Smoked Prime Rib

Name: Smoked Prime Rib
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 195 min
Ingredients: 5-6 lbs prime rib, (boneless); 1-2 Tablespoon olive oil; 1 Tablespoon coarse ground pepper; 2 Tablespoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon ground coriander; ½ teaspoon dried dill; ½ teaspoon celery seed; 1 Garlic Herb Compound Butter Recipe

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Heavily marbled, tender, and incredibly juicy, this smoked prime rib is seasoned with a simple dry rub seasoning and then lathered in garlic herb butter that forms the most delicious crust. Slow smoked and mouth-watering delicious, we're talking amazing flavor in every bite!

This prime rib smoker recipe is smoked low and slow to perfection! A lot of people tend to be a little intimidated about smoking prime rib because it's an expensive cut of meat and they don't want to mess it up. But I'm here to tell you...it's so easy to make and pretty much foolproof, especially when you use my smoking methods and techniques.

It's now easier than ever to smoke meat in your own backyard with the convenience of the pellet and electric smokers. This smoked pork tenderloin and these easy to smoke chicken thighs are some of the most simple smoker recipes anyone can make at home!

In my latest cookbook, Smoking Meat Made Easy, I talk about how easy it is to smoke meat and how you can master the art of smoking with no experience required. And the same goes for this smoker recipe. This is an easy smoked prime rib recipe that will please any palate! Guaranteed!

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
🔪 Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions
Top Tip
👩🏼‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips
🍽️ Other Smoker Recipes
Smoked Prime Rib

Why This Recipe Works

It can be made on any type of smoker.
It's covered in the most delicious prime rib rub that pairs exceptionally well with my garlic herb butter. The preparation method is easy.
We're talking restaurant flavor and quality!
In only 3-4 hours, you'll be enjoying a juicy smoked steak packed with flavor that has a rich and flavorful exterior crust!

Seasoned prime rib on a smoker, digital thermometer in center of meat.

🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

Boneless rib roast with seasonings and spices on a counter.

For the prime rib rub:

Prime Rib: buy a really good quality cut of meat that is well marbled.
Rosemary: used dried rosemary. It adds a nice over all savory flavor.
Dill: use dried dill. It adds a bit of freshness to the rub.
Celery Seed: brings a depth of flavor.
Onion Powder: a savory seasoning, it does a great job covering the entire roast to ensure maximum flavor.
Garlic Powder: rich and savory while adding a garlic flavor.
Coriander: balances the other flavors in the rub and brings out even move savory flavor.
Smoked Paprika: adds a deep, smoky flavor to the rub. It also helps infuse the meat with a subtle smokiness which will intensify the flavor during the smoking process.
Salt: use a coarse salt, such as kosher, Himalayan, or sea salt to bring out even more flavor. Using coarse salt also aids in the forming of the crust.
Black Pepper: use a coarse pepper for added flavor and texture. Crushed peppercorns work really well when making this rub.

Butter, ground pepper, salt, garlic, and rosemary on counter.

Flavored butters, like this rosemary compound butter, is excellent for smoking meat because it is extremely flavorful and helps forms a rich exterior crust. To make the garlic herb butter, you'll need the following:

Butter: use room temperature unsalted so you can manage the saltiness. Ensure you use a good quality unsalted butter.
Garlic: mince fresh garlic cloves for a fresh and robust flavor
Rosemary: use fresh rosemary and chop it finely. This not only enhances the overall taste, but it also adds layers of flavor to the smoked prime rib.
Salt: enhances the flavor. Use a coarse salt for added texture.
Pepper: enhances the flavor. Use a coarse pepper for added texture and more robust flavor. Crushed peppercorns work really well when making this butter.

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!

🔪 Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions

Before starting this recipe, ensure you prepare the smoker accordingly and preheat it to 225°F. While it's preheating, we'll start making the garlic herb butter.

How To Make Garlic Herb Butter

For this recipe, it's important to note that you're going to split the batch of butter in half to use for different purposes. You'll use half the batch to cover the steak and then you'll use the rest of the batch to top each steak once it's done smoking.

Person making homemade garlic an d herb butter.

Step 1: Combine the room temperature butter, salt, pepper, fresh minced garlic, and fresh chopped rosemary in a medium bowl. Using either a wire whisk or a handheld mixer, mix the ingredients until well combined.

