Air Fryer Prime Rib Roast & Creamy Peppercorn Sauce

Prime Rib Roast is the king of all roasts and is the centerpiece of any great holiday meal. Perfect for family gatherings or any special occasion, this tender and juicy roast is easy to make in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp using the Air Fryer lid.  Although it may seem difficult, cooking a Prime Rib Roast is really easy: simply season the roast, give it a good sear on all sides in the Instant Pot, and then bake it using the Air Fryer lid. Use the leftover drippings to make a deliciously creamy peppercorn sauce to go alongside the prime rib and you've got yourself a savory and decadent meal fit for royalty.

What size Prime Rib Roast should I buy?

A full primer rib roast is 7 ribs and is usually large enough to feed up to 15 people. A standing rib roast is a term used the bones are included in the roast allowing the roast to "stand" by itself.  There are bone-less rib roasts available however we would recommend using a bone-in prime rib roast as the bones add extra flavor to the meat. As a general rule when buying a prime rib roast, assume approximately one pound per person. This way you'll have a plentiful amount of delicious prime rib for all to enjoy and you can always enjoy leftovers the next day.

How long should I cook Prime Rib Roast?

Cook times for a prime rib roast will vary depending on the size. On average, cooking times are approximately 11-12 minutes per pound for rare and 13-15 minutes per pound for medium-rare. The best and most accurate way to determine if the roast is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer to check that the roast has reached the internal temperature based on your desired level of doneness.

Prime Rib Roast Internal Temperatures

Everyone prefers their prime rib to a different degree of doneness however the great thing about a prime rib roast is that individual parts of the roast will cook to a different extent. Many people prefer their prime rib medium-rare with a warm red center however if you prefer a more well-done cut, the outer part of the roast will be cooked to a higher degree. Cook times will vary depending on the size of your roast, so the best and most accurate way to determine if your roast is done is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

• Rare - 120ºF
• Medium-Rare: 130ºF-135ºF
• Medium: 140ºF
• Medium-Well Done: 140ºF-145ºF
• Well Done: 150ºF

*It's important to note that the roast will continue to cook as it rests and its internal temperature will continue to rise anywhere between 5-10ºF. It's best to remove the roast when it reaches 10ºF lower than your desired final temperature so it will be the perfect doneness when you're ready to serve.

Why does Prime Rib Roast need to rest after cooking?

Although it may be tempting to dive right in and start carving up your delicious roast, you'll have to exert just a bit more patience and let the roast rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. Letting the roast rest after cooking is a VERY important step that should never be skipped. When you cook the roast all the juices tend to move towards the outer edges of the meat. If you cut into it right away all those flavorful juices will leak out leaving your roast dry and flavorless.  Resting the roast for at least 15 minutes allows all those delicious juices to re-absorbed and distributed back into the meat making it tender, moist and packed full of flavor. Simply transfer the roast onto a cutting board and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. The residual heat will also continue to cook the roast after it's been removed from the air fryer or oven so allowing it to rest will ensure that the roast reaches your desired final temperature when ready to serve.

Tips for making the best Prime Rib Roast

• Select a bone-in prime rib roast for added flavor
• Let the prime rib roast come to room temperature for at least 2 hours before cooking
• Use light seasonings as the flavor of the meat will speak for itself
• Score the fat on the bottom of the roast in a criss-cross pattern to help render the fat
• Get a good sear on all sides of the roast to seal in the juices and develop a nice crust on the exterior
• Cook the roast fat-side up so as the fat renders it will baste the meat helping keep it moist and flavorful
• Follow approximate cook times of 13-15 minutes per pound based on the size of the roast
• Use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the roast
• Remove the roast when the internal temperature reaches 10ºF below your desired final temperature
• Let the roast rest for 15-20 minutes to allow all the juices to be re-absorbed into the meat and for the roast to reach its desired final temperature
• When carving the roast, make sure to cut across the grain so each piece is succulent and tender
• Save the roast drippings to make a flavorful sauce to accompany the prime rib

What can you serve with Prime Rib?

There is no denying that Prime Rib is the star of the meal and is delicious on its own. If looking to pair it with a sauce to enhance its flavor, you can't go wrong with a creamy peppercorn sauce or a beef au jus. Many also enjoy a good helping of spicy horseradish alongside their prime rib. There are many great sides that pair well with prime rib including baked or mashed potato, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, asparagus, or creamed spinach.

How do you reheat Prime Rib?

Prime Rib is good in the fridge for up to 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months if stored properly. It's best to store the prime rib whole rather than slicing it.  To reheat prime rib from frozen, defrost it in the fridge for 24 hours and then let it come to room temperature before reheating. The best way to reheat prime rib without losing its juicy texture and the succulent flavor is to add about 1/4 cup of beef au jus or beef broth to help retain moisture. If using the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid to reheat the prime rib, bake at 250ºF for about 10 minutes depending on the size of the prime rib or until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 160ºF. If using a conventional oven, cover the pan in foil and bake at 300ºF until it reaches an internal temperature of 160ºF. You can also use an Instant Pot to steam the leftover prime rib however we would recommend adding the liquid to the meat and then wrapping it in foil before placing on the trivet to steam. If reheating in the microwave, its best to do so in 30-second intervals and check the internal temperature in between. While reheating leftover prime rib in the microwave is a fast and convenient method, the prime rib will lose a bit of the moisture and tenderness in the meat.

What can I do with leftover Prime Rib?

Leftover prime rib can be enjoyed the same way as when it was first served if reheated correctly.  Other great uses for leftover prime rib include hot roast beef sandwiches with gravy or peppercorn sauce, prime rib steak sandwiches, or roast beef and hash. Leftover prime rib can also be added to pasta, Beef Stroganoff or used in a stir-fry for Asian Beef and Broccoli.

What if I don't have an Instant Pot Duo Crisp?

This Air Fryer Prime Rib Roast recipe was made using an Instant Pot Duo Crisp as this multi-functional One-Pot pressure cooker also has an Air Fry lid. You can also make this recipe using any Instant Pot compatible with an Air Fryer Lid to achieve the same results.

If you don't have an air fryer you can make this recipe using the stovetop and conventional oven. Simply sear the roast in a cast-iron skillet on the stove and then place the skillet directly into the oven to bake at 350ºF for 90 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 10ºF below your desired doneness. While the roast is resting, make the peppercorn sauce using an Instant Pot or on the stove using a dutch oven.