Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (2024)

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by Mary September 19, 2019

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If you love Mississippi Pot Roast, you will love this recipe! My healthier version of the classic, spicy, flavorful beef dish is made in the slow cooker with chuck roast, homemade au jus & ranch seasonings, ghee, and pepperoncini peppers. It still has super simple ingredients, but without all the additives and junk. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, Keto, Whole30, and Paleo. Includes an easy, optional beef gravy recipe.

Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (1)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What Makes This Recipe Great

Mississippi Pot Roast is one of my most favorite meals! A perfect, cozy pot roast that is tasty, flavorful, and so satisfying. Most traditional versions are made with 5 simple ingredients: chuck roast, butter, Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix packet, Au Jus packet, and pepperoncini peppers. Super easy, but not super healthy.

Ever since I was diagnosed with Celiac, I’ve learned that gluten can hide in tons of stuff…including spice packets! Unfortunately, the ingredients in the McCormick Au Jus mixes go beyond gluten. It’s actually filled with stuff like dextrose, soy protein, wheat gluten, caramel color, and a bunch of other stuff I can’t pronounce.

I figured out a way to make this Mississippi pot roast recipe just as delicious and simple as the original, using real, whole ingredients, instead. It turned out absolutely perfect, and I know you will love this recipe just as much as me!

Ingredient Notes

Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (2)

You only need a few things to get this in the crock pot, and dinner will be on the table before you know it!

Chuck Roast: A 3-lb chuck roast or any cut of meat totaling around 3 lbs. Some readers have even made it using 2 lbs of chicken and it’s turned out wonderfully!

Beef Broth: You can also sub chicken broth if that’s what you have on hand, or are using chicken.

Coconut Aminos: This replaces the au jus packet that is typically found in Mississippi pot roast. It’s much healthier but still has the same amazing flavor.

Minced Garlic: You can use freshly minced garlic or a jar if you prefer

Homemade Ranch Seasoning: Dried parsley, chives, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried onion flakes, salt, and black pepper.

Ghee: You can also use vegan butter from brands like Earth Balance or Miyokos if you prefer.

Pepperoncini Peppers: If you are Whole30 finding compliant pepperoncini peppers can be tricky. There are only 2 brands (that I’ve come across) that are compliant.Davina brand can be found on Thrive Market, and Jeff’s Naturals can be found at Whole Foods! Most other brands I’ve looked at have Sodium Bisulfite or Metabisulfite, which are non-compliant preservatives.

Arrowroot Powder: This is a paleo alternative to corn starch, and it helps to thicken the gravy. You can also use tapioca starch.

Recipe Step by Step

Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (3)
  1. Place the chuck roast into the slow cooker. Pour the beef broth over top. Sprinkle all seasonings on top of the meat. Add the ghee or vegan butter on top of the meat in 2 spoonfuls. Place the pepperoncini peppers on and around the beef.
  2. Cook on low for 8-10 hours (or high for 4-5 hours). Transfer the beef from the slow cooker to a cutting board and shred it using 2 forks.
  3. Optional: Beef Gravy Recipe: Heat 1 cup of the pan drippings from the slow cooker in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Next, mix the water and arrowroot powder together in a small bowl to create a slurry. When the beef juices come to a boil, stir in the arrowroot slurry. Heat the gravy over medium-low and stir until the desired level of thickness is reached. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Serve the Mississippi pot roast over mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower and pour the gravy on top. Enjoy!

Mary’s Tips & Tricks

Instant Pot Method

To make this Mississippi pot roast in the Instant Pot, cut the beef into 4 even pieces. Up the beef broth amount to 1 cup. Do everything else the same, and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Quick or slow release.

Searing the beef in 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil will increase the flavor, but it is optional. If you choose to do this in the Instant Pot, sear the beef for 5 mins each side using the “saute” function. Remove the beef, and pour in the broth. Use a spoon to deglaze the pot and scrape up any brown bits. If you don’t do this, the IP could give the BURN warning!

Optional Beef Gravy Recipe

You have the option to make a beef gravy at the end by bringing some of the juices/broth to a boil and adding in a slurry of water + arrowroot powder. This is totally optional. Either way, it has a TON of flavor!

