Mississippi Pot Roast Slow Cooker Recipe

Crock Pot Mississippi pot roast is a new southern classic that is zippy, tangy, rich and melt-in-your-mouth addictive!

Prepare to fall in love with Mississippi Pot Roast.  It is the one of the easiest, juiciest, most flavorful dinners AND the slow cooker does all the work!  The pepperoncini and homemade ranch seasoning add layers of dynamic flavor that is purely intoxicating.

showing how to make Mississippi Pot Roast in crock pot with potataoes


 

What’s a Mississippi roast?

I am excited to be sharing my version of Mississippi Pot Roast with you today!  I didn’t think any pot roast could rival my Mom’s Crazy Tender Pot Roast, but this Mississippi Pot Roast is giving it a run for its money!

Mississippi Pot Roast is traditionally made by slow roasting roast in a crockpot with an entire stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix and a package of au jus gravy along with whole pepperoncini.

My Healthier Mississippi Roast Recipe

My version of Mississippi Pot Roast, however, boasts all the same zippy, tangy rich flavors, but I’ve skipped the unnecessary butter and prepackaged mixes and replaced them with homemade seasonings (so easy!) resulting in an intensity of flavor that can’t be beat.

The tanginess of the pepperoncini and homemade ranch cut through the richness of the beef while the homemade gravy soaks into every juicy nook and cranny.

up close of Mississippi Pot Roast with carrots on a white platter

Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe ingredients

  • 1 (3-5 pound) chuck roast
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 5 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 1/2 cups low sodium beef broth
  • ⅓ cup pepperoncini juice (from jar of pepperoncini below)
  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons dry minced onion
  • 1 tablespoon beef bouillon powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoons dried chives
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6-8 whole pepperoncini
  • carrots cut into thirds (optional)

Gravy

  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups beef broth from slow cooker

Please don’t be intimidated by the length of the ingredients.  They are pantry friendly, almost all dump and run, and require no extra skill but deliver explosive results.

showing how to make Mississippi Pot Roast with potatoes in slow cooker

What kind of meat is used in a Mississippi roast?

There are many different cuts of beef that can be used for roasts from bottom round, to rump roast, to shoulder roast to chuck roast.  The boneless chuck roast, however, is the Mercedes of the roasts and should be used in Mississippi Pot Roast.

Boneless Chuck roast boats great texture and fabulous marbling which translates into rich, succulent flavor.   As the chuck braises, the connective tissue breaks down, essentially self-basting and tenderizing the meat, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth pot roast.

up close of crock pot Mississippi Pot Roast on a plate with mashed potatoes, carrots and gravy

What are pepperoncini?

Pepperoncini are a key ingredient to this Mississippi Pot Roast – so please don’t skip them!  Pepperoncini are a type of mild, yellow-green chili pepper that belong to the same family as bell peppers.

Pepperoncini boast a very mild kick.  They are actually much closer to a bell pepper than a jalapeño when it comes to heat.  When pickled, however, they deliver more of a tangy zing.  You don’t need to worry about the Mississippi Pot Roast being too spicy, however, it will just be dynamically flavorful.

We are going to be using pickled pepperoncini from a jar as wall as pepperoncini juice from the same jar.  Pepperoncini are easy to find at your grocery store next to the sandwich condiments such as pickles, banana peppers and pickled red bell peppers.

How to make Mississippi Pot Roast

  1. Season roast.  Trim roast of excess fat then sprinkle roast evenly all over with onion powder, garlic powder and pepper and rub into roast.
showing how to make Mississippi Pot Roast in crock pot by seasoning roast with garlic, onion powder and pepper
  1. Sear roast.  Heat vegetable oil over high heat in a large cast iron skillet. Using tongs, sear meat on all sides until browned.  Don’t substitute olive oil for vegetable oil because we need an oil with a high smoking point. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you can use a nonstick pan, it will just take a little longer go brown.
showing how to make Mississippi Pot Roast in crock pot by searing chuck roast in a cast iron skillet
  1. Add to roast to slow cooker.  Transfer roast to slow cooker.  Add whole garlic cloves into the crevices of the roast (usually where there is a seam of fat). Add all remaining roast ingredients to slow cooker and give them a stir followed by desired amount of carrots and potatoes (optional, I’ll talk more about potatoes and carrots below).
showing how to make Mississippi Pot Roast by adding beef and pepperoncinis to slow cooker
  1. Cook.  Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours OR until roast is tender.
  2. Shred and simmer.  Once tender, shred roast into small pieces (but don’t completely shred) and continue to cook on low for 30 minutes for the roast to absorb juices.
showing how to make Mississippi Pot Roast in crock pot by shredding chuck roast
  1. Shred to serve.  Remove roast pieces to a cutting board and shred (don’t discard slow cooker broth/juices).  You can fish the roast pieces out or I find it easiest to place a strainer of a large bowl and pour all of the crockpot contents into that.
showing how to make Mississippi Pot Roast by shedding roast
showing how to make Mississippi Pot Roast by searing beef on all sides
up close of tongs scooping Mississippi Pot Roast from crock pot

How do I separate the Grease to make Gravy? 

