How to Cook Prime Rib on a Pellet Grill

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If you’re looking to cook prime rib, using a pellet grill can give you that perfect smoky flavor that everyone loves. A pellet grill is known for its versatility, making it perfect for not only grilling but also smoking and roasting. With the right technique, you can cook a perfectly juicy and delicious prime rib on your pellet grill that will wow your guests and leave everyone craving more. Read on to learn how to cook prime rib on a pellet grill.

What is a pellet grill?


A pellet grill, also known as a pellet smoker or pellet barbecue, is a type of outdoor cooker that uses small, food-grade pellets made of compressed sawdust as fuel. The system works in a way that the pellets are automatically fed into the fire pit, and ignited to create heat and smoke for cooking. Pellet grills normally have digital temperature controls, which allow precise heat management so you can grill, smoke, roast, and even bake without worrying about overcooking your meat. Pellet grills are popular among BBQ enthusiasts for their versatility and convenience.

Choosing a Prime Rib for Smoking

When it comes to choosing a prime rib for smoking on your pellet grill, there are a few key factors to consider.

  1. Find a prime rib with good marbling – the fat should be well-distributed throughout the meat, retaining moisture and keeping the meat moist as it cooks.
  2. Consider the advantages of bone-in and boneless options. A bone-in prime rib will have more flavor because of the bone, while a boneless prime rib is easier to slice and serve.
  3. Choose a prime rib that will fit comfortably on your pellet grill’s cooking surface. If you host large barbecue parties, take into account any additional racks or cooking shelves you may need.

By keeping these factors in mind, smoking a prime rib should be easy and hassle-free for you.

Trimming and Preparing a Prime Rib

When it comes to preparing a prime rib for smoking on a pellet grill, there are a few crucial steps to take.

  1. Trim any excess fat and silver skin from the meat with a sharp knife. This step prevents flare-ups and guarantees that the meat cooks evenly.
  2. Season the prime rib with a dry rub or marinate in a mixture of your choice. Make sure to evenly coat the meat to ensure maximum flavor absorption.
  3. Let the prime rib sit for at least an hour at room temperature to allow the seasoning to penetrate the meat.
  4. While the prime rib is resting, preheat your pellet grill. Once heated, place the prime rib on the grill and smoke for approximately 4-5 hours or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 130°F for medium rare.
  5. Once the prime rib is finished smoking, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.

Prepping the Pellet Grill

Here are the steps to prep your pellet grill for smoking a prime rib:

  1. Clean the cooking grates and interior of the grill to remove any debris or ash from previous cooks. You don’t want to contaminate your fresh meat with residue from whatever you cooked last time.
  2. Fill the grill with your choice of food-grade wood pellets. There are several options you can find on the market.
  3. Turn the grill on and set the temperature. This preheats the grill and gets it ready for smoking.
  4. Fill a small aluminum pan with water and place it on the grill grates. This will help regulate the temperature and keep the prime rib moist as it cooks.
  5. Adjust the vents to control the airflow and maintain a consistent temperature.

Best Wood Pellets to Use

When it comes to smoking a prime rib on a pellet grill, choosing the right wood pellets can make all the difference in the flavor of your meat. Here are a few popular options to consider:

Hickory – provides a bold, smoky flavor and pairs well with red meats like prime rib.

Oak – offers a more subtle, earthy flavor that won’t overpower the meat.

Mesquite – delivers a strong, savory flavor that pairs well with bold meats like prime rib.

Apple – gives a slightly sweet, fruity flavor that complements the natural flavor of the meat.

Cherry – offers a mild, fruity flavor that adds a touch of sweetness to the meat.

The best wood pellets for smoking a prime rib will still depend on your personal preference and taste. So don’t be afraid to experiment and try different types of pellets until you find the ones that you like best based on flavor and aroma.

Resting and Carving

After smoking a prime rib on your pellet grill, it’s important to let it rest before carving. Here’s how:

  • Once the prime rib is finished cooking, remove it from the grill and place it on a large cutting board.
  • Tent the meat loosely with aluminum foil to allow the juices to redistribute and prevent them from escaping.
  • Let the prime rib rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.

Carving a prime rib can be intimidating, but with enough practice, it shouldn’t be hard to do. Here’s how to carve a smoked prime rib:

  • Locate the bones and cut alongside them to remove them from the meat.
  • Separate the bones from the meat and set them aside.
  • Slice the meat against the grain to desired thickness and lay it out on a platter.
  • Serve the smoked prime rib with your favorite sides, and enjoy!

If you’re worried about carving your prime rib wrong, consider buying the boneless option. This should be easier to slice into your desired thickness then.

Herbed and Smoked Prime Rib Recipe

The following recipe will yield a delicious and flavorful smoked prime rib with a garlic herb crust.

Ingredients

  • 1 (6-7 lb) bone-in prime rib roast
  • 1 cup of beef broth
  • 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon of black pepper
  • 4 cups of hickory wood pellets
  • Aluminum foil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F with hickory wood pellets added.
  2. In a small pan over low heat, melt the butter and add minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the minced thyme, rosemary, kosher salt, and black pepper.
  4. Generously rub the prime rib with the garlic butter mixture, then season with the herb mixture, patting it down into curves and pockets.
  5. Place the seasoned prime rib on the grill and smoke for around 5-6 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare.
  6. While the prime rib is smoking, occasionally add beef broth to a small aluminum pan on the grill. This will keep the meat moist and add some extra flavor.
  7. Once the prime rib is finished smoking, remove it from the grill and wrap it loosely or tent it with aluminum foil while it rests for 20-30 minutes.
  8. After the resting period, unwrap the prime rib from the foil and carve it against the grain into 1/2-inch to 1-inch slices.
  9. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Conclusion

Smoking a prime rib on a pellet grill is a great way to add a delicious smoky flavor to the meat. By choosing the right ingredients, buying a premium cut of prime rib, preparing it properly, and smoking it with the right wood pellets, you can create a meal that will impress you. Always remember to let your cooked prime rib rest before carving, as this allows the juices inside to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness and flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a small get-together or a large party with friends and family, a smoked prime rib on a pellet grill is sure to please everyone.

Herbed and Smoked Prime Rib

Course Main Course

Ingredients
  

  • 1 6-7lb bone-in prime rib roast
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 4 cups hickory wood pellets
  • aluminum foil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F with hickory wood pellets added
  • In a small pan over low heat, melt the butter and add minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat
  • In a small bowl, combine the minced thyme, rosemary, kosher salt, and black pepper
  • Generously rub the prime rib with the garlic butter mixture, then season with the herb mixture, patting it down into curves and pockets
  • Place the seasoned prime rib on the grill and smoke for around 5-6 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare
  • While the prime rib is smoking, occasionally add beef broth to a small aluminum pan on the grill. This will keep the meat moist and add some extra flavor
  • Once the prime rib is finished smoking, remove it from the grill and wrap it loosely or tent it with aluminum foil while it rests for 20-30 minutes.
  • After the resting period, unwrap the prime rib from the foil and carve it against the grain into 1/2-inch to 1-inch slices
  • Serve hot with your favorite sides