If you find yourself with an undercooked prime rib, don’t panic. With a few simple techniques, you can reheat that prime rib to juicy, tender perfection. In this article, we’ll walk through the best methods for reheating undercooked prime rib so you can still enjoy this impressive roast.
Should You Refrigerate Undercooked Prime Rib Before Reheating?
If your prime rib comes out of the oven undercooked, the first step is to let it cool completely, then refrigerate it. Leaving the roast out at room temperature for too long can cause bacteria to grow. Refrigerating the undercooked meat stops bacteria growth in its tracks.
Plan on refrigerating the prime rib for at least 1-2 hours or up to overnight. This allows the center of the roast to chill thoroughly so it reheats evenly. Remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to reheat it to allow the chill to come off a bit.
Oven Roasting
One of the easiest ways to reheat an undercooked prime rib is by using the oven. This dry-heat cooking method essentially finishes roasting the meat to your desired doneness.
To oven roast an undercooked prime rib:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the prime rib on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet.
- Roast until an instant-read thermometer registers 120-125°F for rare, 130-135°F for medium-rare, 140-145°F for medium, or 150°F for well-done.
- Rest the roast for 10-15 minutes before slicing into it.
Roasting uses gentle, ambient heat to warm the prime rib through without overcooking the exterior. Monitor the temperature closely and remove it right when it reaches your target doneness. The meat will continue cooking a bit during the rest time.
On the Stovetop
You can also reheat your prime rib on the stovetop using a skillet. This adds a nice sear to the exterior while gently bringing the center up to temperature.
To reheat prime rib in a skillet:
- Pat the roast dry with paper towels.
- Heat a cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat and add just enough oil to coat the bottom.
- Add the prime rib and sear on all sides until browned, about 2 minutes per side.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, flipping occasionally, until the center registers 120-135°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the prime rib from the skillet, tent with foil, and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes.
Searing adds great flavor and texture to the exterior crust. Lower, gentle heat finishes cooking the interior without drying out the meat. Let it rest before slicing into the roast.
In the Slow Cooker
For an ultra-low fuss method, a slow cooker can help tenderize and finish cooking your prime rib.
To use a slow cooker:
- Place the refrigerated, undercooked prime rib into a slow cooker.
- Add 1 cup beef broth, wine, or water.
- Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours until heated through.
- Rest the roast for 15-30 minutes before slicing against the grain.
The moist, gentle heat of a slow cooker breaks down connective tissue and brings the center up to temperature without overcooking. Cook times will vary based on size of roast and temperature preferences.
In the Sous Vide
For the most hands-off approach, sous vide circulators can precisely reheat prime rib to the perfect doneness.
To sous vide prime rib:
- Seal the chilled, undercooked prime rib in a sous vide bag.
- Set the water bath to your desired temperature (at least 130°F).
- Submerge the bag in the water bath and cook for 1-4 hours until heated through.
- Remove the bag, pat dry, and sear all sides in a hot skillet to brown.
With sous vide, there’s no guesswork involved. It brings the prime rib exactly to your preferred internal temperature for perfect results every time. Always sear after for enhanced flavor and texture.
Can You Microwave Undercooked Prime Rib?
It’s not recommended to microwave prime rib to reheat it. The uneven heating can create very overcooked portions next to undercooked sections. For best results, stick to the oven, stovop, slow cooker, or sous vide reheating methods.
Tips for Reheating Prime Rib
Follow these tips for reheating prime rib successfully:
- Always chill the undercooked meat thoroughly before reheating.
- Use a low temperature around 325°F to prevent overcooking.
- Reheat to 120-135°F internally depending on desired doneness.
- Allow the roast to rest before slicing for juicier results.
- Add moisture like broth or jus if oven roasting or braising.
- Sear after sous vide for enhanced flavor and texture.
How Long Does Reheated Prime Rib Last?
Properly reheated prime rib will keep for:
- 3-4 days refrigerated
- 2-3 months frozen
Be sure to cut the roast into manageable portions or slices before refrigerating. Portion out any leftovers into shallow containers for quick chilling. Reheat refrigerated portions within 3-4 days for best quality.
Serving Reheated Prime Rib
Leftover prime rib makes amazing sandwiches, tacos, pasta dishes and more! Here are a few ways to repurpose reheated prime rib:
- Prime rib sandwiches with crispy onions and horseradish sauce
- Prime rib salad with blue cheese and tomato
- Prime rib hash with potatoes, peppers and eggs
- Prime rib ravioli in brown butter sauce
- Shredded prime rib tacos with salsa and queso
Slice reheated prime rib across the grain for tender, juicy results. Serve with savory sauces and fresh vegetables for the ultimate leftover prime rib meal.
Conclusion
Reheating prime rib properly allows you to rescue an undercooked roast for a delicious second meal. Allow the meat to chill thoroughly first for food safety. Low, gradual oven heat is ideal, but you can also use a skillet, slow cooker or sous vide with excellent results. Check the internal temperature often. Rest the meat before slicing. Store leftovers within 3-4 days. Turn reheated prime rib into amazing sandwiches, tacos, pasta dishes and more!