Why Prime Rib Makes the Best Christmas Dinner

Photo: Robert W. Schott/The Denver Post/Getty Images

A year ago, I wouldn’t have described myself as a nostalgic person or someone who craves annual holiday celebrations. But since the beginning of December, I’ve been feeling like something is missing. Yes, like many people I’m celebrating the holidays without the usual cast of loved ones. Yet, also absent are some of the traditions that make this time of year special.One of those rituals that’s tugging at both my heart and my appetite this time of year is prime rib. 

Growing up, I was fortunate that the holidays signaled a decadent prime rib dinner, either at home or at an old-school steakhouse. When we were lucky enough for the latter, we’d make the trek to one of San Francisco’s most iconic restaurants, House of Prime Rib, which opened its doors in 1949. With wood paneled walls, a carpet seemingly as old as the restaurant and a fireplace in the dining room, the restaurant always made for the perfect backdrop for a holiday dinner. And because this was the ’90s, my Christmas outfits, often a crushed velvet dress, would happily match the velour details throughout the restaurant.

Servers would shuttle the prime rib to the table in a steel cart like its own personal sputnik and then carve the meat tableside. For extra flair, the house salad would get spun and prepared at your table in a dressing that the menu simply described as “unique.” 

I’m not alone when it comes to this holiday and warm thoughts of prime rib. Even with many restaurants closed and steakhouses doing their best to stay afloat, there are still ways to enjoy the tradition this year. 

What is the best prime rib recipe? Prime Rib with smashed peas and creme fraîche. Photo: Bryan Gardner for The Wall Street Journal

The best prime rib doesn’t require a long list of steps or ingredients. Since there’s not much preparation aside from planning ahead, let the dish speak for itself by sourcing high-quality meat available at a local butcher. If that’s not available, cuts of prime rib are often available at warehouse retailers such as Costco. The combination of slow-roasting and generous marbling delivers a cut that’s juicy and flavorful. The ideal sides are just as straightforward as the main attraction, think mashed potatoes or creamed greens. To celebrate at home, try the Salt and Pepper Prime Rib with Smashed Peas and Spicy Crème Fraîche recipe pictured above. 

Where does prime rib come from?

Prime rib, also known as standing rib roast, is from one of the nine primal cuts of beef known as the primal rib, which is the same part of the cow as a ribeye. Prime rib generally consists of anywhere between two to seven ribs.

How to celebrate a prime rib dinner with a smaller group? Photo: CHELSIE CRAIG FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, FOOD STYLING BY PEARL JONES, PROP STYLING BY BETH PAKRADOONI

Prime rib is usually for a gathering of eight or more but to approximate the indulgent holiday tradition, a smart substitute could be sirloin like the one above. A classic, bone-in ribeye also makes an excellent stand-in while maintaining that steakhouse nostalgia. Even better? This recipe gets dinner on the table within 20 minutes opposed to the hours required to slow-roast a large cut of beef. 

Why is prime rib popular now?

It never fully stopped being popular. It’s prominence now is tied to the larger resurgence of throw-back snacks and retro food fare including French onion dip and salami roll-ups once sequestered to steakhouse menus that have been making a comeback over the last few years. 

Write to eleanore.park@wsj.com

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