This recipe takes a long time to make, so it’s a great one to double or triple and freeze for easy reheating. If you forget to thaw it ahead of time you can just take it out and thaw it for a few hours sitting on your kitchen counter, or thaw it in warm water enough to empty it out of the bag into a pot for reheating.

BEEF AU JUS

Serves 8-12

•  1 boneless beef or lamb rump roast (4 lb.s)
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
• 2 large sweet onions, cut into 1/4” slices
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 5 cups water
• 1/2 cup soy sauce or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon browning sauce or beef bouillon (optional)
• 1 loaf of French bread
• 1 cup (4 oz.) Swiss cheese

In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown roast on all sides in oil; drain. In a large skillet, sauté onions in 2 T. butter till tender. To the roast add the water, soy sauce, soup mix, garlic, onions & browning sauce or bouillon. Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 2-1/2 hours or until meat is tender.

Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Strain out the onions and put them in their own small ziplock bag for freezing. Return meat to pan juices.

Once it is cooled enough, pour the meat and juices into a gallon ziplock bag. Place this into another gallon ziplock which is labeled. Place the Swiss cheese into a small ziplock bag and put it in the labeled ziplock as well. Add the ziplock bag of onions. Freeze the loaf of bread along with this meal, in its own bag. On the label be sure to put a reminder to thaw the bread along with this meal.

TO SERVE

Preheat the oven to broil. Thaw the meal and the bread, and reheat the meat and juices in a large pot. Heat the onions in a small skillet with a tiny bit of butter. Slice the bread into 3” sections. Spread softened butter onto slices, place on a baking sheet and broil 4-6” from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Strain the meat broth from the sliced meat. Top slices of toasted bread with sliced beef and onions; place shredded or sliced Swiss cheese on top. Broil 4-6” from heat for 1-2 minutes or till cheese is melted. Serve with meat juices for dipping. This is delicious and good enough to serve to company!

See more Make Ahead Meal recipes