What is the difference between prime rib and ribeye

With so many different cuts of beef on the market it can be downright confusing. To add to the confusion, many times a cut of meat will have several different names. So, we are going to try to clear things up when it comes to Ribeye vs. Prime Rib, so when you go to your butcher’s shop or local market you know what you are buying.

Table of Contents Show

What is a Ribeye Steak and Where is it Cut From?
What is Prime Rib and Where is it Cut From?
Tip for Buying a Ribeye Steak or Prime Rib
Summing it up: Prime Rib vs. Ribeye
Which is a better steak prime rib or ribeye?
Is prime rib and ribeye same?
Is prime rib or ribeye more expensive?
Is a whole ribeye a prime rib?

So, are they the same, or are they different? Well, the difference between prime rib and ribeye steak is actually not

that much. They are both from the same cut of beef, which is the rib primal. This cut is under the front section of the backbone. The rib primal is where you get the popular cuts such as beef ribs, ribeye steaks, and your prime rib.

What is a Ribeye Steak and Where is it Cut From?

Like we mentioned the ribeye comes from the rib primal cut, but to go further, it is cut from the standing rib roast,

which is also referred to as prime rib. When it is cut from the rib roast, it usually still has a rib attached. At this point it is usually considered as a rib steak, or a bone in ribeye. Once this bone is removed, it is generally now considered a ribeye steak.

A ribeye is a great steak, which has a generous amount of marbling. This marbling helps it turn out rich and juicy, especially when it is grilled, and of course grilling is the preferred method of cooking a ribeye.

What is Prime Rib and Where is it Cut From?

As with the ribeye, prime rib comes from the rib primal cut. It is often referred to as a standing rib roast, because when it is cooked it is set with the ribs down and stands on top of the rib bones. This roast usually contains from 2 to

7 ribs. Prime rib can be purchased bone-in or boneless.

Prime rib is a great choice for a spacial occasion, or when entertaining a group of people. It is a flavorful cut of beef because is has a large section of meat surrounded by marbling. The whole roast has is surrounded with a thick cap of fat. What you end up with is a juicy, tender cut of beef.

Prime rib is best cooked to rare or medium-rare, otherwise it will turn out tough, chewy, and dry. You can either roast or grill your prime rib, but of course, I always lean toward grilling. Grilling will help to brown the roast, and melt the fat to make it tender and juicy.

Tip for Buying a Ribeye Steak or Prime Rib

Price is always a factor with everything. Both prime rib and ribeye a good cuts of beef, so you will pay a premium for

a higher quality cut. One thing to note about prime rib, is that the term prime in the name has nothing to do with the USDA Prime cuts of meat. Most meat you get from the market will be either “select” or “choice” quality, prime cuts are usually reserved for restaurants. The “prime” in prime rib refers to it being from the rib primal cut.

The summer months are a great time to find deals on ribeye steaks, as a lot of markets will discount these cuts to make more sales. The same it true with prime rib around the holidays. It is a popular cut of beef during the holiday season, so you can find some good deals on them.

Now we come down to the names when you are out looking to buy one of these cuts of beef. It is always a confusing thing, as different cuts of meat can go by several different names. You have to know what you are buying so you know you are getting a good cut of meat at the right price.

Ribeye steaks go by several different names, so look out for these when you are going out to buy one: Ribeye Roll Steak, Ribeye, Rib eye, Bone-in Ribeye, Rib Steak, Delmonico Steak, Scotch Fillet, Beauty Steak, Market Steak, and Spencer Steak. Too many different names right? For the most part, if you just ask for a Ribeye steak, you will given the right cut.

Prime rib also has several different names, so this is what you might find when you are out looking to buy one: Ribeye Roast, Standing Rib Roast, Newport Roast, Bone-in Rib Roast, and Prime Rib. Again, if you ask for a prime rib, you will get pointed to the right cut.

Summing it up: Prime Rib vs. Ribeye

Hopefully that cleared up some of the confusion about the difference between ribeye and prime rib. It is very confusing since you have these two very different cuts of beef that come from the same section of rib primal. And on top of that the ribeye is cut from the rib roast. Not to mention all the different names each cut can go by.

Regardless of the confusion, these are both really tasty cuts of beef, that you need to throw on the grill. A ribeye steak is my favorite go to steak for grilling up, and I do love a prime rib on the grill during the holidays, or if I go out to a nice restaurant. Make sure you give both a try.

When you are enjoying a slice of prime rib, or a juicy ribeye steak, you need a good knife. Check out my favorite steak knives.

Which is a better steak prime rib or ribeye?

Good beef is very much in the eye of a beholder, and both the prime rib and ribeye are great cuts with a reputation for great flavor and a smooth texture. However, if you order the prime rib you going to get a cut of a roast, not a steak. So if you want a traditional steak cooked fast and hot, stick to the ribeye.

Is prime rib and ribeye same?

The cut is from the rib roast, aka prime rib. To be considered a ribeye, the steak must be cut before the roast is cooked. The cuts are then sold as ribeye steaks. Prime rib cuts are larger than ribeye cuts since they include the ribeye and the bone.

Is prime rib or ribeye more expensive?

On average, per pound, a prime rib cut will cost less than a ribeye cut. Prime rib cuts include all of the bones surrounding the cut, as well as the muscle and fat. Ribeye cuts are leaner and often come boneless, making them a more expensive per-pound choice.

Is a whole ribeye a prime rib?

Both Prime Rib and Beef Ribeye Roast are the same cut of meat (also called a standing rib roast, boneless prime rib, or boneless rib roast). The only difference is that Prime Rib is typically roasted bone-in, but boneless Prime Rib often called a Beef Ribeye Roast.