Ribeye vs Prime Rib – two fantastic contenders for your plate. In this concise guide we are going to consider which of the cuts is likely to suit your preference and context.

Ribeye vs Prime Rib – What is a Ribeye Steak?

A Ribeye steak comes from the rib section of beef and is typically cut from the animal’s rib primal. It is a popular steak, but not as popular as the New York Strip or T-Bone steaks.

What is Prime Rib?

Prime rib is also known as standing rib roast. It’s a roast that comes from the beef’s rib primal and includes all seven ribs plus the meat that connects them to the spine. Prime rib roasts are typically roasted in an oven and then sliced into individual servings. These roasts can be cooked in several ways: slow-roasted, broiled, or grilled over an open flame.

Prime Rib vs Ribeye – Differences between Ribeye and Prime Rib

The main difference between ribeye and prime rib is the cut of meat. Ribeye comes from the rib section of the cow, while prime rib is cut from the upper part of the animal’s shoulder.

Is There a Taste Difference?

The taste difference between ribeye and prime rib is a result of the meat’s aging process. Ribeye is a more tender cut of beef, and it needs to be cooked with less heat than prime rib. Prime rib is usually cooked at higher temperatures, which gives it a more robust flavour.

With the ageing process, the meat loses its moisture and fat content. It also becomes more flavourful due to the natural breakdown of proteins and fats that occurs with prolonged exposure to oxygen.

How Do I Cook Ribeye?

Ribeye is a cut of meat, which is taken from the rib section of beef. The rib section is the part of the cow that has ribs on it. Ribeye can be cooked in different ways like chargrilled, roasted or pan-fried.

How do I Cook Prime Rib?

Prime rib refers to the roast beef which comes from the primal cut called “chuck eye roll” or “chuck eye roast.” It is made by slicing beef along the grain into thin slices and then cooking it in an oven until it becomes brown and crispy.

The prime rib roast can be cooked in many different ways like oven roasting, slow roasting, sous vide cooking and braising.

Can I Barbecue Prime Rib?

You can barbecue Prime Rib. The key is to cook it slowly over low heat of around 225F (107C) until it reaches the target internal temperature of 130-135F (54-57C) for medium rare.

I. A Brief Introduction to Barbecue Prime Rib

You can barbecue Prime Rib. The key is to cook it slowly over low heat. There are many ways you can prepare your barbecue Prime Rib, but the most common are slow cooking, grilling, and smoking it.

We have an article on this very topic ‘Prime Rib in a Smoker.’

II. Why You Shouldn’t Grill or Smoke Your Prime Rib?

Grilling or smoking your prime rib can result in a tough and dry finished product, if it isn’t done correctly.

On the other hand, slow cooking will allow the meat’s natural juices to seep into the meat while also providing a more tender end result with a juicy centre that melts in your mouth when you take that first bite!

Should I Barbecue My Ribeye Steak?

This is a question that many people ask themselves. The answer to this question is yes you can barbecue ribeye, but there are some things that you should know before doing so.

The first thing that you should know is that the quality of the meat will be decreased because of the cooking process.

This isn’t necessarily bad because it will still taste good, but it just won’t be as good as if you pan-fried it. It can be difficult to control the heat on a barbecue, and ribeye needs to be cooked quickly on a high heat with overdoing it.

Best to smoke a brisket or prime rib if you want to fantastic beef on the barbecue, in our opinion.

The second thing to note is that if you want to barbecue Ribeye, then it must be at least an inch thick otherwise the outside will burn before the inside has cooked through.

Ribeye vs Prime Rib – Which is More Expensive?

The cost of ribeye and prime rib is determined by the cut of meat, the fat content, and the age of the animal.

Ribeye has more fat content (which leads to a more desired flavour for most steak eaters) and is more expensive than prime rib.

Prime ribs are also leaner than ribeyes because they are often taken from younger cows.

Are Ribeye and Prime Rib the Same Thing?

Both steaks come from a part of the cow called the primal rib section, which is one out of nine primal cuts of beef.

However it’s important to realise that they are cut and prepared differently, and therefore should be cooked differently.

Ribeye vs Prime Rib Conclusion – Which One is Better?

If you want a big piece of meat, slow cooked on the barbecue as showstopper for a number of guests, we would recommend Prime Rib.

If you want a number of smaller steaks for individual guests which you can cook and control in your pan, go for the ribeye.

If you are out in a restaurant or steakhouse it’s usually easier to go for ribeye cooked to your liking.

Another option could be the fantastic Tomahawk Steak, which is a large piece of beef, bone-in which is essentially a number of ribeye steaks in one.

Related Articles

• ‘T-Bone vs Porterhouse – Which is Better?’
• Pellet Grill Steaks Guide

If you would like to read another interesting and informative article on Ribeye vs Prime Rib, try this one:

https://www.smokedbbqsource.com/prime-rib-vs-ribeye/

Which one would you choose? Let us know in the comments below!