Au Jus Gravy Mix

Homemade Au Jus Gravy Mix is a time saving special seasoning mix full of savory flavor. Whether you make a delicious gravy to serve with French Dip Sandwiches or roast beef or add to your crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast, you’re going to find yourself reaching for this pantry staple all the time.

What is Au Jus?

Traditional au jus sauce is a thin brown gravy made from deglazing pan drippings or rendered beef fat from roast beef or prime rib with beef broth, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, and simmering with mirepoix (onions, celery, and carrots) before straining it. It is divine, but it requires that you’ve made a juicy roast in order to get the drippings and it’s a bit of a process.

It’s almost always served with prime rib, making it a staple of the steakhouse and premium restaurant scene. It’s also ubiquitous alongside french dip or french dip-inspired sandwiches.

Sometimes you just want to scratch that au jus itch and there are no meat dishes or beef drippings to be had and no time to make a roast. In those cases, you might reach for a McCormick au jus gravy mix seasoning packet.

The packets are not exactly the same as fresh au jus, but they have their own advantages. The powdered au jus gravy mix is shelf stable and just a couple tablespoons of au jus gravy mix adds flavour and body to your favorite dishes like soup and stew, and yields the most flavourful pot roast you’ve ever had.

But those McCormick gravy mix packets are not ubiquitous. There are quite a few markets globally that don’t carry them.

So what’s a cook to do? Why, make our own, of course! This is a mercifully easy thing to do, and once you have a jar of this in your spice cabinet, you’ll never want to be without it again!

Au Jus Mix

Here’s some good news! Our au jus mix is made from other pantry staples you’re likely to have on hand already. Here’s a quick list so you know what you’ll need to have handy.

• Beef Bouillon Powder or Stock Powder
• Corn starch
• Granulated Onion or Onion Powder
• Dried Parsley Flakes
• Granulated Garlic or Garlic Powder
• Black Pepper

No specialty equipment is strictly necessary for this recipe. That said, a food processor or blender will help you make a more even mixture that is closer to the McCormick Spices product. This list lets you know what you’ll need to make your au jus gravy mix.

• Measuring spoons
• a whisk, fork, blender, or small food processor
• a airtight container to store your mix (jar, food storage container, or zipper top bag.)

Be sure to pick a beef bouillon or stock powder that tastes good when rehydrated. It is going to be the real beefy presence in this au jus, so you want it to be good.

There’s more good news! If you’re a vegetarian or don’t eat red meat, you can still make your own version of au jus. Just swap out one of the beef bouillon in this mixture!

Simply substitute vegetarian bouillon powder for the beef if you’d like a vegetarian au jus. If you’re still a fan of juicy roasts but beef isn’t your jam, swap in chicken, pork, or lamb bouillon or stock powder. You’ll still get that lovely, savoury, unctuous au jus flavour that goes with and in so many dishes.

An important note to keep in mind: your homemade au jus gravy mix will not have the same depth of colour that the commercial mix does, as it will not have caramel color. If the darker colour is important to you, you can add a little browning sauce to your gravy.

Gluten Free Au Jus Mix

And the good news keeps on coming! As long as you choose a gluten free bouillon powder, this au jus mix is naturally gluten free because it uses cornstarch instead of flour for body.

Just look over the ingredients list carefully for allergen content if that is a concern for you. If you prefer to choose a bouillon that uses natural flavor vs. artificial flavors, be sure to be on the lookout for that as well.

If you’re avoiding gluten, are adding Worcestershire or soy sauce to your gravy when reconstituting it, be sure to choose your brand carefully. Soy sauce is almost always made with wheat & malt vinegar is a wheat derivative and often present in Worcestershire sauce.

Cornstarch has the added benefit of making your finished au jus glossy and shiny instead of opaque and dull looking like flour would do. When reconstituted, our au jus mix makes a thin gravy that’s ideal for dipping.

