Au Jus is a French term meaning “with juice.” It is a thin mixture of stock and the natural juices that come out of meat when it is cooked. Au Jus is often served as an accompaniment to beef dishes, enhancing their flavor and taste. In this article, we will explore the history of Au Jus, its ingredients, how to prepare it and some serving suggestions. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about this delicious sauce.

What is Au Jus?

Au Jus is a type of sauce made from meat juice, stock, and other flavorings. The term “au jus” simply means “with juice” in French and refers to the natural juices that seep out of the meat while it’s cooking. The sauce that results from these juices is rich in flavor and adds depth to any beef-based dish that it accompanies.

History of Au Jus

The history of Au Jus dates back centuries ago when the French used to make sauces from the leftover juices of roasted meats. They would create several variations of the sauce by adding different herbs, spices, and even wine to enhance its flavor profile. Today, many restaurants also serve Au Jus as a dipping sauce to accompany roast beef sandwiches or French dips.

How is Au Jus Different From Beef Gravy?

Beef gravy is a thicker sauce made by combining flour and butter with stock or broth. It is meant to be served over mashed potatoes, rice, or any other starchy side dish. On the other hand, au jus is much thinner because it only consists of meat juices and stock/broth for added flavor.

Ingredients

To make delicious homemade Au Jus, you will need the following ingredients:

- Beef bones (4-5 lbs)
- Onion (1 large)
- Garlic (5-6 cloves)
- Carrots (2 medium)
- Celery (2 stalks)
- Thyme (1 tablespoon)
- Rosemary (1 tablespoon)
- Bay leaves (2-3 leaves)
- Water (6 cups)
- Red wine or sherry (optional)

Equipment Needed

You will also need these items to prepare your homemade Au Jus:

- Roasting pan
- Dutch oven or large pot
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Fat separator (optional)

Preparation

Making Au Jus at home is relatively easy but requires patience because you’ll be slow-cooking the ingredients. Follow these steps to make Au Jus at your very own kitchen.

1. Roast the beef bones

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the beef bones on a roasting pan and roast them for about 30 minutes until they’re browned and caramelized.

2. Prepare the vegetables and herbs

While the bones are roasting, chop the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery into small pieces. Add your thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves to a small bowl to have it ready for later.

3. Combine the ingredients in a Dutch oven or large pot

Once the meat is roasted, transfer it to a large pot or Dutch oven. Add in all of your chopped vegetables/herbs and pour enough water to cover everything in the pot.

4. Slowly simmer the mixture for several hours

Bring the pot to a boil over high heat then reduce it to low and let it simmer for up to six hours. This long cooking process will allow all of the flavors of your ingredients to meld together.

5. Strain and cool the broth

After several hours of cooking, strain out any solids from your mixture using either a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Let the liquid cool before transferring it into a sealed container that you can place inside your fridge.

Hacks and Tips

Here are some tips to enhance the flavor profile of your Au Jus:

- Adding red wine or sherry - If you want to add a unique flavor to your Au Jus, you can consider adding some red wine or sherry to the mix.
- Using a fat separator to remove excess fat - Use this tool to separate the excess fat from your broth, so it doesn’t overpower the flavor of your sauce.
- Freezing the Au Jus for future meals - Store any excess Au Jus in sealed containers and freeze them for future meals.

Serving Suggestions

Au Jus is best served alongside beef dishes. Here are some ideas on how you can serve it:

- Prime Rib
- Roast Beef Sandwich
- French Dip Sandwiches
- Beef Tenderloin
- Steak Frites

Alternate Uses for Au Jus

Au Jus is not just limited to beef dishes. Here are some creative ideas for using your homemade batch of Au Jus:

- Use it as a dipping sauce for egg rolls or spring rolls.
- Drizzle it over mashed potatoes or other starchy side dishes.
- Use it as a dipping sauce for grilled chicken or pork chops.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Au Jus

After making your Au Jus at home, transfer any excess liquid into sealed containers and refrigerate immediately. The broth can last for up to four days in your fridge and up to six months in your freezer. To reheat frozen broth, allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between beef broth and au jus?
Beef broth is made by simmering beef bones, meat, and vegetables in water. Au jus, on the other hand, has an added richness from being slow-cooked with roasted beef bones, herbs, and vegetables.

2. Can I use store-bought beef broth for this recipe?
While you could use store-bought beef broth, it wouldn’t give you the same depth of flavor that homemade beef broth would. Making it at home ensures that you’re using fresh ingredients and gives you more control over the taste.

3. How long does homemade au jus last in the fridge?
Homemade Au Jus can last for up to four days in the refrigerator and up to six months in your freezer.

Conclusion

If you’re a beef lover, then Au Jus is a must-try sauce. Making it from scratch at home gives you control over how much fat and salt goes into your sauce and enhances the flavor profile of any beef dish. Follow the simple steps outlined in this article to enjoy delicious homemade Au Jus the next time you indulge in a beef-based meal.

Frequently Asked Questions about Au Jus Recipe

What is Au Jus?

Au Jus is a French term, which means “with juice”. It refers to a thin liquid sauce served with roasted meat or beef. The sauce is made with meat drippings and broth, which creates a flavorful and savory accompaniment to the meal.

What are the best meats to serve with Au Jus?

Roast beef
Prime rib
Lamb chops
Pork loin
Rib eye steak

What do you need to make Au Jus sauce?

The ingredients for making Au Jus sauce include:

Meat drippings
Beef broth or stock
Dry red wine
Garlic cloves (optional)
Salt and black pepper (to taste)

How do you make homemade Au Jus sauce?

To make homemade Au Jus sauce, follow these steps:

Pour in the drippings from your roasted meat into a pan.
Add beef broth or stock and dry red wine into the pan.
Add garlic cloves and season with salt and black pepper (according to preference).

< li>Bring mixture to a boil then simmer for at least 20 minutes until the sauce reduces into a thin consistency.

Can I make Au Jus sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! Au Jus sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated when needed. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days or freeze it for later use.

How can I thicken my Au Jus sauce?

If you want to thicken your Au Jus sauce, add a cornstarch slurry after the sauce has simmered to reduce. Whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water and pour into the pan while continually stirring until it thickens to your preferred consistency.

What are some recommended herbs and spices to use with Au Jus sauce?

Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Bay leaves
Parsley

Any of these herbs can be included during the cooking process for extra flavor when making your Au Jus sauce.

au jus recipe