Oh, you guys, if there’s one thing that just takes a simple meal from “meh” to “OMG, who made this?!” it’s a fantastic au jus. My Homemade Au Jus: Rich, Savory, and Beefy Perfection is exactly that, and guess what? You can make it super easily with your Instant Pot! Seriously, it’s a total game-changer. I remember making it for the first time after a holiday roast, and even though the roast was good, the little bit of extra au jus we had just made everything sing. It’s like liquid gold for your dinner plate! I’ve always loved those old-school, slow-simmered broths, but who has days to wait? This recipe gives you all that deep, beefy goodness without being stuck over a stove all day. Trust me, once you try this Instant Pot version, you’ll never go back.
Why This Homemade Au Jus: Rich, Savory, and Beefy Perfection: Au Jus Recipe Instant Pot is a Game-Changer
So, why should you ditch the store-bought stuff and whip up your own au jus? Let me count the ways!
- Speedy Goodness: The Instant Pot is a miracle worker here. We’re talking incredible flavor in under an hour, not days on the stove.
- Deep, Rich Flavor: Roasting those bones and veggies beforehand, plus the Instant Pot magic, creates a beefy depth that’s just insane.
- Super Versatile: Pour it over steak, prime rib, roast beef, use it for French dip sandwiches, or even as a base for a quick gravy. It’s a liquid hug for your food!
- Seriously Easy: Toss it all in, seal it up, and walk away. It’s practically foolproof, even if you’re a little intimidated by pressure cookers.
Gathering Your Ingredients for the Perfect Au Jus Recipe Instant Pot
Alright, let’s get down to business and talk about what you need to make this amazing au jus! It’s not complicated at all, but using good stuff makes all the difference. Here’s your shopping list:
- Beef bones: You’ll need about 2 pounds. Marrow bones or knuckle bones work best for that incredible flavor.
- Onion: Just one large one, and give it a quick quartering. No need to peel if you’ve scrubbed it clean!
- Celery: Grab 2 stalks and chop them into roughly 2-inch pieces.
- Carrots: Two medium carrots, peeled and also cut into 2-inch chunks.
- Garlic: 4 cloves are perfect. Just give them a good smash with the side of your knife.
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tablespoon adds a wonderful layer of umami.
- Black peppercorns: 1 teaspoon adds a gentle warmth.
- Fresh thyme: 2 sprigs will do the trick.
- Bay leaf: Just 1 is all you need.
- Water: 8 cups to get everything cooking.
Essential Equipment for Your Au Jus Recipe Instant Pot
Okay, so you don’t need a fancy professional kitchen for this, but a couple of key tools make all the difference! First up, you absolutely need your Instant Pot. It’s the magic maker here, doing all the heavy lifting for us. After cooking, you’ll want a good fine-mesh sieve to strain out all those yummy solids, leaving you with pure liquid gold. And lastly, just a sturdy bowl to catch all that deliciousness. Easy peasy! If you’re into clean eating recipes, this homemade au jus fits right in!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade Au Jus: Rich, Savory, and Beefy Perfection
Alright, my friends, let’s get this delicious au jus party started! It’s honestly so simple, you’ll wonder why you ever bought it from a can. We’re going to use that amazing Instant Pot to do most of the work. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have liquid gold quicker than you can say “French dip sandwich!” This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for healthy Instant Pot recipes or leaning into lean protein meals.
Loading the Instant Pot for Maximum Flavor
First things first, let’s get everything into the Instant Pot. It’s like building layers of flavor right from the start! Pop those beef bones right into the bottom. Then, toss in your quartered onion, those chunky celery and carrot pieces, and the smashed garlic cloves. Don’t forget the Worcestershire sauce, peppercorns, thyme sprigs, and the bay leaf. Just pile it all in there – the Instant Pot knows what to do!
The Pressure Cooking Process for Au Jus Recipe Instant Pot
Now for the magic! Pour your 8 cups of water over everything, making sure it all gets happily submerged. Secure the lid, twist that valve to “Sealing,” and set your Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Once it’s done its thing, let it sit for a good 10 minutes for a natural pressure release. After that, carefully do a quick release for any leftover steam. It’s like a little burst of flavor escaping!
