Welcome to the most flavorful, tender, and ridiculously easy pot roast you will ever make. This Mississippi Pot Roast recipe is a viral sensation for a reason: it requires just five simple ingredients and a slow cooker to create a fall-apart tender roast with a savory, tangy gravy that’s absolutely unforgettable. If you’re looking for a foolproof dinner that the whole family will love, you’ve found it. Forget complicated steps and long ingredient lists; this set-it-and-forget-it meal is perfect for busy weeknights and cozy Sunday dinners alike.
The magic of this dish lies in its unique combination of ingredients. The richness of the beef, the savory depth of the au jus, the zesty tang of the ranch seasoning, and the mild, piquant kick from the pepperoncini peppers all meld together during the slow cooking process. The result is a pot roast that’s anything but boring. Let’s dive in and make the best Mississippi Pot Roast of your life.
The beef becomes incredibly tender and easy to shred after 8 hours on low.
What is a Mississippi Pot Roast?
A Mississippi Pot Roast is a modern classic, famous for its simple preparation and bold flavor profile. It consists of a beef chuck roast that is slow-cooked with a packet of ranch seasoning, a packet of au jus gravy mix, a stick of butter, and pepperoncini peppers. There’s no searing or pre-browning required. You simply place everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic for hours.
The origins of the recipe are often traced back to Robin Chapman, a home cook from Ripley, Mississippi, who adapted a family recipe in the 1990s. Its popularity exploded thanks to social media and blogs, cementing its status as a go-to comfort food across the country. It’s the perfect example of how a few simple pantry staples can create something truly spectacular.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe
Minimal Prep Time: It takes less than 5 minutes to assemble this dish in your slow cooker. It’s the definition of a “dump-and-go” recipe.
Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory, tangy, and rich flavors creates a gravy that is complex and utterly delicious.
Fall-Apart Tender: Slow cooking breaks down the tough connective tissues in the chuck roast, resulting in incredibly succulent and tender meat.
Versatile: Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, or shred the meat for incredible sandwiches. It’s a dish that keeps on giving. For another hearty family meal, you might also love this classic beef stew recipe.
The 5 Essential Ingredients
One of the best things about this Mississippi Pot Roast is its short and simple ingredient list. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
Chuck Roast: This cut is essential for the best results. A 3-4 pound chuck roast has the ideal amount of fat marbling, which renders down during cooking to create a tender, juicy result. Avoid leaner cuts like round roast, as they can become dry.
Au Jus Gravy Mix: One 1-ounce packet adds a deep, savory, beefy flavor that forms the base of the delicious gravy.
Ranch Seasoning Mix: One 1-ounce packet provides a tangy, herby, and zesty counterpoint to the rich beef. It’s the secret weapon of this recipe.
Unsalted Butter: A whole stick (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter adds richness and a silky texture to the final gravy. Using unsalted butter is key to controlling the sodium level, as the seasoning packets are already quite salty.
Pepperoncini Peppers: These mild, pickled peppers add a subtle heat and a bright, vinegary tang that cuts through the richness of the meat and butter. You’ll need about 5-6 whole peppers, and you can add a splash of their brine for extra flavor.
Just 5 minutes of prep and these simple ingredients are all you need.
How to Make the Perfect Mississippi Pot Roast
Making this famous pot roast is as simple as it sounds. Just follow these two simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Step 1: Assemble in the Slow Cooker
Place the chuck roast in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle the entire packet of ranch seasoning mix evenly over the top of the roast. Follow with the entire packet of au jus gravy mix, sprinkling it over the ranch seasoning. Place the stick of butter on top of the seasoned roast. Finally, arrange the pepperoncini peppers around the butter.
Step 2: Cook Low and Slow
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 hours. There is no need to add any extra liquid! The roast will release its own juices, which will combine with the butter and seasonings to create the most amazing gravy. Avoid the temptation to open the lid while it’s cooking, as this releases heat and can extend the cooking time. The magic happens when it’s left undisturbed.
Expert Tips for Success
Don’t Add Liquid: Trust the process. The roast and butter will create plenty of liquid, resulting in a concentrated and flavorful gravy. Adding water or broth will only dilute the taste.
Control the Salt: Both seasoning packets contain a lot of sodium. Using unsalted butter is the best way to prevent the dish from becoming overly salty. If you are sensitive to salt, look for low-sodium versions of the au jus and ranch mixes.