Every pot roast needs luscious, rich gravy and this gravy is especially fantastic because the braising juices from the slow cooker we use are so flavorful.

To make our easy gravy, we first want to skim off the fat because nothing kills a roast like fatty gravy that separates as you pour and eat.

The easiest way to do this is by pouring the slow cooker liquid into a fat separator with a spout.  If you don’t have a fat separator, no fear, you can still separate the fat with a freezer bag!

To separate fat with a freezer bag:

  • Add the slow cooker liquid to the freezer bag.
  • Allow the fat to separate to the top.
  • Seal the bag and hold over a 2+ cup measuring cup so that one bottom corner tip is facing down into the measuring cup like a spout.
  • Make a small cut in this corner with scissors. The bottom liquid will flow through the cut into the bag without the fat and into the large measuring cup.
  • Stop when you reach 2 cups or the fat. Eazy peazy!

How to Make Gravy for Pot Roast

Now that we have removed the fat from our juices, it’s time to make our gravy.

  1. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Sprinkle in ¼ cup flour and whisk to create a roux. Cook over medium heat, while whisking, until lightly browned, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Slowly stir in 2 cups juices/broth from slow cooker and bring the gravy to a simmer until thickened. Add additional broth if needed to thin.
  4. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper (although it probably won’t need it!)

Mississippi Roast Crock Pot variations

Can I add carrots to this Mississippi Roast Recipe?

Yes!  I love adding carrots to my Mississippi Pot Roast.  Cut your whole carrots into thirds so they easily fit around your roast.  Cut the top thirds of extra thick carrots in half.  You can also use baby carrots.  Not all of your carrots will be submerged in the broth which is okay.

Can I add potatoes to this Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe

top view of Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast with potatoes on a white plate

I personally prefer mashed potatoes with my Mississippi Pot Roast because the velvety, creaminess is soooo good with the gravy but you are welcome to cook potatoes with your roast.

I recommend whole baby red potatoes or halved large red potatoes.  Other varieties of potatoes tend to become too soft and disintegrate.  Add the potatoes over your carrots (if using).  If you use both carrots and potatoes, then most of your potatoes will not be submerged in the broth which is okay.

Mississippi Pot Roast Slow Cooker recipe tips

  • You can use a 3-5 pound chuck roast because there is enough juices/seasoning to accommodate up to 5 pounds.
  • Use boneless beef chuck roast that is thick cut and not rolled and tied with a string.
  • If you use a larger chuck roast, you may need to cut into two portions to fit into your slow cooker. If so, take care you sear all sides of each portion.
  • We are going to add whole, peeled garlic cloves into the crevices of the roast (usually where there is a seam of fat). You don’t have to worry about the roast being too garlicky as leaving the cloves whole allows them to release just the right amount of flavor both into the roast and the juices which makes a fabulous gravy.
  • Use low sodium beef broth and soy sauce, otherwise your pot roast will taste too salty.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gravy will thicken upon standing and when refrigerated so whisk in some water before reheating.

What to serve with Mississippi Pot Roast

You can serve the chuck roast with mashed potatoes (my fav!), egg noodles or rice.  You can also make hearty cheesy hoagie sandwiches with melted provolone or mozzarella cheese served with au jus from the slow cooker.

Here are a few more fabulous sides to go with your equally fabulous Mississippi Pot Roast:

SALADS

BREADS

VEGETABLES

Any way you serve it, this Mississippi Pot Roast will have everyone begging for more!

Mississippi Pot Roast Crock Pot FAQs

Where did Mississippi Pot Roast come from?  

Mississippi Pot Roast was made famous by a woman named Robin Chapman. Robin’s Mississippi Pot Roast is an adaptation of a recipe given to her in the 1990s. Robin’s friend put her Mississippi Pot Roast recipe in the church cookbook and soon bloggers blogged about it, pinned it and eventually it became so popular that the New York Times heralded it as “the roast that owns the internet.”

