Slow Cooker Prime Rib Roast

Slow cooker prime rib roast is an easy recipe that’s perfect when you want an impressive dish without tying up the oven. Great for holidays, date nights, and family dinners, it makes a special dinner feel more manageable. Using just a few ingredients, this prime rib recipe delivers a restaurant-quality roast with minimal effort.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Prime Rib Roast

• Prime rib roast: Use a 4 to 5 pound roast. Make sure it fits in your slow cooker with the lid closed.
• Beef broth: Adds flavor and moisture to the bottom of the slow cooker. The roast does not need to be submerged.
• Dried rosemary, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper:  These make a simple savory seasoning blend.
• Salt and pepper: Season the roast before searing. The seasoning blend also contains salt, so adjust to taste.

How To Make Slow Cooker Prime Rib Roast

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Pat the roast dry and season it all over with salt and pepper. Add the roast to the skillet and sear on all sides.
3. Pour the beef broth into the slow cooker and add the seared roast.
4. Mix together the rosemary, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the roast.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 6 hours, checking the internal temperature early and adjusting the cook time as needed.
6. Rest the roast before slicing.

Holiday Side Dishes

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• It’s easy to prepare. Sear the roast, add it to the slow cooker, and let it cook.
• The seasoning is simple and savory. Rosemary, garlic, and onion complement the beef.
• The slow cooker keeps the cooking hands-off. You can focus on the rest of your meal while the roast cooks.

FAQs & Tips

What is prime rib roast?

Prime rib roast is a large cut of beef from the rib section. It’s also called a standing rib roast, especially when it includes the rib bones. The roast is known for its rich flavor and tender texture when cooked and sliced properly.

How will you know when it’s done?

Prime rib is usually served medium-rare which means a final internal temperature of approximately 130–135°F. Having said this, the USDA recommends cooking beef roasts to 145°F and resting them for at least 3 minutes. I encourage you to slow cook your prime rib to the temperature of your liking. Use a meat thermometer; cooking time alone can’t confirm doneness. 

How many servings does this make?

A 4 to 5 pound prime rib roast typically serves about 8 to 10 people, depending on the size of the slices and what you serve with it.

Does the roast need to be covered with broth?

No. Add the broth to the bottom of the slow cooker, but don’t pour it over the roast. The broth adds flavor to the cooking liquid without submerging the meat.

Why do you sear the prime rib first?

Searing browns the outside and adds flavor. The slow cooker won’t create the same browned exterior during cooking. If needed, you can skip this step. 

Can you make prime rib in the Instant Pot?

I’m leaving out Instant Pot instructions for this recipe because pressure cooking makes it harder to control the doneness of a whole prime rib roast. The slow cooker method gives you more time to check the temperature as it cooks.

Substitutions & Variations

• If using a bone-in roast, check that it fits in your slow cooker with the lid fully closed.
• Adjust the salt to taste, keeping in mind that the roast is salted before searing and the seasoning blend contains additional salt.
• For a stronger rosemary flavor, crush the dried rosemary well before adding it to the seasoning blend.

Storage

Refrigerate leftover prime rib in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. Store the cooking juices separately or spoon a little over the sliced meat to help keep it moist when reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Slice the roast against the grain and serve it with the cooking juices. Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad make good sides.

What size slow cooker should you use?

I used a 6-quart slow cooker.

Holiday Meats 

Print

Slow Cooker Prime Rib Roast

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Slow cooker prime rib roast is an easy recipe that’s perfect when you want an impressive dish without tying up the oven. Great for holidays, date nights, and family dinners, it makes a special dinner feel more manageable. Using just a few ingredients, this prime rib recipe delivers a restaurant-quality roast with minimal effort.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Total Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30

Ingredients

Units
USM

Scale
1x2x3x

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Pat the roast dry and lightly season the roast with salt and pepper to taste, then sear on all sides. Add the roast to the skillet and sear on all sides.
3. Pour the beef broth into the slow cooker and add the seared roast.
4. Mix together the rosemary, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the roast.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 6 hours, checking the internal temperature early and adjusting the cook time as needed.
6. Rest the roast before slicing.

Notes

USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145°F for beef roasts, followed by at least 3 minutes of rest.

4–5 pounds serves 8–10 depending on whether the roast is bone-in or boneless and how it’s sliced. 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive money if you make a purchase using one of the links. You can view my disclosure policy here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/.