Prime Rib vs Ribeye- Make the Right Choice [2023 Guide]

If you are new to the steak world, you are surely going to be confused. There are plenty of cuts and terminologies, making it difficult to differentiate one from the other. As a result, ordering from a butcher or a restaurant can be intimidating if you are unaware of what the words mean. That said, read on and we’ll talk about prime rib vs ribeye, two of the most common steaks you will often encounter.

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Prime Rib vs Ribeye – Key Differences

Should you order prime rib or ribeye? Do not be clueless. Read on and we’ll help you decide what is a better option.

Where is It From?

In differentiating steaks, one of the most important is to determine where it is from. This is often the biggest factor that makes one different from the others. As you can see, they both have ribs in the name, which should already give you an insight of where they are from. They are both from the back ribs.

Appearance

Whether it is raw or cooked, one of the most significant differences between the two is the way they look like. A prime rib steak has bones and fats. They are attached to the meat, which also makes it heavier by the pound. On the other hand, a ribeye is only lean meat. It has been trimmed.

Texture

The difference in texture is often a result of the cooking method. Nonetheless, even when it is raw, it is easy to spot the variations in their texture. The prime rib is usually softer when it is uncooked, especially because it is surrounded by fats. By contrast, a ribeye is a lean meat, which makes it harder. When you cook the two, however, the texture can change, especially depending on the degree of doneness.

Flavor

Without a doubt, people will consider how a steak tastes like when deciding what to choose. This will depend on the cooking method and ingredients used. Nonetheless, it also has natural flavors. They are both rich and beefy. However, prime rib has bones and fats, which is also the reason why it has a bit of an edge when it comes to flavor.

Cooking Methods

With the differences in texture and appearance, there are also different cooking methods for each cut. As earlier mentioned, a prime rib has bones and fats. This means that cooking such will take a bit longer. One of the common ways to cook such is to roast while it is standing on its bone. The bones will position the meat vertically, which will let the fat melt as you cook the meat. As a result, it provides additional flavor.

On the other hand, a ribeye steak is ideal for outdoor grilling and casual meals. It is a lot easier to cook since it is only lean meat. It also means that there is lesser chance of flare-ups because it does not have fats. You can also bake it in an oven or sear on a stovetop.

Cost

A lot of people shy from buying steaks because of their costs. Nonetheless, if you know how to decipher each cut, you will realize that some are more affordable than the others. Hence, there is a steak for every budget. In the case of the two cuts that we are comparing in this article, prime rib is cheaper compared to ribeye. It has muscles, fats, and bones. This is unlike ribeye, which is a leaner cut of meat, which also makes it more expensive.

Comparing a Ribeye vs Prime Rib

How to Cook Prime Rib

If you are looking for the best way to cook this steak, then you cannot go wrong with a standing rib roast. Many people regard the latter as the best beef roast beef in the world. To prepare a delicious roast, below are the main ingredients that you will need:

One standing rib roast
Rosemary
Black pepper
Kosher salt

For a simple but effective method of cooking prime rib roast, follow the steps below.

Preheat the oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
While waiting for the oven to heat up, slather the prime rib with salt and pepper. Once done, arrange it in a roasting pan. At the bottom of the roast, add rosemary.
When the oven is hot, put the roast in. Wait around half an hour and adjust the heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the steak depending on the degree of doneness that you prefer. For instance, if you want it medium rare, cook for 1.5 hours.
Once done, take the roast out of the oven. Cover it in aluminum foil and allow it to rest for at least 20 minutes.
Slice the roast along the ribs to separate the meat. Enjoy while the steak is hot.

How To Cook the Perfect Prime Rib Roast

How to Cook Ribeye

With its flavor and tenderness, ribeye is one of the most popular steaks. Among others, searing is one of the best ways to cook it. The latter eliminates the need to cook it in a grill, making it require less effort. For this recipe, here are the ingredients that you will need:

24-ounce ribeye steak
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
Thyme
Rosemary
Garlic

Gather all the ingredients and follow the steps below when cooking your ribeye steak.

Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Once it is dry, season with salt and pepper.
Put a cast iron skillet on medium heat. Wait until the surface is hot, which takes approximately one to two minutes.
Once it is hot, put the ribeye steak in the middle of the pan. Cook for two to three minutes and turn. Keep on doing this until 12 to 14 minutes. Constant turning is important to avoid burning the meat.
Next, push the steak on the side of the skillet. In the middle, add butter, rosemary, thyme, and garlic. Tilt the skillet and wait until the butter foams, which will take less than one minute.
Spoon the butter towards the steak. Turn the steak and check the internal temperature, which should match the degree of doneness. For instance, if it is medium rare, it should be 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the steak rest for 15 minutes, serve, and enjoy.