Mississippi pot roast recipe with potatoes and carrots

This unique recipe for Mississippi Pot Roast is full of flavor and the most tender roast you will ever try. Filled with butter and tangy peppers for a surprisingly comforting meal. Great over mashed potatoes or steamed rice.

Table of Contents Show

Why do they call it Mississippi Pot Roast?
Recipe Ingredients
Step by Step Instructions
Which packet to use to make this recipe have less sodium:
What goes well with Mississippi Pot Roast?
Expert Tips and FAQs for this Recipe
More beef recipes:
Why is my Mississippi Pot Roast not tender?
Do you have to brown a roast before putting it in the crockpot?
What can I substitute for ranch seasoning in Mississippi Pot Roast?
Do you put the roast in the crock pot first or the vegetables?

If you have not tried the Mississippi roast fad, it is time. This is one of my most requested recipes, and I have two other versions, a Spicy Mississippi Roast and Chicken Mississippi recipe.

Why do they call it Mississippi Pot Roast?

I’m in quite a few Facebook crockpot recipe groups, and this Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast recipe has been the rage for years. Though this is not your traditional pot roast recipe, this will please even the pickiest of eaters.

Some people call it Mississippi Mud Roast, and some even call it the forbidden roast, for the group members are tired of everyone posting photos of it!

The famous roast has just 4 ingredients; chuck roast, butter, brown gravy mix (or au jus mix), and ranch dressing mix. If you love easy slow cooker recipes, then get these ingredients ASAP!

Recipe Ingredients

Chuck Roast – This is a highly marbled beef roast that is the key to this recipe.
Brown Gravy Mix – This little packet thickens the sauce a bit and adds a great beefy flavor. If you want to use a different kind of packet such as an au jus packet or onion soup mix packet, see my info below on sodium content.
Ranch Dressing Mix– Why ranch mix? This has great onion and garlic flavor. You can use any one-ounce packet, even the packet labeled “dip”. There is also a spicy version that works great in this recipe.
Usalted Butter – Adds a butter flavor and makes it ultra decadent. Use your favorite brand. You can use salted, but it may make the dish even saltier.
Peperoncini Peppers and Juice– the peppers and juice add a vinegary tang to the roast, don’t skip on this!

Step by Step Instructions

Step One – Add the chuck roast to the slow cooker—no need to brown with my easy version.

Step Two – Sprinkle over the dry Ranch dressing Mix

Step Three – Sprinkle over the Brown Gravy. Add the jarred pepperoncini peppers and juices.

Step Four – Add the stick of cold butter to the top of the roast.

Step Five – Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 6-7 hours.

Step Six – Shred the meat with two forks and serve.

Which packet to use to make this recipe have less sodium:

Many of my fans have said that they think the famous crock pot Mississippi Pot Roast recipe is too salty. I have found when they do say that, they are using one of the more salty packets. The packet I use is listed first below.

McCormick Brown Gravy (entire packet): 1360mg sodium
Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix (entire packet): 2800mg sodium
McCormick Au Jus Gravy Mix (entire packet): 3600mg sodium

Look at the differences in sodium content. If you want to use onion soup mix or au jus, I recommend using half a packet or serving over something plain like white rice.

What goes well with Mississippi Pot Roast?

Shred the meat with two forks and discard any fatty pieces. Serve with one of these suggestions. This melt-in-your-mouth pot roast is great served any way!

On hoagies, hamburger buns or slider buns – Don’t forget the french fries!
Steamed white or brown rice – The roast can be on the salty side and rice is one way to tone that down.
Mashed potatoes – This is the most popular side for this incredible roast.
Cauliflower rice -A way to make this meal a little healthier.
Steamed vegetables
Gravy – For a thicker gravy, you can make a pot roast gravy by whisking in a cornstarch slurry made from cold water and cornstarch.

Expert Tips and FAQs for this Recipe

Do I have to use the butter?

The butter adds a buttery flavor to this dish which makes it ultra decadent. Many people do leave it out or cut the butter in half without issues. If you think it will be too rich, definitely leave it out! I do not recommend using margarine for this.

