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Low and Slow Rib Roast

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 30 minutes
Resting Time2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time5 hours 10 minutes
Course: dinner, holiday dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: anchovies, bone-in rib roast, fresh herbs, garlic, gluten free, Parsley, rib roast, rosemary, thyme
Servings: 6 people
Author: GFchow @ gfchow.com

Equipment

  • Instant Read Thermometer

Ingredients

  • 1 6-6 1/2 lbs bone-in rib-eye roast
  • 10 oil-packed anchovy fillets, chopped* plus more for serving, if desired
  • 6 sprigs rosemary and/or thyme divided; 2 sprigs chopped, 4 whole sprigs
  • 6 garlic cloves smashed in a garlic press or grated
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley plus more for garnish
  • flaky sea salt

Instructions

  • Season roast all over with kosher salt while it comes to room temp (this is especially important with large cuts of meat). The salt will draw out liquid from the roast, so it's best to place the roast on a wire rack set inside a large (but not too large) roasting pan (this setup will keep the meat from sitting directly in the liquid and allow the roast to cook more evenly later). Let sit at room temperature at least 2 hours before putting in the oven.
  • Meanwhile, chop anchovies and 2 rosemary/thyme sprigs. Transfer to a small bowl and add garlic and 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix well to combine and season with salt and pepper. It's the anchovy oil rub that gives this roast the most delicious umami crust.
  • Preheat oven to 250° on Roast setting. (This is the low and slow part). If your oven doesn’t have Roast, use Bake.
  • Remove any liquid that formed in the bottom of the pan and then place remaining rosemary/thyme sprigs on the bottom of the roasting pan. Next, smear anchovy oil mixture all over. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 110°, approx. 2 1/2 hours for medium-rare (temperature will rise as it sits; it should eventually hit 125°). Remove from oven and let rest for at least 30 minutes.
  • While meat is resting, combine parsley and remaining 1/4 cup olive oil.
  • About 20 minutes before you want to eat, increase oven temperature to 500°. (This is the high-heat, quick searing part.) Roast meat in the same roasting pan until the fat is golden brown, 10–15 minutes. (I roasted mine for 10 minutes). Tip: to reduce oven smoking, add 1/4 water to the bottom of the pan. Transfer roast to a cutting board, leaving any pan juices behind.
  • Cut bones away from rib roast (you can separate bones and crisp up in the oven or serve them as they are). Then slice meat to your preferred thickness. Arrange sliced meat and rib bones on a platter and pour parsley oil mixture over. Sprinkle with sea salt and more parsley, if desired.
  • Do Ahead: Meat can be low and slow roasted 2 hours ahead. Store loosely covered with foil at room temperature. And then finish with the high heat 20 minutes before you're ready to serve.

Notes

*As the rib roast cooks, the anchovies melt so no one will know there are anchovies in this dish unless you tell them!  All they'll know is that the roast has an amazing umami crust.  If you love anchovies though (like I do), I highly recommend adding some to the parsley oil.
Cook time for medium-rare is approximately 25 minutes per pound of meat for a 250-degree oven. If you like your meat more well-done, cook the roast for additional time.  Start with an additional 10 minutes. Then check the temperature with the instant-read thermometer.  It should read 140-145 degrees for Medium and 150-155 degrees for Medium-Well. If it hasn't hit the desired temperature, keep cooking and testing in 10-minute increments until desired doneness is reached.
When finishing the roast on high heat, smoke will build up in your oven from the fat cooking off. To avoid smoke from billowing out of your oven and into your kitchen (and possibly setting off your smoke alarm), use the tip I mentioned above...add some water to the bottom of the pan!