This Instant Pot Mississippi Roast is melt-in-your-mouth tender, bursting with tangy, savory flavor in every bite. Best of all, it's ridiculously easy to make with just five ingredients and hardly any effort!
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Mississippi Roasts are nothing new; they've been around for years, but this variation is my favorite because 1- it's incredibly simple, and 2- it's "slightly" cheaper than the alternative recipes out there. How so? Well, we don't use any butter in this recipe, so we use fewer ingredients.
Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can whip up a delicious meal for your family with as little as 5 minutes of prep time. And in about an hour, you'll get to reap the rewards of your efforts.
This Mississippi roast recipe is completely customizable, so make sure to check out all my tips in the post below! I've done all the experiments, so you won't have to!
Also, don't forget to serve up your next Instant Pot Mississippi Roast with some Creamy Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes and The Best Canned Green Beans. They'll give you a full meal with minimal cost and maximum flavor.
Jump to:
- 💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- 🛒 Ingredients
- 🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- 🥪 Creative Leftover Ideas
- 💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
- 🥄 Instructions for Instant Pot Mississippi Roast
- 👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- ❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
- 🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
- ❓ Instant Pot Mississippi Roast FAQs
- 🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It can EASILY be made dairy free. Having been dairy free for a few years, I know that dairy free options exist for Ranch seasoning and Onion soup mixes, and since we already don't use butter, just a quick glance at the ingredient labels can give you a dairy free meal the whole family will enjoy!
- Minimal cleanup. You can sear your roast inside your Instant Pot AND cook it in there too, so skip the sink full of dirty dishes and enjoy more time doing what you want.
- You can adjust the heat levels. While Mississippi Roasts are known for using pepperoncini peppers, some kids and sensitive adults don't enjoy the spice they give off. See Variations below to see alternative suggestions that you're Going. To. Love.
🛒 Ingredients
Chuck Roast- You'll want to use a chuck roast for the best results, but a bottom round roast will work fine in a pinch (and may be cheaper per pound). Make sure to trim the excess fat off around the edges before using.
Yellow Peppers- Use a jar of pepperoncini peppers or banana peppers for a flavor-packed dish.
Beef Broth- While some other Mississippi roast recipes use Au Jus mixes, we find that a low sodium beef broth works just as well too.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Classic Version: Traditional Mississippi roast uses pepperoncini peppers, but they can be spicy for kids or sensitive eaters.
More Heat: Swap the peppers for sliced jalapeños or add crushed red pepper for extra kick.
Milder Flavor: Use half a jar of pepperoncini (with less juice) or try banana peppers for a sweet, tangy, kid-friendly option.
Dill Pickle Twist: Replace the peppers with sliced dill pickles for a fun, flavorful spin, especially great for dill lovers. Try it alongside my Dill Pickle Potato Salad, Dill Pickle Egg Salad, and Pickle Lemonade.
🥪 Creative Leftover Ideas
- Sandwiches. Use your leftover Instant Pot Mississippi Roast meat for delicious sandwiches the next day! Toast some buns, add some cheese, and top with some warmed up roast. Yum!
- Tacos and Nachos. Use the meat as a filling for Mississippi Pot Roast Tacos or as a topping for nachos by adding some cheese, sour cream, and other desired toppings.
- Soups and Salads. Don't be afraid to add some of the meat over your next salad or in your next soup for added depth and flavor too.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use cheaper cuts: Chuck roast is ideal, but bottom round or shoulder roast work well too and often cost less per pound.
Skip the butter: This version is already lighter on the wallet, no butter needed for rich flavor.
Buy peppers in bulk: Large jars of banana or pepperoncini peppers are cheaper per ounce than small ones and can be used in multiple meals.
Stretch leftovers: Turn extra roast into sandwiches, Mississippi Pot Roast Tacos, or quesadillas for low-effort, next-day meals.
🥄 Instructions for Instant Pot Mississippi Roast
Please note that searing your Chuck roast is completely optional and can be skipped, if desired. If your roast fits neatly in your Instant Pot, you can sear it inside your IP using the Searing option. I just enjoy excuses to use my cast iron.
Step 1: Preheat your Instant Pot's Saute setting or warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil, and then place your raw Chuck roast inside. (Image 1). Cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until there's a nice golden color on each side of your roast. (Image 2).
Step 2: Remove your roast and place it into the Instant Pot (if not there already). (Image 3).
Step 3: Add in all of the remaining ingredients. You can use a full jar of peppers plus their juices, or use as little as half the jar if you want less spice. (Image 4).
Step 4: Add the lid to your Instant Pot and make sure the vent is sealed. Set your Instant Pot to High Pressure for 65 minutes and allow to cook. Once finished, let it have a 10 minute Natural Pressure Release before you remove the remaining pressure. (Image 5).
Step 5: Open your Instant Pot and behold your glorious meal. (Image 6).
