What’s better than a French Dip Sandwich? French Dip with Easy Homemade Au Jus! This recipe is so easy you won’t believe it, and you’ll never use a mix again!
“Au Jus” is a French term that means “with juice”. It sounds fancy, but in reality, is very basic. As a child, my dad made French dip sandwiches for us after my mom used her pressure cooker to make pot roast.
I absolutely LOVED French dip sandwiches and savored every bite. I’ve kept this family tradition alive by making French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus whenever we have pot roast rub left over. French Dip’s were a regular on our meal rotation when our kids were growing up. It was always quick and easy, and (BONUS!!) everyone loved it.
There are a few different ways to make a French Dip sandwich with beef Au Jus. Deli meat works if you don’t have leftover roast. As a general rule, I buy about 1/3 lb of deli meat (very thinly sliced roast beef) for each person. If you want to keep the bread from getting soggy, toast the French roll on the grill. And of course, the au jus! Any kind of roll will do, and if you’re in a pinch, a package of au jus mix will do. But I think you will never go back to store-bought sauce again after making this one.
I often made French dip sandwiches for their friends when our kids were old enough to drive home for lunch. It was quick and easy, and all kids love this meal. One of the kids named it “Foster Friday” and it stuck. I always had Tried and True Chocolate Chip Cookies, French Dips, Tater Tots (because all teenage boys LOVE Tater Tots), homemade fry sauce, fruit or salad, and French Dips.
Au jus is a simple yet flavorful sauce commonly served alongside prime rib or used for dipping French dip sandwiches. While au jus is traditionally made from the natural juices released when roasting meat, you can also effortlessly make it using beef consommé. The result is an incredible rich, beefy dipping sauce.
What is Beef Consommé?
Consommé is a clarified and concentrated broth made by simmering meat and vegetables to extract their full flavor. Beef consommé starts with a basic beef broth then goes through a clarification process to yield a clear, intense meaty stock. This makes it the ideal base for building an easy homemade au jus.
Compared to regular beef broth, beef consommé has a deeper, more concentrated flavor and velvety texture while still being transparent and thin when hot This makes it perfect for serving as au jus The clarity allows the beautiful striations of a prime rib or colors of a sandwich to show through the “with juice” sauce.
Benefits of Using Consommé
There are several advantages to using store-bought beef consommé instead of regular broth or water when making homemade au jus
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Richness – The consommé contributes a rich, beefy flavor not found in broths or water.
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Intensity – The concentation process makes the beef flavor much more intense compared to standard broth.
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Convenience – No need to labor over clarifying and simmering a homemade consommé.
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Cost – Beef consommé is fairly inexpensive and keeps for months in the pantry.
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Versatility – Use for gravies, sauces, stews and of course, au jus!
Tips for Making Au Jus with Beef Consommé
Follow these simple tips for flawless au jus using beef consommé:
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Use high quality consommé. Look for a brand without lots of additives or preservatives. Or make your own!
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Add aromatics. Sauté onions, garlic, herbs and peppercorns to layer in more flavor.
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Splash in some red wine. The wine contributes acidity and fruitiness.
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Simmer to meld flavors. Let it gently bubble away to allow flavors to develop.
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Thicken if desired. For more of a gravy, whisk in a bit of cornstarch slurry.
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Strain before serving. Pour through a fine mesh strainer for silky smooth sauce.
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Finish with Worcestershire. A dash of Worcestershire gives it extra depth.
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Season generously. Add plenty of salt and pepper to really make the flavors pop.
Easy Au Jus Recipe with Beef Consommé
This simple stovetop recipe results in the perfect au jus dipping sauce using convenient beef consommé.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 cup beef consommé
- 1/4 cup dry red wine
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic and thyme. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
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Pour in beef consommé and red wine. Bring to a simmer and cook 10 minutes.
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Remove from heat and stir in Worcestershire. Season with salt and pepper.
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Strain sauce through a fine mesh strainer. Pour into dipping bowls.
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Serve au jus warm alongside prime rib, French dips or other beef dishes.
Notes:
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For a thicker gravy-like consistency, make a slurry with 1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tbsp water. Whisk into the simmering au jus sauce until desired thickness is reached.
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Customize your au jus by also adding ingredients like mushrooms, tomato paste, mustard or other fresh herbs.
Serving Suggestions for Beef Consommé Au Jus
Rich, beefy au jus made with consommé is endlessly versatile. Here are some serving ideas:
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Generously spoon over sliced prime rib for added moisture and flavor.
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Use as a thin, flavorful dipping sauce for French dip sandwiches.
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Drizzle over a roasted beef tenderloin or homemade pot roast.
