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This is an incredible Red wine sauce for steak that can be made in less than 20 minutes! Whether you call it red wine jus or red wine reduction, it’s the perfect enhancement to your steak dinner.
This red wine jus requires just three ingredients and can even be prepared in advance. Enjoy it with a glass of the same red wine you choose to cook with – an elegant meal for any night of the week.
I love a great steak… be it steak on the grill, broiled steak, or steak on the stove. It’s so easy to make, and yet feels like something truly special.
We try to make dinner at home feel like special occasions sometimes, whether we’re entertaining or just enjoying a date night in. Sometimes it’s homemade pasta, but we often do a steak night because it’s so flexible and like we’re dining out on the town.
Nothing makes a steak feel more special than an enhancement. I rarely order a steak off the menu without adding one. Use my homemade steak seasoning and then add one little teaspoon of sauce for so much flavor.
This steak sauce is easy enough for a weeknight, and also special enough for something like a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. Serve it with your favorite sides and it makes such a pretty presentation!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Red Wine Jus
- Ready in less than 20 minutes
- Bursting with rich flavor
- Enhances steak making it feel special
- Drink the rest of the wine bottle!
★★★★★
5 STAR REVIEW
“OMG! That SAUCE!! I am a huge steak lover…it’s my meal of choice whenever we have an occasion to celebrate. Love wine in cooking!!! Pinned. 🙂”
—Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie —
Red Wine Sauce Ingredients
- Butter – Of course! This is the base of just about any homemade or restaurant-style pan sauce. You can use salted or unsalted- we tend to have salted on hand. Just watch any additional salt that you add at the end!
- Shallots – The delicate onion flavor turns the red wine sauce into something incredible!
- Pinot Noir – One of my favorite wines to enjoy over a light weeknight meal or dinner with friends. It is the best red wine for steak sauce since because of its bold flavor. It is a fragrant and easy-to-drink wine that will also serve beautifully with your steak dinner!
Variations
- Add fresh herbs during the last five minutes of cooking for more flavor- thyme, rosemary and oregano all work beautifully.
- Add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to your red wine sauce for another layer of flavor.
- To make a true au jus, cook your steak in the pan first, using the juices and browned bits in the pan as the base of your sauce. So delicious!
How to Make Red Wine Jus
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add wine and bring to a boil. Reduce for 15 minutes, scraping the sides until slightly syrupy.
- Serve on top of steak and enjoy with a glass of wine!
Red Wine Jus Serving Suggestions
- Serve on top of steak for an incredible treat.
- Add on top of chicken, pork or short ribs, too.
Shortcuts
- Make this red wine sauce for steak in up to two days ahead to save time!
- In fact, you can make a large batch and freeze. Use the 1x2x3x tab on the printable recipe card to easily convert to a larger amount.
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make red wine jus in advance?
Absolutely! Make it up to two days in advance and store in an airtight container. Simply warm on the stove or even in the microwave when it’s time to serve.
What is au jus in cooking?
It’s simply the French term for “juice”. It generally refers to a sauce or gravy added to meats in cooking.
How do You Thicken Red Wine Sauce?
You may read other red wine sauce recipes that call for a thickener, such as cornstarch or arrowroot, but I find this to be unnecessary. Ultimately, it simply makes the red wine sauce too thick.
For the best results, bring the wine to a boil over medium heat, then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes. The result is a silky smooth and slightly syrupy sauce with incredible flavor!
Make Ahead
- Prep in advance and leave refrigerated for up to 24 hours prior to baking and serving. Warm through in the microwave or stovetop when needed.
Tips
- Pick the perfect cut of meat from the butcher. The higher quality cuts will give you a more tender, flavorful steak.
- Season the steak before cooking. If you have time, let the meat sit with the seasoning for a while before cooking to allow the spices to soak in.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure you’re cooking the meat to the temperature of your liking.
- Get all my best tips and tricks for steak here: How to Cook Steak on the Stove, and How to Cook Steak in the Oven.
- Get a free printable Steak Temperature Chart here!
The steak will continue to cook a little once you take it off the grill. I like mine to a perfect medium-rare, about 145 degrees, so I pull it off the grill or pan at 140 degrees.
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – for up to two hours before refrigerating.
- Refrigerate – in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Freeze – in an airtight container for up to three months.
How to Serve
One of the reasons we love steak dinners is because of the flexibility! Steak is delicious with a variety of sides.
- Serve with mashed cauliflower for a low carb delight.
- Roasted Cauliflower is perfect too.
- The best Green Beans
- Mashed Potatoes with caramelized shallots
- The ultimate Italian Salad
- Smashed Potatoes
- Serve on top of Fettuccine Alfredo
- Truffle Fries
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
- Vegetarian
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More Sauce Recipes
- White Wine Lemon Caper Sauce
- Lemon Pepper Sauce for Pasta or Wings
- Cranberry Sauce with Port
- Amazing Vodka Sauce Recipe
- Garlic Aioli
- Balsamic Glaze
- White Wine Sauce for Pasta
Did you make this? Rate the recipe and tag me on social @julieblanner!
Incredible Red Wine Sauce for Steak
An incredible Red Wine Sauce for Steak that can be made in less than 20 minutes! Whether you call it red wine jus or red wine gravy, its the perfect enhancement to your meal! Enjoy it with a glass of the same red wine you choose to cook with – an elegant weeknight meal.
Yield
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 shallot minced
- ¾ cup Pinot Noir
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add wine and bring to a boil. Reduce for 15 minutes, scraping the sides until slightly syrupy.
- Serve on top of steak.
Tips
Enjoy with a glass of the same wine you choose to cook with!
To Store
- At Room Temperature – for up to two hours before refrigerating.
- Refrigerate – in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Freeze – in an airtight container for up to three months.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 117kcal (6%), Carbohydrates: 2g (1%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 5g (25%), Cholesterol: 23mg (8%), Sodium: 77mg (3%), Potassium: 21mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 266IU (5%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 1mg (6%)
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Sara says
I can’t wait to make this! I love a good wine sauce! Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Julie says
Thanks, Sara! Enjoy!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
What a beautiful sauce for a steak!
Julie says
Thank you, Brenda!
Chris @ Celebrations At Home says
Oh, this looks so good. Will have to try it out!
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says
OMG! That SAUCE!! I am a huge steak lover…it’s my meal of choice whenever we have an occasion to celebrate. That sauce looks like perfection and I can’t wait to try it! Love wine in cooking!!! Pinned 🙂
Pamela says
Everything looks so yummy! When did you say dinner started????????????
Julie says
🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!