Straining and Finishing Your Rich, Savory Au Jus
Okay, deep breath! Carefully open that lid. Now, grab your fine-mesh sieve and set it over a nice big bowl. Slowly pour the contents of the Instant Pot through the sieve, letting all that gorgeous, rich liquid drip through. Discard all those solids – they’ve given their all! The last little step is to skim off any excess fat from the top. Just use a spoon and scoop it away. Now you’ve got the most amazing, homemade au jus ready for anything! Perfect for comforting dinner recipes.
Tips for the Best Homemade Au Jus: Rich, Savory, and Beefy Perfection
Making au jus in the Instant Pot is already a step above, but let me tell you about a couple of little tricks that really make it sing! First off, that note about roasting the bones and veggies? DO IT! Seriously, taking an extra 30 minutes to pop them in the oven at 400°F until they’re all lovely and browned adds a whole other dimension of flavor. It deepens that beefy taste like you wouldn’t believe. It’s perfect for when you’re prepping farm-fresh recipes! Also, don’t be afraid to taste it once it’s done straining. If you want it a little saltier, add a pinch more salt, or if you want it richer, a tiny splash more Worcestershire sauce can work wonders. This recipe is so adaptable, making it perfect for your next healthy meal prep session!
Serving Suggestions for Your Au Jus Recipe Instant Pot
So, you’ve made this incredible, rich au jus. Now what? Oh, the possibilities are endless! This liquid gold is perfect for elevating so many dishes. Of course, it’s a must-have alongside a perfectly cooked roast beef, prime rib, or any steak you fancy. French dip sandwiches? Absolute game-changer with this au jus for dipping! And don’t forget, it makes a fantastic base for quick gravies or to simply spoon over mashed potatoes. It’s a little touch that makes any meal feel extra special, perfect for simple balanced suppers or just a delicious go-to for dinner.
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Au Jus
Now, about those delicious leftovers of your amazing au jus! You can totally keep this liquid gold in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Just pop it into an airtight container. If you’ve got more than you can use, don’t sweat it! Freeze it in ice cube trays for smaller portions, or in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to reheat, just gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat or pop those frozen cubes into a small pot. It’s perfect for your fresh weekly meal prep!
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Au Jus
Got questions about this amazing Instant Pot au jus? I’ve got you covered! Let’s dive into some common things people ask.
Can I use beef broth instead of bones?
You know, you sure *can*, but it won’t give you quite the same depth of flavor. Using beef bones is key to that rich, beefy taste because they release collagen and marrow as they cook. If you *have* to use broth, go for a really high-quality, low-sodium beef broth, and maybe add a tablespoon or two of beef base for extra oomph. It’s a good shortcut for recipes for weight loss where you might be watching fat content, but for the richest au jus, bones are the way to go!
How long does it take to make this au jus?
The beauty of the Instant Pot is how fast it is! The actual cooking time is 45 minutes on high pressure, plus about 10 minutes for that natural release. So, you’re looking at around 55 minutes of active cook time, but most of that is hands-off! You just need to account for the 5 minutes of prep to get everything into the pot. It’s way quicker than traditional stovetop methods that can take hours!
Can I make this on the stovetop?
Absolutely! If you don’t have an Instant Pot, no worries. You can totally make this on the stovetop. Just toss all your ingredients into a large stockpot, cover them with the water, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for at least 3-4 hours, or even longer if you have the time. The longer it simmers, the more flavor you’ll get! Make sure to skim off any impurities that rise to the top during the simmering process.
What if I don’t have all the vegetables?
Don’t stress too much if you’re missing a veggie or two! The beef bones and the Worcestershire sauce are really the stars here. You’ll still get a great base flavor from them. If you have them, the onion, carrots, and celery add lovely aromatic notes and a bit of sweetness that makes the au jus more rounded. If you’re short on one, just proceed; it will still be delicious!
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Alright, let’s talk numbers! Keep in mind all these values are just estimates, because how much fat is on those bones or exactly how big that onion was can change things up! But generally, a serving of this glorious au jus is pretty lean. You’re looking at roughly 20-30 calories, a couple of grams of fat (mostly skimmed off!), a little bit of protein, and just a couple of carbs. It’s perfect for your calorie-smart recipes and diet recipes!
Print
