Tired of watery, flavorless au jus? Craving that rich, savory gravy that elevates your roast beef or prime rib to the next level? Then you've come to the right place! This homemade au jus recipe is unbelievably easy, surprisingly quick, and delivers a depth of flavor that blows store-bought options out of the water. Get ready to experience the perfect complement to your favorite roast, and impress your family and friends with this simple yet elegant addition to your next meal.
Ingredients: You'll need these simple ingredients for a flavorful au jus.
- 2 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup dry red wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
- 2 tablespoons beef base (or 1 tablespoon better than bouillon beef base)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
Instructions: Simple Steps to Au Jus Perfection
This recipe prioritizes ease and speed without sacrificing flavor. Let's get cooking!
Step 1: The Flavor Base
In a small saucepan, whisk together the beef broth, red wine, beef base (or better than bouillon), flour, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and black pepper. Make sure there are no lumps of flour. This is the foundation of your amazing au jus.
Step 2: Simmering Perfection
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and becomes glossy. This is where the magic happens – the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 3: The Butter Touch
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cold butter, one tablespoon at a time. This creates a wonderfully smooth and luxurious texture. The cold butter helps prevent the sauce from becoming grainy.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Your homemade au jus is ready! Serve it immediately alongside your favorite roast beef, prime rib, or even French dip sandwiches.
Cooking Tips for Au Jus Success
- Roast Drippings: For an even richer flavor, use the drippings from your roast beef as the base instead of beef broth. Simply strain the drippings before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Better Than Bouillon Alternative: If you don’t have beef base, you can use Better Than Bouillon. One tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon equals approximately 1 tablespoon of this recipe. Adjust to your taste.
- Wine Choice: Feel free to experiment with different types of red wine. A bolder wine will result in a more robust au jus.
- Fresh Herbs: For an elevated flavor, use 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme instead of dried thyme.
- Salt Adjustment: Taste the au jus before serving and add salt if needed. Remember that beef broth and beef base already contain some sodium.
Au Jus Variations: Explore Different Flavor Profiles
- Mushroom Au Jus: Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped mushrooms to the saucepan along with the flour. Saute them briefly before adding the other ingredients.
- Garlic Au Jus: Add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic to the saucepan along with the flour.
- Spicy Au Jus: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for a kick.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
This nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 100-120
- Fat: 8-10g
- Protein: 2-3g
- Carbohydrates: 2-3g
This homemade au jus recipe is a delicious and easy way to elevate your next meal. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Give it a try and let us know what you think! Enjoy your delicious, homemade au jus!