Beautifully marbled and juicy when cooked well, prime rib is one of the most decadent cuts of beef one can pull off at home. There are many mistakes to avoid when cooking prime rib at home, but if you find a deal on the beef and want to freeze it until steak night, there are even more mishaps to skirt. Freezing the meat extends how long you can wait to cook it, but freeze the prime rib incorrectly, and the pricey cut will go to waste.
The best way to freeze prime rib is to remove it from the packaging it was in at the butcher or grocery store. Then, use a paper towel to pat it dry and remove excess moisture or blood from the packaging. Perhaps the most important part of the process is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent any freezer burn — you can double wrap it in aluminum foil or put it in a freezer bag for an extra layer of protection. Don’t forget to mark the wrapped meat with the date so that you know how long it has been in the freezer. As a reminder, the freezer should be set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Signs of spoilage and how to defrost frozen prime rib
When the prime rib is stored properly, it can technically last for an indefinite period of time. However, to take advantage of the beef’s fresh flavors, it’s best to thaw, cook, and eat the prime rib within one year. The freezer should prevent spoilage, but if you notice any discoloration or signs of mold, then something went wrong, and the beef shouldn’t be cooked. Visible discoloration and dryness are signs of freezer burn, which likely means that you didn’t wrap it well enough.
If your frozen prime rib is free of those signs, then it’s time to defrost and cook. The best way to thaw the large cut of beef is in the fridge. Depending on the size of the roast, it might take a couple of days for it to completely thaw. Although not ideal, it’s safe to use the defrost setting on your microwave if you can’t wait any longer. Then, follow the best ways to cook cuts of beef like prime rib to ensure the wait was worth it, perhaps with our Instant Pot prime rib recipe.