Shred and Serve: Once the roast is done, it will be so tender you can shred it directly in the slow cooker with two forks. Let the shredded meat soak in the gravy for at least 10 minutes to absorb all the delicious flavor before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
While the classic 5-ingredient recipe is fantastic, you can easily tweak it to your liking.
Adjust the Spice: For more heat, use hot pepperoncini peppers or add a pinch of red pepper flakes. For a milder flavor, use banana peppers instead.
Add Vegetables: If you want to add vegetables, place hearty root vegetables like carrots and potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the roast. They’ll cook beautifully in the flavorful juices.
Different Meats: This recipe also works well with pork shoulder (Boston butt) or even chicken thighs (reduce cooking time to 4-5 hours on low).
What to Serve with Your Pot Roast
The rich and flavorful gravy from the Mississippi Pot Roast is perfect for serving over something that can soak it all up. Our favorite pairings are:
Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate classic comfort food pairing.
Buttered Egg Noodles: A simple and delicious base for the shredded beef.
Steamed Rice: A great option to soak up every last drop of the gravy.
Crusty Bread: Perfect for dipping. You could even try making your own Amish white bread for a truly homemade meal.
For a complete meal, add a simple green vegetable on the side, like roasted broccoli or green beans.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftover Mississippi Pot Roast is fantastic! Store the shredded meat and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
To reheat, simply warm it gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave until heated through. The leftovers are perfect for making sliders, tacos, or even adding to a hearty tater tot casserole.
The best cut is a boneless chuck roast, ideally 3-4 pounds. Its marbling and connective tissue break down during slow cooking, resulting in exceptionally tender and flavorful meat.
No, it is not considered spicy. The pepperoncini peppers add a mild tanginess and piquant flavor rather than significant heat. If you prefer no heat, you can use mild banana peppers instead.
No, do not add any extra liquid like water or broth. The roast will release its own juices, which will combine with the melting butter to create a rich, concentrated gravy. Adding liquid will dilute the flavor.
The easiest way to control the salt is to use unsalted butter. The ranch and au jus packets contain a lot of sodium. If you are still concerned, look for low-sodium versions of the seasoning packets at your grocery store.
It’s best served over something that can soak up the delicious gravy. Creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, and white rice are all excellent choices. For a vegetable side, simple steamed green beans or roasted broccoli work well.
The Only Pot Roast Recipe You’ll Ever Need
This Mississippi Pot Roast recipe truly lives up to the hype. It’s an incredibly easy, flavorful, and satisfying meal that requires almost no effort. It’s a lifesaver on busy days and a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Give it a try, and it’s sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation. We hope you love it as much as we do!
If you made this recipe, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out! Don’t forget to share your creations and follow us on Pinterest for more delicious ideas.
This 5-ingredient Mississippi Pot Roast is the easiest and most flavorful dinner you'll make all week!
FL Recipes
Mississippi Pot Roast: The Ultimate Slow Cooker Recipe
This Mississippi Pot Roast is the ultimate slow cooker meal! With just 5 ingredients like chuck roast, ranch seasoning, and pepperoncini, you get a tender, juicy roast with a savory, tangy gravy. The perfect set-it-and-forget-it dinner.
3-4poundbeef chuck roastLook for a well-marbled cut.
1ounce packetranch seasoning mix
1ounce packetau jus gravy mix
1/2cupunsalted butterThis is equivalent to 1 stick.
5-6whole pepperoncini peppersAdd more for extra tang.
Equipment
1 Slow Cooker A 6-quart slow cooker is recommended.
Method
Place the chuck roast into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning and au jus gravy mix over the roast.
Place the stick of butter on top of the seasoned roast. Arrange the pepperoncini peppers around the butter.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. Do not add any liquid.
Once cooked, the roast will be fall-apart tender. Shred the meat directly in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir the shredded meat with the juices to coat. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the gravy, then serve hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 30gFat: 35g
Notes
Salt Content: If you are sensitive to salt, use low-sodium versions of the ranch and au jus packets. Serving Suggestion: This roast is best served over creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice to soak up the delicious gravy.
Keyword crockpot recipe,mississippi pot roast,slow cooker pot roast
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
