Mississippi Pot Roast - Instant Pot
Mississippi Pot Roast in an Instant Pot
The Ultimate Recipe for Tender, Flavorful Meat. Mississippi Pot Roast is one of those recipes that has taken the internet by storm, and for good reason. This dish is easy to prepare, incredibly flavorful, and versatile enough to work in various settings—whether you're feeding a crowd or looking for a simple family meal. With its combination of savory beef, tangy pepperoncini peppers, and rich seasoning mixes, Mississippi Pot Roast is an unforgettable comfort dish.
Made with just five ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on cooking, this pot roast will become a regular in your rotation. The leftovers are great for making additional stress-free meals during the week. Use the leftovers to make carnitas, tacos, beef and noodles, toasted sandwiches, or pot-pies!
Mississippi Pot Roast
has been a beloved recipe for years, originating as a simple Mississippi roast recipe made in a slow cooker. It's known for its flavorful, tender beef, zesty pepperoncini peppers, and easy-to-use ranch dressing and au jus seasoning packets. Over time, home cooks have adapted the recipe to work in different appliances, including the Instant Pot, which can cut down cooking time while still delivering all the flavors of the traditional Mississippi roast.
This recipe is perfect for busy families who want a hearty meal but don’t have time for a long day of cooking. Whether you're using an Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast recipe or opting for the Mississippi Pot Roast Crock Pot version, you can count on the same melt-in-your-mouth texture and savory flavors.
Photo by Adobe Stock
Mississippi Pot Roast Instant Pot:
But what if you could enjoy all this deliciousness with a fraction of the cooking time? That's where the Instant Pot comes in. In this post, we'll explore how to make Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast, dive into the key ingredients that make this dish so special, and even answer some frequently asked questions like how to make Mississippi Pot Roast in a Crock Pot and what the best meat is for this dish.
Mississippi Pot Roast Ingredients Breakdown
Before we dive into the actual cooking process, let’s break down the key ingredients that give Mississippi Pot Roast its distinct flavor and texture.
1. Beef Chuck Roast (4-5 pounds)
The foundation of this recipe is a well-marbled, 4-5 pound beef chuck roast. This cut of meat is perfect for slow cooking, whether you're using an Instant Pot or Crock Pot. Its higher fat content ensures that the roast turns out tender and juicy. The Instant Pot helps to cook the beef quickly while still maintaining its moisture, making it ideal for a weeknight meal.
2. Butter (¼ cup)
Butter adds a luxurious richness to the pot roast, making the sauce silky and flavorful. When melted down with the beef juices and seasoning packets, it creates a sauce you’ll want to drizzle over everything.
3. Pepperoncini Peppers (1 jar)
One of the standout ingredients in Mississippi roast is the jar of pepperoncini peppers. These add a zesty, tangy kick to the dish, balancing the richness of the beef and butter. Don’t worry if you're not a fan of spicy food—the peppers add more tang than heat.
4. Ranch Dressing Mix (1 packet)
Ranch dressing mix is a simple way to add flavor without the hassle of measuring out individual spices. This seasoning packet gives the roast its signature ranch flavor with just the right amount of salt and herbs.
5. Au Jus Mix (1 packet)
Au jus mix is another key component that adds depth to the dish. This packet provides a rich, beefy flavor that pairs perfectly with the roast and pepperoncini peppers.
6. Ground Pepper
A sprinkle of freshly ground pepper ties all the ingredients together. It enhances the flavors without overpowering them, making this dish even more irresistible.
How to Make Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
Now that we’ve covered the ingredients, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast. If you're familiar with the Mississippi Pot Roast Crock Pot method, you'll be pleased to know that using the Instant Pot follows a similar process—just faster!
Step 1: Sear the Roast
Set your Instant Pot to the "Sauté" function and add a tablespoon of oil. Sear the beef chuck roast on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side, or until you get a nice brown crust. This step helps lock in the flavor and gives the roast a beautiful caramelized exterior.
Step 2: Add Seasoning and Butter
Once the roast is seared, turn off the "Sauté" function. Add the ranch dressing mix, au jus mix, and ground pepper directly onto the roast. Place ¼ cup of butter on top of the roast, which will melt into the meat during cooking, creating a rich sauce.
Step 3: Add Pepperoncini Peppers
Pour the entire jar of pepperoncini peppers (including the juice) into the Instant Pot. The peppers will add a tangy flavor that perfectly complements the savory roast.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Lock the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to "Pressure Cook" on high for 60 minutes. After the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10-15 minutes before doing a quick release.
