An easy au jus recipe is a simple sauce that can be made in just 5 minutes. You don’t even need beef drippings for this recipe. Drizzle it over your favorite meats, serve it with French dip sandwiches, and more.
Beef broth and au jus are two essential ingredients in many classic recipes. Their rich, meaty flavor can elevate soups, stews, gravies, sauces, braised dishes, and more. But can they be used interchangeably? What exactly is the difference between beef broth and au jus? And is it possible to substitute one for the other? This guide will explain everything you need to know.
Beef Broth vs. Au Jus: What’s the Difference?
While beef broth and au jus are both made from beef, they are produced through different methods.
Beef broth is made by simmering beef bones, meat, and vegetables in water to extract flavor. Onions, carrots, celery, and herbs are common additions. The result is a rich, hearty liquid that can be used as a base for soups and stews.
Au jus refers to the natural juices that are released from meat as it cooks These meat juices are seasoned, often with just salt and pepper. Au jus has a thinner consistency and more concentrated beefy flavor than beef broth
So while beef broth and au jus share some similarities, key differences include:
-
Ingredients – Beef broth uses bones and vegetables, au jus just uses meat juices.
-
Seasoning – Au jus tends to have simpler seasoning compared to broth.
-
Consistency – Au jus is thinner while beef broth has more body.
-
Uses – Beef broth works well in hearty dishes, au jus as a sauce or finishing drizzle.
Can You Substitute Au Jus for Beef Broth?
The short answer is yes, you can substitute au jus for beef broth in most recipes. However, a few adjustments may be needed:
-
Reduce seasoning – Since au jus is typically saltier, reduce any salt and other seasonings in the recipe. Taste and adjust as you go.
-
Add thickness – The thinner consistency of au jus may require adding a thickener like cornstarch or flour to achieve the right texture.
-
Enhance flavor – To compensate for au jus’ stronger flavor, you may need to increase aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs.
-
Adjust liquid content – The thinner au jus may cause a dish to be more watery, so reduce other liquids as needed.
Tips for Replacing Beef Broth with Au Jus
When using au jus in place of beef broth, keep these tips in mind:
-
Stir in a teaspoon of beef base or bullion to add richer flavor and depth.
-
Cook au jus down to reduce volume if the dish seems too thin.
-
For stews and braises, sauté mirepoix veggies first to compensate for lack of broth aromatics.
-
Whisk in a little cornstarch slurry at the end for thicker gravies and sauces.
-
Freeze au jus in ice cube trays for easy use in smaller amounts.
Can You Use Beef Broth Instead of Au Jus?
You can substitute beef broth for au jus, but the flavor will be different. Since broth has a more complex seasoning, it may overpower a dish meant to highlight pure beef flavor. However, it will add nice richness and body.
To use beef broth in place of au jus:
-
Mix in extra beef drippings or dissolved beef base for meatier flavor.
-
Simmer uncovered to reduce and concentrate broth.
-
Season simply with just salt and pepper to mimic au jus.
-
For French dip sandwiches, skim fat from chilled broth for clearer dipping liquid.
-
Strain through a coffee filter for super clear finishing sauce consistency.
Best Uses for Beef Broth vs. Au Jus
Understanding the unique characteristics of beef broth and au jus will determine which is better for your recipe.
Best uses for beef broth:
-
Bases for hearty soups and stews
-
Braising and simmering tough meat cuts
-
Cooking grains like rice, farro or barley
-
Adding richness and body to gravies and sauces
Best uses for au jus:
-
Serving with roasts like prime rib or pot roast
-
Dipping sauce for French dip sandwiches
-
Drizzling over steaks, chops, or roasted meat
-
Adding pure meaty flavor to pan sauces
-
Moistening shredded beef for tacos or sandwiches
Other Substitutes for Beef Broth and Au Jus
Besides swapping these two ingredients, other possible substitutes include:
-
Beef consommé
-
Vegetable, mushroom, or chicken broth
-
Beef stock or bullion
-
Water or wine plus seasonings
-
Onion soup mix and water
-
Soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
-
Tomato juice or puree
Homemade Versions
For the freshest, most natural flavor, make beef broth and au jus yourself:
Homemade beef broth:
Simmer beef bones, meat trimmings, onions, carrots, celery, herbs and water for 8-12 hours.
Homemade au jus:
Roast meat low and slow until very tender. Deglaze the pan with wine or broth, then simmer while scraping up browned bits. Season with salt, pepper, and spices to taste.
Storing and Freezing Beef Broth and Au Jus
To retain freshness, store homemade or store-bought beef broth and au jus:
-
In airtight containers in the fridge for 4-5 days
-
In freezer bags or containers for 4-6 months
-
Portion into ice cube trays or muffin tins to thaw amounts as needed
-
Reduce first for concentrated flavors when freezing
No more confusion over beef broth versus au jus! Follow these tips to use them interchangeably or as stand-alone ingredients. Your soups, stews, braises, drizzles and more will be richer, heartier, and meatier.
can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, this is an easy recipe to make ahead of time. In the fridge, it will last up to three or four days if kept in a container that keeps air out.
about this au jus recipe
I absolutely adore a rich au jus, especially when it’s served alongside a classic French dip sandwich. This sauce is an important part of cooking and can make even the most basic dishes taste better.
The beauty of any au jus lies in its versatility. It makes a great dipping sauce and also tastes great when drizzled over your favorite meats. It really enhances their flavor!.
The best part is that you only need a few simple things to make this au jus sauce, and it still tastes great.
The truth is, this au jus recipe is very versatile. In traditional au jus, the meat juices from a beef roast are used. But the version I’m about to show you can be made with or without those tasty meat juices. It’s a great choice when you don’t have any beef drippings on hand but still want to make a quick roast beef slider or a French dip sandwich to dip in au jus.
Now, as we transition into the fall and winter months, I find myself preparing more roast beef recipes. Having a reliable au jus recipe in my arsenal is a must. Not only is this sauce light and tasty, but it’s also a great way to keep meats moist when you reheat them.
The best part is that you can make this au jus in just 5 minutes. It will add rich, savory flavor to your food. No matter what you’re cooking, this au jus will make it taste even better, whether it’s a French dip, roast beef, or something else.
Can I use beef broth instead of au jus?
FAQ
Is au jus a substitute for beef broth?
What is the best substitute for beef broth?
Is beef bouillon the same as au jus?
What’s the difference between au jus and beef consommé?
Can you substitute beef broth for au jus?
Mix 2 tablespoons of corn starch with ¼ cup of water to make a slurry. Slowly add the slurry until you reach your desired consistency. Your doctored-up beef broth (or regular beef broth) can be used in a 1:1 substitute for au jus in any recipe.
Is au jus the same as beef broth?
While au jus is a thinner liquid like beef broth, they are not the same thing. Beef stock or beef broth is used in the au jus recipe. Au jus actually uses drippings from a roasting pan, making it a light sauce. Even if you don’t have the drippings to work with, this recipe gives added flavor that beef broth and stock just do not have.
What can I substitute for au jus?
Chicken broth (homemade or storebought) If you don’t have any beef broth or stock on hand but happen to have chicken broth you can use that as a substitute. The flavor will obviously be different than au jus since it is made from chicken rather than beef. However, this milder flavor can still be a delicious and lighter alternative.
Can you substitute beef stock for au jus?
Since beef stock is made from simmering beef bones and meat scraps, it has a similar rich flavor that au jus gets from the meat drippings. Therefore, it is a perfect flavor substitute. While you can use beef stock powder on its own as a substitute, you will get the closest flavor substitute by adding herbs and seasonings.