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Toss with roasted potatoes or vegetables for a beefy finish.
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Thicken into a gravy and serve over mashed potatoes or biscuits.
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Use as a base for beef stews, braises and pan sauces.
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Add topan drippings and fond for an easy post-roast gravy.
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Stir into risotto or rice pilaf 5 minutes before serving for added savoriness.
Au Jus Tips and Tricks
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If the au jus accidentally over-reduces and becomes too salty, thin it out with a bit of water or extra consommé.
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Let roasted meats rest at least 10-15 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute for maximum au jus.
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When reheating leftover au jus, add extra liquid if needed to thin it back out.
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For convenience, make a big batch of au jus and freeze portions for instant use later.
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When dipping French dip sandwiches, avoid over-saturating. Quickly dip just 1⁄2-inch of the sandwich.
Common Au Jus Questions
Can I use other types of consommé?
For best flavor, stick with beef consommé. Chicken or vegetable consommés can work in a pinch.
Is flour necessary for thickening?
No, flour is optional for a thicker gravy-style sauce. Omit for a thin, natural au jus.
How long does au jus made with consommé keep?
About 4 days refrigerated. Freeze for longer storage.
What’s the difference between au jus and broth?
Au jus refers specifically to the cooked meat juices. Broth is a more generic cooked stock.
With just a bit of beef consommé, wine and aromatics, you can easily make restaurant-quality au jus in minutes on the stovetop. The finished sauce is silky smooth, transparent and full of rich, meaty flavor. Use this flavor booster to take your prime rib, French dips and other beef dishes to the next level.
The Roast and Au Jus:
Follow the steps in the pot roast recipe to shred the meat. Take off any fat that you can see and throw it away. There should be juice remaining in the pot or pan. Drain the juice, removing any fat as well. Putting the juice in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes will quickly get rid of any leftover grease. You can also use a fat separator, which is useful for making gravies. The fat will float to the top of the juice bowl or jar and can be easily scooped out and thrown away.
If you bought deli meat or don’t want to use the roast’s juice, follow the steps in the Au Jus recipe that is attached. While most people make Au Jus with beef drippings, this recipe calls for water and beef flavoring. No beef drippings required to make this easy Au Jus recipe!.
I usually purchase crusty French rolls from a local bakery. ABK’s No Fail French Bread (shown below) is easy to shape into French rolls if you want to make your own rolls for French Dip sandwiches. Just separate the dough into small pieces, and follow the recipe’s directions for baking. I can usually get about 12+ generous size French rolls out of one recipe.
Here’s how to make a French Dip sandwich that goes from blah to WOW, this is the best French Dip sandwich ever. Then, using tongs, dip the meat into the warm Au Jus. Let the extra juice drain back into the sauce pan, and then put the meat on top of the toasted bun. Your family will think they have died and gone to heaven. Juicy meat, on a slightly softened toasted bun. Serve with a hot cup of Au Jus for more dipping!.
You can add grilled onions and melted cheese if you like, but I think a French Dip tastes best with meat, a bun, and lots of hot au jus on the side.
How to make The Best French Dip Sandwiches
Taking your French Dip game to the next level is very easy. First, cook a roast. I use the Instant Pot to cut down on time, but the oven method works too. I don’t cook the carrots and potatoes when I make a pot roast for French Dip sandwiches.
How to Make Au Jus
FAQ
Is beef consommed the same as au jus?
What can I use in place of au jus mix?
What is beef au jus made of?
Can I substitute beef broth with au jus?
How long do you cook a beef consomme?
Saute until the onion begins to caramelize and are lightly browning. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes. Add port and worcestershire and stir together for about 2 minutes. Add the beef consomme, thyme, peppercorns and bay leaf and bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least 15 minutes.
What is the difference between beef au jus and gravy?
The main differences between beef au jus and gravy are the inclusion of flour or cornstarch and the cooking time. Grab a saucepan, a whisk, and some measuring cups, and you’re ready to start. Heat. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add ½ a cup of beef drippings (or butter). Add remaining ingredients.
What to do with roasted beef au jus?
My tasty roast beef au jus is great with snacks, sandwiches, soups, or as a gravy base. It’s easy to make, packed with delicious roasted beef flavor and will become a family favorite. Try it and watch it become a new go-to in your kitchen. Serve it with a sandwich made on French bread for dipping, or use it to make sauces.
What is beef au jus good for?
Rich, savory beef au jus is perfect for dipping or making soups and sauces! Whether you’re in the mood for a French dip sandwich, a hearty beef stew, or a flavorful roast with gravy, this beef au jus is the ideal match. It has a homemade warmth and rich beef flavor to elevate any dish.