slow cooker beef delight

Crockpot Mississippi Roast

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Crockpot Mississippi roast is the internet-famous five-ingredient pot roast: a chuck roast topped with ranch seasoning, au jus mix, butter and a handful of pepperoncini. It cooks in its own juices for 8 hours and comes out rich, tangy and tender enough to shred with a fork.

  • Prep: 10 minutes
  • Cook: 8 hours on LOW or 4–5 hours on HIGH
  • Serves: 8 (6 quart slow cooker)
  • Ingredients: just 5

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Is Mississippi roast spicy?

Not really. Pepperoncini are mild, tangy peppers, and left whole they mostly add brightness to the gravy. If you want more kick, slice a few open, add more brine, or swap in a few pickled jalapeños.

Why no water or broth?

The roast and butter release plenty of liquid as they cook. Adding more just thins out the flavor. Don’t worry if it looks dry at the start; there will be plenty of juice by the end.

Ways to serve it

  • Over mashed potatoes or egg noodles with the juices spooned on top.
  • On toasted hoagie rolls with provolone, like a French dip.
  • Over rice, or in tacos with pickled onions.
slow cooker beef delight

Crockpot Mississippi Roast

The famous five-ingredient pot roast: chuck roast slow-cooked with ranch seasoning, au jus mix, butter and pepperoncini until tender and tangy.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Southern

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lb boneless beef chuck roast
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for searing (optional)
  • 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 packet (1 oz) au jus gravy mix or brown gravy mix
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into pieces
  • 6 to 8 pepperoncini peppers plus 2 tablespoons of their brine

Method
 

  1. Sear (optional): Pat the roast dry and brown it in the oil in a hot skillet for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
  2. Season: Put the roast in a 6 quart slow cooker. Sprinkle the ranch mix and au jus mix evenly over the top.
  3. Top: Place the butter on the roast and scatter the pepperoncini and brine around it. Do not add any other liquid.
  4. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef shreds easily.
  5. Shred and serve: Shred the beef with two forks and stir it into the juices. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or egg noodles, or on toasted rolls.

Notes

No extra liquid: the roast releases plenty of juice. Adding water or broth dilutes the flavor.
Saltiness: both seasoning packets are salty, so use unsalted butter and don't add salt until you taste it at the end. A low-sodium au jus mix helps too.
Heat level: whole pepperoncini give a mild tang. For more heat, slice a few open or add extra brine.
Storage: refrigerate in the juices for 3 to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot (165°F).

What You’ll Need

Storing and reheating

Store the shredded beef in its juices so it stays moist. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat covered on the stove or in the microwave until steaming hot.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Chuck roast is best because it stays juicy. Rump roast or bottom round work but turn out leaner and a little drier.

Can I make it without the packets?

Yes. Replace the ranch packet with 1 tablespoon of homemade ranch seasoning, and the au jus packet with 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce plus 1 teaspoon each of onion powder and garlic powder. Still skip the extra liquid.

Can I cook it from frozen?

No. Thaw the roast in the fridge first so it reaches a safe temperature quickly.

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