Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (2024)

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Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (1)

Cheryl MalikPosted: 12/11/19Updated: 10/29/23

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This au jus recipe is so rich and flavorful and can be made with or without drippings! Perfect alongside my easy prime rib recipe, for French dip sandwiches, or over beef and noodles. So much flavor, quick, and easy.

Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (2)

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • Au jus recipes may seem intimidating, but I promise this one’s super easy. You’ll have no trouble at all making a delicious, savory sauce that’ll impress even the pickiest eaters.
  • We use the fewest ingredients we can to get the most flavor possible! Some recipes might call for just drippings + broth + flour, which works for a very basic au jus. This au jus recipe, though, also uses a little red wine and Worcestershire to really put it over the top!
  • You can make it with or without beef drippings! Sure, classic au jus starts from meat drippings, but you may not always have those handy, so it’s nice to have an alternative.
  • It’s super easy to make paleo or gluten-free if you need to! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a dietarily appropriate one, and if you’re gluten-free, make sure your Worcestershire sauce is compliant!
Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (3)

What Is Au Jus and How Do I Use It?

Au jus (pronounced like “zhoo”) is a French culinary term meaning “with juice.” It’s a perfect, easy way to enhance the flavor of your meaty dishes by using the meat’s own juice to create a sauce. What’s great about my recipe is that while it has the same rich, savory taste of a traditional au jus, you don’t need to use any beef drippings to make it. This makes it perfect for pre-made dishes or just when you want a dip for your sandwich!

Au jus is a basically a thin gravy, so you can use it in very similar ways. It’s perfect for serving with a meat dish like prime rib roast or roast chicken, over beef and noodles, or as a dip for beef sliders.

Chef’s Tips

  • You don’t need an expensive red winefor the perfect au jus. I recommend something with a bit of body, like a malbec or shiraz. You can easily find one that’s perfect for cooking for under $5 a bottle.
  • Be sure to keep whisking the au jus while you’re cooking it so it doesn’t get clumpy. You want it to stay nice and smooth.
  • This au jus recipe is perfect for a make-ahead option. To store your au jus, keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You can also freeze your au jus in an ice cube tray, then transfer to a sealable plastic bag or other airtight container and keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.
  • If you are on a strict gluten free diet, make sure your Worcestershire sauce is gluten free. It can contain malt vinegar, which contains wheat byproducts.
Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (4)

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Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (5)

4.63 from 95 votes

Au Jus Recipe

This au jus recipe is so rich and flavorful and can be made with or without drippings! Perfect alongside my easy prime rib recipe, for French dip sandwiches, or over beef and noodles. So much flavor, quick, and easy.

8 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter or beef drippings
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour see Notes for gluten free or paleo
  • ¼ cup red wine or beef broth
  • 2 cups beef broth divided
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • salt & pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Saucepan

Instructions

  • In saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter (or beef drippings) then sprinkle in flour. Whisk thoroughly until thin paste forms.

    Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (6)

  • Vigorously mix red wine into flour mixture. Mixture will likely become purple and gooey. Continue cooking over medium-high heat for 2 minutes or until sharp alcohol smell is gone.

    Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (7)

  • Slowly pour in ½ cup of beef broth. Whisk vigorously to combine.

  • Once beef broth is incorporated, pour in remaining broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring mixture to boil and cook 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Make it Gluten Free: Use 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour in place of the all-purpose flour. Make sure your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free, too.
  • Make it Paleo: Use 2 tablespoons cassava flour in place of the all-purpose flour.

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1serving, Calories: 69kcal, Protein: 1g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 294mg, Potassium: 59mg, Total Carbs: 2g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Net Carbs: 1g, Vitamin A: 175IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 1mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (8)

Meet Cheryl Malik

In addition to being a certified health coach, certified yoga instructor, and mom of 3, Cheryl is also the recipe developer, editor-in-chief, food photographer, and passionate foodie behind 40 Aprons. Having spent the last 10+ years as a food blogger, she's become known for her flavorful recipes, detailed instructions, gorgeous photography, and down-to-earth approach to food and cooking in general.

Read more...

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  1. Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (12)Millie says

    Thank you so much. This was quick and easy to make on the roast ..God blessAu Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (13)

    Reply

    • Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (14)Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      So glad you enjoyed it, Millie! 😊

      Reply

  2. Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (15)Kat Wood says

    My husband was 50 years old before he realized Gravy wasn’t a beverage. Lol. He loved this recipe and suggested I use it on everything I cook! Haha. It is definitely a keeper and I can now say goodbye to gravy packages and jars. This was so easy to make (no lumps) and the taste is amazing. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (16)

    Reply

    • Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (17)Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      So glad you loved it! Thank you so much for the wonderful review. 😊

      Reply

  3. Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (18)Beth Ozenghar says

    Wry good would make again for sureAu Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (19)

    Reply

    • Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (20)Megan | 40 Aprons Team says

      So happy you enjoyed it, Beth! Thank you so much!

      Reply

  4. Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (21)Danny says

    The recipe didn’t taste bad, it just didn’t taste at all like au jus. And I did use Beef Bone Broth. Maybe it’s a vegetarian recipe or maybe Alabama au jus is just different. But I think you would need real beef drippings from a roast in order to make this correctly and have it taste like real au jus. Just my 2 cents.Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (22)

    Reply

    • Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (23)Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      So sorry to hear it wasn’t to your liking!

      Reply

  5. Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (24)James says

    Pretty salty without any salt added. Also, fairly cloudy for au jus (assuming the roux). Added some liquid and it was pretty good. Good base sauce.Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (25)

    Reply

    • Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (26)Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      Thanks for sharing, James!

