How to Reheat Prime Rib so It Stays Tender and Juicy

The art of knowing how to reheat prime rib takes a bit of time and patience to get right. But once you master the method that works best, you will be able to reheat prime rib without drying it out (something your family will thank you for!). We asked chef Courtney Rada, host of Genius Kitchen’s Carnivorous, to share the best ways to reheat pre-cooked prime rib. 

How to Reheat Prime Rib in the Oven

The key to this tasty day-after meal is figuring out how to reheat prime rib without overcooking it. One technique that helps keep your meat juicy is to reheat it in the oven, which is also the best method to use if you need to know how to reheat a whole prime rib roast. 

Rada says that most chefs and foodies, including her, prefer the oven method when it comes to reheating prime rib. “The trick is to cook it a low temperature with some extra moisture to ensure it doesn’t dry out or lose that pink, tender center,” she adds. Here, Rada shares the six steps she follows to reheat a whole prime rib roast in the oven.  

1. Take your leftover prime rib out of the fridge.
2. Preheat your oven to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Once your prime rib reaches just about room temperature, place it in a roasting pan. Don’t let it sit out too long before putting in the oven. This can increase your chances of a foodborne illness. 
4. Pour your leftover au jus over the meat. You can also pour about 1/4 cup of beef stock over the meat.
5. Cover your leftovers in foil and place in the oven until it reaches an internal temp of 160 to 165 degrees. But exactly how long does it take to reheat pre-cooked prime rib? Rada says that cooking times may vary depending on your oven, so she recommends checking the internal temperature about every 10 minutes to ensure it doesn’t dry out or overcook.
6. Remove the prime rib from the oven, garnish with your favorite seasonings, and enjoy!

How to Reheat Prime Rib in the Microwave

When it comes to reheating leftovers, it’s always nice to have the microwave as an option. It might not produce the juiciest leftovers, but it sure is convenient! And if you’re wondering how to reheat prime rib slices, you’re in luck: A microwave is a great choice if you want to reheat pre-cooked prime rib slices. 

To keep your leftovers from drying out, Rada recommends slicing up the prime rib and adding in additional moisture to ensure that it cooks through evenly and doesn’t lose all of that delicious flavor. Follow these five simple steps to reheat prime rib in the microwave.  

1. Cut your prime rib into relatively equal slices and place in a microwave-safe dish.
2. Add a few tablespoons of leftover au jus or beef stock.
3. Cover your dish and microwave on high for about one minute.
4. Continue microwaving in 30-second increments until your prime rib reaches an internal temp of about 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Transfer your steak to a fresh plate to stop the heating process and finish off with your favorite steak sauce.

How to Reheat Prime Rib Sous Vide

Sous Vide may sound way out of your league, but it’s a common method for reheating meat. This process uses vacuum sealing, followed by heating the meat in a water bath or steam environment, which also works if you want to cook pre-sliced prime rib. 

“The sous vide method is a fan favorite when it comes to reheating prime rib as it gives you total control over the temp, pretty much guaranteeing that you won’t overcook your leftovers,” explains Rada. Follow these five steps to reheat prime rib leftovers using the Sous Vide method. 

1. Slice your leftovers in similar-sized pieces and place in a vacuum-sealed pouch.
2. For medium rare prime rib, set your sous vide to about 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Sous Vide is the best method to reheat rare prime rib. 
3. For medium to well-done prime rib, take the temperature up to 165 degrees.
4. Place your pouch into the warmed water and allow it to cook low and slow for about an hour.
5. Take your tender prime rib out of the pouch and drizzle with your preferred seasoning or au jus before enjoying.

How to Reheat Prime Rib in a Steamer

If you want a gentle way to reheat prime rib leftovers, the steamer method might be for you. Here are Rada’s four steps for steaming success.

1. Start by pouring a few tablespoons of water in the bottom of your pot before placing your steamer basket on top.
2. While you’re bringing the water to a simmer, wrap your leftovers in aluminum foil. For juicy meat, include leftover juices for maximum flavor. 
3. Place your pouch in the steamer, cover your pot and allow to warm for about four minutes.
4. Once your prime rib reaches an internal temp of 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove from the steamer and allow to rest for about five minutes.

How to Safely Reheat Prime Rib

When it’s time to reheat prime rib leftovers, make sure to follow all of the necessary safety precautions. After all, eating bad meat is no joke! Here, Lisa Yakas, a microbiologist and consumer products certification manager at NSF International, shares her top tips about how to reheat prime rib roast.  

• Make sure your prime rib it is still safe to eat. Leftovers stored in the refrigerator should be eaten within three to four days because bacteria can still grow even at refrigerator temperatures.
• For frozen meat, make sure the internal temperature never gets into the “danger zone” of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If it does, bacteria that cause foodborne illness can multiply extremely rapidly. So that means you’ll want to thaw it in the refrigerator, in cold water or in a microwave. Food should never be thawed at room temperature because the outer surface could easily warm to above 40º F while the center remains frozen. That could be a recipe for foodborne illness.
• When reheating leftovers like prime rib, the general rule of thumb is to make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating it. It’s best to use a certified meat thermometer to make sure you are getting an accurate temperature. And make sure the thermometer is inserted into the center of the meat — not on the surface, or just under the surface, or so far in that it is too close to the bottom surface of the meat.
• If you’re using a microwave to reheat your food, be sure to stir it or rotate it periodically so that the heat is distributed evenly. You also can use a microwave to thaw frozen leftovers if they will be eaten right away.