If you’re looking to add a savory and delicious flavor to your roast beef, French dip sandwiches, or prime rib, making au jus might just be the secret to achieving that perfect taste. Au jus is a rich sauce made from meat drippings that are typically served alongside beef dishes. With its intense beefy flavor, homemade au jus is the perfect accompaniment to spice up your beef dishes.

While some people may be intimidated by the task of making au jus from scratch, it’s actually a straightforward and simple process. You only need a few ingredients and some time to prepare this delicious sauce at home. In this article, we’ll guide you through easy steps to making au jus to give your beef dishes a mouth-watering punch of flavor. So, read on to learn how to make au jus like a pro!

Section One: Ingredients Needed for Making Au Jus

1. Meat

The first and most important ingredient in making Au Jus is meat. Beef is the most popular meat used, especially when served with prime rib roast or steak. However, you can also use chicken and pork to make the delicious sauce. Make sure the meat is tender and properly cooked before using its drippings to make the sauce.

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2. Broth

To make Au Jus, you need beef broth, which adds flavor and adds depth to your sauce. You can either use low-sodium or regular beef broth, depending on your preference. Homemade broth is an excellent option for making Au Jus, but you can also use store-bought.

3. Red Wine

A little red wine can bring an extra layer of flavor to your Au Jus. Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent choice, but you can also use Merlot, Pinot Noir, or other red wines. Make sure not to use cooking wine because it contains salt and other additives that can negatively affect the taste of the sauce.

4. Garlic

Garlic adds an excellent flavor and aroma to your Au Jus. You can either use fresh garlic, minced garlic, or garlic powder depending on what you have at hand. If you’re using fresh garlic, make sure to chop it finely for better consistency.

5. Onion

Onions add a subtle flavor to your Au Jus and improve the taste of the sauce. You can either use white, yellow, or red onions, depending on your preference. Chop the onions finely, so they don’t alter the texture of the sauce.

6. Herbs

Herbs such as thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and parsley can add a pleasant aroma to your Au Jus. Adding herbs to your sauce can give it a unique flavor you won’t find in other beef sauces.

7. Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper are essential ingredients in making Au Jus. They help to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients. Always season appropriately to avoid the sauce being over or under-seasoned.

8. Butter

Butter is optional in making Au Jus, but it can be added to give the sauce a rich and creamy texture and flavor. If you prefer a dairy-free option, you can omit butter and use olive oil instead.

9. Flour

Flour is used to thicken the sauce and give it a smooth consistency. If you have a gluten allergy or intolerance, you can use cornstarch instead of flour.

10. A Saucepan

Lastly, a saucepan is needed to put all the ingredients together. Choose a large enough saucepan that will allow you to mix all the ingredients comfortably. It also ensures that the sauce doesn’t spill over when the mixture boils.

Ingredients for Making Au Jus

When it comes to making a delicious au jus, ingredients are everything. The right ingredients can take a dish from good to exceptional. Here are some of the key ingredients necessary to make a flavorful au jus:

Beef Stock

Making an authentic au jus requires using beef stock. Beef stock contains all the necessary flavors and components that make an au jus rich and savory. If you’re making a homemade beef stock, it’s essential to use quality beef bones, vegetables, and herbs. Commercially made beef stock is also an option, but be sure to select one that is low in sodium.

Red Wine

When adding red wine to your au jus, it’s important to use a full-bodied wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. These wines have the necessary tannins and complexity that pairs well with beef. The addition of red wine will also help to enhance the flavor profile of your sauce.

Garlic

Garlic is a powerful seasoning that can take your au jus to the next level. As it infuses with the stock, garlic adds depth and complexity to the sauce. When using garlic, it’s best to use fresh garlic cloves that have been crushed or minced.

Herbs

Rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves are all excellent herbs that pair well with beef stock. These herbs complement the flavors in the stock and help to enhance the taste of the au jus. Be sure to use fresh herbs for the best flavor.

Onion

Onions are another essential ingredient in au jus. When cooked down, onions add a subtle sweetness that balances out the flavors in the sauce. Use yellow onions, as they have a milder flavor compared to other types of onions.

