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    Home > Recipes > Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast {Clean Recipe - No Packets, No MSG}

    Published: Oct 14, 2019 · Modified: Mar 15, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 8 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast
    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast
    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast over mashed potatoes
    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast in a slow cooker with tongs
    mississippi roast in the slow cooker
    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast over mashed potatoes
    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast over mashed potatoes

    Mississippi Roast is a slow cooker pot roast that found its way to Pinterest fame in recent years. This is a clean version of the classic recipe that uses no packets, no processed ingredients, no MSG. It takes just 20 minutes to assemble and then cooks all day for a savory, delicious meal that will quickly become a family favorite. 

    Somehow I missed the early boat on this amazing recipe that has been quietly and slowly gaining momentum on Pinterest. It took a tip from my friend Susie (hi Susie!) and a quick google search to make me curious enough to put a batch in the slow cooker that same night. What sounded strange at first just started to make sense - pot roast seasoned with savory flavors from gravy mix, herb flavors from Ranch seasoning, and plenty of vinegar kick to balance the richness of the dish from (surprisingly!) pepperoncini peppers.

    Charmingly, the original recipe for Mississippi Roast was created by woman named Robin Chapman from (of course) Mississippi and found its way to the internet by way of a church recipe book. (Read the whole story here.)

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast in a slow cooker

    The Pinterest folks are right - this really is the most delicious slow cooker pot roast that I’ve ever had. But the original version is made using packets of processed ingredients. Read on to see how I recreated this dish using cleaner, unprocessed ingredients - it’s just as delicious as the original.

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast in a slow cooker with tongs

    How To Make a Cleaner, Healthier Version of Mississippi Roast 

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast is such a hit at our house that we could probably serve it every week with few complaints. The only problem? The original recipe uses a packet of au jus gravy mix and a packet of ranch seasoning mix. And what comes with those store-bought packets? A bunch of preservatives and MSG. 

    browning a roast in a skillet

    Now don’t get me wrong - I have no issue with those packets. (And no issue with MSG for that matter. I lived in Thailand for years and probably ate my weight in tasty, salty MSG.) But I knew I could get the same delicious result from a Mississippi Roast without all that. Here’s what I did:

    1. Seared the roast and chopped onions in a pan to give it the rich, savory flavor that comes from au jus mix.
    2. Added flour to the onions / pan drippings to make fresh gravy (instead of the thickeners in the au jus mix).
    3. Added a blend of dried herbs to give the dish the herb flavor that comes from Ranch Seasoning.

    cooking onions in a skillet

    In addition to the blend of dried herbs used in the recipe below, I also tested the recipe with my Homemade Ranch Seasoning (a good approximation of store-bought Ranch Seasoning). I found the result to be very similar. Dried buttermilk (from the homemade Ranch Seasoning) offers a bit of tangy flavor, but Mississippi Roast gets so much tart and tangy flavor from the jarred pepperoncini that the buttermilk is barely detectable in the finished dish.

    adding flour to onions in a skillet

     

    stirring onions in a skillet

     

    mississippi roast ingredients in the slow cooker

    Ingredients for a Clean Version of Mississippi Roast

    • Beef Chuck Roast (boneless) - Look for a 3 to 4 pound roast for this recipe. See below for a few other substitutes.
    • Unsalted Butter - It’s a good idea to use unsalted butter to avoid over-salting the dish. You can always add some more salt at the end of cooking (but you can’t remove salt if you overdo it). 
    • Onion - Finely chop an onion and saute it in the pan drippings from searing the meat. The onions will practically melt into the dish as it cooks and will give the meat a rich, savory flavor. 
    • All-Purpose Flour - After cooking the beef and onions, adding a little bit of flour to the pan will create a paste that thickens the liquid from the meat as it cooks, creating a rich, natural gravy. You can absolutely skip this step if you want to make this a gluten-free, keto, or paleo-friendly recipe. See below for more details. 
    • Pepperoncini and pickling liquid - I thought this was the most surprising ingredient in Mississippi Roast, but the tart vinegar flavors really do complement the savory flavors of the meat. The liquid from the jar will be used to deglaze the pan where you sear the meat and a few chopped pepperoncini will be added to the mix. Look for mild or spicy pepperoncini depending on your spice preference, and feel free to add even more pepperoncini if you know you like that tangy, pepper flavor. 
    • Ranch Herb Blend - Mississippi Roast gets a nice herb flavor from Ranch Seasoning. To keep this version clean, skip the store-bought packet and make this Homemade Ranch Seasoning or get a very close approximation by combining 1 ½ teaspoon each of Dried Parsley, Garlic Powder, Dried Chives, and Dried Dill Weed. (You can use the fresh version of any of those herbs too - just be sure to finely chop them first.

