Don't Let Your Prime Rib Go to Waste! Here's How to Reheat It (2024)

Yes, your prime rib leftovers can taste as juicy and tender as when you first made them.

By Katie Bourque and Samantha MacAvoyUpdated: Dec 22, 2021

Don't Let Your Prime Rib Go to Waste! Here's How to Reheat It (1)

Learning how to reheat prime rib is essential if you’re planning to make the tender, marbled cut of beef or if it’s your go-to order at a steakhouse. One serving of prime rib, often called standing rib roast, is generally huge. It’s more than you can eat in one sitting, especially with prime rib side dishes, but it’s such a prized cut that you don’t want any to go to waste. Unlike leftover turkey or ham recipes, prime rib is a special cut that needs more care in the reheating process. Here, we share the best ways to heat prime rib up so you can enjoy juicy, flavorful beef for days.

Can you reheat prime rib in a steamer?

This method works the best if you're reheating a slice of prime rib, as opposed to warming the entire roast. Start by adding a couple of tablespoons of water to your pot. As the water begins to simmer, wrap your slice of prime rib in aluminum foil. To keep the meat from drying out while cooking, you can drizzle in some leftover prime rib juices or broth before sealing it up. Then, place the meat in your steamer basket, cover your pot with a lid, and allow the prime rib to steam for 3–6 minutes, depending on its thickness. When you think the beef is ready, peel back the tin foil and check if the meat has been warmed all the way through. The USDA recommends that you only consume reheated meat that has reached an internal temperature of 165°F, so be sure to have your meat thermometer on hand.

What about reheating in the oven?

On the other hand, if you're reheating a whole roast, you should stick to using the oven. Again, aluminum foil is the key to reheating your roast without drying it out. Wrap your roast in foil with a 1/4 cup of beef stock added to help retain the prime rib's juicy flavor, and place it in the oven once it has been preheated to 300°F. Check on your meat in 10 minute intervals until it reaches a 165°F internal temperature.

Can you use a microwave?

If you're in a last-minute bind, you can use the microwave but it's not recommended, because if you leave your prime rib in just 30 seconds too long, you can lose all the flavor and tenderness you worked so hard to give it in the first place. Before placing your prime rib in the microwave, slice your prime rib into equally sized pieces to ensure it reheats thoroughly. Put these slices in a microwave safe bowl with a couple of teaspoons of leftover juice or broth and cover the dish. Cook for 1 minute on medium-low power to start, then continue to heat in 30 second intervals until the beef is warmed all the way through.