Easy Beef Au Jus Sauce
If you’ve ever eaten roasted prime rib, you know just how flavorful it is. Au jus sauce is so delicious because it’s concentrated with that great meaty flavor.
Au Jus is a simple sauce that elevates any humble dish.
It even tastes great on side dishes, such as drizzled over grilled baked potatoes, crispy potatoes and onions, or with a slice of sourdough french bread.
What Is Au Jus Sauce?
Au jus is a French term meaning “with juice.” This simple sauce is traditionally made with the meat drippings of a slow-cooked beef roast.
It’s perfect for dipping sandwiches, like French dip sandwiches, into, or for spooning over a hearty steak.
Any time you have prime rib on your menu, make sure to plan a meal featuring this sauce shortly afterward!
Once you try it, you’ll never want to pass up the opportunity to transform beef drippings into this delectable, savory sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This au jus sauce is…
- Easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
- A great way to use up beef drippings.
- So flavorful and savory!
- Ready in under 15 minutes
- Perfect for dipping sandwiches or spooning over steak.
- Currently trending, so it’s a hit at parties and gatherings!
Tell Me About This Recipe
- Taste – It’s rich and flavorful, without being too heavy. The key to this homemade au jus sauce is using the pan drippings from a slow-cooked beef roast. I like to make a big batch of prime rib for our holiday dinners and then use the leftovers to make this sauce.
- Texture – The texture is smooth and velvety, with a slightly thickened consistency. It’s somewhere between broth and gravy as far as thickness. It’s the perfect dipping sauce!
- Ease – This au jus sauce recipe is so easy to make! You literally just need to mix all the ingredients together in a saucepan and heat until thickened. Following the order in this recipe helps everything come together perfectly. I like to roast my beef in the same pot that I will make the au jus in, but if you prefer to roast your beef in a roasting pan, just pour out the fat drippings in the bottom of the roasting pan and you will get just as much flavor.
- Time – The best thing about this flavorful sauce is that it’s a quick and easy recipe that can be made in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients for Au Jus Sauce
- Beef drippings – It’s what makes the sauce so flavorful, so don’t skip this! Beef drippings from a prime rib roast are best, but you can also use the juices from another beef roast or any beef drippings in general. Be sure to make use of the meat juices and brown bits that are on the bottom of your pan when you make this sauce!
- Beef broth – I like to use low-sodium beef stock so that I can control the amount of salt in the sauce. You could also use beef bouillon for this recipe – just mix it according to the directions so you have the right amount.
- Flour – It thickens the sauce and gives it body. Use white flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour if you need this recipe to be gluten-free.
- Thyme – This is my favorite herb to use in au jus, but you could also use rosemary or sage.
- Salt and black pepper – Add it to taste for perfectly seasoned au jus sauce.
How to Make Au Jus Sauce
- In a small saucepan, warm up your beef drippings over medium-low heat. The beef drippings are warm enough when they start to clear up and lose some of the cloudiness.
- Add in your flour 1 tablespoon at a time until it begins to thicken, whisking constantly. It helps to gently shake the flour into the pan as if you’re seasoning it rather than dump heaps of flour into it. That way, the flour can more easily mix in to the sauce.
- Pour in the beef broth slowly while whisking constantly. Continue stiring until the sauce is totally smooth.
- Increase heat and allow the au jus to boil just until it begins to thicken, then remove it from heat immediately.
- Add thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.
And that’s it! So easy and so delicious. Serve it immediately with your favorite sandwich or steak dinner. Enjoy!
Pro Tips for Au Jus Sauce
If you made this easy au jus recipe and have leftovers, pop the remaining sauce into an ice cube tray and freeze it for easy use later!
This au jus is super simple, but if you want something already prepared for you, you can grab a packet of au jus gravy mix.
Add Ins for Incredible Homemade Au Jus
- Diced Red Onion- Dice up a half of a red onion and sauté it before adding it to the au jus mix.
- Worcestershire sauce- Do you want a bit of tang to your sauce? Add in 2 tablespoons of this to give it a zip.
- Garlic Powder- A teaspoon of garlic powder will take this sauce to the next level.
- Onion Powder- If you don’t have an onion in your kitchen, this will do in a pinch.
- Soy Sauce- Add this to give your sauce depth of flavor, but be careful because it will also add a lot of sodium. Be sure to add this before you add any additional salt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any beef drippings will work for this recipe – just use whatever you have on hand. Beef broth can also be used in a pinch, but it won’t be nearly as flavorful.
Yes, you can make au jus sauce up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Beef gravy is usually made with beef broth, flour, and seasonings. Au jus sauce is made with beef drippings, which gives it a richer flavor. Beef gravy is also typically thicker than au jus sauce.
Yes, you can freeze au jus sauce for up to 3 months. Store it in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it on the stove.
This sauce is perfect for dipping sandwiches, like French dips, into. It’s also great for spooning over steak or other beef dishes.
If your sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by whisking in a little more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Alternatively, you can let it simmer for a few minutes longer to allow it to reduce and thicken.
Drippings from grass-fed beef will be the healthiest option, since it’s much more nutritious. Choosing organic beef is also a good idea to avoid unwanted hormones and antibiotics. You could also use low-sodium beef broth to help reduce the amount of salt in the sauce.
What to Serve with Au Jus Sauce
Here are a few of my favorite recipes to serve with au jus sauce:
- French Dip Sandwiches – These sandwiches are the perfect vehicle for dipping into this homemade sauce and the hoagie roll is perfect for soaking up the beef au jus. They’re easy to make and always a hit!
- Steak Frites – This classic steak and fries dish is delicious spooned with au jus sauce.
- Roasted Beef Tenderloin – This show-stopping entree is delicious with a simple sauce.
- Bread – A simple slice of bread is the perfect way to mop up all that delicious au jus sauce.
- Noodles – This sauce is also great spooned over noodles and beef tips.
As you can see, there are endless possibilities for what to serve with au jus sauce. Give it a try and enjoy! It’s an addictive recipe that everyone can’t ever get enough of.
Au Jus Sauce Recipe
Au Jus Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- 1 small saucepan
Ingredients
- ¼ cup drippings from slow cooked prime rib roast
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- In a small saucepan on medium heat, warm up your beef drippings.
- Add in your flour 1 tablespoon at a time until it begins to thicken, whisking constantly.
- Pour in the beef broth slowly while whisking.
- Increase heat to medium high and allow the au jus to boil until it begins to thicken once more.
- Add thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.