Step 5: Shred and Serve
Once the pressure is released, open the Instant Pot and use two forks to shred the beef. The roast should be so tender that it falls apart easily. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite sides.
Mississippi Pot Roast Crock Pot Version
For those who love the traditional slow-cooked version, here’s how to make Mississippi Pot Roast in a Crock Pot.
Step 1: Prepare the Roast
Season your beef chuck roast with ranch dressing mix, au jus mix, and ground pepper. Add ¼ cup of butter on top.
Step 2: Add Pepperoncini Peppers
Just like with the Instant Pot version, pour the entire jar of pepperoncini peppers (including the juice) into the Crock Pot.
Step 3: Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. The roast is ready when it shreds easily with a fork.
Step 4: Shred and Serve
Once the roast is fully cooked, shred the beef and mix it into the juices. Serve as you would with the Instant Pot version.
What is the Best Meat for Mississippi Pot Roast?
A 4-5 pound beef chuck roast is the ideal cut for Mississippi Pot Roast. It's well-marbled, which means it will become tender and juicy as it cooks. If you can’t find a chuck roast, you could also use a rump roast or even a brisket, though the texture might differ slightly.
Can I Use a Different Type of Pepper Instead of Pepperoncini?
Pepperoncini peppers give the roast its signature tang, but if you can’t find them, you can substitute mild banana peppers. The flavor will be slightly different, but you’ll still get that zesty kick.
Can I Make Mississippi Pot Roast Without Ranch or Au Jus Mix?
Both the ranch dressing mix and au jus mix are key ingredients that add flavor to this dish. While you can make your own ranch seasoning or use beef broth as a substitute for au jus, the flavor profile may not be exactly the same.
How Do I Thicken the Sauce?
If you want a thicker sauce for your Mississippi Pot Roast, you can use a cornstarch slurry. After the roast is done cooking, remove it from the Instant Pot or Crock Pot. In a separate bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Pour the slurry into the cooking juices, set the Instant Pot to "Sauté," and stir until the sauce thickens.
There you have it—a foolproof guide to making Mississippi Pot Roast in both the Instant Pot and Crock Pot. Whether you’re short on time or prefer the traditional slow-cooking method, this recipe delivers every time. With its combination of tender beef, tangy pepperoncini peppers, and rich seasoning mixes, Mississippi Pot Roast is a meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Enjoy this dish as a hearty family meal, serve it at a gathering, or even meal-prep it for the week ahead. The possibilities are endless!
Don't forget to leave a comment below and let us know how your Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast turned out. We love hearing from our readers!
Printable Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe Below
Mississippi Pot Roast
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place roast in a slow cooker
- Rub roast with seasoning packets and ground pepper
- Add 3/4 jar of pepperoncini peppers – mild or hot
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or 4-5 on high
- Shred with two forks when tender and falling apart
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles or roasted vegetables
Notes
- No need to salt the beef. The seasoning packets have plenty. In fact, if you can use 3/4 of the Ranch pack if you'd like even less salt.
- Can you cook the chuck roast from frozen? Yes! The manufacturer of Crock-Pot says to add at least 1 cup of warm liquid to the stoneware before placing the meat in the stoneware. Do not preheat the slow cooker. Cook recipes containing frozen meats for an additional 4 to 6 hours on Low, or an additional 2 hours on High.
- SLOW COOKER: If you prefer to make this Mississippi roast recipe in the oven instead of a slow cooker, you can follow the same seasoning steps and then place it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 2 to 2½ hours. You can also use the instant pot. Just google how to do that, I haven't done it yet:)
- INSTANT POT: Follow the same seasoning tips and lock the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to "Pressure Cook" on high for 60 minutes. After the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10-15 minutes before doing a quick release.
- Pot roast leftovers are great to use to make, Beef and Noodles, Enchiladas, Toasted Sandwiches, Shepard's pie, and pot pies!
- Which roast is best for the slow cooker? I love to use a chuck roast.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
743.95Fat (grams)
49.90 gSat. Fat (grams)
22.04 gCarbs (grams)
3.62 gFiber (grams)
0.52 gNet carbs
3.10 gSugar (grams)
1.27 gProtein (grams)
70.91 gSodium (milligrams)
704.42 mgCholesterol (grams)
251.53 mg