Prime Rib Au Jus Recipe - So EASY! - The Anthony Kitchen (2024)

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A good Prime Rib Au Jus Sauce can do some seriously amazing things to just about any cut of beef, but what it does to prime rib -- now that is something truly spectacular. If you're looking for a simple prime rib Au Jus recipe to take your holiday roast to the next level this year, this is the recipe for you.

Today, in addition to an easy recipe for the best prime rib Au Jus (one that can be madein less than 10 minutes), we'll also cover what it is that differentiates it from a stand-alone beef broth and traditional brown gravy, how to make it without beef drippings if needed, why Au Jus seasoning should be kept simple, plus, what you can serve it with...besides prime rib!

Prime Rib Au Jus Recipe - So EASY! - The Anthony Kitchen (1)

Love gravies and sauces? Bookmark this easy Homemade Gravy Recipe for the next time your serving poultry or pork!

TRANSLATION AND PRONUNCIATION

Au Jus is a French word that directly translates "with juice," and refers to a cut of meat served either in the juices obtained from roasting or the juices that the meat has cooked in. Now you know what it means, but do you know how to say it like a pro? If you're wondering how to pronounce the word, the video below will quickly sum things up for you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sEJDxmX9j8

WHAT IS AU JUS SAUCE?

We know how it's served, but what is it exactly? A classic Au Jus sauce beginswith fat. But not just any fat -- beef fat. Pan drippingsto be more specific. This, in combination with beef broth, gives it an over the top beefy flavor that takes meat to a whole 'nother level of savory.

For another delicious and savory sauce try our easy Bearnaise!

AU JUS VS. BEEF BROTH

Because Au Jus sauce is thinner than your typical gravy, it is often mistaken for beef broth and nothing more. But, make no mistake -- it is more than just broth.

AU JUS SAUCE VS. BROWN GRAVY

Au Jus, like gravy, begins with a fat and athickener (i.e. flour or cornstarch). However, you'll find traditional brown gravy to be quite a bit thicker than an Au Jus sauce would be. Gravy tends to hold its own as a condiment, clinging to and/or smothering a cut of meat, whereas a good Jus sort of becomes one with meat, enhancing its flavors with beefy goodness, and pouring over the sides.

HOW TO MAKE PRIME RIB AU JUS SAUCE

  1. Add beef drippings or butter to a saucepan and melt.
  2. Add flour and whisk.
  3. Whisk in beef broth.
  4. Simmer 4-5 minutes to reduce slightly.

1. HEAT BEEF DRIPPINGS

As previously mentioned, the sauce typically begins with beef pan drippings (i.e. the liquid accumulated in the bottom of a pan from a prime rib roast). See the note below if you do not have any (or enough) pan drippings.

HOW TO MAKE AU JUS WITHOUT THE PAN DRIPPINGS

If you do not have enough beef drippings, you can substitute butter for the beef fat in your sauce. However, note that beef drippings are preferable as they will intensify the beefy flavor and overall savoriness of your sauce.

2. COMBINE BEEF DRIPPINGS AND FLOUR

The fat is added to a saucepan over medium heat and melted down to liquid form (if needed). Then, the flour is sprinkled over the fat and whisked together. The flour to broth ratio is such that the sauce will have body to it, but not so thick that it would be classified as a traditional "gravy."

3. ADD BEEF BROTH AND SEASONING

Once the fat and flour are combined, beef broth is slowly added to the mix, whisking all the while. After all of the broth has been incorporated, the seasoning goes in. The seasoning for Au Jus sauce is as follows: soy sauce, Kosher salt, and black pepper. All of these ingredients will enhance the beefy quality of the sauce. You don't need to overcomplicate the seasoning when it comes to Au Jus. Its sole purpose is to enhance a cut of meat, not overpower it.

4. SIMMER

Allowing the sauce to simmer will help it to thicken ever so slightly and intensify flavors. This will take 4-5 minutes on the stovetop, and then, it's time to serve!

