five ingredient roast beef recipe

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5-Ingredient Mississippi Pot Roast: A Detailed Guide

Introduction

The Mississippi Pot Roast is a remarkably simple, slow-cooked dish that has become a viral sensation due to its ease and incredible flavor. It requires just five main ingredients and very little active cooking time, yielding a fork-tender, rich, and savory beef that is perfect for sandwiches, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles.

Ingredients

3–4 pound Beef Chuck Roast: This cut of meat is ideal because it has great marbling (fat) that melts during the long cooking time, keeping the beef moist and tender.

1 (1-ounce) packet Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix: This provides the backbone of the savory, slightly zesty flavor. Don’t use prepared ranch dressing, only the dry mix.

1 (1-ounce) packet Au Jus Gravy Mix: This adds a rich, deep beef flavor and helps create the savory sauce (gravy) that the roast cooks in.

1/2 cup Pepperoncini Peppers and a splash of their juice: The pepperoncini are the secret ingredient. They add a mild heat and a delicious tangy, briny flavor that cuts through the richness of the beef. Use whole peppers for a milder flavor or sliced for more heat.

1/4 cup Unsalted Butter (half a stick): Placed on top of the roast, the butter melts slowly, basting the meat and adding necessary fat for richness and tenderness.

Instructions: How to Make

This recipe is designed for a 6-quart slow cooker (Crock-Pot), but can also be adapted for an oven-safe Dutch oven.

Step 1: Prep the Roast

Place the chuck roast into the basin of your slow cooker. For best results and a deeper flavor, you can optionally pat the roast dry and sear it in a skillet with a tablespoon of oil for 3-5 minutes per side until a nice brown crust forms.

Step 2: Add Seasonings and Peppers

Sprinkle the contents of the dry ranch seasoning mix packet and the au jus gravy mix packet evenly over the top of the roast. Add the pepperoncini peppers on top, and pour in a generous splash of the brine (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the juice).

Step 3: Add Butter and Cook

Slice the 1/4 cup of butter into 4-5 pats and place them directly on top of the roast. Do not add any other liquid—the meat, butter, and pepperoncini juice will create enough moisture. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or on HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the roast is completely fork-tender.

Step 4: Shred and Serve

Once the roast is done, use two forks to shred the meat right inside the slow cooker, allowing it to soak up all the flavorful juices. Serve the shredded beef on buns, over mashed potatoes, or with rice.

Variations

Spicier Kick: Increase the heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a couple of sliced jalapeñosalong with the pepperoncini.

Hearty Vegetables: While not traditional, you can add large-cut vegetables. Place sliced carrots, celery, and potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the roast.

Thick Gravy: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the shredded meat, and then whisk a slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water) into the hot liquid in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 10–15 minutes until the gravy thickens.

    Tips

    Do not lift the lid: Every time you open the slow cooker, you release a significant amount of heat, which can extend the cooking time by 30 minutes or more. Wait until the minimum cooking time has passed before checking the meat.

    Choose the right cut: Chuck roast is preferred over leaner cuts like sirloin or round roast. The fat in the chuck is essential for keeping the beef moist and developing the rich flavor profile.

    No additional salt: The ranch and au jus packets contain plenty of salt and seasoning, so avoid adding extra salt before cooking to prevent the dish from becoming overly salty.

    Resting is built in: Because the meat shredded and mixed back into the liquid, you don’t need a traditional resting period. It’s ready to eat immediately after shredding.

      Conclusion

      The 5-Ingredient Mississippi Pot Roast is a testament to the power of simplicity in cooking. It combines minimal ingredients and maximum flavor to deliver a hearty, fall-apart tender meal with virtually no fuss, making it an ideal recipe for a busy weeknight or simple weekend gathering.

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