight pounds. Make sure that this amount fits on your grill before buying it.
If you're ever unsure about the amount, it's always better to have too much than too little. Let's be honest, no one's going to complain about leftover prime rib.
How Do I Check When Prime Rib is Done?
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Once you've bought your prime rib roast, seasoned it, and prepped it for grilling, it's essential to grill it correctly for the ultimate tenderness. When its done, check it for doneness by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of prime roast should be 139 degrees F, but you should remove it when it's around 125 degrees since it'll continue to cook after being taken off the heat. Here's Chef John's Perfect Prime Rib Recipe from Allrecipes to wow your guests at your next fancy dinner.