Can I use a different kind of meat?

You can use a beef bottom round roast or beef rump roast if desired. Or, you can use pork roast or chicken breasts or thighs with this recipe. Use pork gravy or chicken gravy if you do so.

Is Mississippi Pot Roast Low Carb or Keto?

Yes, a serving is about 2 grams of carbs per serving.

How can I make this in an instant pot (pressure cooker)?

Yes, though you’ll want to add a cup of beef broth to the pot before starting, or you will get a burn warning.

Can I add potatoes and carrots?

Yes! Add chunks of potatoes with their skins on and chunks of carrots (or baby carrots) at the beginning of the cooking time.

Do I have to brown my meat for Mississippi Pot Roast?

The chuck roast does not need to be browned before adding to the crockpot. Though it won’t hurt the recipe if you do.

What can I use instead of pepperoncini in this?

You will need to use pepperoncini peppers for it to have the Mississippi flavor. Though you can use dill pickles and some of the pickle juice for a different twist.

Do I add liquid?

The unsalted butter will melt and will be the liquid for the flavorful pot roast recipe. Do not add water or broth. The meat will also cook down and make more liquid.

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▢ 4 lb. chuck roast 3-5 lbs will work
▢ 1 oz. ranch packet (can use original packet, dip packet or spicy packet)
▢ .87 oz. brown gravy packet (I use McCormick) See substitutions in notes below
▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) can use salted
▢ 10 or more peperoncini peppers
▢ 1/4 cup peperoncini juice (optional but adds more tanginess and flavor)

Add the roast to the slow cooker. You can brown the meat in a skillet on the stovetop if desired but I do not.
Add the ranch packet and brown gravy packet on top of the roast.
Add the stick of butter, peppers and pepper juice.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 6-7 hours. Do not open the lid while the roast cooks.
Shred with two forks right in the slow cooker. Remove any fatty pieces.

What are some idea on how to serve this shreded meat?

On hoagies, hamburger buns or slider buns
Steamed white or brown rice
Mashed potatoes
Cauliflower rice or with steamed vegetables.

Can I use an Au jus packet or onion soup mix packet?

Yes, but beware they are saltier than the brown gravy mix, see below:

McCormick Brown Gravy Sodium (entire packet): 1360mg
Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix (entire packet): 2800mg
McCormick Au Jus Gravy (entire packet): 3600mg

Can I use a different type of meat?

You can use pork roast or chicken breasts or thighs with this recipe.
Use a pork gravy or chicken gravy if you do so.

Do I have to add the butter?

The butter adds a buttery flavor to this dish which makes it ultra decadent.
Many people do leave it out or cut the butter in half without issues. If you think it will be too rich, definitely leave it out!

Can I add potatoes and carrots?

Yes! Add chunks of potatoes with their skins on and chunks of carrots (or baby carrots) at the beginning of the cooking time.

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More beef recipes:

Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken
Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast
Slow Cooker Creamy Mississippi Beef – Recipe from Recipes that Crock
Mississippi Pot Roast Soup (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot) – Recipe from Plain Chicken
Slow Cooker Spicy Mississippi Pot Roast
Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast – Recipe from Diethood
Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast – Recipe from The Country Cook
Slow Cooker Easy Pot Roast

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Why is my Mississippi Pot Roast not tender?

If you find your pot roast is tough, there is one reason. You need to cook the roast longer. Crock pot roast should result in a super tender and juicy roast.

Do you have to brown a roast before putting it in the crockpot?

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't one hundred percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

What can I substitute for ranch seasoning in Mississippi Pot Roast?

Ranch Herb Blend - Mississippi Roast gets a nice herb flavor from Ranch Seasoning. To keep this version clean, skip the store-bought packet and make this Homemade Ranch Seasoning or get a very close approximation by combining 1 ½ teaspoon each of Dried Parsley, Garlic Powder, Dried Chives, and Dried Dill Weed.

Do you put the roast in the crock pot first or the vegetables?

Layer wisely: For even cooking, cut food into uniform-size pieces. Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top.