Ribeye roast is a classic main entree for a special holiday or family meals, but the size of a rib roast is just not made for many smaller households. Learn to cook this delicious meal without eating leftovers for a week.
Introduction
A ribeye roast is a great company meal. But do you want to cook 5-10 pounds of meat if you have a smaller household? That will feed 10-20 people. That is just not friendly for most households.
Let’s make the ribeye roast “friendlier” for smaller households with these easy step by step instructions. Cut down for the smaller household; this recipe will not leave you eating leftovers all week.
I will confess, ribeye roast is just one of the cuts of meat I generally have passed over. They are generally huge and is just the wrong size for our home needs. But it can be “friendlier” for smaller households on special occasions.
I used an Allrecipes.com recipe for inspiration but had some changes. Most significant is the decrease in butter. Due to the initial searing temperature of 500 degrees, that amount of butter is just going to melt off and smoke.
My Rating
A very nice roast with great taste and fork-tender. A nice 5.
🐄Ribeye
There is some confusion about prime rib vs. ribeye. The first point is “prime rib” is more of a marketing term. What we think of as prime rib is generally a rib-in standing rib roast. It does not need to be prime grade, but will usually be choice grade.
I also want to mention that a ribeye is not an "eye of round." Eye of round is from the "round" area in the diagram above near the tail area. It is lean but can use a similar cooking technique.
If you have a rib steak (prime rib steak), then the rib bone is left intact. But in a bone-in ribeye steak, rib bone will be cut through in the interest of consistent thickness. But most ribeye steaks in the US are boneless. If bone-in ribeye steak in the US, it will usually be called a cowboy steak or cowboy ribeye. This is usually cut 2 inches or thicker.
So, in summary, ribeye is not a prime rib, while prime rib does contains the ribeye. A prime rib may not be prime graded, although I think it should be, so ask. Roast with rib may be called “prime rib” or standing rib roast. In the US, things labeled ribeye will almost always be boneless.
Now you are educated or very confused.
⏰🌡️Time and Temperature
After an initial 20 minute searing at 500° oven for 20 minutes, then decrease the temperature of the oven to 325° and continue to roast until desired internal temperature.
For my 2 ½ pound roast, the initial 20 minutes plus an additional 45 minutes for 130°, 55 minutes for 140°, and 60 minutes for 145°.
But when I used a roast slightly over 3 pounds, it added about 30 minutes to the above cooking times. So pay attention.
Never cook by time alone. Always check with a meat thermometer.
🔥Smoking Ovens
Even though I took some steps to decrease the smoking oven issues. Mainly I cut back the butter that was going to melt off and having no chance of adding flavor.
You probably will still have some because you have fat from the meat and butter in a 500° oven. Fat is going to hit hot metal somewhere and smoke.
So you have some choices about if this smokes too much for you:
- You can realize it will probably happen and live with it. Lots of exhaust fans and open windows.
- You can eliminate the butter and use a higher temperature vegetable oil, which still may smoke some but less.
- You can add some water to the pan under the rack, so when the butter melts off, it hits the water (max temp of 212) instead of the 500-degree pan. This is my favorite.
- You can skip the "searing" entirely. It will take a bit longer, but it will be fine.
📖Special Meal Recipes
How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on a Gas Grill
Smaller Crock Pot Honey Glazed Ham
How To Roast a Turkey Breast with Gravy
How to Grill a Filet Mignon on a Gas Grill
How to Grill a Pork Tenderloin on a Gas Grill
🖊️Instructions
Preheat oven to 500 degrees and lower a rack so the roast will be in the middle of the oven.
Mix 3 tablespoon of softened butter with 3 cloves of crushed garlic. Poke a 15-20 half inch knife holes into the roast.
Slather the butter/garlic mixture onto the roast, pushing some of the mixture into the holes. Add some salt and pepper to the roast. Prep a roasting pan with a rack and give the rack a heavy coat of PAM. A cake pan is good here. The pan needs some sides to prevent splatter. I suggest using the rack and a bit of water under the rack to cut down the smoke.
Place the fat side up on the rack and into a 500-degree oven for 20 minutes, then decrease the temperature of the oven to 325 degrees and continue to roast until desired internal temperature. For my 2 ½ pound roast, an additional 45 minutes for 130 degrees, 55 minutes for 140, and 60 minutes for 145. But when I used roast slightly over 3 pounds, it added 30 minutes to the cooking time. Never cook by time alone. Always check with a meat thermometer.
Tent lightly with foil and allow to rest for 15-20 minutes before cutting. Remember, the roast may increase a few degrees when tented.
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📖 Recipe
Small Ribeye Roast
Tap to leave a Rating
Ingredients
- 2-3 pound boneless ribeye roast
- 3 cloves garlic crushed or minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500° and lower a rack so the roast will be in the middle of the oven.
