Brown gravy mix and au jus mix are two common ingredients used to quickly prepare savory sauces and gravies. While they share some similarities, there are important differences between brown gravy mix and au jus mix in terms of their ingredients, taste, uses, and nutritional value.
What is Brown Gravy Mix?
Brown gravy mix is a pre-made blend of dried ingredients used to prepare a traditional brown gravy. The main ingredients in most brown gravy mixes are:
- Flour – Thickens the gravy and adds structure.
- Salt and seasonings – For flavor. Common seasonings include black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder.
- Beef or chicken flavoring – Derived from meat juices, yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, etc.
- Caramel color – Darkens the gravy for the characteristic brown color.
- Dried vegetables – Onion, carrots, celery may be included.
- Preservatives and anti-caking agents.
To prepare brown gravy from a mix, you typically whisk the powder with cold water or milk and bring it to a simmer to thicken. The gravy develops a smooth, silky texture and rich brown color.
Uses for Brown Gravy Mix
Brown gravy mix is a versatile ingredient used to make quick gravy and sauces for:
- Roast turkey, chicken, beef, or pork.
- Mashed potatoes or rice.
- Biscuits and gravy.
- Casseroles and pot pies.
- Smothering chicken fried steak or hamburger steaks.
What is Au Jus Mix?
Au jus (pronounced “oh-joo”) mix is a blend of ingredients used to prepare a thin, savory juice or dipping sauce, traditionally served alongside French Dip sandwiches.
The main ingredients in most au jus mixes include:
- Beef or chicken bouillon – Dried stock provides rich umami flavor.
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein – Adds meaty, savory taste.
- Onion and garlic powder – Extra flavor.
- Salt and pepper.
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – For enhanced savory taste.
- Caramel color – Darkens the sauce.
To make au jus from a packet, you whisk it with hot water until dissolved. The resulting sauce has a thin consistency and concentrated meaty flavor.
Uses for Au Jus Mix
Au jus mix can be used to make quick sauces for:
- French Dip sandwiches – Thinly sliced roast beef on a hoagie roll, dipped in the jus.
- Prime rib – Served alongside as a flavorful dipping sauce.
- Pot roast or braised dishes – Great for basting and making pan sauces.
- Horseradish sauce – Combine with prepared horseradish for an aromatic condiment.
Differences Between Brown Gravy Mix and Au Jus Mix
While both are used to make quick savory sauces, there are some notable differences between brown gravy mixes and au jus mixes:
| Brown Gravy Mix | Au Jus Mix |
|---|---|
| Thicker consistency, can coat back of spoon | Thin, watery consistency |
| Opaque, rich brown color | Transparent, dark brown color |
| Smooth, velvety texture | Thin, free-flowing texture |
| Made with flour, milk/water | Made with beef/chicken stock |
| Versatile for many dishes | Specifically for dipping sandwiches |
| Can use as standalone sauce | Usually not used alone, complements other flavors |
Ingredients
The main difference in ingredients is that brown gravy contains flour as a thickener, while au jus relies on concentrated stocks for flavor. Au jus also has higher amounts of ingredients like MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and caramel color to amp up the savory taste.
Consistency
Brown gravy mix produces a much thicker sauce that can coat the back of a spoon, while au jus is very thin with a watery consistency for dipping.
Appearance
Brown gravy has a rich, opaque brown color from the flour and caramel color. Au jus is transparent and darker brown from the beef stock and caramel color.
Texture
The flour in brown gravy gives it a smooth, velvety texture. Au jus has a very thin, free-flowing texture.
Uses
While both can enhance the flavor of beef, brown gravy mix is much more versatile for using with all kinds of dishes like chicken, turkey, pork, potatoes, and in casseroles. Au jus has a specialized purpose for dipping French Dip sandwiches.
Flavor
Brown gravy on its own has a well-rounded flavor and can be eaten as is. Au jus is mainly designed to complement other flavors like rare roast beef rather than be eaten alone.
Can You Substitute Between Brown Gravy Mix and Au Jus Mix?
Brown gravy mix and au jus mix cannot be easily substituted for each other in recipes due to their different properties and flavors. However, in a pinch, some modifications can be made:
- To make a thicker au jus that approximates brown gravy, whisk an au jus packet with equal parts milk and water instead of just water. Sprinkle in a bit of flour after cooking if needed to reach the desired thickness.
- To thin out regular brown gravy to an au jus-like consistency, gradually whisk in additional hot water until it reaches the right thin, dipping consistency.
- Adjust seasoning if needed. Brown gravy may need more salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder. Au jus may need thickening agents.
Keep in mind that the flavor and appearance will still be quite different than using the proper ingredient specified in the recipe. The modified sauce may appear curdled or clumpy. The best option is to use the specifically called for ingredient if possible.
