Prime rib of beef is one of the most classic cuts of beef which is growing in popularity among consumers across the UK.
How do we know this? It’s because rib of beef is one of the best sellers from our new, online butcher’s shop. This cut of beef comes from the fore-quarter of our grass-fed Welsh Beef which is cut and despatched from our abattoir in Swansea.
Is Fore Rib of Beef a Roast or a Steak?
We are often asked this question by our customers. Rib of beef is technically a roast and not a steak. However, if you choose to slice the ribs into steaks before cooking, then the cut becomes a rib eye steak.
When buying beef ribs, always ask for ‘prime’ and not ‘choice’ of beef; and ensure that the cut has a lot of marbling as this is where the flavour comes from.
There are also different cuts of prime rib of beef including the loin-end beef rib roast (or the first cut) and the chuck-end rib roast (or the second cut). The first cut tends to be smaller and leaner with less fat and so more expensive than the second cut which normally has more layers of fat.
Cap on or cap off
We highly recommend leaving the fat cap that comes on the prime rib on whilst cooking as it keeps the meat tender during cooking as well as adding a huge amount of flavour.
Some people may argue that you get better value for money by asking your butcher to take the cap off so you only pay for the meat you’re going to eat. However, if you really want to impress your friends and family with your cooking, leaving the cap on (discarding it before serving) will deliver the required results.
Cooking Prime Rib
The bones on a prime rib of beef create a natural roasting rack for the meat. As a general guideline, we recommend cooking the roast for 15 minutes on high at around 325° F and then reducing the temperature to around 200° F. Allow 15 minutes cooking time per pound of prime rib.
Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature which would normally be 125° for rare, 135° for medium rare, 145° for medium.
Check out this amazing recipe for roast fore rib of beef with garlic and rosemary from Jamie Oliver.
Hugh Phillips Gower Butcher
Prime rib of beef is one of the best-selling cuts of meat from our Swansea Market shop and our online platform, www.bestonlinebutcher.co.uk.
Our rib of beef comes with a good covering of natural fat and marbling making it a very tender roast for any occasion.
To order your rib of beef, click on the link below (and we are offering free delivery throughout October):