      Reply

  6. Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (27)Erin says

    Used this recipe for beef on weck tonight because we used sliced deli roast beef. I added a sprig of fresh rosemary for a couple of minutes while simmering to give it a hint without overdoing it. It was fantastic!Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (28)

    Reply

    • Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (29)Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      Yumm! So glad you loved it, Erin! 😊

      Reply

Older Comments

Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons (2024)

FAQs

Au Jus Recipe (With or Without Drippings) - 40 Aprons? ›

Although au jus is not intended to be gravy, you can thicken the sauce by melting 1 tablespoon of butter in a microwave-safe bowl, adding 1 tablespoon of flour, and whisking these together. Then, add about 2 tablespoons of the prepared au jus sauce to the butter-flour mixture.

What is the best way to thicken au jus? ›

Although au jus is not intended to be gravy, you can thicken the sauce by melting 1 tablespoon of butter in a microwave-safe bowl, adding 1 tablespoon of flour, and whisking these together. Then, add about 2 tablespoons of the prepared au jus sauce to the butter-flour mixture.

What is the difference between pan jus and au jus? ›

In practice, the jus is enhanced by deglazing the pan with stock and then simmering the liquid with mirepoix before straining and serving it. Au jus is generally -- but not always -- unthickened, which is what distinguishes it from a pan gravy.

What can I use if I don't have au jus gravy mix? ›

Alternatively, you can use pre-made beef bouillon granules. Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the beef bouillon granules (or crushed cubes), onion powder, dried parsley flakes, white pepper, garlic powder, and celery salt. Use a whisk or a fork to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly mixed.

Is au jus gravy the same as au jus sauce? ›

Both may use pan drippings from the roast, but au jus is a light sauce, while the gravy is thickened using a roux. Make a roux to whisk into the sauce to make gravy from your au jus sauce.

What are 3 methods for thickening sauces? ›

Ways To Thicken Sauce
  • Tomato Paste. If your soup or stew is watery, adding tomato paste may help! ...
  • Arrowroot. You might prefer to avoid gluten in your recipes. ...
  • Flour. ...
  • Reduce Your Liquid. ...
  • Puréed Vegetables. ...
  • Egg Yolk. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Rice.
Jul 15, 2022

Is it better to thicken stew with flour or cornstarch? ›

Cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. When a gravy, sauce, soup or stew recipe calls for flour, use half as much cornstarch to thicken. To thicken hot liquids, first mix cornstarch with a little cold water until smooth. Gradually stir into hot liquid until blended.

Can I use onion soup mix instead of au jus mix? ›

Au jus mix is typically made from a roast, then condensed. Beef gravy mix is made from a roast and thickened with cornstarch. But, you can substitute a beef gravy mix or dry onion soup mix if you don't have au jus mix.

Is brown gravy mix the same as au jus mix? ›

Like gravy, jus (pronounced zhoo) starts with the drippings from cooked meat. Unlike gravy, however, it is not thickened with flour; instead, the liquid is reduced until it reaches the desired consistency, which is usually thinner than gravy.

Can I use beef bouillon instead of au jus mix? ›

You absolutely can use chicken broth or bouillon cubes. I'd go easy with the bullion though, it's usually salty. A couple of tips though: Start by searing the meat well on all sides to develop color and flavor. You'll also leave some fond in the pot, which you'll lift off and infuse into your cooking liquid.

What can you add to homemade gravy to make it taste better? ›

Bonus: Seasoning for Tasty Gravy

I only season my homemade gravy with salt and pepper, and it's delicious! If you want to add more spices, avoid anything with large pieces (such as dried rosemary) to keep gravy smooth. Thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, paprika, and oregano all taste great.

Can I use water instead of stock for gravy? ›

Originally Answered: How to make gravy without broth? You don't need a meat broth to make gravy. You can use water, milk, or cream to make a gravy. Brown flour in hot drippings or other fat, then slowly add the liquid while stirring.

Is beef consomme the same as au jus gravy? ›

Au Jus is not gravy, or just plain stock, but has a deep rich flavour which complements the sandwich. Originally it was the beef dripping or the juice leftover from the cooking process. I use a consommé as a base to start my flavouring, using plain stock won't taste the same.

What is au jus mix made of? ›

Homemade Beef Au Jus Recipe
  1. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or rendered chilled beef roast fat.
  2. 1 peeled and medium diced yellow onion.
  3. 1 medium diced rib of celery.
  4. 1 peeled and medium diced carrot.
  5. 2-3 smashed garlic cloves.
  6. ½ cup red wine.
  7. 4 cups beef stock or pan drippings.
  8. 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce.
Dec 16, 2022

What does with a side of au jus mean? ›

the juices that come out of a piece of meat when it is cooked, used as a sauce: The beef comes with a side of au jus.

What does au jus mean in English? ›

The phrase au jus literally means "with the juice" in French. In cooking and dining, it refers specifically to the "juices" that are released when you cook a piece of meat.

How do Chinese restaurants thicken sauces? ›

Many Chinese recipes call for corn starch to be added to a sauce in the final stages of cooking. However, if you don't add it properly you will wind up with clumps of cornstarch instead of a smooth sauce. Another interesting fact, most Chinese people still prefer to use potato starch to thicken the sauce.

How do Chinese thicken their sauces? ›

The most common one is corn starch, potato starch, and tapioca starch. Just don't use wheat flour. Maybe you can try your luck with farmer's markets.

How do you thicken a sauce that's too watery? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency.

What is the French technique to thicken sauce? ›

Beurre Manié (French for “kneaded butter”) is made by mixing equals parts of softened butter and flour. This dough or paste is used to thicken sauces, soups and stews.

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