View of a hunk of prime rib sitting on a wooden cutting board, with artichokes, mushrooms, and curled parsley surrounding it, against a gray background.
FOOD NEWS
Use A Dry Rub On Prime Rib For A Delicate, Flavorful Crust
BY AUSTIN HAVENS-BOWEN
Prime rib can be expensive compared to other cuts, so it's important to cook it properly. For the best results, forget about marinades and opt for a dry rub instead.
While marinating tenderizes the meat, prime rib is already juicy and tender, so a dry rub is best to caramelize the exterior, giving it a sublime flavor and texture.
The choices for a dry rub are endless, but once you settle on your spices, evenly rub it on the outside of the prime rib, then cook according to the recipe.
It's important to balance the flavors. You'll need at least a tablespoon of salt and black pepper for every six pounds and a teaspoon of any other seasonings you choose.
A combination of paprika, cayenne pepper, and chili powder provides smoky, spicy, and earthy flavors. They also match well with the mild sweetness of brown sugar.
Dried herbs like oregano or rosemary give the meat a herby flavor, garlic and onion powder add a bit of umami, and dried cumin will give the rub an earthy essence.