Should your preference run toward a thicker au jus gravy, you’re welcome to adjust the cornstarch upward to match your own tastes.

Au Jus Gravy Mix

Measure all of the ingredients into the work bowl/carafe of a food processor or blender fitted with metal blade. Pulse the mixture until the the mixture is even in colour.

If you do not have a blender or food processor, you can add all of the ingredients to a bowl and use a fork or whisk to evenly combine it. You’ll be able to see more recognizable spices and herbs in the final au jus when it is made into gravy, but it will work fine.

If using the blender or food processor, allow the dust to settle for a few minutes before opening the work bowl or carafe. Transfer the powdered au jus gravy mix to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place.

One ounce of the finished mix is approximately 4 1/2 teaspoons. This is equivalent to one packet of McCormick Spice’s au jus gravy mix. To make au jus gravy, whisk 4 1/2 teaspoons into 2 cups of cold water in a small saucepan.

It is easy to make next level au jus gravy with your mix! Just use 1 3/4 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of red wine, plus 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire or Soy Sauce instead of 2 cups water.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. If making next level au jus, simmer for closer to 15 minutes to remove the raw taste from the wine.

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Au Jus Gravy Mix

Homemade Au Jus Gravy Mix is a time-saving, special seasoning mix full of savory flavor. Whether you make a delicious gravy to serve with French Dip Sandwiches or roast beef or add to your crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast, you're going to find yourself reaching for this pantry staple all the time.

Course Canning and Food Preservation, condiment

Cuisine American

Keyword au jus gravy mix, au jus mix, homemade au jus gravy mix, homemade au jus mix

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 35

Calories 5kcal

Author Rebecca Lindamood

Equipment

• 4 measuring spoons
• 1 blender or food processor
• 1 airtight container

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons Beef Bouillon Powder or Stock Powder
• 4 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 4 teaspoons Granulated Onion or Onion Powder
• 2 teaspoons Dried Parsley Flakes
• ½ teaspoon Granulated Garlic or Garlic Powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground Black Pepper

Instructions

• If using the blender or food processor, allow the dust to settle for a few minutes before opening the work bowl or carafe. Transfer the powdered au jus gravy mix to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place.
• One ounce of the finished mix is approximately 4 1/2 teaspoons and is equivalent to one packet of McCormick Spice’s au jus gravy mix.

To Make Au Jus Gravy:

• To make au jus gravy, whisk 4 1/2 teaspoons into 2 cups of water in a small saucepan. To make next level au jus gravy with your mix, use 1 3/4 cups of water, and 2 tablespoons of red wine, plus 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire or Soy Sauce instead of 2 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. If using the red wine and Worcestershire or soy sauce, simmer for closer to 15 minutes to remove the raw taste from the wine.

Nutrition

Calories: 5kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.03g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.002g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 0.02mg | Sodium: 137mg | Potassium: 5mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.03mg

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of organic fruits?

Organic foods are free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. They are also richer in nutrients like vitamins C, E, K, and omega-3 fat acids. Organic food is better for the earth and our bodies because of these healthy ingredients.

Organic foods are made using sustainable agricultural practices, which protect soil quality and promote biodiversity. They are made without the use of harmful chemicals, irradiation or sewage waste.

Although organics are most commonly associated with produce, organics can also be found in dairy, meats, poultry, eggs and baked goods.

"Organic" is defined by the USDA as crops that have been grown following strict guidelines set forth in federal government standards. Non-organic methods cannot be used by farmers to grow these foods. However, they may use approved natural pest control methods, such as crop rotation and cover cropping, and animal feed made from organic materials.

Further, the farmer must be careful about the amount of pesticide and fertilizer he uses in the growing season. Farmers cannot use genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial growth hormones, synthetic insecticides, or synthetic fertilizers.