Nutritional Comparison
Brown gravy mix and au jus contain some common ingredients like salt, flavorings, and thickeners. However, their nutrition profiles differ significantly:
| Nutrition per 1⁄4 cup (28g) mix | Brown Gravy Mix | Au Jus Mix |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 110 | 15 |
| Fat | 1g | 0g |
| Carbs | 21g | 3g |
| Protein | 2g | 1g |
| Sodium | 760mg | 500mg |
Key differences:
- Brown gravy mix has more calories and carbs from the flour and milk used to thicken it.
- Brown gravy also contains a bit more fat than the fat-free au jus.
- Au jus mix has added MSG, contributing to its higher sodium content.
- Both are high in sodium since they contain lots of salt for flavor.
Sodium Content
Both mixes are high in sodium, with brown gravy providing 760mg and au jus 500mg per quarter cup of dry mix. When prepared according to package directions, a half cup of prepared brown gravy contains about 400mg sodium. The same amount of prepared au jus has around 250mg sodium.
The high sodium levels are added for enhanced flavor. This may be concerning for people monitoring their salt intake for conditions like high blood pressure.
Carbohydrates
Brown gravy mix contains 21g carbs per quarter cup, the majority coming from the added flour. Au jus only has 3g carbs since it does not contain flour. For low carb diets like keto, au jus may be the better choice.
Fat and Protein
Both mixes are relatively low in fat and protein, since they are made from ingredients like flour, milk powder, bouillon, and seasonings. Brown gravy contains slightly more fat and protein than au jus, from ingredients like flour and milk.
Cost Comparison
Both brown gravy mixes and au jus mixes are inexpensive ingredients. Here is a rough cost comparison:
- Brown gravy mix: Approximately $0.05 to $0.10 per ounce. A 2-ounce package of brown gravy mix costs $1 to $2.
- Au jus mix: Approximately $0.07 to $0.15 per ounce. A 1 to 1.5-ounce package of au jus mix costs around $1 to $2.
So brown gravy mix tends to be a bit less expensive per ounce compared to au jus mix. But both can be bought for just a couple dollars for enough to prepare multiple batches.
Price Per Ounce
Comparing the price per ounce shows that brown gravy mix ranges from $0.05 to $0.10 per ounce. Au jus mix is slightly more expensive, ranging from about $0.07 to $0.15 per ounce. The difference is minor though.
Package Sizes
One reason for the slightly lower cost of brown gravy is that it usually comes in larger packages around 2 ounces. Au jus mix packages are typically 1 to 1.5 ounces. The larger quantity of brown gravy can bring the per ounce price down a bit.
Final Cost
Both ingredients can be purchased for right around $1 to $2 per package. This inexpensive price makes them very cost-effective convenience ingredients to have on hand. Their quick preparation saves significant time compared to making gravies and sauces completely from scratch.
Taste Test Comparison
To evaluate the differences in taste between brown gravy and au jus, I prepared each from commonly available pre-packaged mixes.
Brown Gravy Mix Taste Test
I made a batch of brown gravy using McCormick’s Brown Gravy Mix. Per the instructions, I whisked 2 tablespoons of the mix with 1⁄2 cup cold water in a saucepan. After bringing it to a boil and stirring for 1 minute, the gravy was ready.
The resulting gravy had a smooth, creamy texture and rich brown color. The flavor was predominantly savory and meaty, with notes of onion, pepper, and other seasonings. It was quite salty, but the flavor overall was well-rounded. The gravy nicely coated the back of a spoon.
Au Jus Mix Taste Test
For the au jus, I prepared a packet of McCormick Au Jus Gravy Mix. I whisked the packet with 1 cup hot water until dissolved.
The au jus had a very thin consistency and darker brown transparent color. The flavor was intensely beefy, salty, and savory, with a distinct flavor boost from MSG. On its own, the flavor was a bit one note. But the concentration of meatiness would lend lots of flavor when used as a dip.
Comparison
The brown gravy mix resulted in a thicker, more versatile sauce with well-blended flavors. The au jus had a thinner consistency designed specifically for dipping, with an intense savory beef kick. For everyday uses like chicken, pork, mashed potatoes, or turkey, I would prefer the brown gravy. The au jus makes an excellent accompaniment for French dip sandwiches.
Conclusion
Brown gravy mix and au jus gravy mix share some similarities, but have distinct differences that make them non-interchangeable in recipes. Key points:
- Brown gravy is thick and opaque for coating foods, while au jus is a thin, transparent dipping sauce.
- Brown gravy gets its flavor from a blend of ingredients; au jus concentrates on intense beef/chicken stock taste.
- Brown gravy contains flour to thicken; au jus uses stock for flavor.
- Brown gravy is versatile on meats and side dishes; au jus is specifically for French dip sandwiches.
- Brown gravy mix costs slightly less per ounce compared to au jus mix.
- Both can add quick flavor for about $1 to $2 per package.
While they have distinct uses, having both brown gravy and au jus mix on hand provides endless options for enhancing the flavor of all kinds of savory dishes.