Garlic compound butter on a piece of Parchment paper.

Step 2: Using a spatula, remove the butter mixture and place it on a large piece of parchment paper. Divide the mixture in half and put it on plate and set aside.

Garlic butter being wrapped in Parchment paper.

Step 3: For the remaining half that is on the paper, starting from one edge of the parchment paper carefully roll the mixture, tucking the paper under the butter as best you can and form into a log shape. Using both hands, twist the ends on the parchment paper on both sides so it looks like a large tootsie roll.

Step 4: Place it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to set. Once it's chilled, you'll be able to slice it and place it on top of each piece of steak.

Making Prime Rib Rub

Step 5: Combine the coarse ground black pepper, coarse salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander, celery seed, dill, dried rosemary, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.

Dry rub being lathered on an uncooked prime rib roast.

Step 6: Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil onto the roast and spread evenly. Then, generously apply the spice rub until covered.

Garlic herb butter covering a raw roast before smoking.

Step 7: Using your hands, apply the compound butter you set aside and completely cover the roast.

Step 8: Once the smoker is prepared and preheated, put the beef directly on the smoker racks.

Top Tip

👩🏼‍🍳 The combination of the dry rub and the garlic herb butter is what forms that succulent bark while the prime rib is smoking. Smoking it on a low temperature over a longer period of time also help form steak crust.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email to receive this recipe, along with weekly food inspiration!

Close up of a prime rib covered in compound butter smoking in a Traeger grill.

Temperature gauge being inserted in the middle of a steak on the smoker.

Step 9: About 1 hours into the smoke, insert a digital thermometer into the middle of the thickest part of the roast. This will help ensure you don't under or overcook the meat.

Person using a knife and tongs to slice smoked rib roast.

Step 10: Continue to smoke for another hour. Once the desired doneness has been reached, use tongs to remove the smoked prime rib roast and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Step 11: When slicing, aim for each steak to be approximately ½ an inch thick.

Step 12: Once the sliced, top each steak with a piece of refrigerated garlic herb butter and let it melt. Serve immediately.

The flavor of this smoked prime rib is absolutely amazing. Juicy and tender, try pairing it with these smoked potatoes, smoked tomatoes with goat cheese, and and these oven roasted vegetables!

Steak Doneness Chart

If you've ever questioned your prime rib temperature, use this temperature chart for a quick reference to determine the desired doneness when cooking steak. Ensure you insert a digital thermometer at a slight angle on the side of the steak and when it reaches your desired doneness, remove it from the smoker.

👩🏼‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

Where is the best place to buy prime rib?

You'll get prime grade beef when you buy it from a butcher shop. Costco and Sam's Club also typically sell prime grade prime rib. More than likely, your local grocery store will sell choice or select grades, which will not be as tender. If you're buying prime rib online, make sure the place you are buying it from is a reputable company and has good ratings and reviews.

What type of wood should I use when smoking prime rib?

Hickory, oak, pecan, apple, and cherry wood are all great choices. Try combining them for added flavor variations!

How long does it take to smoke prime rib?

It takes around 30 minutes per pound to smoke a boneless prime rib roast at 225°F.

Expert Tips

Prime rib roast often comes wrapped in netting or twine (often called "truss). If yours has netting or string in place, leave it there for the entire smoking time and remove it before slicing. When certain types of meat are cooked, they tend to naturally expands. The netting helps the meat stays in place during the smoke.
Make sure the meat is cold when placing it on the smoker. This will help maximize smoke absorption into the meat.
About an hour into the smoking process, insert a digital meat thermometer into the middle of beef so you can monitor the prime rib temperature.
Store any leftovers in a container with a lid in the refrigerator.
The best method for reheating prime rib is to warm it in the oven and then finish it off with a hot sear in a skillet on the stovetop. Set the oven to 300°F and heat for about 20 minutes. Remove the steak from the oven and pan sear for 1 minute in a skillet. Serve immediately.

🍽️ Other Smoker Recipes

If you tried this smoked prime rib or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!

📧 Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter, so that you don’t miss out on any of my delicious recipes!

Comments

5 from 20 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Smoked Prime Rib

Why This Recipe Works

🛒 Ingredients You'll Need