Gluten-Free Au Jus is so simple to make and full of flavor. The perfect accompaniment for many beef dishes. Whether you're looking to replace a packet of Au Jus gravy mix or you want to learn how to make a flavorful Au Jus from pan drippings, this post has everything you need to know about gluten-free Au Jus!
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If you're coming from the gluten-filled world and trying to figure out how to make a gluten-free Au Jus, my guess is there are two ways you may be thinking of Au Jus.
You are either used to adding a couple tablespoons of flour to your beef drippings to make a light sauce, or you're used to buying the Au Jus Gravy Mix packets from the grocery store to use in your preferred recipes. If you're used to the packets, you're probably realizing those are not gluten-free so you need an easy alternative.
Either way, a simple tweak is all it takes to make a gluten-free au jus. And bonus, making a gluten-free au jus mix from scratch at home is much cheaper than buying those packets at the grocery store, so for once you'll actually be saving money on this gluten-free diet!
Once you've mastered this Au Jus, try making other gluten-free sauces from scratch as well, like this béchamel (white sauce) or this customizable gravy recipe!
What is Au Jus?
Au Jus is a French culinary term meaning with juice and is used to describe the sauce served with roasted meats, such as prime rib or roast beef. Au Jus is traditionally made from the natural juices released by meat as it is cooked. In American cuisine, the Au Jus is often served as a dipping sauce for Italian beef or French dip sandwiches.
Au Jus is traditionally made by deglazing the pan used to cook the meat and then simmering the resulting liquid with beef stock or bouillon, herbs, and seasoning. The result is a simple and flavorful light sauce that compliments the meat and adds moisture to the dish.
Au jus mix is a pre-packaged seasoning mix that is used to make a simple and convenient version of the traditional French sauce. The mix typically contains dehydrated seasonings, such as beef bouillon, onion powder, garlic powder, and herbs, which can be easily reconstituted with water to create a flavorful sauce. Au jus mixes are often used as a time-saving alternative to making the sauce from scratch.
Gluten-Free Au Jus Mix Ingredients
Au Jus gravy mix packets are mainly cornstarch and beef bouillon. In this recipe we've added a few extra seasonings to amp up the flavor!
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is the thickener for this recipe. It's easy to use and convenient. Other starches, such as potato starch or arrowroot powder, may work as well, but I have not tested them.
- Beef Bouillon: Be sure to check your bouillon, not all are gluten-free. I use Orrington Farms brand.
- Dried Seasonings: onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, celery salt, and black pepper add a ton of flavor to the au jus! I tested the recipe with and without the extra seasonings and the version with them was so much better! It had the perfect balance of flavor. But if you really just want a plain beef au jus, feel free to omit the dried seasonings and use just the cornstarch and beef bouillon instead.
The ingredients in this recipe are equivalent to one Au Jus Gravy mix packet. So if you have a recipe that calls for one packet, you can substitute this mixture right in your recipe!
How to Make Gluten-Free Au Jus
- Whisk the au jus ingredients together until well combined. You can pop them in a blender to whiz them up if you feel so inclined.
- Add the au jus mix to a cold pan. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of cold water.
- Feel free to add some butter or pan drippings if desired. Turn the heat to medium-low.
- Bring the au jus to a boil, whisking frequently. Once the mixture comes to a boil, remove from heat and serve alongside your beef or sandwiches.
Making Gluten-Free Au Jus from Pan Drippings
If you've prepared a prime rib or roast beef, you can use the pan drippings and juices to make an Au Jus as well. To do this:
- Prepare the au jus mix (or just use plain cornstarch!)
- Make a slurry by whisking the au jus mix or 2 Tablespoons corn starch with ¼ cup cold water.
- Whisk the slurry into the pan drippings and juices. Add more water if needed to equal about 3 cups of drippings.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, whisking frequently. Reduce the temperature to low heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the mixture from heat and serve.
If you have more/less drippings than 3 cups, you'll want to adjust the amount of cornstarch accordingly.
Pro-Tip: You can make an even simpler au jus by just reducing the pan juices from a beef roast to your desired thickness, like this recipe from Serious Eats. If you were to make that recipe, just be sure to swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free version like Tamari because traditional soy sauce is not gluten-free. The great thing about this option, is that it is so simple and grain-free.
Variations
These variations can add another layer of flavor to your Au Jus sauce.
- Add a splash of red wine and/or 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce to the pan. This will add a depth of flavor and richness.
- For a thicker Au Jus or beef gravy, use only 1 ½ - 2 cups of water or add another tablespoon of cornstarch to the original measurements. This will make a delicious brown gravy to serve with your tender beef.
- Omit the bouillon and water and use 3 cups of gluten-free beef broth instead.
- Swap the beef bouillon with chicken bouillon for a light sauce to serve with roast chicken.
Storage
Leftover au jus can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can even freeze the leftovers in an ice cube tray to add to soups later on.
How to Serve Au Jus
Serve au jus with roasted meats, like prime rib, roast beef, or chuck roast. Au jus is a flavorful thin gravy that is delicious when served over mashed potatoes as well as the roasted meats.
You can also serve au jus on the side for dipping Italian beef or roast beef sandwiches served on gluten-free hoagie rolls. Hash brown potato casserole, corn casserole, and pasta salad are great sides for these dishes!
FAQ
No, the ingredients in McCormick Au Jus contain gluten. The ingredients listed are: Salt, Corn Starch, Dextrose, Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten, Soy Protein and Wheat Gluten, Beef Fat, Caramel Color, Onion, Corn Syrup Solids, Garlic, Spices (Including Black Pepper), Celery, Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (Thickener), Sodium Caseinate (Milk) & Natural Flavor.
Au jus is a simple meat broth, while brown gravy is a hearty sauce made with flour or cornstarch, broth, and seasonings. Au jus is thin, while brown gravy is thick.
Yes, there are some available but they may be harder to find. Knorr, Watkin's, and Mom's Place Gluten-Free make pre-made au jus mix packets that are gluten-free. When shopping for ready-made au jus, be sure to check the labels for any gluten-containing ingredients and look for a gluten-free claim.
No, Lawry's Au Jus mix is not gluten-free. It contains wheat proteins and wheat starch. The ingredients are as follows: Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Lactose (Milk), Corn Syrup Solids, Hydrolyzed Corn, Soy and Wheat Proteins, Onion, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavor (Beef and Pork), Caramel Color, Corn Maltodextrin, Sunflower Oil, Disodium Inosinate and Guanylate (Flavor Enhancers), Molasses, Wheat Starch, Soy Flour, and Soy Lecithin.
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Recipe
Gluten Free Au Jus Recipe
Ingredients
Gluten-Free Au Jus Mix
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon gluten-free beef bouillon
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
To Make Au Jus
- 3 cups cold water
- 2 Tablespoons butter or pan drippings, optional
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
Instructions
To Make Au Jus Mix
- Whisk the dry au jus mix ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined.
To Make Au Jus
- Place the dry au jus mix in a medium saucepan. Slowly add 3 cups of cold water and whisk until combined. Add butter or pan drippings and/or Worcestershire sauce, if desired.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, whisking frequently.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and serve.
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