What is the difference between gravy and jus? (2024)

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In the United States, depending on where you are, gravy can refer to a couple of different things. In the South it can mean a sauce made from sausage drippings, flour, and milk that is often poured over flaky buttermilk biscuits. If you are Italian-American, gravy (or Sunday gravy) might be the huge pot of tomato based ragù made on weekends for a big family gathering.

For this story we are looking at the more widespread understanding of gravy. That is to say, the thick, savory sauce that frequently accompanies a nice roast, whether it is roast turkey, roast chicken, roast beef, or more.

But what is the difference between gravy and jus?

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Gravy is usually made with a bit of stock and the lovely bits that stick to the roasting pan, herbs, and salt and pepper. The mixture is thickened with flour, and perhaps a bit of butter is added in the end for some nice richness.

Like gravy, jus (pronounced zhoo) starts with the drippings from cooked meat. Unlike gravy, however, it is not thickened with flour; instead, the liquid is reduced until it reaches the desired consistency, which is usually thinner than gravy. Obviously it takes longer to reduce liquid to a silky, viscous consistency - that’s one reason you tend to see jus on menus more often than at your friend’s house accompanying the roast chicken.

So there you have it, jus is a reduction and gravy relies on a thickening agent. Both, however are delicious and pair fabulously with the only roast chicken recipes you’ll ever need.

What is the difference between gravy and jus? (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between gravy and jus? ›

Like gravy, jus (pronounced zhoo) starts with the drippings from cooked meat. Unlike gravy, however, it is not thickened with flour; instead, the liquid is reduced until it reaches the desired consistency, which is usually thinner than gravy.

What is the main difference between pan gravy and jus? ›

Pan gravy is thickened with a starch, while jus is not. What is the main difference between pan gravy and jus. Answers: - Pan gravy is flavored with mirepoix, while jus is not.

What's the difference between a gravy and a zoo? ›

Both may use pan drippings from the roast, but au jus is a light sauce, while the gravy is thickened using a roux. Make a roux to whisk into the sauce to make gravy from your au jus sauce.

What is the difference between pan jus and au jus? ›

In practice, the jus is enhanced by deglazing the pan with stock and then simmering the liquid with mirepoix before straining and serving it. Au jus is generally -- but not always -- unthickened, which is what distinguishes it from a pan gravy.

What makes a jus? ›

Jus is a specific type of sauce, made from meat juice that has typically been derived from a roast. It's thus typically served as an accompaniment to meat, especially roast beef, which is then known as beef "au jus".

Is there a difference between gravy and sauce? ›

In times long gone, refrigeration didn't exist, so meat, fish, and poultry would spoil quickly. Sauce was created to enhance the flavor of a food in the face of decay. Some common sauces include honey mustard, ketchup, or cranberry sauce. Gravy is a sauce, but one that is specifically made from meat juices.

What's the difference between beef gravy and au jus? ›

Au jus is basically a concentrated version of drippings, whereas gravy is the same thing, only it gets thickened using a roux or another type of thickening agent. In terms of flavor, the difference lies with the cook's personal preference for herbs and spices, which dictate how the meat drippings are seasoned.

What does au jus taste like? ›

Au jus has a rich, savory flavor that is derived from the natural juices of the meat. The taste of au jus can vary depending on the type of meat it is made from and the spices and herbs used to season it. For example, beef au jus has a rich, beefy flavor with a hint of sweetness from the natural juices of the meat.

What's the difference between gravy and stock? ›

Stock is a liquid that is prepared by simmering bones, meat, and/or vegetables in water. The goal is to extract flavors, aroma, and nutrients from the ingredients. Gravy is a sauce made by thickening a liquid, often a stock, with a mixture of fat (usually pan drippings) and flour.

Can you turn au jus into gravy? ›

Although au jus is not intended to be gravy, you can thicken the sauce by melting 1 tablespoon of butter in a microwave-safe bowl, adding 1 tablespoon of flour, and whisking these together. Then, add about 2 tablespoons of the prepared au jus sauce to the butter-flour mixture.

Is it au jus or au jus? ›

Au jus (French: [o ʒy]) is a French culinary term meaning "with juice". It refers to meat dishes prepared or served together with a light broth or gravy, made from the fluids secreted by the meat as it is cooked.

What is jus lie in cooking? ›

Jus lie' “A French term referring to meat juice that has been lightly thickened with a either arrowroot or cornstarch. A similar term “au jus” meaning “with juice” describes the serving of meat, most often beef, with the natural juices that were produced while the meat was being cooked.” ( www.epicurus.com)

What are meat drippings called? ›

Some call it tallow, some call it dripping, and people-in-the-know call it the secret ingredient.

What's the difference between a sauce and a jus? ›

What is the difference between a sauce and a jus? A sauce is a spoonable ingredient, applied to the top of food, such as pizza sauce. Or, mixed in w/ ingredients, such as pasta sauce. A jus is usually a much thinner consistency liquid, a broth, which reflects the main ingredient.

Is beef bone broth the same as au jus? ›

Beef broth is made by simmering beef bones, mirepoix (typically onion, carrots, and celery), hearty herbs, and spices in water, to extract flavor into the liquid. Au jus is basically beefed up beef broth. Amplify the savory flavor of beef broth by simmering it with drippings from roast beef (double beef flavor).

Why do New Yorkers call sauce gravy? ›

Some people believe that when sauce stands alone, it can be called sauce, but when meat is added, it becomes gravy. An article from Matador Network contributes it to immigrants assimilating - they saw people putting actual gravy on turkey and started calling sauce gravy, since it went on top of meat too.

Do real Italians call it sauce or gravy? ›

Here's the gist: the two ways Italians say “sauce” in Italian are salsa and/or sugo. Both words translate as “sauce” but never as “gravy.” Ragù doesn't even translate as “gravy” but comes close enough since it involves meat which is what people really mean when they say “gravy” (my personal opinion).

Are au jus and brown gravy the same thing? ›

The main difference is that au jus is thin and light sauce, while gravy is substantially thicker thanks to roux. Both can be delicious sauces to serve with your favorite meat dishes, but au jus offers a lighter option that complements the beef rather than coating it.

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