How to cook fully cooked prime rib

When you know how to reheat prime rib without losing that juicy, pink inside, you've got a million more reasons to make it in the first place. That fatty, marbled cut of beef, often called standing rib roast, has always been a fixture at old-school restaurants—and an epic marvel when you serve it at home. Now it's popping up at trendy restaurants, too, and no wonder. Whether you've roasted one of these beasts at home or have leftovers from dining out, here's how to get it warm again without losing that beautiful rosy juiciness that makes the cut so special.

1. Reheat it in a steamer

Giving the meat a quick steam session is a nice, gentle way to warm up sliced prime rib. To make it happen, grab a steamer basket (or a plate and some tin foil, or an aluminum pie plate), put it in a pot with a few tablespoons of water in the bottom, and bring the liquid to a simmer. Wrap your slices of prime rib in a flat foil pouch, place the pouch in the basket, put the lid on the pot, and allow the meat to steam for 3-6 mins. To check if it's ready, carefully open the foil pouch and feel if the meat has warmed through. If not, rewrap the packet and cover the pot so that you can let it steam for a couple minutes more. Transfer the beef to a serving dish right away so it doesn't continue to cook.

How to cook fully cooked prime rib

How to Get the Most Out of Your Roast

2. In the oven

To gently reheat slices of prime rib in the oven, you're going to employ a similar steaming method. Preheat your oven to 250F, and add the slices of prime rib to a small baking pan with a few tablespoons of broth (water works too, but might dilute the flavor of the meat a bit). Cover the pan tightly with foil and warm it in oven until the prime rib slices feel like they've heated through, about 10 minutes. Transfer the beef to a serving dish right away so it doesn't continue to cook.

3. In the microwave

This method should only be employed as an emergency option—the ultra-powerful microwave has potential to zap all of the pinkness and juiciness out of your prime rib in a flash. But, if you're in a pinch, here's how to do it the right way.

How to cook fully cooked prime rib

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian

Place slices of prime rib in a microwave-safe bowl with a lid, and add a few tablespoons of broth. Cover the dish and microwave on high until just warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the beef to a serving dish right away so it doesn't continue to cook.

... Or enjoy it cold

Just sayin', cold prime rib is nothing to scoff at. In fact, some thinly sliced pieces of it would make a killer addition to a sandwich or a salad. Even if cold prime rib isn't your jam, you could chop up your leftover meat and throw it into a breakfast hash, or into a cheesesteak, or into a stir-fry—you get the idea.

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Looking for the best way to reheat prime rib slices? 

Well, you’re in the right place! Here’s what you’ll learn in this guide:

  • What supplies you’ll need
  • How to reheat slices of prime rib
  • And much more!

How to cook fully cooked prime rib

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What You Need to Know About Reheating Prime Rib?

One of the most tender cuts of meat you can get is prime rib.

It’s known for its juicy flavor, but warming up prime rib roast can be a hassle.

If you don’t reheat the prime rib roast properly, it can dry it out making it dull and flavorless.

We highly recommend slicing it before reheating.

You have the option of reheating it in the oven, the microwave, steaming it, or you could simply enjoy it cold.

You can also slice it up and fix it in another meal, so it reheats with the rest of the ingredients.

Find out what works best for you and enjoy a second helping of juicy prime rib.

Pro Tip >> Even if your meat was originally cooked to a lower doneness, when you reheat meat, it should have an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahenheit. That can be tested with a meat thermometer.

How to cook fully cooked prime rib

Supplies You’ll Need To Reheat Cooked Prime Rib?

The supplies you’ll need to reheat your cooked prime rib will vary slightly depending on the method of reheating you use.

Here are 4 ways to reheat prime rib:

For steaming, you’ll need:

  • Steamer basket
  • Pot
  • Foil
  • Water

If you’re using the microwave, you’re going to need:

  • A microwave-safe bowl that has a lid
  • Plastic wrap (if you don’t have a bowl with a lid)
  • Au jus or water

The oven route requires:

  • A baking pan
  • Foil
  • Beef broth, au jus, or water

How to Reheat Prime Rib Without Drying It Out? (3 Quick Methods)

  1. In The Steamer
  2. In The Microwave
  3. In The Oven
  4. Eat It Cold

Method 1: Reheating Prime Rib In The Steamer

Steaming is a simple, effective way to reheat prime rib and keep it from during out. This method helps preserve the juiciness of the cut when done properly.

Put a small amount of water in the pot of your choice and bring it to a boil.

Wrap the prime rib in a foil pouch before placing it into the steamer basket.

Steam the prime rib anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes. You can check to see if it’s warmed up by unwrapping the foil and seeing if it’s warmed the entire way through.