    uncooked roast, onions, spices and peppers on a white table

    Substitute for Beef Chuck Roast

    Boneless beef chuck roast should be fairly easy to find at grocery stores but chuck shoulder, bottom round roast, rump roast, top round, or anything just labeled as “pot roast” could also be used.

    seasoning a raw chuck roast

    Freeze This Meal

    To Freeze: If you want to freeze this meal, follow the recipe as written, but let all ingredients cool completely (out of the skillet) and combine them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 6 months.

    To Reheat:  Defrost in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours. Transfer all ingredients to the bowl of a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the roast can be easily shredded with a fork. Shred meat on a cutting board. Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with cooking liquid. 

    Be sure to print the recipe below for a label you can attach to the top of the meal. That way the instructions are right at your fingertips!

    Mississippi Roast in a slow cooker with tongs

    Low Carb, Gluten-free, Keto, Paleo-Friendly Mississippi Roast

    Because this recipe uses unprocessed ingredients, it can easily be adapted to be low carb, gluten-free, keto-friendly, or paleo-friendly. The only issue is the all-purpose flour used to thicken the cooking liquid and make a gravy. The flour is used in such a small quantity that you can absolutely skip the flour completely. You will still get a nice, flavorful cooking liquid, but it won’t be quite as thick as with the flour. You can also substitute a compliant flour like a gluten-free blend or almond flour.

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast over mashed potatoes

    Favorite Tools

    • KitchenAid Slow Cooker (6 quart) - When I was testing slow cooker recipes for this fall season, I got a lot of questions about the “best” slow cooker. The truth is, I just followed the advice of other experts (including America’s Test Kitchen and Food and Wine). This $99 machine has been a staple in my kitchen for years and works better than any other slow cooker I’ve used.
    • Lodge Cast Iron Skillet - My favorite heavy-duty skillet is great for getting a nice, golden-brown sear on the roast.

    Other Slow Cooker Favorites

    • Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
    • Slow Cooker Puttanesca with Beef
    • Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
    • Slow Cooker Sesame Beef and Broccoli
    • Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup
    • Slow Cooker Chicken and Biscuits

     

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast over mashed potatoes
    Print Recipe
    4.44 from 30 votes

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast

    This is a clean version of the classic Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast recipe with no packets, no processed ingredients, no MSG. It takes just 20 minutes to assemble in the slow cooker and then cooks all day for a savory, delicious meal that will quickly become a family favorite. Serve it over mashed potatoes with green beans or a green salad on the side.
    This recipe should be made in a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time10 hrs
    Total Time8 hrs 20 mins
    Course: Main Dish
    Keyword: beef recipe, easy dinner, freezer friendly, slow-cooker
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 413kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $14.50

    Equipment

    • 4-quart or 6-quart Slow Cooker
    • Cast Iron Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon Cooking Oil (I prefer to use avocado oil or grape seed oil for high-heat cooking and searing)
    • 3-4 lbs Boneless Beef Chuck Roast
    • 1 teaspoon Salt (see note)
    • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 4 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
    • 1 cup Chopped Yellow Onion
    • 3 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
    • 3 tablespoon Liquid from a Jar of Pepperoncini
    • 4 Pepperoncini, sliced

    Ranch Herb Blend

    • 2 ½ teaspoon Dried Parsley
    • 2 ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • 2 teaspoon Dried Chives
    • 2 teaspoon Dried Dill Weed