- Mix 3 tablespoon of softened butter with 3 cloves of crushed or minced garlic.
- Poke a 15-20 half inch knife holes into the roast.
- Slather the butter/garlic mixture onto the roast pushing some of the mixture into the holes. Add some salt and pepper to the roast to taste.
- Prep a roasting pan with a rack and give the rack a heavy coat of PAM. A cake or roasting pan is good here. The pan needs some sides to prevent splatter. Add a bit of water under the rack to decrease smoking.
- Place on rack fat side up and into a 500° oven for 20 minutes then decrease the temperature of the oven to 325° and continue to roast until desired internal temperature.
- For my 2 ½ pound roast, an additional 45 minutes for 130°, 55 minutes for 140° and 60 minutes for 145°. But when I used roast slightly over 3 pounds, it added 30 minutes to the cooking time. Never cook by time alone. Always check with a meat thermometer. Your time may vary.
- Tent lightly with foil and allow to rest for 15-20 minutes before cutting. Remember the roast will increase in temperature a few degrees when tented.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- A good estimate of size of the roast is ⅓ to ½ pound per serving.
- Never cook by time alone. Always check with a meat thermometer.
- Good refrigerated for 3-4 days and can be frozen for 3-4 days.
You may have some smoke issues. You have some choices.
- You can just realize it will probably happen and live with it. Lots of exhaust fans and open windows.
- You can eliminate the butter and use a higher temperature vegetable oil which still may smoke some but less.
- You can add some water to the pan under the rack, so when the butter melts off, it hits the water (max temp of 212) instead of the 500-degree pan. This is my favorite.
- You can skip the "searing" entirely. It will take a bit longer but will be fine, it is a great juicy cut of meat.
TO ADJUST THE RECIPE SIZE:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition
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Editor's Note: Originally published September 17, 2017. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Mr_Yesterday
Helpful recipe, thank you. I ran a 3 lb roast for 450 20 minutes, then 350 half hour, then 325 another 30 to 45 minutes. Then 20 minute rest, and it was still red and juicy when cut open. It's all good to heat up a little quicker and then roast a little quicker, although I still hold to traditional lower temps on the bottom half of the cook time. Personally I like mine with organic olive oil covered with a thick layer of unground celtic sea salt pre cook covering. Then the silverback fat layer along the end of the roast really shrinks up and pulls back, allowing for better consistency in the rib meat cook and the end of the primary roast cook area. You can scrape those fat roasted salt kernels off the fat and eat them with steak before, alongside, or after the bites, whatever you like. The most glorious and intense flavored salt you'll ever have. I don't cut off the rib before cook myself, it's just easier to pop it in, then cut along the ribs with a super sharp knife after cooking, but before carving. Best roast ever, the rib eye. One of these days I'll make the time to pop garlic cloves in there, marinate it before hand, etc, etc. Spritz it with lemon or lime right before each bite if you really want a zesty flavor. Also we've been known to cook a whole roast, only to then turn around and use roast cut up squares in lettuce wraps along with sizzled organic corn and beans. Rib roast lettuce wraps with organic veggies? Don't knock it until you've tried it. If you are reading this you are the resistance. Cheers.
DrDan
Hi Mr_Yesterday.
Welcome to the blog. Sorry for the delayed response.
Thanks for the details of you experience, hopefully it will help others.
Thanks for the note.
DrDan
Peg
I'm so happy to find cooking times for smaller roast! Thank you! My question is related to the butter. My daughter is dairy intolerant so I'm looking for a replacement even though I would absolutely love the butter! With the smoking issue oh, I suppose olive oil would not be a good replacement. I do have grape seed oil, canola oil, coconut oil and regular vegetable oil. What would you suggest as a replacement for the butter?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Peg,
Welcome to the blog.
I would tend to use canola oil since I know it is neutral. Grape seed oil, which is "neutral", seems to have a bit of taste to me.
Dan
Robert
Hello Everyone,
Getting ready to do a ribeye roast and just fired up the oven to preheat. The roast weighs just over 2 lbs for myself,wife and daughter. I will be using the beef broth method and put on a nice rub after letting it set out for a while.
I will update on how it goes later
Kurt Lindstrom
Did not read far enough regarding the "smoke" part :) Turns out our smoke alarm system is working as intended :) Now waiting to finish cooking....
DrDan
Hi Kurt,
Welcome to the blog.
It is always good to test those smoke detectors occasionally :)
There is a suggestion a few days ago by Frances to use a can of beef broth in the bottom and it can be used for au jus later. I really like that suggestion.
Thanks so much for the note. Maybe a few others will take note.
