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.
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What Make This Au Jus 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!
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 wine for 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.
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Au Jus Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
Au Jus
- 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
Instructions
- In saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter (or beef drippings) then sprinkle in flour. Whisk thoroughly until thin paste forms.
- 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.
- 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!
Video
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.
Nutrition
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Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She’s been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.
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Alex says
I’m very very new to cooking and I was able to make this sauce easily and didnt mess it up. It tasted absolutely fantastic and I dont think I’ll ever use a different kind.
Atara says
Versatile recipe for a faux french dip sandwich! I veganized it using vegan “beef” broth and added a touch of spicy mustard, sliced onion and some baby bellas. Thank you for sharing!
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Delicious!
Martha says
Just made this for our Christmas prime rib dinner. Perfect! Thank you for your easy to follow directions.
Merry Christmas 🎄
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
That sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
Mike H says
A delicious and easy recipe, thank you!! One additional ingredient suggestion, I add just a little bit of espresso (about 1 1/2 tsp instant espresso), I found it adds a depth to the flavor yet not so much you taste the coffee.
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Thanks for the awesome review!
Alex says
This turned out great! I wasn’t planning to make my own au jus but I forgot to pick up some and didn’t realize until 15 minutes before dinner and this recipe saved me! Nice simple quick recipe, no need to overcomplicate. I used merlot and recommend you add a little salt at a time at the end it doesn’t need much. Thank you for saving dinner! Had with thin sliced brisket and seasoned roasted potato/carrot/sweet potato.
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
So glad you enjoyed!
Page says
What beef broth do u recommend for this recipe-most are bland or way to salty! Thanks
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
We like the kind from Sprouts!
Vickie says
So good and so easy. We had it tonight and even though I goofed and put in too much flour I recovered and added a little more butter and broth. A little thicker but soooo good.
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Kelly says
This is awesome. Made it with gluten free flour and Worcestershire sauce.
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Yummy!
Heather says
I’m thinking of making this Sunday, do you think I could use the drippings from the ground beef I made today for something else?
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
Hmm, maybe a type of soup or other gravy?
Kim says
So tasty. Best Aj jus ever!!
Cheryl Malik says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Dawn says
Great recipe but FYI, as a parent of 2 children with celiac disease this recipe is not gluten free. It contains Worcestershire sauce which contains malt vinegar/barley. Make sure you have a certified gluten free Worcestershire sauce before using.
Cheryl Malik says
Thank you for the reminder! I’ll make sure that I clarify that.
Nikki says
This was the best au jus I have ever tasted and the instructions were so easy and friendly. I am a French Dip fanatic and order one whenever I have the chance. This au jus was what I have been searching for!! I didn’t have any beef drippings so I am so glad you had the alternative. So glad I found this recipe!
Amelia Camurati says
So glad you loved this one!!
Heather says
Really easy and tasty. I’m using it in a crockpot recipe since I didn’t have a package of the dry mix.
Carla says
Is there nothing you can’t do?!? This was the best Au jus I’ve ever had …. and I made it. Your recipes are so easy to understand and while I’ve made possibly fifty or so recipes of yours, I have yet to have a disappointment. I say it every time I leave a comment – WAITING FOR YOU TO COME OUT WITH A COOKBOOK!! You’re amazing. Thank you.
Cheryl Malik says
Aw, you’re so sweet! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my recipes!
Chris says
This was really really easy and tasted great with our roast beef
Cheryl Malik says
I’m so glad you liked it!
Linda says
Easy and delicious
Cheryl Malik says
Hooray! 🙂