Bursting with flavor, it’s hard to believe this easy Mississippi pot roast recipe is made with only 4 ingredients! Load the crockpot and enjoy a hands-free main dish that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. Add Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes and Pan-Roasted Broccoli for a complete quick and easy meal.
I have to confess that while I love making dinner in my slow cooker – Slow Cooker Carnitas, Classic Slow Cooker Pot Roast, and Slow Cooker Brisket are a few of my faves – I hadn’t heard of one of the most famous slow cooker beef roast recipes until just last year – the slow cooker Mississippi pot roast!
My family was happy to taste test while I tried a few variations on this yummy dinner, and I ended up with a simplified, healthy version that tastes amazing!
My Mississippi pot roast recipe is a combination of four simple ingredients that you dump into your crock pot, and it magically turns into one of the most flavorful and delicious pot roasts you’ll ever make.
WHAT IS MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST?
According to the New York Times, the recipe was originally created around the year 2000 by Robin Chapman, a woman from Mississippi who put her own twist on a roast beef recipe her aunt liked to serve.
It has since become quite a popular recipe, and it’s no wonder – the buttery, tender, juicy, and delicious pot roast that results from just a few ingredients and minimal prep work is perfect for both a fast and easy weeknight dinner AND a family Sunday dinner!
WHY MAKE SLOW COOKER MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST?
Why is Mississippi Pot Roast so good?
I honestly have no idea…
- Maybe it’s the meat. We love chuck roast in Slow Cooker Balsamic Pot Roast AND my Classic Slow Cooker Pot Roast too. Chuck roast turns out tender and delicious when it’s cooked low and slow.
- Maybe it’s the pepperoncini peppers. I use them in Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken as well as any Greek dish (like my chopped Greek Quinoa Bowls). They add a punch of tangy, zesty flavor to any meal.
- Maybe it’s the fact that this is a dinner dump recipe. This means you can dump everything in the crockpot, walk away, and when your family sits down for dinner, they’ll crown you the queen of the day, and you can take all the credit knowing you spent MAYBE 3 minutes of work.
I say yes to all of the above.
Additionally, this Mississippi roast recipe is freezer-friendly (raw or cooked), super-affordable, and gets rave reviews every time I make it!
MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST INGREDIENTS LIST
You need just 4 ingredients to make the best Mississippi pot roast recipe on the planet:
- Chuck roast: This is the best choice for this Mississippi roast, but you can use rump roast, bottom round roast, or shoulder roast as well.
- A packet of dry ranch dressing mix: You can also use homemade ranch seasoning instead.
- A packet of Au Jus gravy mix: Or use granulated onion and cornstarch as a substitute.
- Pepperoncini peppers: No substitutes here! These tangy, zesty peppers are key to the flavor of Mississippi roast. Check your labels to avoid unnecessary food dyes.
A lot of recipes for Mississippi pot roast call for butter as well, but to be honest with you, I don’t think it needs it. By the time your slow cooker has melted the marble of fat in your roast (and your meat has soaked up all of that deliciousness), there’s no need to add any more fat.
A QUICK NOTE ON MEAT FOR MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST
Let’s talk about the meat – what’s the best cut of meat for Mississippi roast?
Traditionally, the best cut of meat for any pot roast recipe is the chuck roast. It has a thick marble of fat throughout the roast that melts in the slow cooker, creating a perfectly tender and juicy pot roast for dinner.
Chuck roast tends to be the most affordable, but if you don’t have a chuck roast or can’t find one, you can use a rump roast, a bottom round roast, or a shoulder roast. These will all create a delicious Mississippi pot roast as well, although you may want to add a few Tablespoons of butter to the leaner roasts when cooking to make up for the lower amount of fat compared to a chuck roast (but it will still turn out delicious even if you don’t!).
Try Butcher Box! If you’re looking for higher-quality meat and can’t find it locally, Butcher Box delivers grass-fed beef, organic chicken, and heritage-breed pork directly to your front door each month. You can read my honest review of Butcher Box here, and how to make Butcher Box worth the cost here.