Dan
Louisa
Dear Dr. Dan,
Purchased a 2.63 lb. roast to cook on New Year's Day. Haven't done one in years so needed a recipe for a small roast for two. Was I ever glad that I found your recipe! Was a little anxious about a 500 degree oven and smoke from the melting butter. However, as the roast cooked there was no smoke (put about a half cup of water in bottom of pan) and after 20 mins at 500 degrees in my gas oven, the roast was beautifully browned. Turned oven down to 325 degrees and inserted meat thermometer and cooked another 65 mins until roast reached a temperature of 135 degrees. Another 65 mins. seems too long for this size roast but it turned out medium rare. Perfection! Your recipe definitely rates five stars. Thank you so much!
DrDan
Hi Louisa,
Welcome to the blog.
Thanks so much for the detailed report for others to read and thanks for the note.
Dan
Frances Cheslock
I added a can of beef broth and some sliced mushrooms to the bottom of the pan which eliminates the smoking butter and makes a lovely au jus to serve with the roast or thicken for gravy. This roasting method worked perfectly! thank you!
DrDan
Hi Frances,
Welcome to the blog.
I love that idea.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Angela
Made this for Christmas eve dinner and it was so tasty! Had a 2.5 lb bone-in rib roast. Salted in the a.m. for about 6 hours in the fridge. Let sit at room temperature for an hour after poking with knife and coating in butter. 20 minutes at 500 degrees (with water in pan under rack) then 325°F for 60 minutes. Yummy!
DrDan
Hi Angela,
Welcome to the blog. Sorry for the delayed response.
Glad it worked well for you and thanks for the note.
Dan
Patte
Looking forward to serving the rib roast tonite for Christmas dinner. Just the 2 of us so I wasn't sure if it was even possible to do a rare one. Hope I am as successful as seversl of your rraders seem to be. wish me luck! Hope you had a great holiday & I'll be back (as they say!) ;}
DrDan
Hi Patte,
Welcome to the blog. Sorry for the delayed response.
Rare is definitely should be fairly easy. I like to use a remote thermometer if I'm aiming for rare so I don't over do it by accident.
Hope it worked well for you and thanks for the note.
Dan
Roz Behan
Thank you so for this great recipe
Delightfulladee
This is a wonderful recipe. I will surely make it again and again.
Thank you kindly 🙏🏽
DrDan
Hi Roz and Delightful,
Welcome to the blog. Sorry for the delayed response.
Thanks for the note and hope you had a great holiday.
Dan
Lindsay
Did you take the meat out of the fridge and let it come to room temp before cooking? Excited to try your recipe today!
DrDan
Hi Lindsay,
Welcome to the blog.
Resting to room temperature is not really needed here. If you want "well done" (and nobody does) then resting at room temp for 30 minutes would be helpful in obtaining the final internal temperature.
Have a good dinner.
Dan
Lindsay
Thank you! The rarer the better for us! Thanks for your prompt response! Merry Christmas!
Karen E Holcomb
Hey, I am so happy that I found your recipe again. It's been a year since I used it last and it took about 45 minutes surfing to find it this morning. While my riast is much bigger this year, I'm confident I can adjust. Definitely going to bookmark the page this time. Merry Christmas!
Faith K Beasley
Just throwing this put there as a helpful tip, if you ask your butcher for a rib roast closer the the strip side then the chuck side you won't have that knot of fat in the middle of your roast.
DrDan
Hi Faith,
Welcome to the blog.
Thanks for the tip. I believe it is also more marbled. So good in every way.
Happy Holiday and thanks for the note.
Dan
Lenore
Hi—-was that coventional 500 or convection? I have an electric oven ( dislike it very much, but in Fl and unless running my own gas line.....) and things don’t seem to crisp too well without convection. Planning on making a small roast for Christmas.
Btw: love your recipes. The seared strip steak one of my favs.
DrDan
Hi Lenore,
Welcome to the blog.
That is 500 degrees conventional not convection.
Watch for the smoking issues. If you are not used to high-temperature ovens, take it up to 500 degrees before the big day to see if it smokes.
Have a good holiday.
Dan
Mary Savage
What do you use, or what do you suggest for au jus/gravy? Recipes?
DrDan
Hi Mary,
Welcome to the blog.
For a clear au jus, I would use 2 cups of a good beef broth/stock to the drippings assuming there is not a lot of fat. You can use a fat separator if needed. Add a teaspoon of soy sauce to pop the beef taste some and add salt and pepper to taste. Be careful with the salt since the soy sauce is high in sodium.
Some people want more of a gravy. See https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/how-to-make-gravy-101/ for two methods.
Hope that helps.
Dan
Bill
I do enjoy beef above other meats but cooking a beef roast of any kind is problematic for me. I enjoy my beef at medium rare. Even medium isn’t an enjoyable taste of beef. My wife is the opposite, no red at all, or she won’t eat it, well done or none.
I don’t want to waste a good rib roast by either over or under cooking, so I don’t cook them. What I’m thinking of trying is to cook a rib roast to medium rare then after resting, slice her portion, return that portion to the oven until it reaches her desired well done.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
Bill
DrDan
Hi Bill,
Welcome to the blog.