  1. Heat 1 cup of the juices from the slow cooker in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. Next, mix the water and arrowroot powder together in a small bowl to create a slurry.
  3. When the beef juices come to a boil, stir in the arrowroot slurry.
  4. Heat the gravy over medium-low and stir until the desired level of thickness is reached.
  5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Au Jus Recipe

If you opt to serve this pot roast with au jus sauce instead of the beef gravy recipe, simply scoop out the juices from the bottom of the crock pot and use them to top each serving. A turkey baster would work well to remove the juices. It’s very thin, so if you don’t like that consistency, opt for the gravy recipe.

Storage and Freezing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days. To freeze: Discard the pepperoncini peppers. Store the beef and au jus in a freezer-safe container for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight and warm up over the stovetop. Make a fresh pot of mashed potatoes when ready to serve!

Serving Tips

Serve your Mississippi pot roast over these delicious mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash with the beef au jus and pepperoncini peppers. Save leftover beef and au jus for french dip sandwiches the next day (If you’re not whole30/paleo.). Enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Is this recipe keto-friendly?

Yes! If you’re doing Keto or worried about carbs, you can serve it over cauliflower mash. (I have a great recipe as part of my !).

What are the best sides to serve with this recipe?

I served this over my Creamy Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes and it was so delicious!

Are pepperoncini peppers spicy?

You can choose a jar of mild, medium, or hot pepperoncini peppers, depending on your spice preference. The mild pepperoncini peppers are really not spicy at all, so if you’re sensitive to spice that’s the jar of pickled pepperoncini peppers I recommend.

Can I use a ranch packet instead of homemade ranch seasoning?

You can, however, that would impact the nutrition of this dish. If you’re in a pinch and aren’t Whole30 or Paleo, feel free to use a packet.

What is the difference between beef gravy and beef au jus?

Au jus is the leftover juices in the crockpot that have tons of flavor. It’s super thin in consistency and doesn’t have any added thickening agent. The gravy is made from these juices but is brought to a boil and thickened with a slurry of arrowroot powder. Both are delicious, just different consistencies!

You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Recipes…

Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Dairy Free Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Sweet Potato Chili

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comment section. Or, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram today!

Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (4)

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Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe

Yield: 6 people

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 8 hours hrs

Total Time: 8 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

A healthier version of the classic, flavorful Mississippi Pot Roast with chuck roast, homemade au jus and ranch seasonings, ghee, and pepperoncini peppers in the slow cooker. Super simple ingredients, but without additives and junk. It's gluten-free, dairy-free, Keto, Whole30, and Paleo!

4.98 from 147 votes

Leave a Review »

Ingredients

  • 3 lb chuck roast, can also use top round roast or a less fatty cut of meat, if desired. 2 lbs of chicken breast is delicious, too!
  • ½ cup beef broth, check labels to ensure it's paleo or Whole30 if doing one!
  • 1 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried chives
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried onion flakes
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1.5 tsp sea salt
  • 3 tbsp ghee, use vegan butter for dairy allergies
  • 8 pepperocinis

Beef Gravy Recipe (Optional)

  • 1 cup juices from the slow cooker once meat is done
  • 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
  • 2 tbsp water

Equipment

Instructions

  • Place chuck roast in slow cooker. Pour beef broth over top. Sprinkle all seasonings on top of the meat. Place the ghee on top of the meat in 3 spoonfuls. Place the pepperocini peppers on and around the beef.

  • Cook on low for 8-10 hours (or high for 4-5 hours). Transfer beef from the slow cooker to a cutting board and shred using two forks.

  • If making the beef gravy*, heat 1 cup of the juices in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Mix the water and arrowroot together in a small bowl to create a slurry. When the beef juices come to a boil, stir in the slurry. Heat over medium low and stir until desired level of thickness is reached. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Serve the beef over mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash and pour gravy over top. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Instant Pot Method

To make this in the Instant Pot, cut the beef into 4 even pieces. Up the beef broth amount to 1 cup. Do everything else the same, and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Quick or slow release.

Searing the beef in 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil will increase the flavor, but it is optional. If you choose to do this in the Instant Pot, sear the beef for 5 mins each side using the “saute” function. Remove the beef, and pour in the broth. Use a spoon to deglaze the pot and scrape up any brown bits. If you don’t do this, the IP could give the BURN warning!

