• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

SmartyPantsKitchen logo

  • About
  • Foodie Tips
  • Kitchen 101
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Foodie Tips
  • Kitchen 101
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Entrees

Lower-Sodium Mississippi Pot Roast with Gravy

Published: Jul 28, 2020 · Last Modified: Aug 14, 2023 by Anecia

  • share
  • share
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

You'll love this lower-sodium Mississippi Pot Roast recipe! The original Mississippi pot roast recipe has a ton of sodium in it; this is an alternative that tastes just as delicious without all the salt and preservatives. 

Slow cooked, shredded beef seasoned with homemade brown gravy and tangy pepperoncini peppers!

Shredded Mississippi Pot roast with Pepperoncini peppers on white plate

I'm not a fan of packaged seasonings, simply because they often contain too much salt, additives, preservatives or MSG. I adapted the original Mississippi pot roast recipe to a lower sodium version than the original. 

This recipe uses only one packaged dry mix (ranch dressing) and a homemade brown gravy that really moistens the roast. The result is a less salty pot roast.

You'll love this recipe!

  • Hassle-free: just throw everything in the crock pot or slow cooker and walk away
  • Seasoned "Just Right" - lower sodium version than the original recipe; the result is LESS SALT
  • Leftovers - perfect as a sandwich or with a side of rice or pasta

This lower sodium Mississippi Pot Roast tastes delicious and doesn't have as many additives, preservatives and sodium as the original. However, if you are on a "no-sodium" diet due to doctor's orders, please consult a certified, registered dietitian for menu planning and preparation. I am not a certified nutritionist nor registered dietitian. 

The original recipe for a 3-pound roast (using all the original ingredients) results in approximately 9,000 mg. of sodium for the entire recipe. 

This version results in about 2500 mg. of sodium for the entire recipe, which yields about 8 six-ounce servings, so that's roughly 312 mg. sodium per serving. The original recipe yields 8 servings as well, but has about 1,125 mg. sodium per serving.

Here's what you'll need

I make this Mississippi pot roast in a slow cooker, but you can make yours in a Dutch oven on the stovetop on low heat, or in the oven on low heat.

You'll need a 3-4 lb. chuck roast and the following:

  • 6 pepperoncini peppers - these are sometimes called "Banana Peppers" and they're on the pickle aisle of the grocery store
  • 1-package of dry Ranch™ dressing mix
  • 1-stick unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium bouillon paste - this is for the homemade brown gravy that goes on the pot roast. I use "Better than Bouillon" band
  • flour- all purpose flour
  • water

How to make a lower sodium Mississippi pot roast

Start by making the homemade brown gravy. This really moistens the pot roast and gives it a great homemade flavor. In a medium saucepan on low heat, add unsalted butter and the low sodium bouillon paste; add a little water, whisk in the flour. Season to taste with ground black pepper.

Instructions how to make brown gravy

  • Place the roast in the slow cooker; pour gravy over beef
  • Sprinkle one package of dry ranch dressing mix over beef
  • Add Pepperoncini peppers (add more water to cover roast if needed)
  • Cook on low for 6-8 hours

What cut of meat do I use?

Use 3-4 pounds of boneless chuck, rump or sirloin for best results. You can use a 7-bone chuck roast if boneless is not available.

Recipe tips

Don't add more salt

It is not necessary to season the roast with salt prior to putting it in the slow cooker. The most common complaint about the original is that it is too salty. The ranch dressing mix has more than enough sodium to season the roast, so it's not necessary to add more salt. In fact, salt is not an ingredient in this recipe or the original.

Use unsalted butter

A stick of salted butter has approximately 720 mg of sodium. Use unsalted butter.

Use only 1 package of Ranch dressing mix

Two packages of dry mix have approximately 270 mg of sodium; reduce this half by using only one package. 

Use reduced-sodium beef bouillon

The homemade brown gravy recipe calls for Better Than Bouillon Reduced Sodium concentrated beef base which does contain quite a bit of sodium, but has â…“ less sodium than the bouillon cubes.

Better Than Bouillon brand of concentrated beef base is available in reduced sodium as well. I recommend using the low sodium version.

Go easy on the peppers and juice

The brine in which they are packaged is inherently high in sodium, so if you add any of the pepperoncini juice, keep in mind that you're adding more sodium to the recipe.

The nutritional estimate in the recipe card below is an estimate; there's no way to determine the exact nutritional analysis because every pot roast is a different size, as is each serving. 

What are Pepperoncini peppers?

  • Pepperoncini peppers, also known as "Banana Peppers," are mild Italian peppers, usually marinated in vinegar. Even though they're considered Italian, you'll often find them on Greek or Mediterranean menus. These green peppers are somewhat salty, tangy and peppery, with a low heat index.
  • On the Scoville Heat Index, which measures the heat of a pepper, Pepperoncini's rank 100-150 SHU (Scoville Heat Units), which is relatively mild.
  • For comparison, the Scoville Heat Units range from 0 - 16,000,000; a green bell pepper has an SHU of 0; a Habanero has an SHU of 100,000 - 350,000.

Are Pepperoncini and Banana Peppers the Same?

While Banana and Pepperoncini peppers are both within the Nightshade family, they technically are not the same; however, you'll find their flavor and texture very similar, so use either one in this recipe.

