Those gathering with loved ones for the holidays this year are no doubt thinking of the mouth-watering meals they will get to devour after all the gifts are unwrapped—especially those who are looking forward to enjoying some delicious prime rib.

Whether you're cooking for a smaller group or a large gathering, there are plenty of helpful recipes out there which will make it easy to enjoy a tasty meal. Check out this easy recipe for Prime Rib (via Downshiftology) this Christmas.

You will need the following items:

Ingredients:

  • 6 pounds prime rib, bone-in (with bones cut off and tied back on)
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 onion, quartered (if making red wine au jus)

For Red Wine Au Jus:

  • ¼ cup drippings from prime rib pan, with fat separated
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 ½ cups red wine
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder (in a slurry) to thicken

Special Equipment:

  • Pan or roasting tray
  • Thermometer
  • Knife

Roast Prep:

Before cooking, you need to properly prepare your roast to ensure it cooks properly. 2-3 hours before cooking, remove the prime rib from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature.

Step-by-Step Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a small bowl, mix butter, garlic, salt, thyme, rosemary and black pepper. After prime rib has come to room temperature, pat it down with paper towels to make sure it's dry, then rub the entire outside with the herb butter mixture.

3. Place prime rib in an oven-safe pan or roasting tray with bones-side down, fat-side up. If making red wine au jus, place onion slices in the pan around the meat.

4. Cook in the center of the oven for 20 minutes at 450, then reduce the temperature to 325 degrees and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 120 degrees.

5. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes. Tent with aluminum foil to keep warm. Remove strong and bones, and slice into thick ½" slices.

To make the Au Jus: After removing fat from the pan, add up to ¼ cup of drippings back in along with beef broth and red wine. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half. Strain to remove the onion and any browned bits, then drizzle over the prime rib.

Oven Cook Times:

Cook time can vary on all kinds of meats depending on size, including rib roast, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service advises the following times for roasts:

  • 4-6 lb. Bone-In roast: 23-25 minutes per pound
  • 40-6 lb. Boneless roast: 28-33 minutes per pound
Prime Rib Roast
Pictured: Representative image. Larry White/Pixabay