HOW DO I MAKE A TENDER ROAST BEEF?

There are 4 factors to create the most tender pot roast:
Cut of meat. As previously discussed, you have to start with the right cut of meat.  If you start out with a lean cut of beef, I cannot guarantee it will be melt-in-your-mouth tender.  Choose a chuck roast that is fresh, bright in color and contains lots of marbling because marbling = flavor and tenderness.
Searing the roast.  Searing the roast creates the Maillard reaction resulting in rich, deep, complex flavor and prevents the surface of the beef from becoming dehydrated.
Cooking for long enough.  Many people become frustrated when they check their pot roast and it is not tender.  If this is the case, the roast simply needs more time to cook and tenderize, even 30 more minutes in the slow cooker can make the world of difference between an “okay” roast and a melt-in-your-mouth one. So, if you’re roast isn’t fall apart tender, be patient and roast on!
Shred and Soak. This one step will transform your slow cooker pot roast experience!  Once tender, shred your roast into small sections then let it cook on low for 30 minutes.  This allows the tangy, rich broth to penetrate the meat and for the beef to become more flavorful, juicy and tender.

taking a bite of Mississippi Pot Roast with potatoes, carrots and gravy on a fork

More like this Mississippi Pot Roast Crock Pot Recipe

up close of tongs scooping Mississippi Pot Roast from crock pot

Mississippi Roast Crock Pot Recipe

Crock Pot Mississippi pot roast is a new southern classic that is zippy, tangy, rich and melt-in-your-mouth addictive!  It is the one of the easiest, juiciest, most flavorful dinners AND the slow cooker does all the work! 
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours

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Ingredients

Roast

Gravy

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups beef broth from slow cooker

Instructions

  • Pat roast dry and sprinkle evenly all over with onion powder, garlic powder and pepper and rub into roast.
  • Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large cast iron skillet. Using tongs, sear meat on all sides until browned and transfer to a 6 qt. (or larger) slow cooker. Add whole garlic cloves into the crevices of the roast (usually where there is a seam of fat).
  • Add all remaining roast ingredients to slow cooker and give them a stir. Add desired amount of carrots and potatoes surrounding roast (optional).
  • Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours OR until roast is tender.
  • Once tender, shred roast into small pieces (but don’t completely shred) and continue to cook on low for 30 minutes for the roast to absorb juices. Remove roast pieces to a cutting board and shred (don’t discard slow cooker broth/juices).

Gravy

  • Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in ¼ cup flour and whisk to create a roux. Cook over medium heat, while whisking, until lightly browned, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Slowly stir in 2 cups juices/broth from slow cooker (excess grease removed, see post) and bring the gravy to a simmer until thickened. Add additional broth if needed to thin. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper (although it probably won’t need it!)
  • Serve roast beef over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. Either discard peppers or serve them with beef for more tang.

Notes

  • You can use a 3-5 pound chuck roast because there is enough juices/seasoning to accommodate up to 5 pounds.
  • Use boneless beef chuck roast that is thick cut and not rolled and tied with a string.
  • Choose chuck roast that is fresh, bright in color, and contains lots of marbling because marbling = flavor and tenderness.
  • If you use a larger chuck roast, you may need to cut into two portions to fit into your slow cooker. If so, take care you sear all sides of each portion.
  • We are going to add whole, peeled garlic cloves into the crevices of the roast (usually where there is a seam of fat). You don’t have to worry about the roast being too garlicky as leaving the cloves whole allows them to release just the right amount of flavor both into the roast and the juices which makes a fabulous gravy.
  • Use low sodium beef broth and soy sauce, otherwise your pot roast will taste too salty.
  • Beef is done when it is fork tender. If it is not fork tender, it simply needs more time to cook.  Even just 30 minutes more can make the world of difference.
  • Shred your roast into small sections then let it cook on low for 30 minutes. This allows the crazy flavorful broth to penetrate the meat.  This one step will transform your pot roast experience!
  • Cut your carrots into thirds so they easily fit around your roast. You can also use baby carrots.
  • If you want to add potatoes to the slow cooker instead of mashed potatoes, then I recommend whole baby red potatoes or halved large red potatoes. Other varieties of potatoes tend to become too soft and disintegrate.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gravy will thicken upon standing and when refrigerated so whisk in some water before reheating

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41 Comments

  1. Elizabeth Keefner says

    Looks amazing! I think will try to adapt this for the Instant Pot! Thanks for all your recipes. We have never gone wrong them!

