Does Au Jus Have Gluten? – Make Au Jus Sauce With 5 Easy Steps

The most basic question for anyone who has recently switched to gluten-free diet is- Is my food gluten-free? If you’re looking answer to the question- Does Au Jus have gluten? Then this post is for you.

Either you’re used to purchasing the Au Jus Gravy Mix packets from the grocery store to use in your favorite recipes, or you’re used to adding a few tablespoons of flour to your beef drippings to make a light sauce. If you’re accustomed to the packets, you’re undoubtedly aware that they don’t contain gluten, so you need a simple substitute. There are two possible ways that you may be thinking of au jus if you’re trying to figure out how to prepare a gluten-free version after coming from a culture where gluten is abundant.

In any case, all it takes to create a gluten-free au jus is a small adjustment. Plus, creating your own gluten-free au jus mix at home is far less expensive than purchasing those packets at the supermarket, so you’ll really be saving money on this gluten-free diet!

Let’s first answer the most important question- Does Au Jus have gluten?

Does Au Jus Have Gluten?

The answer is sadly no. But you can create your own version of Au Jus that is gluten-free. A lot of gluten-free companies sell jarred beef “base.” To make beef stock, a highly concentrated paste with a seasoned beef flavor is swirled into water. You could replace the Au Jus packet with a teaspoon of that and Voila! you have a gluten-free version of Au Jus made at home.

What is Au Jus?

The French phrase “au jus” means “with juice.”  It speaks about the liquids that come out while meat, usually beef, cooks.  These liquids are collected and utilized to add flavor to other foods, such as prime rib, to which they are served as a thin gravy.  Not only is it a clever method to utilize these beef drippings, but it also gives any meat meal a tonne of flavor again.  It is most frequently used as a side sauce for dipping here in the United States, especially for the well-liked French Dip Sandwich.  

With every bite, the sandwich’s contents—which include caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, and thinly sliced delicate beef—are dipped into the au jus, which coats the bread and fillings with flavor.

The French Dip Sandwich isn’t really French, despite its name.  The sandwich was invented in Los Angeles in 1908, and the restaurants claim creative rights to it, however, it’s unclear which one is most deserving of recognition.  The most common version originates from Phillipe’s, where it is said that a chef was making a police officer a standard roast beef sandwich when the sandwich fell into a pan of beef drippings. The officer was so impressed with the sandwich that he returned the following day with his friends and insisted on having it prepared in the same manner. The French dip sandwich was created as a result. That may or may not be true, but we’ll never know. 

Now that you know the answer to the question- Does Au Jus have gluten? It is time to learn the main ingredients in Au Jus sauce.

Check out this recipe to make good Au Jus easily at home.

Main Ingredients of Au Jus

The answer to your question- Does Au Jus have gluten? mainly depends on the ingredients. The main ingredients used in the making of Au Jus sauce are given below.

• Drippings (or butter)- When roasting beef, use the drippings from your roasting pan! Use unsalted butter in place of drippings if you don’t have any on hand. Using salted butter will oversalt the sauce, so I do not suggest it.
• Beef broth (or juices)- It is best to use a premium beef stock or broth. The best option is to utilize a handmade recipe if you can. If you’d like, you can also use bone broth. Alternatively, you can utilize the roast beef juices, if you have enough of them, in the recipe.
• Worcestershire sauce- Depending on the brand, Worcestershire sauce is a fermented sauce with a vinegar base that is flavored with molasses, sugar, onion, garlic, and other ingredients. It enhances the mixture’s flavor profile.
• Red wine- Utilise a glass of red wine. My favorite red wine to use is a dry one, such as Cabernet Sauvignon. Since there will be leftover wine for you to enjoy, you should also use a wine that you enjoy drinking.
• Spices- Garlic powder and onion powder are good additions if you’re not using drippings.
• Herbs- Although they’re not always added, you can add them to add extra flavor. Though a twig of thyme also works, using a sprig of rosemary will also change the complete flavor of Au Jus.

Can You Use Beef Broth Instead of Au Jus?