Optional Beef Gravy Recipe

You have the option to make a beef gravy at the end by bringing some of the juices/broth to a boil and adding in a slurry of water + arrowroot powder. This is totally optional. Either way, it has a TON of flavor!

  1. Heat 1 cup of the juices from the slow cooker in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. Next, mix the water and arrowroot powder together in a small bowl to create a slurry.
  3. When the beef juices come to a boil, stir in the arrowroot slurry.
  4. Heat the gravy over medium-low and stir until the desired level of thickness is reached.
  5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Au Jus Recipe

If you opt to serve this pot roast with au jus sauce instead of gravy, simply scoop out the juices from the bottom of the crock pot and use them to top each serving. A turkey baster would work well to remove the juices. It’s very thin, so if you don’t like that consistency, opt for the gravy recipe.

Storage and Freezing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days. To freeze: Discard the pepperoncini peppers. Store the beef and au jus in a freezer-safe container for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight and warm up over the stovetop. Make a fresh pot of mashed potatoes when ready to serve!

Serving Tips

Serve your pot roast over these delicious mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash with the beef au jus and pepperoncini peppers. Save leftover beef and au jus for french dip sandwiches the next day (If you’re not whole30/paleo.). Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 499kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 15g, Trans Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 176mg, Sodium: 902mg, Potassium: 872mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 653IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 63mg, Iron: 5mg

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 499

Author: Mary Smith

posted in: Beef, Crock Pot, Dinners, Keto, Recipes, Whole30 232 comments

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    232 Comments on “Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe”

  1. Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (5)

    Liz Reply

    So good and easy! I love a hands off recipe and the fact that it taste so good even my husband comments how delicious it is. I’ve made it many times and the only thing I’ve changed is using the whole jar of pepperocini peppers because we both love them and want some with leftovers.

    • Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (6)

      Mary Reply

      Awesome, thanks Liz!

  2. Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (7)

    Hayley Reply

    This was a huge hit and a definite keeper! Our whole family really enjoyed it, including my 9 & 13 year olds.

    • Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (8)

      Mary Reply

      Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!

  3. Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (9)

    Michelle Reply

    Perfect seasoning! So glad I didn’t have to use a packet. The gravy turned out great as well!

    • Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (10)

      Mary Reply

      Thank you Michelle!

  4. Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (11)

    Jordan Reply

    Hi, I could cook this on low in the oven? If so, what temp would you recommend?

    Thanks!

    • Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (12)

      Mary Reply

      Yes you should be able to – I would recommend 300 for 4 hours!

  5. Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (13)

    Shawn Reply

    This was so easy but so good. My husband loved it snd he normally does not like pot roast of any kind.

    • Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (14)

      Mary Reply

      So happy you both enjoyed it!

  6. Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (15)

    Joni Reply

    So delish, thank you! I just added the aminos with the broth, although recipe doesn’t specify that I could see. I added the whole jar of pepperocini because we love them, but I wonder how much you use & if you add the juice sometimes? Thank you!

    • Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (16)

      Mary Reply

      Hi Joni- I will make sure to update when to add the coconut aminos! You did it right 🙂 I usually add 8 pepperocinis!

  7. Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (17)

    corinne Reply

    Made this for dinner tonight with chicken instead of the roast. OMG it was so good. So flavorful and easy. I used all the same ingredients but ended up cooking it for 5 hours on low. Turned out perfect. This recipe will definitely be in our rotation!

  8. Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (18)

    Ellen Reply

    I have used this recipe with venison roasts. It was so good!!

    • Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (19)

      Mary Reply

      Yum!!

  9. Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (20)

    Bria zeh Reply

    Wow! Delicious! This is a keeper 🙂

    • Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (21)

      Mary Reply

      Thanks Bria!

Healthy Mississippi Pot Roast with Beef Gravy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a pot roast and a Mississippi pot roast? ›

The Mississippi pot roast and regular pot roast differ in their flavor profiles and ingredients. Mississippi pot roast is known for its unique combination of ranch seasoning mix, au jus gravy mix, butter, and pepperoncini peppers, resulting in a tangy and slightly spicy taste.

What can I use instead of au jus in Mississippi pot roast? ›

But, you can substitute a beef gravy mix or dry onion soup mix if you don't have au jus mix. Can you make Mississippi Mud Roast without pepperoncini? Yes, if you cannot find pepperoncini peppers in your grocery store, you can leave them out. It will still taste delicious.

