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

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?

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 au jus and gravy mix? ›

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'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".

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.

What is a good substitute for gravy? ›

Broth or Pan Drippings

If you don't have enough drippings, add stock until you have 1 cup total. Any kind of stock will work for gravy but I like to use something complementary. For example, beef stock with gravy for beef, chicken stock for chicken or turkey, etc.

What is posh gravy called? ›

Jus is a French culinary term for what you can think of as the posh cousin of gravy. It's an intensely savoury, glossy sauce made from homemade stock or meat drippings, heavily reduced to concentrate the flavour.

What is au jus made of? ›

Au jus recipes in the United States often use soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, white or brown sugar, garlic, beets, carrots, onions, or other ingredients to make something more like a gravy. The American jus is sometimes prepared separately, rather than being produced naturally by the food being cooked.

Can I substitute au jus gravy for brown gravy? ›

Can you use brown gravy instead of au jus? Yes! A 1 ounce packet of brown gravy mix can be used in place of the au jus mix. The flavor may be slightly different because there is a different amount of sodium and a different seasoning base, but it shouldn't change the recipe much and it will still be delicious!

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 is the difference between brown gravy and au jus? ›

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 are meat drippings called? ›

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

Is pan sauce the same as gravy? ›

Gravy is just gravy while pan sauces are elegant, clean, smart and flavorful. I've never been one for gravy -- in the worst cases, it's lumpy and tastes of uncooked flour; in the best cases, it's viscous and generic.

What makes pan sauce different from other sauce? ›

The basis for pan sauces is the fond, or browned bits that stick to the bottom of your pan while you cook the protein. This rich brown coating will melt into your sauce and provide deep, rich flavors.

What is the meaning of pan gravy? ›

: gravy consisting of seasoned but not thickened juices extracted from meat in cooking and often a little water.

What is pan gravy thickened with? ›

All gravies are made with fat, liquid, and a thickening agent, usually flour. Once you've mastered our simple recipe, there are endless ways in which you can make gravy from your pan drippings, obtaining different flavors and textures.

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