If you need these tender, juicy prime rib slices that virtually soften in your mouth, all of it begins with a great dry brine. A few days within the fridge with the correct amount of salt does wonders for each taste and texture.
The trick to the very best prime rib isn’t simply how lengthy you prepare dinner it—it’s the prep beforehand, particularly letting it dry brine within the fridge.
For extra prime rib suggestions and recipes, go to THE ULTIMATE PRIME RIB HUB.
Dry Brine vs Moist Brine
For a wealthy, well-marbled reduce like prime rib, dry brining is the way in which to go. With a main rib dry brine, you get daring, beefy taste, a stunning golden-brown exterior, and a young, juicy center- the whole lot that makes the very best prime rib unforgettable.
Moist brining can add a little bit of moisture, but it surely additionally tends to water down the flavour and soften the crust.
Dry brining isn’t simply nice for prime rib, it’s additionally probably the greatest methods to season a steak, giving it the identical deep taste and ideal crust.

Salt Ratio For Ribeye Roast
For the proper dry brine, use about ½ to 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per pound of prime rib to season the meat evenly with out overpowering its pure taste.

How To Dry Brine Prime Rib
One of the best ways to dry brine prime rib is straightforward and takes only a few simple steps to lock in taste and tenderness. Right here’s the best way to do it:
Step 1: Pat the roast dry with paper towels.
Step 2: Trim away any extra fats, the tapered tail of the rib cap (elective), and take away the silver pores and skin from the floor. Go away a skinny, even layer of fats for taste. Use a small knife to attain the remaining fats in a crosshatch sample, being cautious to not reduce into the meat.
Step 3: Sprinkle kosher salt evenly over the complete roast — about ½ to 1 teaspoon per pound.
Step 4: Place the roast on a roasting rack set over a baking sheet.
Step 5: Go away it uncovered within the fridge for 2-3 days to dry brine.
Step 6: Earlier than roasting, let it sit at room temperature for about an hour.
Step 7: Pat dry once more if wanted, then season and prepare dinner as desired.
After brining, add much more taste earlier than roasting with my Prime Rib Dry Rub; it pairs completely with this technique.
If you’re able to roast, use this Prime Rib Roast Temperature Chart to nail your required doneness each time.

How Lengthy To Dry Brine Prime Rib
You possibly can dry brine a rib roast within the fridge for as much as 3 days, although even a minimal of 12 to 24 hours will make a noticeable distinction.
Right here’s a fast breakdown:
- 12–24 hours: Enhances floor taste and helps develop a crisp crust.
- 24–48 hours: The salt begins to penetrate deeper into the meat, bettering tenderness and inside seasoning.
- 48–72 hours (2-3 days): Preferrred for max taste and the very best texture. The salt totally works its approach via the roast, and the floor dries superbly for even browning.
Simply ensure that to maintain the roast uncovered on a roasting rack over a baking sheet within the fridge so air can flow into. This prevents moisture buildup and helps type that good crust as soon as roasted.
Nonetheless have questions on dry-brining prime rib? Right here’s the whole lot it is advisable to know earlier than you begin.

Incessantly Requested Questions
Dry brining is likely one of the best methods to carry out wonderful taste and texture in a roast, but it surely typically leaves house cooks questioning concerning the particulars.
Listed here are a number of fast solutions to the commonest questions on dry-brined prime rib:
No. Preserve it uncovered on a roasting rack set over a baking sheet. This permits air to flow into so the floor can dry, which helps create that crisp, golden crust throughout roasting.
No rinsing wanted! The salt naturally absorbs into the meat whereas brining. Simply pat it dry earlier than roasting to take away any floor moisture and promote even browning.
Completely. Salt does the heavy lifting, however including pepper, garlic powder, herbs, or a dry rub earlier than roasting offers additional taste. Skip moist marinades till after the brine is full.

Frequent Errors When Brining
Even easy methods can go fallacious with a number of small missteps. Listed here are the highest errors to keep away from when dry brining prime rib:
Utilizing Too A lot Salt
Extra salt doesn’t imply extra taste. A light-weight, even sprinkle is sufficient. Overdoing it may possibly make the crust too salty and pull out extra moisture.
Protecting the Roast Whereas Brining
Protecting traps moisture and retains the floor from drying. All the time go away the roast uncovered within the fridge on a roasting rack over baking sheet for correct airflow.
Rinsing the Roast Earlier than Cooking
Rinsing washes away taste and reintroduces moisture. As a substitute, pat the roast dry with paper towels earlier than roasting.
Not Permitting Sufficient Time to Brine
A fast salt rub proper earlier than cooking gained’t have the identical impact. Give it 2–3 days within the fridge so the salt can totally penetrate the meat, resulting in tender, juicy slices and a superbly crisp crust.
As soon as your roast is completely cooked, serve it with one in all my favourite Aspect Dishes for Prime Rib to finish your meal.

Scrumptious Prime Rib Roast Recipes To Attempt
Regardless of your most well-liked strategy to prepare dinner it, there’s a recipe right here for you. Attempt one in all these scrumptious prime rib recipes from Foodie And Wine:
Don’t neglect the sauce. Nothing beats a creamy Horseradish Sauce, Beef Au Jus, or Prime Rib Gravy alongside tender prime rib.
Bought leftovers? Take a look at my information on The way to Reheat Prime Rib, then use these additional slices in one in all these simple Leftover Prime Rib Recipes.
Prime rib is a vacation favourite for a motive — it’s wealthy, spectacular, and all the time a crowd-pleaser. For much more festive inspiration, take a look at my assortment of Christmas Recipes to spherical out your vacation menu.

The way to Dry Brine Prime Rib (Step-by-Step Information)
Servings: 10 Folks
Energy: 135kcal
Value: $125
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Components
PRIME RIB DRY BRINE
- 1 prime rib roast
- ¾-1 tsp kosher salt, per pound (*Word 1)
Directions
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Pat the roast dry with paper towels.
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Trim away any extra fats, and take away the silver pores and skin from the floor. Use a small knife to attain the remaining fats in a crosshatch sample. Watch out to not reduce into the meat.
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Sprinkle kosher salt evenly over the complete roast.
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Place the roast on a roasting rack set over a baking sheet.
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Go away it uncovered within the fridge for 2-3 days to dry brine.
Notes
Dietary data is simply estimated calculating 1 tsp of kosher salt per 1 pound. It doesn’t think about the sodium that doesn’t infuse into the meat.
Diet
Energy: 135kcal | Protein: 6g | Fats: 12g | Saturated Fats: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fats: 5g | Ldl cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 253mg | Potassium: 100mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