TROUBLESHOOTING | HOW TO THICKEN AU JUS SAUCE

While Au Jus may not be intended to be a gravy, if you'd like it thicker, you can certainly make that happen. To thicken your sauce further, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a 1 tablespoon of flour, and whisk to combine. Then, add about 2 tablespoons of the prepared Au Jus sauce to the butter/flour mixture. Whisk to combine, and add it all back to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring until thickened.

AU JUS FOR PRIME RIB...AND SO MUCH MORE!

This sauce is often served with prime rib, but is certainly not limited to prime rib alone! It's a classic pairing with French dips and steak sandwiches alike. You could also use pan drippings from either a tri-tip roast or roasted beef tenderloin to make this recipe, or go the butter route and beef up the flavor for any of the following cuts of meat:

  • Pork Tenderloin
  • Pork Loin Roast
  • Grilled Ribeye Steaks
  • Roasted Lamb

Another tasty, easy sauce for steak is Peppercorn Sauce!

Prime Rib Au Jus Recipe - So EASY! - The Anthony Kitchen (3)

Au Jus is a versatile sauce and wonderful for topping so many things! It's most definitely a recipe worth getting under your belt...especially when you consider just how seriously easy it is to make. If you've got 10 minutes, you've got time to take your meaty entrees to the next level with a ladle full of beefy goodness. Enjoy!

4 MORE STEAK SAUCES YOU'LL LOVE

  • Creamy Horseradish Saucetakes less than 5 minutes and requires only two ingredients: prepared horseradish and sour cream!
  • Authentic Chimichurri Sauceis the perfect blend of parsley, cilantro, jalapeños, and lime. It's great for topping proteins, as a salad dressing, and can even be used as a marinade!
  • Easy Blender Béarnaise Sauceis like Hollandaise sauce on steroids, amped up with fresh tarragon and perfect for topping both vegetables and beef!
  • Gorgonzola Sauce is a rich and decadent sauce perfect for smothering steaks and even pasta! It's made with minced shallots, crumbled blue cheese, and cream.

4.07 from 145 votes

Prime Rib Au Jus Recipe - So EASY! - The Anthony Kitchen (4)

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Prime Rib Au Jus

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

10 mins

A quick and easy recipe for prime rib aujus sauce featuring beef drippings, beef broth, and a quick simmer.

Course:Condiment

Cuisine:French

Keyword:Au Jus Sauce

Servings: 12

Calories: 25 kcal

Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoonsbeef drippings, butter, or a combination of the two
  • 2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
  • 3cups unsalted or low-sodium beef broth
  • ¾teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½teaspoonblack pepper

Instructions

  1. Add the beef drippings (or butter) to a large saucepan over medium heat and all to melt, if needed. Sprinkle the flour over the fat and whisk for 30-45 seconds.

  2. Add 1 cup of the beef broth a splash at a time, whisking after each addition. Slowly pour in the remaining beef broth, whisking all the while. Add the soy sauce, Kosher salt, and pepper and increase the heat to medium-high.

  3. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, allowing to reduce slightly. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts

Prime Rib Au Jus

Amount Per Serving

Calories 25Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 5mg2%

Sodium 341mg15%

Potassium 120mg3%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 60IU1%

Iron 0.1mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Prime Rib Au Jus Recipe - So EASY! - The Anthony Kitchen (5)

Sources: Meriam-Webster, Dictionary.com

Prime Rib Au Jus Recipe - So EASY! - The Anthony Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How do restaurants make prime rib so tender? ›

How do restaurants make prime rib so tender? The secret to restaurant-style prime rib is cooking the meat super slow at low temperatures. I recommend cooking prime rib at no higher than 200 degrees F. This cooks the meat very slowly, turning the fat into butter and rendering the proteins juicy and soft.

What is the secret to tender prime rib? ›

Let it REST, As with most meat, you want to let it rest after cooking to allow the juices to settle in the meat, making it juicier and more tender. If you cut into your roast without letting it rest, the juices will rush out then the meat will be chewy.

