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Savory Tweaks: 7 BEST Au Jus Substitutes

Don’t be fooled if you think au jus is one of those hard-to-find seasonings.

It may not always have the biggest spotlight in your spice cabinet but it’s certainly a key ingredient, especially for several classic comfort foods – like roast beef sandwiches or French dips.

Unfortunately when that tiny little jar runs out, making a substitution can be difficult and end up ruining the recipe all together!

That’s why this post will take you through seven different au jus substitutes worth considering — so you can keep creating delicious dishes without interruption.

What’s Au Jus?

Au jus is a French term meaning “with juice.

” It typically refers to meat dishes that are served with their natural juices.

The dish is usually made with beef, but it can also be made with pork, lamb, or veal.

Au jus has its origins in France, where it was traditionally made with beef.

The dish was originally designed as a way to use up the meat scraps and bones that were left over from butchering.

These scraps and bones were simmered in water until they released their flavor, and then the resulting liquid was used as a sauce for the cooked meat.

Au jus is typically served as a gravy or sauce, although it can also be used as a marinade or seasoning.

The flavor of au jus is savory and slightly salty, with a rich umami taste.

The texture is thin and slightly oily due to the fat that is released from the meat during cooking.

Au jus can be used in a number of different ways.

It is commonly served as a gravy or sauce for roast beef, pork, or lamb.

It can also be used as a marinade or seasoning for meats before cooking or even as a dip for bread and crackers.

7 Best Au Jus Substitutes

1. Beef Stock Powder Sauce

If you’re looking for a beefy, savory au jus substitute, beef stock powder is a great option.

It’s made from dehydrated beef broth and has a concentrated flavor that tastes great when diluted with water.

The best part about the beef stock powder is that it’s easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

When used as an au jus substitute, the beef stock powder can provide a similar taste and consistency.

However, it’s important to note that the flavor will be more intense since the powder is concentrated.

To use it as a substitution, simply mix the powder with water according to the package directions and then add it to your dish.

You may need to adjust the amount of liquid used depending on how thick or thin you want your au jus to be.

Overall, the beef stock powder is a great option if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add flavor to your dish.

It’s versatile and can be used in many different ways, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect ratio for your needs.

2. Bouillon Cubes

Bouillon cubes are a great substitute for au just because they add so much flavor to dishes.

They are made of dried beef (or sometimes vegetable) broth and seasonings, and they dissolve easily in hot water.

When substituting bouillon cubes for au jus, I would recommend using 1 cube for every 1 cup of water called for in the recipe.

As far as taste goes, bouillon cubes are very intense and salty, so a little goes a long way.

I think they work best in dishes where you want a lot of beef flavor, like beef stroganoff or French dip sandwiches.

If you’re looking for a more subtle flavor, you could try using half a bouillon cube per cup of water.

3. Beef Broth

Beef broth is a common substitute for au jus.

It has a similar taste and can be used in the same way.

Beef broth is made by simmering beef in water, which extracts the flavors from the meat.

The resulting liquid is then strained and can be used as a base for soups, stews, or sauces.

If you’re using beef broth as a substitute for au jus, it’s best to use it in dishes where the beef will be cooked or simmered for some time.

This will allow the flavors of the beef broth to meld with the other ingredients and give your dish a more authentic flavor.

When substituting beef broth for au jus, you may need to add additional seasoning to your dish to make up for the lack of salt in the beef broth.

4. Brown Gravy

Brown gravy is a type of gravy made by browning flour, butter, and beef or veal stock.

It is typically used as a topping for roast beef, pork, lamb, or poultry.

Brown gravy can also be made with chicken or turkey stock.

The taste of brown gravy is savory and slightly sweet.

It is thicker than most gravies because it contains more flour.

When substituting brown gravy for au jus, you may need to add more water to thin it out.

Brown gravy is easy to make at home.

Simply combine flour, butter, and beef or veal stock in a saucepan over medium heat.

Cook the mixture until it thickens and turns brown.

If you are using chicken or turkey stock, you may need to cook the gravy for longer to achieve the desired flavor.

5. Demi-glace

Au jus is a French term meaning “with juice.

” It typically refers to meat that is cooked with its own natural juices.

Demi-glace is a sauce made from beef or veal stock that has been reduced by half.

This sauce is then combined with an equal amount of brown roux, which is a mixture of flour and butter that has been cooked until it turns brown.

Demi-glace has a rich, full-bodied flavor that is perfect for beef or pork dishes.

It can be used as a dipping sauce, or you can add it to your favorite recipe to give it an extra boost of flavor.

If you’re looking for a substitute for au jus, demi-glace is the perfect option.

6. Onion Mix Soup

Onion mix soup is a great substitute for au jus.

It has a similar taste and can be used in the same way.

The biggest difference is that it is not as thick as au jus.

This means that you may need to add a little bit more water or stock when you are making your dish.

If you are looking for a way to add more flavor to your dish, onion mix soup is a great option.

It is also a good choice if you are trying to avoid meat products.

This soup is full of flavor and can be used in any dish that calls for au jus.

7. Chicken Broth

Chicken broth is a great substitute for au jus.

It has a similar taste and can be used in the same way.

Chicken broth is made by simmering chicken bones and vegetables in water.

The result is a flavorful liquid that can be used in soups, stews, sauces, and more.

If you’re looking for a substitute for au jus that has a similar taste, chicken broth is a great option.

It can be used in the same way as au jus, and it’s easy to find (and make).

Just keep in mind that chicken broth will add a bit of chicken flavor to whatever dish you’re making.

If you want to use chicken broth as a substitute for au jus, simply use it in place of the beef broth called for in the recipe.

You may need to adjust the other seasonings to balance out the flavors, but overall, chicken broth makes a great stand-in for au jus.

Conclusion

There you have it – 7 of the best substitutes for au jus.

Whether you’re looking for a taste, texture, or health-conscious alternative, there’s an option on this list for you.

So the next time you’re in a pinch and don’t have any au jus on hand, don’t sweat it – just reach for one of these substitutes instead.

7 Best Au Jus Substitutes

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Substitutes
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • 1. Beef Stock Powder Sauce
  • 2. Bouillon Cubes
  • 3. Beef Broth
  • 4. Brown Gravy
  • 5. Demi-glace
  • 6. Onion Mix Soup
  • 7. Chicken Broth

Instructions
 

  • Select your favorite ingredient from the list above to use as a substitute.
  • Follow the instructions and use the exact ratio of ingredients as directed.
  • This will help to ensure that your dish turns out just as delicious as it would have with the original ingredient.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!