Although Au Jus and beef broth have a similar thinness, they are not interchangeable. The Au Jus recipe calls for beef stock, sometimes known as beef broth. In reality, Au Jus is a light sauce made from roasting pan drippings. This recipe adds flavor to beef broth and stock, which they lack, even if you don’t have the drippings to work with.

Here is a simple Au-Jus recipe for you to make at home.

Making Gluten-Free Au Jus From Pan Drippings

You can also make an gluten-free Au Jus with the pan drippings and fluids from roast beef or prime rib that you’ve made. To carry out this:

• Get the au jus mix ready, or simply use regular cornflour!
• Mix ¼ cup cold water and 2 Tablespoons corn starch or au jus mix to make a slurry.
• Incorporate the slurry into the pan juices and drippings. If necessary, add additional water to make around 3 cups of drippings.
• Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil while whisking frequently. Simmer for two to three minutes at a low temperature.
• After taking the mixture off the stove, serve it.

Variations

You can also do some variations to make Au Jus recipe to make it more delicious. These modifications have the potential to enhance the taste of your Au Jus sauce.

• Toss in 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and/or a splash of red wine. This will enhance the flavor’s richness and depth.
• Use only 1 ½ to 2 cups of water or increase the original amounts by 1 tablespoon of cornflour for a thicker Au Jus or beef gravy. This will produce a flavorful brown gravy that goes well with your soft steak.
• Substitute 3 cups of gluten-free beef broth for the bouillon and water.
• To make a light sauce to go with roast chicken, replace the beef bouillon with chicken bouillon.

How Long Will Au Jus Keep?

Store the Au Jus gravy in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for 3–4 days to ensure freshness. Au jus can also be prepared far ahead of time and frozen.

What Kind of Foods Go Well With Au Jus?

We’ve already answered your ‘Does Au Jus have gluten?” question, now let us find out the best companion for Au Jus.  A French dip sandwich is a fantastic match. But this flavorful, thick beef dip gravy also goes well with roast chicken, prime rib, or beef and noodles.

How to Freeze and Store Au Jus

Now that you know how to make Au Jus sauce at home, you must learn the right way to store them. Here are some ways you can store Au Jus.

• Store- Once Au Jus has cooled down fully in the refrigerator, it can be stored in an airtight container. As long as three or four days is possible.
• Reheat- Warm the sauce again in a saucepan over medium-low heat on the hob. It can also be reheated in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.
• Freeze- I like to put au jus in ice cube trays and freeze it! Once the au jus has cooled fully, freeze the cubes and then move them to an airtight container or resealable freezer-safe plastic bag. You can freeze the cubes for up to six months.
• Storage container- Move the au jus into this container. An airtight lid on a glass or plastic container is ideal. Allow for some space to expand at the top of the container after it is frozen or refrigerated.
• Refrigeration- Place the au jus in the refrigerator if you won’t be using it for several days. Usually, it keeps fresh for three to four days.
• How to Thaw (if frozen) and Reheat: If the au jus is frozen, use your microwave’s defrost feature or leave it in the fridge overnight to thaw. On a hob over low heat, you can also slowly melt it.
• Reheat the au jus on the stovetop by placing it in a saucepan and turning the heat down to medium. Stir from time to time to avoid sticking or burning. Once it is well heated, reduce the heat to a soft simmer and serve. Take care not to overheat since this can change the texture and flavor.
• Reheating in the Microwave- If you’re pressed for time, you can microwave tiny servings of au jus. Once the container is safe to use in the microwave, heat it in brief bursts of 20 to 30 seconds, stirring in between, until the appropriate temperature is reached. Microwaves can provide inconsistent heating, so proceed with caution.

Taste the au jus after it has been reheated and adjust the seasoning if necessary. For added flavor, you can grind in some pepper or salt.

After reading this blog, you can answer this question- Does Au Jus have gluten? You now know everything you need to know about Au Jus. You can follow the simple recipe given in the blog to make delicious Au Jus at home. Best part of cooking is you can also create your own versions of the given recipe. Be creative and make your own version of Au Jus.

Don’t forget to check out this recipe of French dip sandwich that will surely blow your mind.

Also read:

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