The search for high-quality meat ends here. Amazing taste. Humanely raised and delivered to your door. Sign up today! Click this link to claim the current offer!
HOW TO MAKE MISSISSIPPI ROAST RECIPE IN THE SLOW COOKER
Without a doubt making this Mississippi roast recipe in the slow cooker is so easy, that you can practically do it while you’re sleeping!
Step 1. Place the roast in the bottom of the slow cooker. (Don’t have a slow cooker or want to make it a different way? Keep reading for additional cooking methods.)
Note: You do NOT need to sauté the roast over medium-high heat in olive oil first, nor do you need to add a cup of beef broth to the slow cooker. Add just the meat – the slow cooker will create the juice for you!
Step 2. Sprinkle the two packets of seasoning over the roast. (If you’re going the homemade route as I did, see the recipe below for exact measurements for the seasonings.)
Step 3. Sprinkle the pepperoncini over the roast – there’s no need to stir.
You can use whole pepperoncini or sliced pepperoncini. I prefer sliced – that way you get little pieces of pepper in every bite!
Step 4. Cook on LOW for 10 hours.
Step 5. Shred the beef with two forks and serve!
Store leftover roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the roast raw with the peppers and spice mixes. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
THE BEST MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST SIDES
My family loves Mississippi pot roast with Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Vegetables, and Dinner Biscuits.
If you have any No-Knead Artisan Bread or Dinner Rolls, they’re perfect for sopping up the extra juices!
If you have leftovers, try serving it over Instant Pot Rice (Cauliflower Rice or Mashed Cauliflower if you’re low carb), tucked inside sandwiches, or over a bed of egg noodles!
HOW TO MAKE MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SLOW COOKER
HOW TO MAKE MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST IN THE INSTANT POT
If you need a Mississippi pot roast done more quickly than the 10-hour slow cooker method, try making Instant Pot Mississippi roast.
Step 1. Pour vegetable oil into your Instant Pot and press SAUTE.
Step 2. Cut your roast into 4 even chunks.
Step 3. Add the pieces of chuck roast to the hot oil and sauté it for 5 minutes. Then flip it over and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Add more oil, if needed.
Step 4. Remove the roast from the Instant Pot and set it aside.
Step 5. Slowly add 1 cup of beef broth to the Instant Pot. Stir the broth and loosen up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Whisk in the juice from the jar of pepperoncini peppers. (The Instant Pot needs the liquid to come to pressure, whereas the slow cooker method doesn’t need any additional liquid).
Step 6. Transfer the roast back into the Instant Pot. Then sprinkle Au Jus Mix and Ranch Dressing Mix over the roast. Add the pepperoncinis.
Step 7. Turn off the SAUTE mode. Close the Instant Pot with the lid and set the steam release knob to the sealing position.
Step 8. Press the MANUAL button and then set it to 60 minutes HIGH PRESSURE. Once the cooking is finished do a Natural Pressure Release for 15 minutes.
Step 9. Turn off the pot and then release the remaining pressure by turning the knob to the venting position.
Step 10. Remove the Mississippi pot roast from the Instant Pot and serve with the juices.
HOW TO MAKE MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST RECIPE IN THE OVEN
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. Heat oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat on the stovetop.
Step 2. Sear roast for 2-3 minutes per side.
Step 3. Remove from heat. Then sprinkle the Au Jus and ranch dressing mix over the roast.
Step 4. Top with pepperoncini peppers.
Step 5. Bake, covered, for 7-8 hours.
Note: To cut the cooking time, wrap the roast in foil and place it in the Dutch oven with the lid on. Bake at 350 degrees for 3-4 hours.
MISSISSIPPI ROAST CROCK POT FAQS
What does Mississippi roast taste like?
Mississippi pot roast has a slightly less savory flavor than traditional pot roast. It’s still very tender, buttery, and rich, but the pepperoncini peppers give it a little kick and brightness!
Is a packet of brown gravy mix the same as the au jus mix?
