You may know au jus as the classic accompaniment for French dip sandwiches. But this liquid can be used to enhance the flavor of a Sunday roast, prime rib and more. This is how to make au jus from the pan drippings of any beef roast.
What is au jus?
Au jus is a French term meaning “with juice” and is made with the juices that come from your meat during cooking. It’s not the same as beef broth, as broth is made from simmering beef shanks in water and adding other herbs and seasonings to create a flavorful liquid. (You may combine your pan drippings with beef broth to create au jus for dipping, though.)
There’s also confusion between au jus and brown gravy; however, these are not the same thing. In most kitchens, gravy is made by combining the pan drippings along with a thickening agent, such as cornstarch, to create a thick, rich sauce.
Au Jus Ingredients
- Meat drippings
- Carrot
- Celery
- Onion
- Dry red wine
- Beef stock
- Salt
- Coarsely ground pepper
Directions
Step 1: Heat the drippings
In a roasting pan, heat meat drippings over medium-high heat. Alternatively, you can pour the drippings into a saucepan to create the au jus. Scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 2: Add the vegetables
Add carrot, celery and onion; cook and stir until vegetables are lightly browned and tender. It will take about 3 to 5 minutes. Keep scraping brown bits from the bottom of the roasting pan with a wooden spoon.
Step 3: Add wine and stock
Add the wine and stock into the roasting pan or saute pan. Simmer until slightly thickened and aromatic, about 5 to 7 minutes. Whisk continuously while cooking to create a smooth sauce.
Test Kitchen Tip: For optimal flavor, use a high-quality wine. We suggest a malbec or merlot. If you want to add a boost of flavor to your homemade au jus, use homemade beef stock!
Step 4: Strain
Strain through a fine mesh sieve.
Step 5: Season and serve
Season with salt and pepper and serve with prime rib or other cooked beef.
Test Kitchen Tip: To thicken your au jus slightly, you can mix together equal parts corn flour and water and pour slowly into the sauce.
What to Serve with Au Jus
If you’re making this au jus out of the drippings from a freshly roasted prime rib or roast beef, spoon the sauce over the meat before serving. You can also put it in a small bowl on the side for dipping. Using your slow cooker to make shredded French dip is another great option!
Au jus isn’t unique to beef roasts. You can also make it out of a roast leg of lamb or a roasted chicken. Follow the same steps in the recipe above and swap out the beef broth for chicken broth for either of these options.
Au Jus Tips
How do you store leftover au jus?
To store leftover au jus, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze leftover au jus by dividing it in an ice cube tray, freezing and then placing the cubes into a resealable plastic bag in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Is au jus gluten-free?
If you are gluten-free, the above au jus recipe is 100% for you! If you add other flavors to your homemade au jus, such as Worcestershire sauce, be sure the ingredients are gluten-free.