Step 6: Carefully remove the Chuck roast and place it onto a large cutting board. Shred the meat apart with two forks. (Image 7). It should fall apart very easily. But be careful as it will be hot and juicy. I recommend keeping a towel nearby.
Step 7: Take your shredded meat and add it back into the Instant Pot. Give it a good stir to evenly distribute the meat and juices. Then scoop and serve as desired. (Image 8).
Enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Mind the Salt Content- Pre-packaged seasoning mixes can be very high in sodium. Consider looking for the low-sodium alternatives or using DIY seasoning blends instead.
- Choose the Right Cut of Meat- Chuck roast is ideal for its marbling and tenderness after slow cooking. Bottom round roast is a leaner, budget-friendly alternative but may be slightly less tender.
- Slow Cooker Option- Making Mississippi roast in the slow cooker? Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Keep Instant Pot Mississippi Roast leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for 2-3 months.
Reheating: Warm gently on the stove or in the Instant Pot with a splash of broth to keep the meat juicy. You can also use the oven or microwave, but avoid overcooking.
Make Ahead:
- Freezer Meal Option: Add all ingredients (except broth) to a freezer-safe bag. Include a bouillon cube and note to add ½-1 cup water when cooking. Freeze flat for easy storage, then thaw overnight before cooking as usual.
- Cook in Advance: Cook, shred, and cool completely before refrigerating with its juices for up to 4 days or freezing for up to 3 months. Reheat directly in the Instant Pot or a skillet with broth for best flavor.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Most traditionally, Mississippi roast is served over the top of creamy mashed potatoes, but don't be afraid to try it over some cooked egg noodles or steamed rice instead.
I recommend adding a vegetable side dish that's colorful and preferably green, as it will help to break up the bland colors on your plate. Something like green beans, Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli, or even a squash casserole would be good.
- Dairy Free Mashed PotatoesRecipe $2.42 / Serving $0.61
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- Oven Roasted AsparagusRecipe $4.13 / Serving $1.03
- Air Fryer Canned CornRecipe $1.47 / Serving $0.37
❓ Instant Pot Mississippi Roast FAQs
To keep your pot roast from turning out tough right from the start, start with a high-quality cut of meat (I personally recommend giving Butcher Box a try). Choose a roast that has consistent marbling throughout; skip the ones with just a big chunk of fat on one side. And be sure to cook it for the right amount of time.
You can cook it for 65 minutes in the Instant Pot or several hours in the slow cooker. In the slow cooker, it'd take 8-10 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high.
Your roast does not need to be submerged in the Instant Pot to cook it, but it will need some amount of pressure in order to work. A 6-quart Instant Pot requires a minimum of 1 cup of water in order to work properly, whereas a larger one (8 quart) will need closer to 1.5 cups of liquid inside. Also, as your roast cooks, it will naturally create its own liquid broth.
Cook time tip: When using an Instant Pot for pot roast, plan on about 20 minutes of pressure cooking per pound of meat. So, a 2-pound roast would need 40 minutes, while a 3-pound one should go for around an hour on high pressure. Using frozen beef? It's best to thaw it first.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
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🐝 If you tried this Instant Pot Mississippi Roast, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Mississippi Roast
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chuck roast, excess fat trimmed - ($26.01)
- 1 jar (12 ounces) pepperoncini peppers, with juice - ($1.97)
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning - ($0.54)
- 1 packet (1 ounce) onion soup mix - ($0.49)
- ½ cup beef broth, low sodium - ($0.13)
Instructions
- Optional sear. Searing is optional. If desired, heat the Instant Pot on Sauté or a skillet over medium-high heat with a small amount of oil. Sear the chuck roast about 2 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- Pressure cook. Place the chuck roast in the Instant Pot. Add pepperoncini peppers with juice, ranch seasoning, onion soup mix, and beef broth. Use the full jar of peppers for more heat or reduce for milder flavor. Secure the lid, seal the vent, and cook on High Pressure for 65 minutes.
- Release pressure. Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release, then carefully vent remaining pressure.
- Shred. Remove the roast to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return the shredded beef to the pot and stir to coat evenly in the juices.
- Serve. Scoop and serve as desired.
Notes
- Recipe Tips. Chuck roast gives the most tender results. Use low-sodium or homemade seasonings to control salt. If using homemade ranch, use about 2 tablespoons.
- Cooking Options. Slow cooker on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 to 5 hours. Instant Pot averages about 20 minutes per pound with at least 1 to 1 ½ cups liquid.
- Storage & Make-Ahead. Store in the refrigerator up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Can be prepped as a freezer meal without liquid or cooked, shredded, and reheated with broth.
- Spice Variations. Reduce pepperoncini for less heat or swap with banana peppers, jalapeños, or dill pickles for a different flavor profile.
Nutritional Information
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Nicole Durham says
This roast is one of our family's favorites!