No, brown gravy is technically not the same as au jus. If you don’t have au jus or prefer to make your own seasoning blends (like I do), you can substitute 2 Tbsp granulated onion and 2 Tbsp cornstarch for the au jus packet.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can use a packet of dry onion soup mix, or you can make your own dry onion soup mix.
What cut of meat is a pot roast?
Pot roasts tend to use chuck roasts, but I’ve tested this with a shoulder roast and bottom round roast, and they were delicious as well! (If your doctor has told you to choose leaner meats because of cholesterol, those would be good options. They’re also higher in protein per serving.)
Can you cook Mississippi roast crock pot on high?
No! I know 10 hours may seem like a long time, but the roast needs every minute for the slow cooker to break down the marbling of the fat in the chuck roast, resulting in tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat.
Why is my Mississippi roast tough?
Your Mississippi roast is likely tough for one of two reasons: Either you cooked it “high and fast” instead of “low and slow,” or you got a bad cut of meat. If you didn’t cut the 10-hour cooking time short, your roast is tough likely because of the animal. Sometimes it just happens!
Does pot roast get more tender the longer it cooks?
Yes! You’d think that roasts would overcook at 10 hours, but they actually become more tender! I haven’t cooked pot roast longer than 10 hours though, so I’m not sure what would happen if it cooked longer.
MORE SLOW COOKER RECIPES
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
- The Very Best Slow Cooker Carnitas
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
- 16 Slow Cooker Soups and Chilis for Fall
Fight Inflation Workshop!
Sign up for my FREE Fight Inflation Workshop and learn simple strategies to save money, even with rising food costs!Easiest Mississippi Pot Roast (just 4 ingredients)
Bursting with flavor, it’s hard to believe this easy Mississippi pot roast recipe is made with only 4 ingredients! Load the crockpot and enjoy a hands-free main dish that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. Add Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes and Pan-Roasted Broccoli for a complete quick and easy meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 hours
- Total Time: 10 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Meals
- Method: Slow cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3–4 lbs Chuck Roast
- Packet of Dry Ranch Dressing Mix (or use ¼ cup homemade ranch seasoning)
- Packet of Au Jus Gravy Mix (easy substitute is in the actual recipe below)
- Jar of Pepperoncini Peppers
Instructions
- Place the roast in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the two packets of seasoning over the roast (for homemade Au Jus, just substitute 2 Tbsp granulated onion and 2 Tbsp cornstarch for the au jus packet).
- Sprinkle the pepperoncini peppers over the roast – there’s no need to stir.
- Cook on LOW for 10 hours.
- Shred the beef with two forks and serve!
Notes
- For homemade Au Jus, just substitute 2 Tbsp granulated onion and 2 Tbsp cornstarch for the au jus packet.
- You do NOT need to saute the roast over medium-high heat in olive oil first, nor do you need to add a cup of beef broth to the slow cooker. Add just the meat – the slow cooker will create the juice for you!
- You can use whole pepperoncini or sliced pepperoncinis. I prefer sliced, that way you get little pieces of pepper in every bite!
Nutrition
- Calories: 822
Tiffany, my husband and I have made your version of the Mississippi Pot Roast on several occasions. Yours is still my favorite recipe of this type. It is on the menu for tomorrow, again! Thank you very much!
When using the Instant Pot method you mentioned broth, which isn’t listed in the ingredient list. Is that one cup of beef broth? Also, is all the juice from the jar of pepperoncinis used? Thanks so much for any clarification!
What brand of pepperoncini did you find that doesn’t use food dye yellow #5?
Hi Diana,
There is a brand called Jeff’s Garden that has no yellow #5. You might want to google it. I’m sure you can buy it online, if you cannot find it in the supermarket. Hope this helps.
I found Kroger brand did not use it!
Tiffany, thank you very much for posting your recipe revision to the Mississippi Pot Roast. I have wanted to try a version of it previously, but just could not bring myself to use the stick of butter that is used in most other variations. I am grateful that you made the recipe much healthier and my husband and I look forward to having your version of this chuck roast recipe for dinner tomorrow evening. I even used your suggestion for the Au Jus seasoning. Many thanks.