A slice of medium rare prime rib on a plate with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Prime rib is the tender and flavorful meat from the rib portion of the cow. Although prime rib is one of the more expensive cuts of beef, the “prime” in the name refers to the fact that it is one of the primal cuts of beef, and not related to the USDA grading scale. Prime rib is generally cooked bone-in in a large roaster or rack, as this method retains the most moisture. You can slice off the rib portions and cook them as individual steaks.

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Step 1

Put the skillet in the oven on the center rack and preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the steaks come to room temperature on your countertop.

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Step 2

Rub the surface of the steaks with the softened butter. Cover all sides of the meat.

Step 3

Season both sides of the meat with the sea salt and pepper. Add as much or as little to taste.

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Step 4

Leave the oven on and remove the skillet. Put the skillet on a burner and set the burner to high.

Step 5

Put the seasoned steaks in the skillet and brown all sides of each steak for up to two minutes on each side. Use tongs to turn the steaks over. Avoid using a fork which releases the juices.

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Step 6

Turn off the burner and return the skillet to the oven. Let the steaks cook until they reach the desired temperature: 130 to 140 degrees for rare, 140 to 150 for medium-rare, 150 to 160 for medium and 160 to 170 for medium-well.

Step 7

Remove the steaks from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter. Let them rest for five minutes and serve.

Things You'll Need

Two 8-oz. bone-in prime rib steaks Softened butter Coarse sea salt Black pepper 12-inch cast-iron skillet Tongs Meat thermometer Serving platter Tip Do not serve the meat immediately after cooking. Letting it rest allows the juices to spread throughout the meat.

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A slice of medium rare prime rib on a plate with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images

Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images

  • Two 8-oz. bone-in prime rib steaks
  • Softened butter
  • Coarse sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • 12-inch cast-iron skillet
  • Tongs
  • Meat thermometer
  • Serving platter

Do not serve the meat immediately after cooking. Letting it rest allows the juices to spread throughout the meat.