Rib Au Jus is a simple way to elevate your Christmas or holiday feast. In less than 10 minutes, you can take an outstanding prime rib roast from delicious to absolute succulent, beefy perfection.
This gorgeous, flavorful au jus made from beef drippings is easier than most, requires no chopping, and just a few ingredients. We provide step-by-step instructions and photos for the perfect prime rib sauce.
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Why You'll Love This Au Jus Recipe
"Au jus" is a French word that directly translates as "with juice" and refers to a cut of meat served either in the juices obtained from roasting or the juices in which the meat has been cooked. Sounds fancy, but really, it's not. Yes, it's got more of an elegant feel than brown beef gravy, but surprisingly, it's easier to make, making it perfect for Christmas dinner. Yes, please. In fact, this au jus recipe is perfect for home cooks with a lot on their plate and a busy household.
If you love this easy-to-read, step-by-step au jus process, check out our guide to the perfect boneless prime rib roast and prime rib seasoning.
Easy | People hear au jus and immediately think, "You're a culinary star!" Feel free to take as many pats on the back as you'd like. They don't have to know how easy it is. The recipe process only requires a handful of ingredients and less than 10 minutes. You'll nail it on the first try, no doubt.
Flavor | This sauce is made from prime rib juice and fat drippings. That fact alone means it is loaded with flavor, adds moisture, and enhances flavors without detracting from the gorgeous flavor profile prime rib naturally offers.
Sauce Staple | This quintessential recipe will serve you well year-round. You want it in your recipe repertoire, trust me! You can use it for Dutch oven roasts, beef tenderloin, and even beef ribs. If you can get a hold of the meat drippings, you can use this au jus recipe to make your meal even more delicious.
Versatile | Use this recipe as a saucy base for all kinds of roasts, even pork and poultry, like whole roasted chicken, Thanksgiving turkey, and even pork loin roast. Although, for pork and poultry, we recommend subbing chicken broth and white wine.
Prime Rib Au Jus Ingredients
Meat Drippings | Meat drippings are made from the fat, liquid, and browned bits left behind in the pan. Consider this compilation of meaty goodness a rich, concentrated flavor bomb. It makes for an ideal sauce base, particularly when it comes to au jus and gravy.
Beef Broth | This thins out the meat drippings and stretches the au jus farther without diluting flavor.
Worcestershire Sauce | We love how this enhances the rich, meat flavor of au jus and adds just the right amount of tang.
Red Wine | Red wine and beef go hand and hand. It makes sense you would want it in your steak sauce as well. Rounding out the au jus recipe, red wine adds both acidity, body, and complex flavors.
How to Make Au Jus for Prime Rib
Pour Drippings | Pour the beef drippings from your roasting pan into a saucepan.
Add Ingredients | Add beef broth, dry red wine, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Simmer | Bring the sauce to a simmer and allow to reduce by about a ⅓.
Serve | Serve warm with prime rib, roast beef sandwiches, prime rib sandwiches, or any other beef or sandwich recipe on your radar.
Store | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How to Make Au Jus without Pan Drippings
So, let's say you accidentally ditch the pan drippings. Big mistake but not the end of the world. Don't fret; we've got you, and you can still make a saucy masterpiece that'll impress your guests.
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.
How to Make Au Jus without Red Wine
If you are a wine-free household, don't worry. You can still slam out an amazing au jus-style sauce. Follow this recipe instead:
- 2 tbsp beef drippings, butter, or a combination of the two
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 c unsalted or low-sodium beef broth
- ¾ tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Add the beef drippings (or butter) to a large saucepan over medium heat and allow to melt, if needed. Sprinkle the flour over the fat and whisk for 30-45 seconds.
- 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.
- Simmer for 4-5 minutes, allowing to reduce slightly. Serve and enjoy.
5 More Classic Steak Sauces You'll Love
Prime Rib Au Jus
Ingredients
- About ¼ - ⅓ cup beef drippings
- 1 ½ cup unsalted or low-sodium beef broth
- ⅓ cup red wine
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to saucepan over medium high heat and allow to come to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to maintain a rapid simmer. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes and allow to reduce by a ⅓.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Serve with prime rib roast or leftover prime rib sandwiches, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Sources: Meriam-Webster, Dictionary.com
Wilhelmina says
Au Jus is so versatile and delicious, it definitely takes a meal to that next level of flavor!