    Instructions

    • Heat a skillet with oil over medium-high heat.
    • While skillet is heating, season meat on both sides with salt and black pepper.
    • Add beef to heated skillet and sear on both sides until deep golden brown and lightly crusted, about 5 minutes per side.
    • Transfer meat to the bowl of a slow cooker (leave the skillet over heat).
    • Reduce heat in the skillet to medium and add butter. Stir until butter is melted.
    • Add onions to butter and cook, stirring constantly, until onions are soft and golden brown, about 4 minutes.
    • Add flour and stir until no dry spots of flour remain, about 1 minute.
    • Add 3 tablespoon of liquid from a jar of pepperoncini to the pan, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan (these will add extra flavor to the roast).
    • Scrape onions into the bowl of the slow cooker.
    • Add sliced pepperoncini and the ingredients for the Ranch Herb Blend.
    • Cover and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours, until roast can be easily shredded with a fork.
    • Transfer to a cutting board and shred.
    • Place shredded meat in a serving bowl and drizzle cooking liquids from the slow cooker over top.

    Notes

    The recipe for Ranch Seasoning provided above is a simplified version of this Homemade Ranch Seasoning. Because this Mississippi Roast includes the vinegar flavor from pepperoncini and the savory flavor from sautéed onions, a simplified version of Ranch Seasoning is perfectly fine here. If you’d like, you can make a large batch of the Homemade Ranch Seasoning and use 3 tablespoon of it in this recipe.
    To Freeze: If you want to freeze this meal, follow the recipe as written, but let all ingredients cool completely (out of the skillet) and combine them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 6 months. Print and attach the label below so cooking instructions are ready when you are!
    slow cooker mississippi roast

    Nutrition

    Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 515mg | Potassium: 608mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1135IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 4mg

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    Related

    « Slow Cooker Ranch Party Mix
    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes »

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Diane

      February 11, 2021 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Cannot even thank you enough for providing this recipe with no store bought packets!
      The addition of frying the onions added such a delicious depth of flavor....the tiny bit of flour made a pot roast in an amazing gravy....Thanks for this cleaner alternative!

      The Hubby loves a crockpot roast about once per month In December, I tried the famous "Mississippi roast" recipe I found on Pinterest.

      OhMyGoodness! Hubby had a total reaction to the packets! He couldn't swallow for less than a minute but it was frightening. This is the first time it has ever happened....so happy I googled "Mississippi roast with no packet" and found your wonderful recipe"

      Our family enjoyed this for dinner with ZERO reaction!

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        February 18, 2021 at 7:05 am

        Oh that's wonderful!!! So glad it worked for you and that you were all able to enjoy it! It's a favorite of mine for sure!

        Reply
    2. Michele D

      December 26, 2021 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      Fabulous

      My son and I made this for our family Christmas dinner this year. We served it with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies.
      It is our new favorite holiday meal. Meat and gravy in one pot. Easy, no stress, and really tasty.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        December 26, 2021 at 5:58 pm

        It's definitely one of our favorites too! So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    3. Bailey

      May 28, 2022 at 6:07 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my!!! This is so good. And very easy to make with great instructions! I’m only 14 and I can make it. It’s so very delicious. My family was getting tired of boring normal pot roast, so we tried this and it did not disappoint. And there’s nothing bad in it! We love how you know all the ingredients in it!! I love adding banana peppers on top of my bowl. We make this at least once a month. We live to share with others,and every time we make it there’s never ANY left overs.:):):):)

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        May 30, 2022 at 9:33 am

        Bailey - thanks so much for this note! I love that you're cooking for your family at 14 - that's awesome!! And so glad to hear that your family loves this as much as we do. I'm with you on the banana peppers - I love tart flavors with this savory dish!

        Reply
    4. Tina

      July 03, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      5 stars
      I have always been curious about Mississippi pot roast. But when I looked at how it was made I figured it was just one of those things that I would never know! About a year ago I found this recipe, and I have made it at least monthly ever since. And it has worked its way to number four in my daughters top five favorites! This recipe is so simple and absolutely amazing! Thank you so much

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        July 04, 2022 at 12:38 pm

        Oh that's wonderful to hear! Thanks so much for the note Tina!

        Reply

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