Mississippi Pot Roast

The Mississippi pot roast is a beloved American dish known for its simplicity, flavor, and tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s made with only 5 ingredients and cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.

I made the famous Mississippi Pot Roast for the very first time a few years ago. At first bite, I said to myself, “Where have you been all my life?” I must confess, I felt kinda guilty like I had committed the unpardonable sin by betraying my mother’s Sunday pot roast. Only a Southern girl would probably understand that. (In the South, certain foods and traditions are considered to be Holy Grail or just plain out right Biblical!)

That being said, there is room in my heart for another pot roast. The Mississippi Pot Roast doesn’t compete with my mother’s Sunday Coca Cola pot roast. Whew, that’s a big weight off my shoulders. The Mississippi Pot Roast has a completely different flavor but it has the same comforting effect when you eat it and it’s absolutely one of the most flavorful tender roast beef that you will ever eat. It will melt-in-your mouth.

So what exactly is Mississippi Pot Roast and its origins?

Its origins trace back to the early 2000s in Mississippi, hence its name. The recipe was popularized by Robin Chapman, a resident of Ripley, Mississippi. Chapman developed the dish as a less spicy alternative to a beef roast recipe she received from her aunt. The goal was to create something that would be palatable for her young children.

The original recipe for Mississippi pot roast is straightforward, requiring just a few key ingredients: a beef roast (typically a chuck roast), a packet of onion soup mix or au jus gravy mix, a packet of dry ranch dressing mix, a stick of butter, and a handful of pepperoncini peppers. These ingredients are combined in a slow cooker, where they cook for several hours until the meat becomes exceptionally tender.

Robin Chapman's recipe quickly gained popularity in her local community through word of mouth. However, it wasn't until it was shared on the internet that the dish became a nationwide sensation. So there you have it! The low down on Mississippi Pot Roast.

Like I said, the Mississippi Pot Roast tastes different than what I was raised on, but it is delicious in its own way. The Mississippi Pot Roast is much, much spicier.

In my opinion, it’s not the kind of roast that I would put carrots, onions and potatoes around, but it is a comfort food kind of roast with a little extra spice and it is so good with buttery mashed potatoes. I absolutely love the pepperoncini peppers!!!

My favorite ways to eat Mississippi Pot Roast:

• Top the Roast Beef on top of a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes. Serve with lots of bread. Kings Hawaiian rolls are delicious with this roast-sweet and savory at its best.
• Pile it on a big slice of Texas toast or slice of French bread. (Makes an amazing sandwich!)
• Make Mississippi Pot Roast appetizers sliders on King's Hawaiian bread. Oh my, the spicy, savory taste of the Mississippi Pot Roast and the sweet taste of the Hawaiian bread rolls are to die for!! This is probably my favorite! Mississippi Pot Roast is perfect for tailgating and game night especially for Super Bowl parties. The savory spicy makes a delicious sandwich or slider. Add a dollop of horseradish and top each sandwich with a pepperoncini pepper!

Ingredients that you will need to make Mississippi Pot Roast:

(Be sure to see the full printable recipe below this post.)

Boneless chuck roast

Ranch dressing mix (the original not buttermilk)

Onion soup mix or au jus gravy mix

Unsalted Butter

Pepperoncini peppers

Vegetable oil (for searing chuck roast)

*Equipment needed-Here’s a link to a great slow cooker on my Amazon Affiliate link. https://amzn.to/3OR5pJ3

How to make Mississippi Pot Roast:

1. Rinse your roast with cold water then pat it down dry with a paper towel. Then season your chuck roast with salt and pepper. Don't be shy with the seasoning; this is a big piece of meat, and it can handle it.

1. Heat a few tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet. Once the skillet is piping hot, sear your roast until browned. Flip and brown on the other side. Place your seared chuck roast in your slow cooker.

1. Sprinkle the ranch dressing mix and the onion soup mix or au jus gravy mix over the top.
2. Place a stick of butter on top of the roast, and scatter the pepperoncini peppers around it.

Cover your slow cooker and set it to low. Let it cook for 8 hours. Yes, you heard me right, 8 hours. Now, slow cooker heating elements vary so check on your roast after 6 hours to make sure it’s okay and not overdone. This is slow food, my friends, and it's worth every minute. Note: Don’t lift the lid until at least 6 hours.

1. After 8 hours, your roast should be tender and flavorful. Shred it with two forks, mix it with the gravy in the pot, and serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles

Now, here are a few tips to make your Mississippi Pot Roast even better:

• Be sure to use a chuck roast for this recipe. A chuck roast is extra tender and cooks well in the slow cooker. REMEMBER-IT’S COOKED LOW and SLOW.
• For the best tasting roast, sear the meat first in a very hot skillet on both sides. I rinse the meat and then pat it down dry with a paper towel and salt and pepper it before searing.
• Use butter instead of margarine. The richness of the butter just makes this dish. Also unsalted butter in this recipe is best because of the extra salt added to the ranch and onion or au jus packets.
• Don't add any water or broth to your slow cooker. The roast will release its own juices, which will mix with the butter and the seasoning packets to create a rich, flavorful gravy.
• If you want to add some veggies to your pot roast, feel free to throw in some carrots, onions, or potatoes. Just remember to add them halfway through the cooking process, so they don't get too mushy.
• And finally, don't rush it. The beauty of this dish lies in its slow cooking process, which allows the flavors to meld together and the meat to become incredibly tender. Lastly, don't lift the lid of the slow cooker for at least 5 hours.

Here is a link to a wonderful slow cooker that I know you will enjoy. It’s my affiliate link to Amazon

https://amzn.to/42VPJKs

As for entertaining suggestions, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner with friends or family. Serve it with some fluffy mashed potatoes, crusty bread, and a simple green salad, and you've got yourself a feast. And the best part? The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you free to enjoy your guests' company.

Enjoy!

Aletia

Other recipes you will love include my Mama’s Coca Cola pot roast here Coca-Cola “Sunday” Pot Roast Be sure to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you and if you have any questions about the recipe, feel free to ask. Also be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest Until next time, keep savoring the good life. Oh before I forget, in case you don’t have my cookbook “Deliciously Southern “here’s a link to get an autograph copy. A wonderful gift to yourself or someone you love. Deliciously Southern (Autographed Edition)