Standing rib roast

A standing rib roast, also known as prime rib, is a cut of beef from the primal rib, one of the nine primal cuts of beef. While the entire rib section comprises ribs six through 12, a standing rib roast may contain anywhere from two to seven ribs.

It is most often roasted "standing" on the rib bones so that the meat does not touch the pan. An alternative cut removes the top end of the ribs for easier carving.

Rib eye steaks are cut from a standing rib, boned with most of the fat and lesser muscles removed.

While often referred to as a “prime rib”, the USDA does not require the cut "to be derived from USDA Prime grade beef".

Characteristics

A slice of standing rib roast will include portions of the so-called "eye" of the rib, as well as the outer, fat-marbled muscle (spinalis dorsi) known as the "lip" or "cap". The traditional preparation for a standing rib roast is to rub the outside of the roast with salt and seasonings and slow-roast with dry heat. It also may be grilled.