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Never buy Au Jus mix from the store again! Homemade beef Au Jus is quick and easy to make and perfect for French Dip Sandwiches or roasts. This simple stove top recipe starts with either butter or beef drippings and gets its robust flavor from red wine, beef broth, and a few other ingredients you most likely already have.
Why this recipe is so great:
Au jus is the term used to describe the natural juices and cooking liquid from meat; beef, in particular. It is most commonly known to be served alongside a French Dip Sandwich for dipping or with a delicious roast.
- You control the ingredients: Most people think you can only make Au Jus from a packet, but one look at the ingredients and you might change your mind. With this recipe, not only can you modify the recipe based on your preferences, but you will know exactly what you are eating.
- The perfect light broth or gravy: Ideally, Au Jus isn’t made. You simply use the leftover cooking liquid when braising a roast. But, if there is no cooking liquid because you grilled or roasted the meat or are trying to enjoy leftovers, you must improvise. This recipe is simple to make, yet has just enough to incorporate just the right amount of flavor.
- Use butter or drippings: If you are grilling, roasting, or smoking a roast, be sure to collect the drippings with a pan under the roast. It will give the Au Jus incredible flavor. But, butter can be used just as easily.
Ingredients needed:
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.
- Butter or drippings with a bit of flour to slightly thicken the sauce
- Red wine
- Beef broth – use homemade beef stock if you have it, otherwise store bought is fine
- Spicy brown mustard and Worcestershire sauce for that extra zing
- Salt and pepper – be sure to add the right amount of salt to balance out the tart
How to make Au Jus:
Detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.
- Make roux: Add butter (or beef drippings, if using) to sauce pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir with a whisk to combine. Allow to cook for several minutes to slightly brown the flour.
- Add wine: Pour wine into pan, whisk to combine, and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the alcohol to burn off.
- Add remaining ingredients: Add remaining ingredients to the pan, stir to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer. Au jus is ready to serve now, or heat can be reduced to low for it to be served later.
Serve Au Jus with:
- Roasted Prime Rib Roast
- Smoked Prime Rib Roast
- French Dip Sandwiches
- Leftover Prime Rib Sandwiches
If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter or drippings from beef roast
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt add more, to taste
- freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make roux: Add butter (or beef drippings, if using) to sauce pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir with a whisk to combine. Allow to cook for several minutes to slightly brown the flour.
- Add wine: Pour wine into pan, whisk to combine, and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the alcohol to burn off.
- Add remaining ingredients: Add remaining ingredients to the pan, stir to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer. Au jus is ready to serve now, or heat can be reduced to low for it to be served later. If excess fat from drippings remains on the top, a Gravy Fat Separator can be used, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This whole time I thought Au Jus was the broth from a beef roast. Seriously. Years of thinking that. And now I learn that the reason it tastes so incredible is because it’s so much more than that? Yes. Exactly what I needed! Love this!
My family loves french dip sandwiches, and I am so glad I found your recipe it was the perfect addition!
This flavor is spot on! I loved every bite of it!