Make every meat dish utterly irresistible with the simple addition of this delicious gravy! Au jus is a rich and satisfying sauce that can be made with or without beef drippings in just 15 minutes! Whether you add it to beef, chicken, or a sandwich, we guarantee it will be an instant hit with the entire family.
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What Is Au Jus?
When you cook any meat dish in a pot or pan, it produces juices that are used to create a thin sauce or gravy that the French have called ‘au jus’, meaning “with juice”. This thin sauce or gravy enhances the flavor of other dishes, such as beef roast, roast chicken, beef and noodles, or when it’s used as a dip for beef sliders.
What Is Au Jus Gravy Made Of?
Au jus is a light gravy made from the fat drippings of cooking meat, such as roast beef. It’s a French culinary term that means ‘served with the natural juices of cooked meat’.
How to Make Au Jus
- Over medium-high heat, melt the beef drippings (or butter) in a saucepan. Add the flour and whisk thoroughly to form a thin paste.
- Add the red wine and continue to whisk the mixture over a medium heat until the sharp alcohol smell disappears – about 2 minutes. It will likely have a slightly gooey texture and consistency.
- Slowly pour in ½ cup of beef broth, whisking constantly to combine. When the broth has been incorporated, add the rest as well as the Worcestershire sauce.
- Bring the mixture to the boil and cook until it has slightly thickened – about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve with the dish of your choice!
Tips for Making the Best Au Jus
- This au jus recipe calls for red wine but it doesn’t need to be an expensive one. A Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon will complement the beefy flavor perfectly.
- Whisk the au jus mixture constantly while cooking to ensure that no clumps form. It should be smooth and silky when it’s ready.
- Au jus can be made in advance and stored until you need it. In the fridge, it will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. To freeze, pour the gravy into an ice tray, freeze, and then transfer to an airtight bag or container for up to 6 months.
- If you need to make the sauce gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and Worcestershire sauce. Worcestershire sauce may contain malt vinegar which features wheat byproducts.
Is Au Jus Just Beef Broth?
No, au jus has a slightly thicker consistency thanks to flour, making it more like a sauce or gravy than a beef broth. A broth is usually added to a soup or stew, whereas au jus can be used as a standalone sauce, gravy, or dip to enhance the flavor of a dish.
What Is The Difference Between Au Jus And French Dip?
Au jus is a key ingredient in French Dip. French Dip is a sandwich of sliced roast beef (or pork, ham, turkey, and lamb), served on French bread and eaten with au jus on the side in a small dipping bowl. Without the jus, French dip would just be meat inside bread or a roll, so the jus is actually central to the meal.
Can You Substitute Onion Soup Mix for Au Jus?
It has a similar flavor to au jus (with a slightly heavier onion taste), so onion soup mix often replaces this delicious gravy in recipes. Over medium heat, mix 1 tablespoon of onion soup mix with 1 tablespoon of water in a small saucepan. Leave to simmer for a few minutes until it is thick and bubbly.
Au Jus Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup beef drippings or butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Over medium-high heat, melt the beef drippings (or butter) in a saucepan. Add the flour and whisk thoroughly to form a thin paste.
- Add the red wine and continue to whisk the mixture over a medium heat until the sharp alcohol smell disappears – about 2 minutes. It will likely have a slightly gooey texture and consistency.
- Slowly pour in ½ cup of beef broth, whisking constantly to combine. When the broth has been incorporated, add the rest as well as the Worcestershire sauce.
- Bring the mixture to the boil and cook until it has slightly thickened – about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve with the dish of your choice!
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