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

What is the secret to tender prime rib? ›

Let it Rest. Finally, allowing for the best prime rib you need to let it rest at least 15 minutes, but ideally closer to 30 minutes. This will make it juicier and easier to cut.

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)

What is the most important thing to do before roasting a prime rib roast? ›

Room Temperature: To cook evenly, the roast must not be cold - let it stand at room temperature, loosely covered, for about 2 to 4 hours. This time can vary. If you don't let the roast come to room temperature, your roast won't cook evenly, and you'll end up with well-done slices on the end and raw meat in the center.

What makes the best prime rib? ›

What's the Best Cut of Prime Rib? The first cut (sometimes labeled the small end or the loin end) comes from the hind of the standing rib roast near the loin. It's more expensive and generally regarded as the best cut because it has less connective tissue than the second cut and therefore is more tender.

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 does soaking prime rib in milk do? ›

It's milk. Here's why:

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. The calcium-rich properties of milk react with enzymes in the meat to gently soften the proteins.

What is au jus sauce made of? ›

Au Jus Ingredients

Beef drippings: Of course, this perfect au jus starts with beef drippings. Flour: All-purpose flour thickens the beef au jus. Broth: Use store-bought or homemade beef broth. Seasonings: This flavorful au jus is simply seasoned with salt and pepper.

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? ›

We'll leave you to decide how pedantic you want to be about it, but by the gold standard, au jus is a style of serving food; the sauce is just jus, as in: “If only we could make beef au jus with less beef and more jus”.

Should I put water in the bottom of my prime rib roast? ›

Put the roast on a rack (or on top of some carrots, celery and sliced onion, which will flavor the drippings nicely) in the roasting pan, and add just a little water to the bottom of the pan — it shouldn't touch the meat.

Should I season prime rib night before? ›

Step 1: Season Overnight

You want to use a significant sprinkling of kosher salt because the salt both tenderizes the muscle and flavors the meat all the way to the bone. Once you've seasoned it, wrap the roast in plastic wrap and allow to sit in the fridge for at least 12 hours (up to 48 if desired).

How long should prime rib sit out before roasting? ›

Preparing the Prime Rib Roast

Pull the rib roast out of the fridge and let temper on the counter for three hours. USDA guidelines requires food not be held above 33°F (1°C) for more than 4 hours. A three-hour rest on the counter is well within time constraints.

Should I sear prime rib before roasting? ›

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 is the best temperature to cook a prime rib roast? ›

Start by cooking your prime rib at 500°F for 15 minutes and then lower the oven temperature to 325° F and cook for 10-12 min per pound for rare, or 13-14 min per pound for medium rare, or 14-15 min per pound for medium well.

Is it better to cook prime rib at 325 or 350? ›

Prime Rib Roast, at room temperature (very important)

Sear the rib roast for 15 minutes at the higher oven temperature (450°F), and then turn the oven to the lower temperature (325° F) for the rest of the cooking time.

Why is my prime rib always tough? ›

Prime rib is at its best cooked rare or medium rare — it should not be cooked past medium (140°F) or all the fat will melt out of the meat, leaving it tough, dry, and chewy. After the prime rib is cooked, make sure to let it rest for 30 minutes for the meat to reabsorb all the delicious juices before carving.

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

To ensure a flavorful prime rib, make simple compound butter. For every 4 pounds of prime rib, combine 1/4 cup soft butter, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon herbs de Provence. You can also use olive oil instead of butter and any dried herbs that you like.

Why do you salt prime rib before cooking? ›

The salt helps trap the heat to better cook the prime rib. “It conducts the heat and seals it,” says Betz.

How do you keep prime rib from drying out? ›

Letting your prime rib sit at room temperature for around 30 minutes before slicing it is called resting it, and resting your prime rib helps ensure it will be as juicy as possible.

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