Fruits and vegetables labelled "100% organic" meet all the requirements above. However, some farms won't claim that their products are 100% organic. This would confuse the consumers. They will instead label their product "made with organic ingredients." "

What are the most popular organic products?

Today organic food is the fastest-growing sector. There is still much to be done, even though we have come so far from our roots.

Organic products are the future. Organic products are safer, more sustainable, and cheaper for consumers.

But they also tend to be higher priced. That's why we created the Organic Food Index. We wanted to determine which foods are the most popular among shoppers today and whether these trends are changing.

These results indicate that organic food is growing in popularity. Between 2011-2012, nearly half of Americans shopped for organic foods.

The USDA reported that organic production rose by 10% in the last year. 9% now comes from organic foods in the United States.

While organic food is certainly gaining ground, it seems that it is still an expensive choice for consumers. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) reports that organic food retail prices average almost double the price of conventional foods.

That said, organic food is growing faster than any other segment of the food sector. You can see that organic food has been steadily increasing since 2009.

In fact, according to OTA, the volume of organic products sold in supermarkets grew by 14% between 2010 and 2011.

This is due to consumer demand for healthier food, which explains why organic foods sales are rising across all age groups.

Younger generations are also leading the way in organic food choices. Millennials are twice as likely than baby boomers to buy organic foods. Young adults below 35 years of age account for 25%.

What are organic products for beauty?

Organic Beauty Products contain natural ingredients without artificial chemicals, such as parabens and phenoxyethanol. These ingredients are common in cosmetics such as shampoos, perfumes, and cosmetics.

Organic beauty products don't contain genetically modified organisms and are therefore free from animal testing.

The USDA defines organic as "a system that fosters the cycling of resources." It has been used for many decades to describe food products grown without pesticides.

Due to the adverse effects of chemicals on our bodies, there has been a growing demand for eco-friendly cosmetics in recent years.

These include skin irritation, hormone imbalance, premature ageing, and cancer.

Organic beauty companies are committed to creating healthy and safe products for consumers while protecting the environment.

Statistics

• When packaged products indicate they are “made with organic [specific ingredient or food group],” they contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients. (usda.gov)
• To provide the highest quality products and services to every customer, with a dedicated workforce that puts the customer first and takes the extra step to achieve 100% customer satisfaction and loyalty. (hollinsorganic.com)
• Once certified by the USDA, it can fall into one of four categories: "100 percent organic", "organic," "made with organic ingredients," or "made with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Popular clothing brands, like Patagonia, are labelled as organic by using 100 percent organic cotton for many of their styles. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

ota.com

• Organic Industry Survey


• U.S. organic revenues soared to nearly $62 Billion in 2020

doi.org

• The link between occupational pesticide exposure and cancer risk: A review: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B. Vol 15, No 4.


• Genetically modified food: safety, risk and public concerns - a review - Journal of Food Science and Technology

ams.usda.gov

• Home


• Agricultural Marketing Service

ewg.org

• Summary


• Clean Fifteen (tm) Conventional Produce Using the Least Pesticides

How To

What happens to your body when you switch to organic products?

Organic products do not contain synthetic fertilizers or hormones. They are derived from clean water and animals that have been free to roam. Organic products are those that do not contain chemicals or other additives. This product is natural and does not contain any harmful substances.

The term "natural" refers how food is grown. It is used to describe food that has not been processed into its final form, such as fruits. Natural foods are often fresher than others because they haven't been treated with heat, radiation, or chemical preservatives. Some people don't believe that natural means healthy. Experts believe there is no difference in organic and conventional food. Both types of food have been tested for safety and quality. Organic produce contains fewer pesticide and other pollutants than conventionally-grown produce.

Most grocery stores now sell organic products. Organic meat, poultry or eggs can be found at most local markets. Some companies sell only organic products. Other companies have separate sections. USDA Certified Organic is a non-GMO Project Verified company.

If you are pregnant, or nursing, these products should not be eaten. Pesticides are known to affect unborn babies and infants.