If you’re craving hearty, flavorful, no-fuss comfort food, this Slow Cooker Mississippi Salisbury Steak hits the mark. Made with seasoned ground beef patties browned to perfection and then simmered low and slow in a savory bath of au jus, ranch seasoning, pepperoncini peppers, and rich beef broth, every bite is packed with robust flavor. This dish elevates a humble ground beef dinner into something worthy of your weekly rotation.
Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Sunday suppers, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, allowing you to enjoy a fork-tender meal with minimal effort. Serve it over fluffy mashed potatoes, buttery noodles, or even cauliflower mash for a lighter take. The pepperoncini peppers add a tangy twist, balancing the richness of the dish. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want a delicious meal with leftovers, this recipe delivers every time.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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2 pounds ground beef
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1 packet onion soup mix
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1/2 cup breadcrumbs
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1/4 cup milk
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1 egg
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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2 tablespoons oil (for browning patties)
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1 packet au jus gravy mix
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1 packet ranch seasoning mix
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6-8 pepperoncini peppers
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1/4 cup pepperoncini juice
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2 cups beef broth
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1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
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2 tablespoons water (optional, for cornstarch slurry)
Directions:
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In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
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Form into 6–8 oval patties.
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Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown patties on each side for 2–3 minutes.
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Transfer browned patties to the slow cooker.
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Sprinkle au jus mix and ranch seasoning over the patties.
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Add pepperoncini peppers, pepperoncini juice, and beef broth.
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Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
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Optional: For thicker gravy, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry and stir into the slow cooker 30 minutes before serving.
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Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 6 hours (on LOW) | Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Slow Cooker Mississippi Salisbury Steak: A Comfort Food Classic with a Tangy Twist
Slow cooker meals are the unsung heroes of weeknight dinners, and when it comes to soul-warming comfort food, few dishes rival the savory goodness of Mississippi Salisbury Steak. A modern twist on two beloved classics, Salisbury steak and Mississippi pot roast, this dish marries juicy ground beef patties with the zesty punch of ranch seasoning, the rich umami of au jus, and the unmistakable tang of pepperoncini peppers. The result? A fork-tender, flavorful, and hearty meal that requires minimal effort and delivers maximum taste.
Origins and Evolution of Salisbury Steak
To appreciate the beauty of Mississippi Salisbury Steak, it helps to understand its culinary lineage. Salisbury steak originated in the United States in the late 19th century, named after Dr. James Salisbury, a physician who advocated for a meat-centric diet. The original dish was a simple ground beef patty seasoned with onion and served with gravy, intended to be both nourishing and easy to digest.
Over the years, Salisbury steak evolved into a beloved American staple often served in diners, school cafeterias, and family dinners. Its affordability and ease of preparation made it a go-to for home cooks, especially when paired with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Mississippi Pot Roast, on the other hand, came onto the culinary scene much later. Popularized in the early 2000s through food blogs and online communities, this roast featured a chuck roast slow-cooked with ranch seasoning, au jus mix, butter, and pepperoncini peppers. It quickly gained traction for its simplicity and bold flavors.
The fusion of these two dishes, Salisbury steak and Mississippi pot roast was a natural culinary evolution. By combining the individual portion convenience of Salisbury steak with the irresistible flavor profile of Mississippi-style cooking, a new classic was born.
Why Use a Slow Cooker?
The slow cooker is more than just a kitchen appliance; it’s a game-changer for busy households. It allows flavors to meld and deepen over hours of gentle cooking, transforming simple ingredients into a rich and cohesive dish. For this recipe, using a slow cooker is essential. It allows the ground beef patties to soak in the flavorful broth, keeping them moist and ensuring they absorb every bit of that zesty, savory gravy.
Plus, the hands-off nature of slow cooking means you can prep this dish in the morning and come home to a fully cooked, hearty meal in the evening. It’s ideal for parents, professionals, and anyone who loves convenience without sacrificing taste.
The Secret Ingredients: Ranch, Au Jus, and Pepperoncini
What sets this Mississippi Salisbury Steak apart from its traditional counterpart are the three key ingredients: ranch seasoning, au jus mix, and pepperoncini peppers. These pantry staples work together to create a flavor bomb of a gravy.
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Ranch Seasoning: Typically a blend of herbs, garlic, onion, and spices, ranch seasoning adds depth and a hint of creaminess to the dish.
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Au Jus Mix: This savory beef-flavored sauce mix intensifies the meatiness of the dish and creates a silky, luxurious gravy when mixed with broth.
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Pepperoncini Peppers: These mildly spicy, tangy peppers are the heart of the Mississippi-style flavor profile. They add just the right amount of acidity and heat to cut through the richness of the beef and gravy.
Together, these ingredients create a dynamic flavor that keeps you coming back for more. It’s salty, tangy, slightly spicy, and deeply satisfying.
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
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Ground Beef: Use 80/20 for a balance of flavor and moisture. Leaner ground beef can be used but may result in slightly drier patties.
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Breadcrumbs and Milk: These binders keep the patties tender and moist. For a gluten-free version, use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
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Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the patties together.
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Pepperoncini Peppers: Available in jars in the pickle aisle. If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds or reduce the quantity.
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Beef Broth: Low-sodium broth is best to control saltiness, as the seasoning packets can be quite salty on their own.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with:
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Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are the classic pairing and soak up the flavorful gravy perfectly.
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Egg Noodles: Another great option for sopping up that delicious sauce.
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Steamed Rice: Ideal if you want a lighter or gluten-free base.
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Cauliflower Mash: A low-carb alternative for those following a keto or paleo lifestyle.
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Roasted Vegetables: Add a pop of color and nutrition to the plate.
Don’t forget the garnish! A sprinkle of chopped parsley or green onions adds freshness and visual appeal.
Meal Prep and Storage
This dish stores exceptionally well, making it ideal for meal prepping or batch cooking:
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Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
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Freezer: Freeze cooked patties in their sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a slow cooker or on the stove.
You can also prepare the patties ahead of time, freeze them raw (uncooked), and then thaw and brown them before adding to the slow cooker.
Why Your Family Will Love It
Few meals offer the same combination of comfort, flavor, and ease as this Mississippi Salisbury Steak. The beef is tender and well-seasoned, the gravy is rich and complex, and the overall flavor is irresistible even to picky eaters. The dish hits all the right notes: savory, tangy, and slightly spicy with a creamy undertone. And because it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s also incredibly easy to make, perfect for those nights when you want a home-cooked meal but don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen.
This recipe is also incredibly adaptable. Want it spicier? Add more pepperoncini. Prefer a creamier gravy? Stir in a dollop of sour cream or a splash of heavy cream at the end. Need a vegetarian version? Try using meatless patties and a rich vegetable broth.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Mississippi Salisbury Steak is more than just a recipe, it’s a lifesaver for busy days, a crowd-pleaser for family dinners, and a modern take on traditional comfort food. It combines the ease of a slow cooker meal with the bold, unforgettable flavors of ranch seasoning, au jus, and tangy pepperoncini. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply want to feed your family something hearty and homemade, this dish checks every box.
From its deep roots in American culinary history to its clever flavor upgrades, this recipe proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s affordable, customizable, and guaranteed to warm both stomachs and hearts. Keep this one bookmarked because you’ll come back to it again and again.