Kelly Anthony says
I totally agree, Wilhelmina!
Sonal says
Have never heard of it before. You have done a great job explaining the recipe with so many faqs. Thank you so much.
Kelly Anthony says
That's what I'm here for!
Colleen says
Prime Rib is on the NYE dinner menu, and your Au Jus recipe is the best one I've seen. Thanks for sharing!
Kelly Anthony says
Aw, thanks, Colleen! Ours too 😉
Tisha says
This sounds delicious! Perfect for a Christmas meal!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Tisha!
Bec says
In a nutshell, I want to drink this au jus from a straw! Seriously though, this will be awesome to serve with our holiday beef roast. THANK YOU!
Kelly Anthony says
I don't blame you, Bec 😉 Thank you so much!
Sues says
Is it bad that I just want to pick that bowl up and drink the au jus?? Because it looks THAT good!! It's totally true though how important a good au jus is and I'm loving this tutorial!
Kelly Anthony says
Ha! Of course not 😉 Thank you so much, Sues!
Annissa says
This sauce sounds so full of flavors! Perfect for any meat roast on the Christmas table!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Annissa!
Claudia Lamascolo says
we love this type of sauce for our roast beef sandwiches to dip in this looks marvelous!
Beth Neels says
That looks so delicious! I really want some right now! I thought that the au jus served was just beef stock. Great post explaining the difference! Thanks!
Danielle says
I've only ever seen au jus on restaurant menus - never even considered making it myself! You make it look easy!
Claudia Canu says
I really feel I have just learned some interesting stuff! I'll definitely try to practice everything and I hope I can make some sauce that looks as tasty as yours!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you so much, Claudia 🙂
Luci says
This au jus could be used for any holiday meal. Yummy.
Sonia says
This looks and sounds so delicious! Can't wait to give it a try this weekend!yum
Emily says
I had no idea that au jus had soy sauce in it! What a great recipe. Thanks for all the info!
Adriana says
This meal is perfection, and that jus must be so flavorful. This recipe is a very nice idea for the Easter Menu. I am pining for doing it later.
Kelly Anthony says
Perfect for Easter! Thank you, Adriana!
Chris Collins says
Prime rib is my all time FAVE so it's like this post is made for me thanks so much for sharing!
Morgan Eisenberg says
what a great hack with the butter! ill have to remember this in a pinch.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
Your method for au jus sounds very similar to my pan gravy. I always thought au jus didn't have any thickener and that it was pan drippings augmented with stock or wine. You've taught me something new!
Meghna says
A brilliant and very informative post. I'll have absolutely no difficulties while making this one at home. Thanks much 🙂
Beth Neels says
Oddly enough, I have never made an Au jus before! Now I have all of the information I need to make my own! Very informative post, as usual! Thanks!
Edyta says
Au Juice is delicious. Thanks for all the tips and tricks. Very helpful.
Annissa says
Great recipe sounds so full of flavors! Thanks for sharing!
Mary says
This recipe sounds fantastic and so simple. I will be making this for Easter Sunday dinner to accompany my prime rib. Thank you !
Chef Dennis says
This looks really delicious. The Au Jus Sauce is definitely perfect for Prime Rib. I will have to try this for my family to taste.
Amanda M says
Can this be made ahead (like day before)?
Kelly Anthony says
Yes, that wouldn't be an issue!
Paula Richard says
Made this last night. Easy and delicious.
Belinda Carlin says
Your “AU JUS SAUCE” was the bomb!!!
Thanks again
Jenny Q. says
Very good! Probably one of the best au jus I’ve ever had ... not as thin and lots of flavor. Super easy and quick to make! I made it for a roast beef I air fried! It was even better the next day when we we had roast beef sandwiches and this au jus to dip.
Michelle says
If using butter instead of pan drippings can this be made the day before and refrigerated? Then heated up right before serving?
Kelly Anthony says
Yes, it can!
Geetanjali Tung says
This looks so good! Love how beautifully you have explained it. Thanks for all the tips and tricks!
Frederick Rijos says
Amazing, easy and quick Au Jus Sauce. My wife and I love it. It is now our must have with our Prime Rib everytime we make it. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you so much! I'm so glad yall enjoyed it 🙂
Kelly Beauchamp says
Made this with our Christmas prime rib today. Super easy and delicious!
RFN says
This is exactly the same recipe I use to make beef gravy, including the soy sauce.