Is pot roast healthy for diet? ›

Pot roast doesn't typically get a nutritional nod, but that's likely because of the marbling (striations of fat not found in top round or loin). But for just 176 calories, 3 ounces of chuck roast (the cut that makes the best pot roast) boasts 22 grams of protein and almost half of the recommended daily intake for iron.

How many calories are in Mississippi pot roast? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
553Calories
46gFat
3gCarbs
29gProtein

Does a pot roast get more tender the longer it cooks? ›

Yes, pot roast absolutely becomes more tender the longer it cooks. Roasts are generally made from tougher cuts of meat, such as chuck or brisket, which contain a lot of collagen, connective tissue, and fat. These tougher tissues require a long cooking time to break down and for the collagen to converts into gelatin.

Why is my Mississippi pot roast tough? ›

The meat comes out so tender and buttery by cooking it low and slow in the crock pot. Cooking it too quickly will result in a tough cut of meat that does not shred easily.

Can I use gravy instead of au jus? ›

Can you use brown gravy instead of au jus? Yes! A 1 ounce packet of brown gravy mix can be used in place of the au jus mix. The flavor may be slightly different because there is a different amount of sodium and a different seasoning base, but it shouldn't change the recipe much and it will still be delicious!

Is au jus gravy the same as chicken gravy? ›

Like gravy, jus (pronounced zhoo) starts with the drippings from cooked meat. Unlike gravy, however, it is not thickened with flour; instead, the liquid is reduced until it reaches the desired consistency, which is usually thinner than gravy.

What is the difference between beef gravy and au jus? ›

Au jus is basically a concentrated version of drippings, whereas gravy is the same thing, only it gets thickened using a roux or another type of thickening agent. In terms of flavor, the difference lies with the cook's personal preference for herbs and spices, which dictate how the meat drippings are seasoned.

What is the healthiest beef roast? ›

The leanest beef cuts include round steaks and roasts (eye of round, top round, bottom round, round tip), top loin, top sirloin, and chuck shoulder and arm roasts. Choose lean ground beef. The label should say at least "90% lean." You may be able to find ground beef that is 93% or 95% lean.

Is pot roast inflammatory? ›

Research shows that fatty meats like beef, pork and lamb are associated with low-grade inflammation. Animal fats and saturated fats can alter your gut bacteria by increasing lipopolysaccharides, which can trigger inflammation.

Can you lose weight eating roast beef? ›

Roast beef is high in protein, which is an essential part of any healthy diet. It's what your body uses to build muscle and repair damaged tissue. Protein also helps to boost your metabolism, which is how your body breaks down and uses the nutrients in your food and burns the fat stores in your body.

What to eat with Mississippi pot roast? ›

Serving Suggestions

We serve this Mississippi pot roast recipe with: Mashed potatoes, rice, or homemade egg noodles. Add it to a hoagie roll and serve it french dip style. Keep it low-carb with mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice.

What can I use instead of pepperoncini in Mississippi pot roast? ›

But if you don't have any on hand, these are the 5 best substitutes for pepperoncini you can use:
  1. Banana Peppers.
  2. Cherry Peppers.
  3. Anaheim Peppers.
  4. Poblano Peppers.
  5. Jalapeño Peppers.
Sep 25, 2022

How many calories are in a pot roast with gravy? ›

5 oz of beef pot roast with gravy (Member's Mark) contains 250 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 10% carbs, 59% fat, and 31% protein.

Which pot roast is the most tender? ›

The best meat for pot roast is a beef cut with abundant connective tissue, like chuck roast, beef brisket or bottom round roast. This connective tissue called collagen is what makes pot roast melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Are chuck roast and pot roast the same thing? ›

A pot roast isn't a specific cut of meat — it's just a method of preparing a cut of meat by slowly braising it with liquid (like stock or wine) until it's juicy and tender. Pot roast can be made with many cuts of meat (including chuck), and goes by various nicknames, including arm roast and clod roast.

Is pot roast better in oven or crockpot? ›

It's delicious both ways. If you want to give your crock-pot a whirl, here's a slow cooker pot roast recipe for you. But pot roast is plenty easy to make in the oven! You do all the browning and roasting all in the same pot and it requires less time than in a slow cooker roast.

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