Butter

Butter is the key to achieving a rich and velvety texture in your au jus. Adding a few tablespoons of butter to the sauce will also add a subtle nuttiness and creaminess. Be sure to use unsalted butter to control the amount of sodium in your dish.

Cornstarch or Flour

Adding a thickening agent like cornstarch or flour will help to give your au jus a thicker, more luxurious consistency. These ingredients also help to enhance the flavor of the sauce. Be sure to dissolve the cornstarch or flour in cold water before adding to the sauce.

Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper help to bring out the natural flavors in the ingredients used to make au jus. Use a light hand when seasoning, as you can always add more later.

Water

Water is necessary to help create a balanced and flavorful au jus. Be sure to use filtered or purified water to avoid any impurities or unwanted flavors.

Tomato Paste (optional)

Tomato paste is an optional ingredient in au jus, but it can add a subtle sweetness and depth to the sauce. Use no more than two tablespoons of tomato paste to avoid overpowering the other flavors.

Methods for Making Aus Jus

Once you have all the ingredients of the aus jus ready, it’s time to start cooking. There are several methods you can use to make the perfect aus jus for your dish. Here are five of the most popular methods:

Method 1: Using the Drippings

One of the easiest ways to make aus jus is by using the drippings from your roast beef. Here’s how you can do it:

Ingredients Instructions
Roast beef drippings 1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the roast beef drippings and cook until they’re sizzling.
Beef broth 2. Pour in some beef broth and whisk together with the drippings. Use 1 cup of beef broth for every cup of drippings.
Red wine 3. Add some red wine to your taste and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the mixture thickens.
Seasoning 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Method 2: From Scratch

If you don’t have any roast beef drippings, you can still make a delicious aus jus from scratch. Here’s how:

Ingredients Instructions
Beef bones 1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the beef bones on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 45 minutes or until they’re browned.
Vegetables 2. In a large pot, add some chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are soft.
Water 3. Add water to the pot until it covers the vegetables and bones. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Herbs and Seasoning 4. Reduce heat to a simmer and add some fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary, as well as salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the mixture for about 4 hours, or until it reduces down to a thickened liquid.

Method 3: Using Soy Sauce

Using soy sauce in your aus jus adds a unique flavor to the sauce. Here’s how you can do that:

Ingredients Instructions
Beef broth 1. Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add beef broth and soy sauce (use 1 cup of beef broth and ¼ cup of soy sauce).
Cornstarch 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch and some cold water to create a slurry.
Slurry 3. Add the slurry mixture into the saucepan and stir constantly. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.
Seasoning 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Method 4: Adding Butter

Using butter in your aus jus not only adds richness, but it also helps thicken the sauce. Here’s how you can do that:

Ingredients Instructions
Beef broth 1. Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add beef broth and butter (use 1 cup of beef broth and 2 tablespoons of butter).
Slurry 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch and some cold water to create a slurry.
Slurry 3. Add the slurry mixture into the saucepan and stir constantly. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.
Seasoning 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Method 5: Using Red Wine

Adding red wine to your aus jus gives it a distinctive flavor that pairs well with beef. Here’s how you can do that:

Ingredients Instructions
Beef broth 1. Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add beef broth and red wine (use 1 cup of beef broth and ¼ cup of red wine).
Cornstarch 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch and some cold water to create a slurry.
Slurry 3. Add the slurry mixture into the saucepan and stir constantly. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.
Seasoning 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

There you have it – five simple yet delicious ways to make aus jus that will enhance any beef dish that you’re cooking. Try each method, experiment with different ingredients and find the one that works best for your needs and palette. Happy cooking!

That’s How You Make Au Jus!

Now you know the secret to making the perfect au jus to accompany your favorite beef dishes. It’s not so hard to make, right? You can always enhance the flavor by adding your favorite herbs and seasonings. We hope you enjoyed our way of making au jus. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop us a message. Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you again soon! Get ready to impress your friends and family with your delicious au jus. Cheers!