Can You Freeze Prime Rib? – The Complete Guide

If you prefer to cook using meat that stretches a long way, there is almost no better option than prime rib. There are many types of meat that stretch a long way for a reasonable price. Prime rib is one of the better options. 

You might have heard prime rib referred to as rib roast as well. This large hunk of meat can feed multiple people and it’s delicious and savory. There are many ways to cook it and many ways to use the meat if you have leftovers. 

How do you save the leftovers when you cook prime rib? Can you freeze your prime rib leftovers? You can absolutely freeze prime rib, and it freezes rather nicely. Before you freeze prime rib, you’ll want to let it cool before placing it in a freezer bag, but you don’t want to leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

We have put together this guide to walk you through all of the instructions you might need for freezing prime rib. We will cover some other basic information about prime rib as we progress through the guide. 

Keep reading to learn everything you should know about freezing prime rib and more. 

A Complete Guide to Freezing Prime Rib

Prime rib, or standing rib roast, is a large cut of beef. This slab comes directly from the primal rib area. It can vary in size and can include anywhere from two to seven ribs in the cut. 

When you purchase prime rib, you may find it on or off the bone. However, the most popular way to cook prime rib is on the bone, standing in the pan. This is why it is also called standing rib roast. 

Many butchers cut to remove the top portion of the ribs because it makes the prime rib easier to carve and serve at home. 

There are a lot of uses for prime rib. You can use it as part of your main dish, serving the meat and adding various sides. You can also use it in other ways as well. We recommend serving prime rib as your meat dish initially and then finding exciting ways to use your leftovers. 

Here are some ideas:

• Prime rib soup
• Shred and use in a hash skillet
• Shred and use in pho or noodles
• Steak sandwiches
• Beef stroganoff
• Chunk up and add to chili
• Prime rib tacos, fajitas, burritos, or quesadillas

You can add your prime rib to just about any dish that calls for meat if you want to. We share these ideas simply to provide you with some inspiration. There are really very few limitations for you to use up and enjoy that leftover prime rib. 

Preparing Prime Rib

If you search the web, you will find a number of different ways to make prime rib. The most common methods for cooking prime rib are roasting it in the oven, smoking it, or using a crockpot. 

We wanted to share with you some basic instructions for preparing prime rib initially. Keep in mind that you can make prime rib in a variety of ways. This is not your only option for making prime rib. 

These instructions are based on a general oven process but you can certainly explore other options for preparing your prime rib. We are sure it will be delicious no matter how you choose to prepare it!

Prime rib is best cooked low and slow.

Depending on the recipe, you may find that you will need to cook your prime rib for anywhere from 3-8 hours to get it just right. This particular recipe is designed to be closer to the 3-hour mark. 

Of course, the cooking time will also vary based on the size of the prime rib. One final factor that will affect your cook time is how well done you like your meat to be. Prime rib is often recommended to be served at medium-rare to medium. 

Here’s how to cook prime rib:

1. You will need a rib roast of the size of your choosing. Season it to your tastes. You can season it in the pan as well. 
2. Place prime rib in a roasting pan and let it come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes. 
3. Start by roasting your prime rib at 450 degrees for 30 minutes. 
4. Reduce heat to 350 and cook until prime rib is complete to desired doneness. You should plan on cooking approximately 15 minutes per pound. Cook to internal temperatures as follows: Medium-rare 110 degrees, Medium 120 degrees, Medium-well 130 degrees, or Well-done 140 degrees. 
5. Remove from the oven and cover with foil. Allow prime rib to rest for 20-30 minutes. 
6. Slice or carve and enjoy. 

Freezing Prime Rib

Storing your prime rib is quite simple. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to about 7 days and not worry about it going bad. If you want to save it longer than that, the freezer is a great option. 

Storing in the freezer, you can separate your prime rib into portions or you can freeze it all together. The choice is up to you! 

Here are your instructions for freezing prime rib:

1. Allow prime rib to cool slightly before freezing. Put away within 2 hours of cooking completion. 
2. Separate into desired portion sizes or freeze everything together. Wrap prime rib tightly into plastic wrap. 
3. Place wrapped prime rib into an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. 
4. Label, date, and seal chosen packaging method. 
5. Place in the freezer for up to 9 months. 

Freezing your prime rib is a simple process and it’s easy to use when you are ready to pull it back out of the freezer. 

Using Prime Rib After Freezing

Once you’ve successfully frozen your prime rib and you’re ready to use it, you need to be prepared for that process as well. 

How you use your prime rib after it has been frozen could vary depending on your plans. We recommend allowing your prime rib to defrost in the fridge overnight before you attempt to use it for reheating purposes. 

You can simply reheat the prime rib and serve it as the main course meat again. If you do serve it like this, you should reheat it in the oven. Cover your pan with boil and bake at 350 until it is warmed through. This should only take about 20 minutes. 

If you plan to use your prime rib for making soup or a casserole or some other type of dish, you can just cook it as part of the dish. In fact, for these methods, you could get away with not defrosting the prime rib as well. 

Your prime rib will be easier to work with if you do defrost it. Of course, if you’re anything like the general population you probably forget to pull things out of the freezer and plan ahead. It happens to the best of us. 

In that case, you can do a microwave defrost or a quick defrost method using cold water. These methods can help you out when you’re in the lurch and they work quite well. If you feel as though your meat is getting dry you can baste it or sprinkle some water over it. 

No matter how you plan to use your prime rib after freezing it, we are certain you will be happy with the results. Your family and your taste buds are sure to thank you later. 

Related Questions

We hope that you find this guide to freezing prime rib to be a valuable resource. The process is quite simple and is definitely worth the effort to save those leftovers and get to enjoy them again at a later date. 

We’ve put together a question and answer section that includes some additional information. We invite you to take a look at it to see if any of the information may be helpful for you. 

Is Ribeye the Same as Prime Rib?

In short, ribeye and prime rib are not the same thing. However, they do come from the same place. The prime rib is a rib cut of beef. Ribeye is steak cut from the area of the animal.

The primary difference is that ribeye is cut into steak portions while prime rib is left intact, typically with the ribs attached. 

Is Prime Rib Considered a Premium Cut of Meat?

Prime rib is no filet mignon but it is an exceptional cut of meat. When purchasing prime rib or ribeye you are bound to pay a bit more than you might for other slabs of meat.

However, it is a medium to high-quality cut. It is also much more affordable than filet mignon. 

Can You Season Prime Rib Ahead with Rub or Marinade?

The longer you allow your seasoning preferences to sit on the meat, the bolder your flavor will be. You can absolutely use a rub or even a marinade for your prime rib.

There is nothing wrong with allowing the meat to marinate for several hours or even overnight. 

Up Next: How To Reheat Filet Mignon – The Best Way