Mississippi Pot Roast (Oven, Slow Cooker & Instant Pot)

Few recipes have achieved cult-classic status quite like Mississippi pot roast. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, this humble dish transforms an inexpensive cut of beef into fork-tender perfection swimming in a rich, savory gravy. It’s comforting, bold, buttery, and unbelievably easy—exactly the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.

What makes Mississippi pot roast special isn’t complexity—it’s balance. The richness of beef and butter meets the tangy bite of pepperoncini peppers, while ranch seasoning and au jus mix bring depth, saltiness, and umami. The result is a roast that tastes like it cooked all day in a Southern kitchen, even if you barely lifted a finger.

Whether you prefer the oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, this guide walks you through all three methods so you can make Mississippi pot roast your way—any day of the week.

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What Is Mississippi Pot Roast?

Mississippi pot roast originated as a simple slow cooker recipe made with chuck roast, ranch seasoning, au jus gravy mix, butter, and pepperoncini peppers. It became wildly popular thanks to its ease and bold flavor, spreading quickly across home kitchens and social media.

Unlike traditional pot roast, there are:

• No carrots or potatoes cooked in the roast
• No need for browning (though optional)
• No complicated seasoning

Yet the flavor is anything but basic.

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Why This Recipe Works

Mississippi pot roast succeeds because every ingredient has a purpose:

• Chuck roast becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender
• Butter adds richness and body to the sauce
• Pepperoncini peppers cut through the richness with acidity
• Ranch seasoning adds herbs and savory depth
• Au jus mix creates a deeply beefy gravy

Together, they create a flavor profile that’s rich, tangy, and addictive.

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Best Cut of Beef for Mississippi Pot Roast

Chuck roast is the gold standard. It has enough fat and connective tissue to break down during long cooking, resulting in juicy, shreddable beef.

Other acceptable options:

• Shoulder roast
• Blade roast

Avoid lean cuts—they’ll turn dry and stringy.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Core Ingredients:

• Chuck roast
• Ranch seasoning mix
• Au jus gravy mix
• Unsalted butter
• Pepperoncini peppers (plus some juice)

Optional Additions:

• Garlic cloves
• Beef broth (for oven and Instant Pot methods)
• Black pepper

That’s it—no chopping required.

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Mississippi Pot Roast: Oven Method

The oven method delivers classic pot roast texture with deep flavor.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Place chuck roast in a Dutch oven.
3. Sprinkle ranch seasoning and au jus mix evenly over the roast.
4. Add butter on top.
5. Scatter pepperoncini peppers around the roast and add a splash of juice.
6. Cover tightly and bake for 3–3½ hours until fork-tender.
7. Shred and serve with gravy.

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Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

This is the most popular and hands-off method.

Instructions:

1. Place chuck roast in slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle seasoning packets over the meat.
3. Add butter and pepperoncini peppers.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
5. Shred and stir into the sauce before serving.

Perfect for busy days and meal prep.

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Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

Need dinner fast? The Instant Pot delivers.

Instructions:

1. Place roast in Instant Pot.
2. Add seasonings, butter, pepperoncini, and ½ cup beef broth.
3. Seal and cook on HIGH pressure for 60 minutes.
4. Natural release for 15 minutes, then quick release.
5. Shred and serve.

You get slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time.

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Should You Brown the Roast?

Browning is optional. While it adds depth, Mississippi pot roast is famous for skipping this step and still delivering incredible flavor. If you have time, sear the roast—but don’t feel obligated.

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How Spicy Is Mississippi Pot Roast?

Despite the peppers, it’s mild. Pepperoncini add tang, not heat. For more spice:

• Add extra pepperoncini juice
• Use hot pepperoncini
• Add crushed red pepper

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Serving Suggestions

Mississippi pot roast is incredibly versatile. Serve it with:

• Mashed potatoes
• Rice
• Egg noodles
• Crusty bread
• On hoagie rolls as sandwiches

The gravy is liquid gold—don’t waste it.

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Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing

• Stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days
• Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months
• Reheats without drying out

It’s ideal for batch cooking.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a lean cut of beef
• Skipping enough cook time
• Overloading with extra liquid
• Removing too much pepperoncini juice

Low and slow is the key.

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Why Families Love This Recipe

It’s:

• Affordable
• Foolproof
• Crowd-pleasing
• Minimal prep

Even picky eaters love it.

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Perfect for Weeknights or Special Occasions

Despite its simplicity, Mississippi pot roast feels special. It works just as well for Sunday dinner as it does for a casual weeknight meal.

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Final Thoughts

Mississippi pot roast (oven, slow cooker & Instant Pot) is one of those rare recipes that earns its hype. With almost no prep and unbeatable flavor, it’s the definition of comfort food done right.

Once you try it, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen.