How to Make a Cheap Chuck Roast Taste Like Prime Rib – You’ll Love It!

What if I told you that you could have a prime rib dinner… for the price of a burger?

What if I told you that you could have prime rib… for the price of a burger? Sounds crazy, right? But trust me—this trick will blow your mind (and your taste buds).

This method transforms a cheap chuck roast into something so juicy and flavorful your friends will think you moonlight as a steakhouse chef. And the best part? It’s stupid easy and won’t torch your electric bill.

The Secret? A Roaster Oven That’s a Game-Changer

If you’ve been here a while, you know I’m all about saving energy and money. (Slashed my electric bill from $330 to $50, and I plan on keeping it that way.)

One of the biggest energy hogs? Your oven. That beast drains 3,000 to 5,000 kWh every time you fire it up. Enter the Rival 18-Quart Roaster Oven—a small but mighty kitchen hack that:

Our big batch of tasty chili.

✅ Uses way less power
✅ Cooks insanely juicy meats
✅ Won’t turn your kitchen into a sauna

Pam spotted this little powerhouse at Target, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I’ve roasted chickens, made giant batches of chili, and, most importantly—cracked the code on fake prime rib.

This one we bought at Target.

🥩 The Fake Prime Rib Recipe

🛒 What You Need:

✅ 1 chuck roast (about 2.5 lbs) → Got ours at Target
✅ Olive oil → Give that roast a little spa day
✅ Canadian steak seasoning → The secret weapon
✅ A screaming hot pan → For a killer crust
✅ A digital meat thermometer with a cord → Trust me, this is a lifesaver

🔥 The Process (So Easy, It Feels Like Cheating)

1️⃣ Oil & season the roast generously—don’t be shy.
2️⃣ Sear it on all sides in a blazing hot pan (hello, crust!).
3️⃣ Place it on a rack in a cold roaster oven—yes, cold!
**4️⃣ Insert a thermometer into the side of the roast.
**5️⃣ Set the roaster oven to 175°F and walk away.

⏳ Cooking Time: ~2.5 hours, but trust the thermometer, not the clock.

🌡️ Goal Temp:
🥩 140°F = Medium-Rare Perfection
🔥 DO NOT OPEN THE LID. Every time you peek, you’re slowing down the magic.

6️⃣ Let it REST. Pull it out, tent it with foil, and don’t touch it for 20 minutes. If you slice too soon, all those glorious juices will run out, and you’ll cry. Don’t be that person.

Why This Works (AKA, The Science of Deliciousness)

🔥 Starting in a cold roaster lets the meat cook low and slow, making it crazy tender without drying out.
💸 Energy-efficient = Fancy steakhouse flavor without the $50 price tag.
😎 Zero babysitting required. Set it, forget it, and bask in the glory of your culinary genius.

📸 Now, Show It Off!

💬 Would you try this instead of a $50 prime rib? Drop a comment below!
📢 Tag someone who NEEDS to know this trick!
🥩 Got a killer budget-friendly meat hack? Spill your secrets!

And hey—if you love game-changing, budget-friendly meals, hit that follow button for more. Your wallet (and your taste buds) will thank you.

👉 SAVE this for later, because you WILL want to make it again!

Steve Rhode Debt Coach and Author

Steve Rhode is the Get Out of Debt Guy and has been helping good people with bad debt problems since 1994. You can learn more about Steve, here.

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