Mississippi Pot Roast with Gravy, cream potatoes and carrot slaw on white plate

Lower-sodium Mississippi Pot Roast is a Sunday favorite and it pairs beautifully with maple baked beans,  fried yellow squash, steamed carrots, peas or macaroni and cheese.

Related recipes:

  • Mom's Pot Roast
  • Beef Stew with Puff Pastry
  • Copper Penny Carrot Slaw
  • Beef Tips with Gravy
  • Salisbury Steak with Brown Gravy

📋 Recipe

Shredded Mississippi Pot roast on a white plate with three pepperoncini peppers

Lower Sodium Mississippi Pot Roast with Gravy

Tender shreds of tangy, peppery beef in a lower sodium, homemade au jus gravy.
5 from 24 votes
Print Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours hours
Gravy Recipe: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Yield: 8
Author: Anecia Hero
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

  • 3 lb roast ( 3-4 pound roast)
  • 6 whole Pepperoncini peppers
  • 1 pkg. ranch dressing mix , dry
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium beef bouillon ,Better Than Bouillon Paste, low sodium
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1¾ cups water
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

Make the Gravy

  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter and bouillon paste
    1 stick unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons low sodium beef bouillon
  • Sprinkle flour in ¼ cup increments; whisk; until there are no lumps
    ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • Add water and pepper; heat until mixture is smooth
    ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cook the Mississippi Pot Roast

  • Place beef in slow cooker
    3 lb roast
  • Pour gravy over beef (add enough water to ensure roast is covered with liquid)
    1¾ cups water
  • Sprinkle in a package of dry ranch dressing mix
    1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
  • Add 6-7 Pepperoncini peppers
    6 whole Pepperoncini peppers
  • Cook on low 6-8 hours

Notes

This lower sodium Mississippi Pot Roast tastes delicious and doesn't have as many additives, preservatives and sodium as the original. However, if you are on a "no-sodium" diet due to doctor's orders, please consult a certified, registered dietitian for menu planning and preparation.
I am not a nutritionist, nor a certified, registered dietitian. 
  • Use 3-4 pounds of boneless chuck, rump or sirloin for best results. You can use a 7 bone chuck roast if boneless is not available.
  • It is not necessary to season the roast with salt prior to cooking
  • Use unsalted butter 
  • Use reduced sodium bouillon paste
  • Adjust Pepperoncini amounts to your liking
  • The brine in which they are packaged is inherently high in sodium.
  • A 16 ounce jar of brined pepperoncini contains roughly over 1100 mg of sodium, so if you add any of the pepperoncini juice, keep in mind that you're adding more sodium to the recipe.

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 1cupCalories: 451kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 34gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 272mgPotassium: 587mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 378IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 4mg
Craving More? Pin it and Share!Mention @SmartyPantsKitchen or tag #smartypantskitchen!
Join the Facebook group!Mention @SmartyPantsKitchen or tag #smartypantskitchen!

 

 

More Traditional and Contemporary Southern Entree Recipes

  • Cabbage, sausage and potatoes in cast iron skillet.
    Pennsylvania Dutch Skillet Supper
  • Creole shrimp pasta in blue bowl.
    Creole Shrimp Pasta
  • Sliced classic meatloaf with tomato sauce on white serving platter.
    Classic Southern Meatloaf with Old-Fashioned Tomato Sauce
  • Two sloppy joe's on a blue plate with pickles.
    Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe

Reader Interactions

I'd love to hear from you! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Anecia Hero, Food Blogger

About SmartyPantsKitchen

I'm Anecia, a native Texan, author, cook and photographer for SmartyPantsKitchen where I'm sharing Traditional and Contemporary Southern recipes for cooks of all levels. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! 

Learn more about me →

Texas Recipes

  • Authentic Texas Chili in white bowl with tortilla chip and shredded cheese.
    Texas Chili
  • Close up of cake on white plate.
    Original Texas Sheet Cake
  • Sausage cream gravy in red bowl with bowl of biscuits in red checkered basket in background
    Sausage Cream Gravy
  • Whole pecan pie on colorful tablecloth
    Classic Southern Pecan Pie
  • Chicken fried steak with cream gravy and a side of green beans
    Texas Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy
  • Apple cake on gold plate.
    Fresh Apple Cake

Brunch

  • Two slices of quiche on white plate.
    Basic Quiche Recipe
  • Holiday Sausage Ball on fork resting over honey mustard dip
    Easy Sausage Balls
  • Smoked tomato bisque on brown serving tray with crouton and cream
    Smoked Tomato Bisque (Low-Sodium)
  • Slice of low carb egg casserole on plate.
    Low Carb Crustless Quiche Recipe
  • Slice of spinach feta pie on white plate with a side of kalamata olives.
    Spinach Feta Pie
  • Shrimp Saganaki in white baking dish.
    Shrimp Saganaki (Baked Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta)

Reader Favorites

  • Fried catfish filets with tartar sauce.
    Restaurant-Quality Fried Catfish
  • Purple hull peas in white bowl.
    How to Cook and Season Southern Purple Hull Peas
  • Sliced classic meatloaf with tomato sauce on white serving platter.
    Classic Southern Meatloaf with Old-Fashioned Tomato Sauce
  • No beer batter fried fish in paper
    Fish and Chips: No Beer Batter
  • Cream gravy being spooned over chicken fried steak
    Southern Cream Gravy
  • Fried oysters on platter with lemon wedges.
    Crispy Southern Fried Oysters

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and recipes

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2018-2022 SmartyPantsKitchen.com