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome Elizabeth! It makes my heart happy you are enjoying my recipes!

    • Lynda K says

      Elizabeth I was wondering the same thing. Have you tried it yet in IP? I would love to know how long you did it for.

  2. BEVERLY K LINKHART says

    I have made a Mississippi Pot Roast in the past and love everything about it . . . except using a whole stick of butter. Am definitely excited to try your version. Thank you for giving us a modified version of the Mississippi Pot Roast

    • Jen says

      I couldn’t eat it with a full stick of butter without feeling guilt with every bite – and it definitely doesn’t need it when you cook it until tender. I hope you love this version just as much!

  3. Tricia says

    This looks lovely, I will be making it on Sunday, Thank you.

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome, I hope you love it as much as us!

  4. Jackie says

    Hi Jen
    What brand of low sodium beef broth did you use in this recipe.

    • Jen says

      Hi Jackie, I used Swanson’s, enjoy!

  5. Patrick says

    I made this for dinner tonight and it was amazing! Clean plates all around. Thanks for this wonderful recipe!

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome Patrick! Thanks for taking the time to comment and make my day!

  6. Breiana says

    Would this work with a pork roast?

    • Jen says

      I Breiana, I don’t see why not!

  7. Nicole says

    This looks amazing!! I can’t wait to try this!

    • Jen says

      Thank you! I hope you love it as much as us!

  8. Maria says

    This looks absolutely delicious! You have amazing food photography too :] Thank you so much for this awesome sharing! Exited to try this tonight

    • Jen says

      Thanks for your kind words Maria, I hope you love this Mississippi Pot Roast as much as us!

  9. Ali says

    This looks so good! How would you cook this recipe in the oven?

  10. Nancy M. Sharpe says

    Did you say what size crockpot ?

  11. Yolanda says

    So tender! So juicy! So delicious! I shared it with my friends.

    Thank you, so much, for this recipe.

    • Jen says

      Awesome Yolanda, thank you so much!

  12. Danielle says

    Could this be frozen and reheated in the crockpot at a later day?

    • Jen says

      Hi Danielle! This comment must have gotten lost in a backlog, thank you for your patience! Yes, this meal can be frozen in an airtight container, and then reheated in the crockpot.

  13. Cookie Franco-Herman says

    OMG this is amazing! Made it for the first time today and it is delicious, and the gravy.. oh my goodness!! thank you!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much, I’m so happy you loved it!

  14. Paul says

    Everytime I make this for parties or get togethers, the people – even the most picky eaters will eat it and go for seconds. I get compliments about it all the time. Thanks a lot for this recipe

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much for taking the time to comment Paul! I love hearing this is a crowd favorite!

  15. Sarah says

    Utterly delicious take on pot roast. My family was a little leery of my changing things up, but it was a huge hit! Great, easy recipe, thank you!

    • Jen says

      YAY! I love hearing your family loved this recipe! It really is such a fun twist!

  16. Tiffany says

    Made this last night as written, absolutely fantastic! But I’ve made quite a few of your recipes and they have all been great. Thank you for another great dinner. I’m thinking of doing a Julia and Julia with your website. I’ve loved everything. Thank you.

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much Tiffany, I’m so pleased you’re loving my recipes! Let me know if you end up doing the “Julia and Julia”!

  17. Jane says

    I’ve made a lot of slow cooker pot roasts over the years and have always found them lacking…not this one. This is hands down, the best pot roast I’ve ever made! This recipe is a keeper and I will definitely be making it again.

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much for the ultimate compliment Jane! I’m honored your search stops here!

  18. Stacy says

    This is the best pot roast I’ve ever tried! The pepperochinis really add to the flavor and the combinations of spices is wonderful! The hubby said it’s part of our regular winter rotation now

    • Jen says

      Thank you for the ultimate compliment Stacy! I’m so pleased it’s a new family favorite!

  19. Erma says

    I have wanted to try Mississippi pot roast but the salt level and butter deterred me. Happy to read this and will try it.

    • Jen says

      I hope it’s worth the wait!

  20. Georgia Jackiewicz says

    Mississippi Pot Roast is the very best pot roast I have ever eaten. I’m just not a big meat eater, every since I was a child, but I do love this particular roast. It has so much flavor, and so easy. I had it at a friends house for dinner and fell in love with it. I just made it for the first time, for my sister and her husband for our dinner tonight.

    • Jen says

      Thanks Georgia! I’m thrilled that you fell in love the dish!