How to Make a Prime Rib Mustard Rub

Prime Rib is a natural choice for a holiday or special event dinner because it’s a rich and flavorful cut of beef that comes with a premium price tag. If you’re trying to make the most of your roast, what you rub on the surface before cooking could have a bigger impact than you might think.

Mustard has become one of the most popular options as a base for a prime rib rub in the last few years. So what’s making this common yellow condiment so popular as a rub? It’s the fact that the mustard not only adds flavor but also affects the texture of the finished meat. Find out more to decide if this is the right rub for your next Prime Rib.

What Kind of Prime Rib to Use

A full standing rib roast is the best match for this kind of powerful rub. Smaller boneless rib roasts can also work, but the rub might overwhelm the more delicate flavor that comes from these cuts of beef. Stick with the classic rib roast since it’s quite fatty. The mustard in this recipe is designed to help cut through the fattiness and bring out the flavor of the meat, but that same effect is sometimes overwhelming instead if you don’t pair it with the right cut.

You don’t have to buy a USDA Prime rated Prime Rib just to get great results with this rub. Even Choice rated beef will turn out great with this rub helping to tenderize the meat and bring out the best of its flavor.

What Kind of Mustard to Use

Avoid the standard yellow mustard you might prefer for a hot dog at a backyard cookout. It’s a little too high in vinegar for this recipe and the mustard is too finely ground. Dijon mustard is a good choice because the mustard is more coarsely ground, forming a crust that traps moisture inside the roast while adding a greater depth of flavor.

Stone ground brown mustard can also work well. However, some people find it a little too spicy when paired with Prime Rib. Honey mustard is a good option if you prefer a sweeter taste. Just make sure you’re choosing a product with real honey in it.

Recipe Variations

This rub is largely based around fresh green herbs that help balance out the taste of the mustard. If you’re more of a garlic fan, swap the green herbs for just a tablespoon of dried mixed Italian herbs and increase the garlic cloves to 6 to 8 instead. This creates a much more garlic dominant flavor that goes great with side dishes like mashed or roasted potatoes.

If you’re not a fan of mustard at all, this same rub works great if you swap the 1/3 cup of mustard for 1 stick of softened butter. The butter increases the fattiness of the finished meat rather than cutting through it, but that’s what some diners prefer. Olive oil and a mix of dried herbs like smoked paprika, rosemary, and thyme also make a great rub that doesn’t compete with the natural flavor of the Prime Rib. It’s all a matter of personal taste, both of you as the cook and your diners.

Prime Rib Mustard Rub Recipe

Take the Prime Rib out of the refrigerator and let it stand for about 20 to 30 minutes to come to room temperature before cooking. Pat the surface of the roast with paper towels to absorb any moisture before applying the rub. Without this step, the rub is likely to slide off rather than stick when the cooking begins. Mix up this rub right before using it since some of the ingredients may lose flavor if they’re added ahead of time.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup of Dijon or brown stone ground mustard
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons of fresh oregano, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon of fresh marjoram, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme, rubbed off the stems
• 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary, rubbed off the stem and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon of honey or brown sugar (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of cracked black pepper

Instructions

1. Mix all of the rub ingredients together in a small dish. Rub onto the dry surface of the Prime Rib right before cooking. If any is left, you can brush more on halfway through cooking with a clean basting brush. Discard after use.

Conclusion

Mixing up a custom mustard rub for your Prime Rib is sure to impress everyone you’re serving for the holidays. You just might love this flavorful combination so much that you try it on steaks, pork roasts, and more. Don’t be afraid to add a few dashes of your favorite dried herbs and spices as well to round out the flavor profile and make it your own.