Roast Like a Pro:Your Holiday Beef Roast Guide
Nothing gathers a holiday table quite like a beef roast with a savory, golden-brown crust and rosy, juicy slices. This guide takes you from the meat case to the carving board: how to pick the right roast for your crowd, season it, cook it to the perfect temperature, rest it and carve it like a pro. Keep scrolling for a pull-temp chart, six showstopper recipes and answers to the questions holiday hosts ask most.
Pick Your Holiday Roast.
Whatever the size of your table, there's a roast for it.
Ribeye Roast
The classic holiday centerpiece, also called a standing rib roast. Savory and fine-textured with generous marbling, it gets its rich, beefy flavor from the rib.
Tenderloin Roast
The most tender beef roast, succulent and easy to carve. A center-cut tenderloin roasts in under an hour.
Tri-Tip Roast
Boneless and full of flavor, it roasts hot and fast at 425 degrees. At 1 1/2 to 3 pounds, it’s a great fit for a smaller gathering.
Top Sirloin Petite Roast
A smaller version of the top sirloin roast that’s ideal for roasting. Try it with an herb crust and fig-onion relish.
Six Tips to Roast Like a Pro.
No matter which cut of beef you select to serve, there are some tried-and-true tricks chefs use to get the juiciest, most delicious results.
Use tools of the trade
Use an oven safe meat thermometer. It stays in the roast, so you never open the oven. Set the tip in the thickest part, away from fat and bone.
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Season while the oven preheats
Salt and pepper work, but a rub of spices and hearty fresh herbs adds more flavor. For a deeper crust, give it a quick sear first.
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Roast fat side up on a rack
Use a shallow pan with no water and no lid, so the fat bastes the roast as it cooks. Set a bone-in roast bone side down.
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Pull it at the right temperature
Take the roast out when it hits the temperature in the chart below. It keeps climbing 10 to 15 degrees as it rests.
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Let it rest
Tent it loosely with foil on a carving board for 10 to 20 minutes, longer for bigger roasts, so the juices settle. Make jus from the drippings while you wait.
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Carve across the grain
Use a sharp knife and steady the roast with tongs instead of a fork. For a rib roast, cut along the bones to remove them, then slice.
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When is it done?
Cooking times vary depending on both the cut of meat and your desired doneness. Find specific roasting time guidelines for a bone-in Ribeye Roast, as well as other cuts on this Beef Roasting Chart.Show-Stopping Holiday Roast Recipes
Delicious roast recipes that will be the star of the table and impress guests of all ages.
Pistachio-Crusted Beef Rib Roast with Holiday Wine Sauce
This show-stopper recipe will impress any guest lucky enough to sit at your table! The crunchy, salty crust pairs perfectly with the rich sauce made with mushrooms, shallots and red wine.
Rib Roast with Horseradish Sauce
Mastering a classic Rib Roast has never been so easy. Pair it with a garlicy pepper rub and a homemade horseradish sauce for out of this world flavor.
Smoky Paprika Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Root Vegetables
A perfectly juicy Tenderloin Roast pairs beautifully with roasted red potatoes, sweet potatoes and Cipollini onions. Garnish with parsley and this impressive dish is ready to serve!
Classic Beef Wellington
This recipe will show your friends and family that you have some serious skills in the kitchen. Beef Tenderloin is baked in puff pastry with mushrooms and shallots for a dish that will surely be remembered.
Green Peppercorn Crusted Strip Roast with Red Wine Sauce
This Strip Roast recipe just screams "Holiday Dinner". With red wine sauce and green peppercorns, even the ingredients are festive.
Holiday Roast FAQs
Is prime rib the same as a ribeye roast?
Yes. Prime rib also goes by standing rib roast, holiday roast or ribeye roast. It comes from the rib, which gives it rich, beefy flavor.
What temperature do I pull prime rib for medium rare?
Pull it at 135 degrees. It keeps rising 10 to 15 degrees as it rests. For medium, pull it at 145 degrees.
How long should a beef roast rest?
Rest it 10 to 20 minutes, loosely tented with foil. Bigger roasts need the longer end.
Get Inspired.
Mini Merry Meatballs
This is the perfect recipe for a holiday appetizer or a tailgating snack.
Classic Holiday Dinners
Make your dinner a celebration to look forward to this holiday season. For Hanukkah or Christmas dinner, stick with delicious classics like Prime Rib, Beef Wellington or a savory Brisket.
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Prime Rib Rub
Try this amazing all-purpose Prime Rib rub on your next holiday roast. It's sure to be a crowd pleaser.