What is prime rib au jus made of? ›

Classic Prime Rib Au Jus: 1/4th cup of meat juices and drippings from the roasting pan. 2 cups of beef broth. 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire or soy sauce (optional)

How do you get the best flavor on prime rib? ›

Rub a good quality kosher salt all over the meat the day before you want to cook it. Now, place it in the refrigerator overnight, UNCOVERED in order to enhance the beefy flavor while dissolving some of the proteins, which yields a buttery-tender, juicy roast.

How to get flavor inside a prime rib? ›

You don't want to use a concoction of flavors that is going to hide the deliciousness the meat already possesses. A dry rub is commonly used on prime rib to help develop the crispy crust and to lock in juice. Black pepper, kosher salt, and garlic powder are usually all the flavors you want with a prime rib.

What does soaking prime rib in milk do? ›

It's milk.

A steak that marinates in an acidic or enzymatic liquid too long, such as citrus juice or cola, becomes tough or mushy. But the acid in milk is so mild that you can soak beef in it long enough to tenderize it effectively, without damaging the proteins on the surface.

Do you use butter or olive oil for prime rib? ›

Season the Prime Rib

You can also use olive oil instead of butter and any dried herbs that you like. Spread the soft butter mixture all over the surface of the prime rib and then season the top generously with more fresh black pepper and salt. Don't be shy when seasoning the prime rib before roasting.

Why is my prime rib always tough? ›

Overcooking the Prime Rib

That's why prime rib is so expensive: it's a huge piece of extremely good beef. Therefore, it's important not to cook it beyond medium-rare. Going past that temperature means the roast will no longer be tender.

What is au jus sauce made of? ›

Au jus recipes in the United States often use soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, white or brown sugar, garlic, beets, carrots, onions, or other ingredients to make something more like a gravy. The American jus is sometimes prepared separately, rather than being produced naturally by the food being cooked.

What is the difference between a jus lie and an au jus? ›

Recipes for Au Jus

Methods vary for creating au jus for such dishes as roast rib of beef -- sometimes called prime rib. Poultry, lamb, and veal can also be served au jus. A thickened version of jus called "jus lié" -- or "fond lié -- is prepared by adding cornstarch or arrowroot to brown stock and then simmering.

What is the difference between jus and au jus? ›

Jus is a specific type of sauce, made from meat juice that has typically been derived from a roast. It's thus typically served as an accompaniment to meat, especially roast beef, which is then known as beef "au jus".

How to cook prime rib Bobby Flay? ›

Make small slits all over the prime rib and fill each slit with a slice of the garlic. Season liberally with the salt and coarse pepper, place on a rack set inside a roasting pan and roast for about 2 hours until medium-rare, or until a thermometer inserted into the center of the meat registers 135 degrees F.

Do you cook prime rib fat side up or down? ›

Place the roast fat side up, bone side down, in a large roasting pan. Cook for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. This allows the heat to sear the roast, trapping the juicy flavors inside while the rest of the meat cooks. On average, each pound of rib needs 15 minutes to cook (i.e., a 4 lb.

Do you sear prime rib before baking? ›

Searing is an important part of roasting a prime rib. Searing the roast first will kill the surface bacteria, which is a nice touch, especially when you are roasting at lower temperatures.

What cut of meat do restaurants use for prime rib? ›

When you're shopping for prime rib, ask for a standing rib roast. That's the name you'll see at the butcher counter. The standing rib roast unsurprisingly comes from the rib section of the cow.

How do restaurants get their meat so tender? ›

There are several ways to velvet, but at its most basic level, it involves marinating meat with at least one ingredient that will make it alkaline. This is what tenderizes the meat, especially cheaper, tougher cuts. “People go for either egg white or baking soda as they are both alkaline ingredients.

What temperature do restaurants cook prime rib at? ›

Aim for 115 to 120°F for medium rare (125 to 130°F after resting), or 125 to 130°F for medium (135 to 140°F after resting).

Is prime rib better cooked slow or fast? ›

Cooked low and slow in the oven and finished with a blast of heat for the juiciest, most flavorful, evenly cooked prime rib roast. Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site.

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