Smoked Prime Rib Roast

4.7
(31)
23 Reviews
16 Photos

The best smoked prime rib roast you'll ever have, perfectly pink from edge to edge. It takes some time but is well worth the effort. You can also smoke the meat on a grill with hickory or pecan wood.

Submitted by AndyJ
Updated on December 8, 2023
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
3 hrs 15 mins
Additional Time:
6 hrs 10 mins
Total Time:
9 hrs 35 mins
Servings:
10
Jump to Nutrition Facts

This smoked prime rib roast has a crispy exterior and juicy, flavorful interior.  

How to Smoke Prime Rib 

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Smoked Prime Rib Seasoning

This top-rated prime rib roast is seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried rosemary, dried thyme, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.

How to Smoke a Prime Rib Roast

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make smoked prime rib roast: 

  1. Salt the roast, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill. Meanwhile, make the oil-seasoning blend. 
  2. Thoroughly massage the oil mixture into the roast. Refrigerate. 
  3. Preheat the smoker and add hickory or pecan wood chips.
  4. Smoke the roast until medium-rare. 
  5. Grill or roast the prime rib until the skin is crunchy. 
  6. Allow the roast to rest before slicing. 

Cook's Notes

  • Use 1/2 teaspoon salt per pound of roast for salting.
  • Don't be tempted to use a roasting pan and a V-shaped rack. Doing so will block the airflow around the lower third of the meat resulting in undercooked meat and a soggy crust.
  • If you are smoking the prime rib indirectly on your grill and want to save the juices for an au jus, place a pan on a lower shelf.
  • If your guests prefer a more well-done slice, heat some beef broth in a frying pan to boiling, reduce heat to a simmer, and place the slice of roast in the pan for about 30 seconds; flip and cook for another 30 seconds. But you will lose the gorgeous pink color.

What to Serve With Smoked Prime Rib

Explore our collection of Best Side Dishes for Prime Rib for delicious serving inspiration. Here are a few of the top-rated recipes you’ll find: 

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

  • 2 ½ 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

  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Sprinkle salt over entire roast; wrap roast in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight.

  3. Combine olive oil, black pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Set aside for flavors to blend, about 1 hour.

  4. Pour 3/4 of the oil mixture over roast; massage into the top and sides of meat. Flip roast; pour remaining oil mixture over roast and massage. Place roast on a plate and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.

  5. Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C) to 230 degrees F (107 degrees C). Add hickory or pecan wood chips to the smoker. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of roast. Place roast into the smoker and cook until medium-rare, 3 to 3 ½ hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 130 degrees F (54 degrees C).

  6. Remove roast from smoker and preheat the grill to its highest setting or preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C) to 550 degrees F (288 degrees C). Grill prime rib or roast in the preheated oven until crust is crunchy, producing a reverse sear, about 5 to 10 minutes. Allow roast to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

358 Calories
26g Fat
2g Carbs
27g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Calories 358
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 26g 34%
Saturated Fat 9g 46%
Cholesterol 80mg 27%
Sodium 555mg 24%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 27g 55%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 26mg 2%
Iron 4mg 19%
Potassium 409mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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