Air drying prime rib allows you to develop a delicious crust on the exterior while keeping the interior nice and juicy. However, it does require some patience as air drying prime rib can take some time. Here’s a look at how long you typically need to air dry prime rib before cooking.
What is Air Drying?
Air drying is a technique where meat is left uncovered in the refrigerator, which allows the exterior to dry out. This drying concentrates flavors on the exterior, creates a pellicle (a tacky, dry outer layer), and promotes browning when you go to cook it.
Benefits of Air Drying Meat
There are a few key benefits to air drying prime rib before cooking:
- It helps create a flavorful, deeply browned crust.
- It evaporates surface moisture so the meat sears better.
- It allows seasonings to better adhere to the meat.
- It removes some moisture to concentrate flavors.
- It firms up the exterior texture.
How Long to Air Dry Prime Rib
So how long should you leave a prime rib uncovered in the fridge before cooking it? Here are some general guidelines:
- 4 hours: This will provide some drying but minimal flavor concentration.
- 8-12 hours: This is ideal for most prime rib roasts between 4-8 pounds.
- 24 hours: Best for very large roasts (10+ pounds) to ensure the exterior is well dried.
You want the prime rib to form a tacky pellicle on the exterior without becoming overly dried out. Typically 8-12 hours is ideal, but adjust this time depending on the size and shape of your roast.
Tips for Air Drying
Follow these tips for best results when air drying prime rib:
- Pat the meat very dry before air drying. Use paper towels to absorb as much surface moisture as possible.
- Leave uncovered on a rack over a baking sheet. This allows air circulation all around.
- Air dry in the back of the fridge. The back tends to be more dry and cold.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp. You still want it at fridge temp throughout.
- Apply a liberal amount of kosher salt before air drying. Kosher salt draws out moisture.
Seasoning Tips
In addition to kosher salt, you can apply other dried seasoning to the prime rib before air drying. Some good options include:
- Cracked black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried rosemary
- Dried thyme
A basic mixture of kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary is a great combination. Just take care not to use overly coarse seasonings that may fall off during the air drying time. Kosher salt is ideal since it adheres well.
Results of Air Drying
After air drying, the prime rib will have a dry exterior that’s slightly darkened and tacky to the touch. The meat will have firmed up near the surface while remaining tender and juicy inside. And any salt or seasonings applied will have had time to penetrate deeper into the meat.
This air dried prime rib is now ready for roasting and will develop a deep, flavorful brown crust in the oven or grill while cooking to the desired doneness inside. Air drying really maximizes the flavor and texture of prime rib!
Conclusion
Air drying prime rib allows you to achieve a delicious browned and seasoned crust on the exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. For most prime rib roasts, aim for around 8-12 hours uncovered in the fridge. Use kosher salt and pepper or other dried herbs and spices to flavor the exterior. Air dried prime rib will cook up with phenomenal texture and concentrated beefy flavor!