Some recipes are “nice.” This one is life-saving—the kind you keep in your back pocket for busy weekdays, Sunday suppers, or any time you want a meal that tastes like you worked all day… even though your slow cooker did the heavy lifting. If you’ve ever dreamed of fork-tender beef chuck roast that practically falls apart when you touch it, you’re in the right place.
This is the ultimate five-ingredient slow cooker chuck roast: minimal prep, maximum flavor, and the kind of melt-in-your-mouth texture that feels like pure comfort. You don’t need a long ingredient list, fancy spices, or complicated steps. You simply add your beef to the slow cooker with four flavor boosters, turn it on, and come back to the most tender, juicy roast—with a rich gravy-like sauce waiting underneath.
Whether you serve it over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or with roasted vegetables, this roast turns into a meal that satisfies everyone at the table. And the leftovers? Even better. Think shredded beef sandwiches, tacos, pot roast bowls, and hearty soups.
Focus Keyword
5 ingredient slow cooker chuck roast
Why This 5-Ingredient Chuck Roast Works
Chuck roast is one of the best cuts for slow cooking because it’s naturally marbled with fat and packed with connective tissue. That might sound like a bad thing—until you slow-cook it. Over time, collagen breaks down and transforms into gelatin, giving you beef that becomes incredibly tender and silky.
This recipe’s five ingredients create the perfect balance:
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Salt + savory depth
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Acidity to brighten and tenderize
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A rich, beefy base
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A “set it and forget it” method that guarantees tenderness
The result: juicy, shreddable, melt-apart pot roast with an easy sauce you can spoon over everything.
The Five Ingredients You Need
Here’s the beauty: the ingredient list is short, but the flavor tastes like you used way more.
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Beef chuck roast (3–4 lbs / 1.4–1.8 kg)
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Ranch seasoning mix (1 packet)
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Au jus gravy mix (1 packet)
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Pepperoncini peppers + a splash of their juice (½ cup peppers + 2 tbsp juice)
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Unsalted butter (4 tbsp / ½ stick)
That’s it.
Note: Pepperoncini add gentle tang and flavor—not intense heat. If you’re worried, start with fewer peppers.
Ingredients (Exact Measurements)
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3 to 4 lb beef chuck roast
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1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz / 28 g)
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1 packet au jus gravy mix (about 1 oz / 28 g)
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½ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers (or whole)
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2 tbsp pepperoncini juice (from the jar)
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4 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Optional but recommended (not counted in the “five”):
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1 large onion, sliced (adds sweetness)
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3–4 garlic cloves (adds aroma)
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1 cup baby carrots or potatoes (makes it a full meal)
