Mississippi Pot Roast: A Hearty, Slow-Cooked Comfort Food

Mississippi pot roast is a delicious, tender, and juicy pot roast that is shockingly easy to make. It is cooked in a slow cooker with a combination of simple ingredients that come together to create a mouth-watering dish. The recipe typically includes a chuck roast, butter, pepperoncini peppers, and gravy mix, resulting in a flavourful and tangy roast that can be served in a variety of ways. With a prep time of just a few minutes and a cook time of around 8 hours, this pot roast is a convenient and satisfying meal for any occasion.

What is Mississippi pot roast?

Mississippi pot roast is a juicy, tender, and flavorful dish that is slow-cooked to perfection. It is typically made with just five simple ingredients: chuck roast, pepperoncini peppers, butter, and packets of dry ranch dressing mix and au jus gravy mix. The roast is placed in a slow cooker and cooked on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful meat.

The key to this recipe is the combination of the ranch and au jus mixes, which give the roast a unique and delicious flavor. The pepperoncini peppers add a tangy and vinegary taste, while the butter locks in moisture and keeps the roast from drying out. The slow cooking process melts the collagen and fat within the chuck roast, making it melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Mississippi pot roast is a popular dish that can be served in a variety of ways. It can be served as a sandwich on hoagie rolls or hamburger buns, or as a hearty meal over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. It is also low-carb and keto-friendly, pairing well with mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice.

The origins of the dish can be traced back to Robin Chapman, a home cook from Ripley, Mississippi, who adapted a recipe given to her in the 1990s to create a less spicy version for her children. The recipe became an internet sensation, with people raving about its delicious flavor and ease of preparation.

Overall, Mississippi pot roast is a simple yet mouthwatering dish that is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays. With its tender meat and flavorful gravy, it is sure to be a family favorite that will leave everyone asking for more.

How long does it take to cook?

The cooking time for Mississippi pot roast varies depending on the method used. Here are the typical cooking times for different cooking methods:

Slow Cooker/Crockpot

The most common method for cooking Mississippi pot roast is using a slow cooker or crockpot. The cooking time can range from 8 to 10 hours on low heat or 4 to 7 hours on high heat. It is recommended to cook the roast on low heat for the best results. The meat should be fork-tender when it is done, and easily shreddable with two forks.

Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

When using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, the cooking time is significantly reduced. It typically takes about 1 hour of cook time under high pressure, followed by a natural pressure release.

Stovetop/Dutch Oven

For those without a slow cooker or pressure cooker, Mississippi pot roast can also be made in a Dutch oven on the stovetop. The recommended cooking time is around 4 to 5 hours in a preheated oven at 275°F. It is important to turn the roast halfway through the cooking process.

Oven

Cooking the roast in the oven at a lower temperature of 225°F for 8 hours is also an option.

Additional Tips:

• It is important not to open the lid of the slow cooker frequently, as this will extend the cooking time.
• The internal temperature of the roast should be around 195°F to 200°F for the meat to be tender.
• If the roast is tough, it likely needs more time to cook.
• Adding extra liquids is usually not necessary, as the juices from the meat and other ingredients provide enough liquid.

What ingredients are needed?

Mississippi Pot Roast Ingredients

The Mississippi Pot Roast is a simple dish that requires few ingredients, but packs a punch in the flavour department. Here is a detailed list of the ingredients you will need:

Chuck Roast

The star of the show and the base of your Mississippi Pot Roast is the chuck roast. This cut of beef is ideal for slow cooking, as the extended cooking time melts the collagen and fat within the roast, resulting in a tender and juicy pot roast. Aim for a well-marbled chuck roast weighing between 3 to 5 pounds.

Pepperoncini Peppers

These peppers are a key ingredient, adding a tangy and zesty flavour to the dish. They also help to tenderise the meat. Be sure to use whole pepperoncini peppers, as the slices may fall apart during the long cooking process. You will also need the juice from the pepperoncini jar, which adds a delicious vinegary tang to the roast.

Butter

Use a stick of unsalted butter, which is about half a cup or 115 grams. The butter adds a decadent buttery flavour to the dish and helps to lock in moisture, keeping the roast from drying out. If you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it, but be aware that it may make the dish saltier.

Dry Ranch Dressing Mix

A packet of dry ranch dressing mix is used to season the roast. You can use any one-ounce packet, even those labelled as "dip". If you prefer to make your own ranch dressing mix, simply combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, minced garlic, and dried herbs such as parsley, dill, and chives.

Au Jus Gravy Mix

Another important seasoning for the Mississippi Pot Roast is a packet of Au Jus Gravy Mix. This adds a great beefy flavour to the dish. If you can't find Au Jus Gravy Mix, you can substitute it with a brown gravy mix or onion soup mix. However, be aware that these alternatives may have a higher sodium content.

Optional Ingredients

While the ingredients mentioned above are the foundation of the Mississippi Pot Roast, there are a few optional ingredients you can add to customise the dish to your taste:

• Fresh parsley: Adds a bit of freshness and a pop of colour to the finished dish.
• Vegetables: You can add potatoes, carrots, or onions to the pot roast for a heartier meal. Cut them into 1- to 1.5-inch pieces and add them at the beginning of the cooking process.
• Broth: If you're making the dish in an Instant Pot, you'll need to add about a cup of beef broth to prevent a burn warning.

How to make it in an oven?

Mississippi pot roast is a delicious, tender, and juicy meal that can be made in an oven. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make it:

Ingredients:

• Boneless chuck roast (3-5 pounds)
• Olive oil (2-3 tablespoons)
• Salted/unsalted butter (half a cup)
• Pepperoncini peppers (6)
• Au jus gravy mix (1 ounce)
• Dry ranch dressing and seasoning mix (1 ounce)
• Flour (optional, 1/3 cup)
• Water or low-sodium beef broth (1 cup)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 275-300°Fahrenheit.
• If you want to dredge the meat, place the flour in a shallow dish and pat the beef dry before coating it.
• Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Place the meat in the pot and sear it for about 4-6 minutes on each side, or until nicely browned.
• Remove the beef and reduce the heat to medium.
• Add water or beef broth to the pot and deglaze it by scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
• Return the roast to the pot with the liquid.
• Pour in 2-4 tablespoons of juice from the pepperoncini jar over the roast.
• Sprinkle the au jus gravy mix and ranch dressing mix on the roast.
• Place pats of butter on top of the roast.
• Arrange the pepperoncini peppers around the roast.
• Cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil.
• Bake in the oven for about 3 hours, or until the roast is tender and can be easily pulled apart.

Tips:

• You can skip the dredging step if you prefer.
• Searing the meat is optional but adds extra flavor.
• Avoid adding extra liquid to the pot as the roast and butter will create enough juices.
• If you want to thicken the gravy, mix cornstarch and water, then whisk it into the drippings and cook for about 10 minutes.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

What to serve it with?

There are many options for what to serve with Mississippi pot roast. Here are some ideas:

Carbohydrates

• Mashed potatoes
• Rice (steamed white or brown rice, or cauliflower rice)
• Noodles (butter or egg)
• Rolls (hoagie, hamburger, slider, or steak rolls)
• Buns (toasted kaiser or toasted ciabatta)

Vegetables

• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Roasted broccoli
• Cabbage (e.g. in the form of coleslaw)
• Carrots (brown sugar carrots)
• Salad (e.g. Portillo's chopped salad, carrot salad, or 1905 salad)

Other

• Gravy (pot roast gravy, or gravy made from cornstarch and water)
• Cheese (havarti)

Frequently asked questions