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Mississippi Pot Roast

This Mississippi Pot Roast is ridiculously easy, delivering a comforting and flavorful meal with minimal fuss. It's a set-it-and-forget-it dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Forks For shredding

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients

  • 3.5 lb Chuck Roast This is your star! Chuck roast is fantastic for slow cooking because it has enough fat and connective tissue to become incredibly tender and flavorful as it cooks.
  • 1 ounce packet Ranch Powder (like Hidden Valley) This is where a lot of that savory, tangy magic comes from. Don't skip this!
  • 1 ounce packet Au Jus Gravy Mix Another flavor powerhouse. It adds a wonderful depth and richness to the sauce.
  • 8 Pepperoncini Peppers from a jar, plus a little of their brine. These little beauties are the secret weapon! They add a subtle tang and a hint of mild heat that perfectly complements the beef. Don't drain them all – a little of the brine adds extra flavor.
  • 0.5 cup Butter unsalted or salted. This is what makes the roast so incredibly moist and helps create that luscious sauce. I usually go with unsalted so I can control the saltiness better, but either works!
  • Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper optional. A little sprinkle before serving can really make the flavors pop, but the packets do a lot of the heavy lifting here.

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Pot: First things first, take your beautiful chuck roast and nestle it right into the bottom of your slow cooker. It’s like tucking it into bed for a long, delicious nap!
  • Seasoning Time: Now, grab those two little packets – the ranch powder and the au jus gravy mix. Sprinkle them evenly all over the top of the roast. Try to get a good coating on it.
    3.5 lb Chuck Roast
  • Pepperoncini Power: Next, take those jarred pepperoncini peppers and arrange them all around the roast. You can pour in a little bit of the liquid from the jar too – it adds a wonderful subtle flavor to the juices.
    3.5 lb Chuck Roast
  • Butter Bliss: This is the moment the roast gets its luxurious richness! Place the butter, cut into pieces or just plopped on top, right in the center of the roast. It will melt down and create an amazing, savory sauce.
    3.5 lb Chuck Roast
  • The Slow Cooker Magic: Pop the lid on your slow cooker nice and snug. Now, here are your cooking options: Low and Slow: Cook on the LOW setting for 8-10 hours. This is my preferred method for maximum tenderness! A Little Faster: If you’re in a bit of a hurry, you can cook it on HIGH for 4-5 hours. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't dry out. You’ll know it’s ready when the roast is super tender and you can easily shred it with a couple of forks.
  • Taste and Serve: Once it’s fall-apart tender, carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Taste the delicious juices in the bottom of the pot. If you like, season with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Then, spoon that incredible, savory sauce over the shredded roast.
    3.5 lb Chuck Roast

Notes

While this recipe is perfection as is, there’s always room to play! You can add veggies like carrots, potatoes, or onions about an hour before it's done. A splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes can also add extra flavor. Resist the urge to peek at the slow cooker, and shred the roast directly in the juices for maximum flavor.