Easy Prime Rib Soup Recipe

Looking for an easy and comforting way to use up leftover prime rib? This Prime Rib Soup Recipe is the perfect solution, especially after the holidays when you’ve got extra meat to work with. Not only does it showcase tender, melt-in-your-mouth prime rib, but it also incorporates a hearty mix of vegetables that enhances the depth of flavour in each spoonful. The best part? You can add a flavorful bone broth made from prime rib bones, which adds a rich, savoury base that elevates the entire dish.

Whether you’re crafting this soup for a cosy family dinner or looking for an efficient way to use leftovers, this recipe is sure to become a favourite in your rotation.

Why Prime Rib Soup is the Ultimate Comfort Food

Prime Rib Soup is the epitome of comfort food. It combines the tender, juicy beef from leftover prime rib with a medley of vegetables that soak up the savoury broth. The rich flavours meld together, creating a soul-warming dish that nourishes both body and spirit. The addition of prime rib bones in the broth further enhances the depth of flavour, making each spoonful an experience to savour. It’s the kind of meal that brings people together, perfect for chilly evenings or a gathering with friends and family.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Perfect Prime Rib Soup

Prime Rib Soup Ingredients:

• Cubed leftover prime rib (about 3 cups): Tender and juicy, these chunks of prime rib will be the star of the soup.
• Olive oil: Used to sauté the vegetables and prime rib, giving the soup a smooth, flavorful base.
• Yellow onion (1 large): Adds sweetness and depth to the soup’s flavour profile.
• Minced garlic (4 cloves): The garlic enhances the savoury undertones of the soup.
• Beef broth (4 cups): A base for the soup, or substitute with bone broth for a richer taste.
• Canned tomatoes (1 can, 14.5 oz, with juices): Tomatoes add acidity and brightness to balance the richness of the beef.
• Italian seasoning (1 tbsp): A fragrant blend of herbs that complements the beef and vegetables.
• Salt and pepper: Season to taste, adjusting for the sodium levels in your broth.
• Russet potatoes (2 medium, cubed): Potatoes add a creamy texture and make the soup more filling.
• Carrots (2 medium, sliced): Provides a burst of colour and sweetness.
• Celery (2 stalks, sliced): Adds freshness and crunch.
• Green beans (1 cup, chopped): Optional, but they bring a lovely pop of colour and flavour to the soup.

Optional Bone Broth Ingredients:

• Prime rib bones (minimum of 3): These will serve as the foundation for a deeply flavorful broth. The marrow and connective tissue in the bones add richness and body to the liquid.
• Carrots: Use whole carrots cut into chunks. Their natural sweetness will complement the savoury broth.
• Celery: Adds a fresh, slightly peppery taste that balances the richness of the beef.
• Yellow onion: A key aromatic to build flavour, with its mild sweetness and depth.
• Garlic: Adds a fragrant, savoury element that ties everything together.
• Apple cider vinegar: A touch of acidity helps draw out the minerals from the bones and deepens the flavour of the broth.
• Bay leaves: A classic herb that imparts a subtle, earthy flavour to the broth.

Note: Roasting the vegetables before adding them to the pot can amplify their flavours, giving your broth a more complex taste.

Tools and Equipment

To make your Prime Rib Soup with ease, you’ll need the following tools:

• Dutch oven: A heavy pot perfect for simmering and slow cooking, ensuring even heat distribution.
• Chef’s knife: For chopping vegetables and slicing the prime rib.
• Cutting board: Essential for food preparation.
• Ladle: For serving the soup.
• Soup bowls: To dish out your delicious creation.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Handy for stirring and scraping the fond from the bottom of the pot.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Prime Rib Soup

How to Make the Prime Rib Soup:

1. Sauté the onion and garlic: In a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant.
2. Add the vegetables: Stir in the cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, and celery. Cook for a few minutes to begin softening the vegetables.
3. Add the prime rib and broth: Add the leftover prime rib and beef broth (or your homemade bone broth). Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Scrape the fond: As the mixture heats up, use a spatula to scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot—this adds flavour.
5. Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes. If you prefer your green beans to be softer, add them halfway through cooking.
6. Taste and adjust: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt, pepper, or herbs as desired.

How to Make Optional Bone Broth:

1. Place bones and vegetables in a large pot. Add the prime rib bones, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and bay leaves into the pot.
2. Cover with water: Fill the pot with enough water to cover the bones and vegetables completely.
3. Add apple cider vinegar: Pour in the apple cider vinegar to help extract the nutrients from the bones.
4. Simmer for 4-5 hours: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 4-5 hours. If you’re short on time, you can simmer it for at least 30 minutes, but the flavour will be deeper with longer cooking.
5. Strain the broth: Once the broth has developed a rich flavour, use a slotted spoon to remove the bones and vegetables. Discard them or use the vegetables in the soup if you like.
6. Enhance with beef base: If you’re short on time, consider adding a beef base like Better Than Bouillon to intensify the flavour.

Important Cooking Notes

As you cook, it’s essential to taste and adjust the seasonings along the way, especially salt. Different broths can vary significantly in sodium content, so you may need to tweak the amount of salt depending on the brand you use. Don’t hesitate to adjust as you go to ensure a balanced, flavorful soup.

Customization and Variations

Prime Rib Soup is highly adaptable, and there are countless ways to make it your own:

• Add more vegetables: Try adding peas, corn, or even kale for added texture and nutrition.
• Pasta or potatoes: You can substitute some of the potatoes with pasta for a heartier version of the soup.
• Alternative proteins: If you don’t have prime rib on hand, beef pot roast, grilled ribeye, cooked ground beef, or even rotisserie chicken, make great substitutes.
• Mushroom soup: For a vegetarian twist, leave out the meat and use mushrooms to create a rich, earthy flavour.

Serving Suggestions for Prime Rib Soup

Prime Rib Soup is a hearty dish, and there are a few side dishes that pair beautifully with it:

• Bread: Serve with crusty bread or garlic bread for a satisfying meal.
• Crackers: A bowl of crunchy crackers is a great addition for added texture.
• Garnishes: Fresh herbs, a dollop of sour cream, or grated cheese can elevate the soup to the next level.

To make your meal feel even more festive, consider serving the soup with a light salad on the side or a glass of red wine to complement the rich flavours.

FAQs

Are prime rib bones good for broth?

Yes! Prime rib bones make an excellent base for broth, imparting a deep, rich flavour due to the marrow and collagen in the bones.

Which is the best way to cook prime rib?

Prime rib is best cooked in the oven using a slow-roasting method to achieve a tender, juicy result. Roasting at a low temperature, followed by a brief high-temperature finish, ensures even cooking.

What kind of beef is best for soup?

For soup, cuts with a bit of fat and connective tissue, like chuck roast or short ribs, work well as they become tender and flavorful during slow cooking.

Why is prime rib so tasty?

Prime rib is highly marbled with fat, which contributes to its rich, juicy flavour and tenderness when cooked correctly.

Is the recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this Prime Rib Soup Recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Can other proteins be used instead of prime rib?

Absolutely! Beef pot roast, grilled ribeye, or even rotisserie chicken are great alternatives.

Conclusion

This Prime Rib Soup Recipe is more than just a way to use leftovers—it’s a delicious, comforting dish that will quickly become a family favourite. Its versatility allows you to experiment with different.