I had a similar but not quite as severe problem yrs ago for large holiday meals. My solution at that time was to cook whole large beef tenderloins. The ends, and several inches in, were medium then tapered down to medium rare. But that was a big piece of meat. The key was to cook at high temps but not too long. The ends and outside of the middle cooked but the middle not so much.
This will work somewhat with this smaller rib roast but not as well.
Your plan to cook her portion after cutting will "work" but the issues I see are you will lose a lot of juices. So her's will be dry. And you will be eating at totally different times.
But considering how far apart your tastes are, I would suggest rib eye steaks or filets. You can control the cooking much easier with better results for both of you.
Hope that helps.
Dan
kiloran greenan
Sensational! First time I tried a bone in ribeye roast and your instructions were spot on. I started with 450 oven, added water to just cover roasting pan, after 20 min. reduced to 325 for 45 min - came out a perfect medium rare. I was nervous because the roast was only 2 1/4 pounds. I also appreciated all the information you provided about the cut of beef and the "difference" between prime rib and ribeye. Many thanks! It's a keeper.
DrDan
Hi Kiloran,
Welcome to the blog.
Glad it worked so well for you and thanks for the note.
Dan
Heidi
Why does your instructions say to raise the time in the oven for higher temperatures? ("an additional 45 minutes for 130 degrees, 55 minutes for 140 and 60 minutes for 145."
DrDan
Hi Heidi,
Welcome to the blog.
You start at 500 then decrease to the oven temp to 325. The part you are referring to is about the final internal temperature you want. So to get to 145-degree internal temp it takes about 60 minutes more but as always, times are provided for estimates, cook to the final internal temperature you want.
Hope that is clear.
Dan
Roz
I don't have real butter. Would margarine do??
DrDan
Hi Roz,
Welcome to the blog.
It will "work" but not be as good. Considering what you paid for the ribeye, spring for the butter.
Dan
Ros
I keep this recipe bookmarked. It never fails. I do start it a little cooler (450) and then lower the temp as directed. This seems to keep the smoke down and it still gets nice and browned and crispy on the outside. I use a probe thermometer with a beeper, so when it hits 128, I'm alerted. This way, I can do any size roast and let the thermometer do the work! Thanks for the great recipe.
DrDan
Hi Ros,
I do love my remote thermometer. Thanks for the suggestion and the note.
Dan
Erika
Excellent! I had a 2.3 lb standing rib roast. I chewed on the bone as soon as it rested. Sooo good. How can you lose with that much beef and butter?
Leslie
Made roast last Friday, per recipe, did not have any smoke problems. 5 star review, I also made your au-graten potato recipe and stove top green bean (also 5 star recipes). I got my menu ideas by looking at the first picture, would love it if you always posted pictures with side dishes or give serve with suggestions. My husban and and friends loved this meal thanks so much
DrDan
Glad they are working well for you and you solved your oven issue at least for this meal. I'm a little surprised you had no smoke.
My side dishes tend to be boring so I never mention them. Plus, I have very little imagination. How many times can you say baked or mashed potatoes and green beans (grandpa's favorite)? Here I did have scalloped potatoes. I need to do more sides...
Leslie
Thanks for the advice, may bring roast & cook at friends house.
Leslie
I just purchased a beautiful roast (expensive) but my oven decided to act up! How do I convert this recipe for a 3 burner gas grill (plan on making the roast this Friday )? Thank you, Leslie
DrDan
Hi Leslie,
You can probably do it on a grill, I suspect the best way is indirect heat similar to how I cooked the whole chicken a few months ago. https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/grilled-whole-chicken-on-a-gas-grill/
Now, this is a total guess on my part. I would set up the grill like the chicken then sear for 5 minutes per side on the hot side then put it the indirect side fat side up. Probably rotate after about 30 minutes. Then watch the internal temperature.
Now realize I have not done this or any beef like this but I was planning a Tri-Tip roast and this is what I had in my mind to do. It may or may not work well. It is your expensive meat and a company meal we are talking about. How do they feel about Pizza if it doesn't work... You may want to Google for somebody who as actually done this.
Dan
Melody
You're killing me! The roast looks delicious! Say what? I've just developed a serious allergy to beef - my favorite special occasion treat. Have you ever heard of this?
DrDan
Sorry about that...
In over 40 yrs in medicine, I have never had one but it is not impossible. Be sure you are seeing a board-certified allergist for confirmation. Food allergies are very tricky to be accurate about and there are lots of newer things the allergist can do.
Yvonne
I have heard of sudden red meat allergies being caused by a kind of tick bite. Might be worth asking for testing. Best of luck.
Lara
We have made this cut of roast on a rotisserie over a gas grill. Outstandingly delicious!!