You may have heard of 3-envelope roast before (or maybe not). It’s simply cooking roast with a packet of ranch, a packet of gravy and a packet of Italian dressing mix. The roast gets super flavorful and the recipe really couldn’t be much easier. I decided to take this well-known and loved recipe and make my own “envelopes” of ranch mix, gravy mix and Italian dressing mix. That way if you aren’t okay with some of the ingredients in these packets you can make your own and know exactly what goes into what you’re eating.
My husband told me that this was the best roast he’s ever eaten. It was perfectly flavored and ultra tender and moist. Make it for Sunday dinner and let the slow cooker do all the work!
The first thing that you’ll want to do is make your own mixes. You’ll use some of it now for the roast recipe and then you can use the rest in the future to make some dressing or gravy. I really loved using my blender to blend these mixes. I know you’re thinking that this adds an extra step but the blender really got all the particles in the mixes uniform and made it a really fine consistency.

3-Envelope Crockpot Roast (without the envelopes)
- Cook Time: 8-12 hours on low
- Total Time: 59 minute
- Yield: Makes 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chuck roast (trimmed of excess fat)
- 3 Tbsp ranch dressing mix (recipe below)
- 2 Tbsp gravy mix (recipe below)
- 2 Tbsp Italian dressing mix (recipe below)
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- In a pan, heat 2 tsp of oil over medium-high heat. Brown the roast on each side for 5 minutes. This step is not mandatory but it does make the roast taste better!
- Add the browned roast to the slow cooker.
- In a bowl whisk the water together with the 3 mixes. Pour the mixture over the roast.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-12 hours (depending on your slow cooker). You’ll know the roast is done if you can shred it easily.
- I like to shred my roast (as seen in the pictures above). The way that I did it with this roast was use a hand mixer. I took a hand mixer to the roast right inside the crockpot. Because it was so tender it shredded up perfectly. You can also just use a fork to shred.
- Serve and enjoy!
Homemade Gravy Mix Recipe
- 3 Tbsp beef bouillon granules
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup flour
Run all the ingredients through a blender or food processor. Pulse about 10 times until all the granules
are the same consistency. Store in an airtight container. To make gravy, mix 1/4 cup of mix with 2 cups of milk or water in a saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until smooth and it thickens.
Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
- 1/3 cup dry buttermilk powder
- 3 Tbsp parsley flakes
- 2 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp dried minced onion
- 2 tsp dried dill weed
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Run all the ingredients through a blender or food processor. Pulse about 10 times until all the granules
are the same consistency. Store in an airtight container. To make ranch dressing whisk together 3 Tbsp of ranch mix, 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup milk until smooth. Refrigerate for half hour before serving.
Homemade Italian Dressing Mix
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 Tbsp dried parsley
- 2 Tbsp salt
Run all the ingredients through a blender or food processor. Pulse about 10 times until all the granules
are the same consistency. Store in an airtight container. To make Italian dressing mix together 1/4 cup cinder vinegar, 2/3 cup olive oil, 2 Tbsp water and 2 Tbsp mix. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
You can easily halve this recipe.
Ideal slow cooker size: 6 quart
If I want to use any of these “envelope mixes” in other things, is 3 Tbsp of the Ranch, 2 Tbsp of the Gravy and 2 Tbsp of the Italian the equivalent to each of their respective envelopes?
Yes I believe so
Thank you so much! !! Love your recipes!!
You’re welcome Karen!
I had this at dinner at someones home. It was really flavorful but both my husband & I found it to be much too salty. Thank you for this recipe because now I can make my own mixes & reduce the amount of salt. This is going to be so much better.
How can i get this recipe to print?
Hi Lynn, I just added a recipe card to this recipe for easy printing. Hope that helps!
How long can these be stored in dry form?
Oh for a long time…Keep them in a airtight container. Probably up to a year.
Is there a way to make the gravy mix without flour? Could I use brown rice flour?
I am not familiar with brown rice flour but you could sure try! Let me know how it turns out.
I absolutely L.O.V.E. this recipe but I have to admit I didn't like the idea of the "envelopes"…so I am ultra glad to get the recipe for the mixes! Wow-eeee! (Best "pot" roast I've ever tasted.)
YAY! Hope you like it 🙂