If the prime rib is warmed up, move it to a serving plate immediately so it doesn’t cook through anymore.

If it’s not ready to be served, simply wrap it back up in the foil and steam it for another few minutes before checking the temperature again.

Method 2: How to Reheat Prime Rib In The Microwave

Reheating your prime rib in the microwave is not the most ideal way to preserve the flavor and juices of the cut, but in a pinch, it can work.

To reheat the prime rib in a microwave, you’ll want to place the slab of meat in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a few tablespoons of beef stock to the bowl.

You can also use water, but it will dilute the flavor of the prime rib.

Cover the bowl (either with a lid or plastic wrap) and microwave on high for only 1-2 minutes before checking to see if it’s ready.

If it’s not warmed up to your liking, you can simply add more broth as needed and heat it in 30-second intervals.

Microwaves can heat the juice right out of the prime rib in no time, so checking it every 30 seconds after the initial heating can save your prime rib from drying out and losing its flavor.

If it is ready to be eaten, much like with the steaming method, you’ll want to move it to a serving dish as soon as possible to prevent it from cooking further.

How to cook fully cooked prime rib
Your prime rib can should still be moist after reheating it

Method 3: Reheating Slices of Prime Rib In The Oven

  • Step 1: Preheat oven to 250ºF
  • Step 2: Add the meat to a baking pan and add a bit of beef stock
  • Step 3: Cover the pan with foil
  • Step 4: Check it after 6-10 minutes
  • Step 5: Using a meat thermometer, check for doneness
  • Step 6: Continue in the oven if not at 160 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Step 7: Enjoy…again!

Reheating it in the oven can be tricky since heating it too quickly or at too high of a temperature can quickly dry it out.

A slow and steady reheat in the oven will yield the best results for leftover prime rib.

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. While the oven is preheating, you can get your prime rib oven ready.

Place your slabs of meat in a baking pan and add a few tablespoons of broth or au jus. You can use water here too, but like the microwave method, this will dilute the flavor a bit.

Cover your prime rib with aluminum foil, ensuring it’s wrapped up tight, and place it in the oven.

Check it after 10 minutes in the oven. If it’s ready to eat, get it onto a serving plate quickly so it does not continue to cook.

If it’s not ready for consumption yet, wrap the prime rib back up in the aluminum foil and give it another 3 minutes before checking again.

Method 4: Eat The Prime Rib Slices Cold

If you’re not feeling up to reheating your prime rib, you can always eat it cold.

Slice the slabs thin and add them to a sandwich or salad.

You can even chop up the prime rib and fix it with another meal. Leftover prime rib makes for great cheesesteaks or stir fry!

How Long Do You Cook a Precooked Prime Rib?

After you prepare your precooked prime rib, you’ll heat it in the oven at 300ºF for about 3 hours depending on the size of it. 

Remember, you don’t want to nuke it. Reheating it low and slow will help keep it juicy. 

How Do You Reheat a Roast Without Drying It Out?

When you reheat your prime roast, you can keep it juicy by warming it up in the oven at 250ºF for 6-10 minutes.

You’ll want to check for doneness to ensure it’s still safe to eat. 

How Long Will Prime Rib Last in the Fridge?

When you’re storing your prime rib in the fridge, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and it should last around 3 days. 

You’ll want to carefully inspect the meat for any spoilage before eating it, though. 

Can You Freeze Prime Rib Raw?

If you want to save it for a later date, freezing your rib roast is a great idea. 

You can freeze raw prime rib to eat it at a later date. Before freezing the prime rib, you’ll want to ensure it’s still safe to eat. 

Safety Tips When Reheating Meat

When dealing with food, safety is always important. That doesn’t end with reheating food either. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • The USDA recommends that reheated leftover meat reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit 
  • Leftover meat should be examined for spoilage before eating it

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How to cook fully cooked prime rib

Shawn Hill

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What is the best way to warm up a precooked prime rib?

Preheat your oven to 250F, and add the slices of prime rib to a small baking pan with a few tablespoons of broth (water works too, but might dilute the flavor of the meat a bit). Cover the pan tightly with foil and warm it in oven until the prime rib slices feel like they've heated through, about 10 minutes.

Is prime rib already cooked?

The beef rib roast is fully cooked and only needs a gentle reheating, which means you don't have to worry about messing it up.

How do you reheat a prime rib roast?

Place the leftover roast in a pan and cover with foil. To retain the succulent quality of the meat, add a little au jus from the previous day, or 1/4 cup of low-sodium beef stock. Place in a preheated 300-degree oven for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the piece.

How do restaurants reheat prime rib?

Restaurants use a variety of techniques to keep and serve prime ribs warm. Reheating the meat in a low oven is the most common method. Another option is to leave prime rib or let it rest on a warming plate.