Ingredients:
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 lb baby gold potatoes, halved
- 3 large carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions:
- Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Toss the cubes in flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until a mahogany-colored crust forms on all sides, then transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and sliced celery until translucent (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until the paste turns a deep brick red.
- Pour in the dry red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom, then pour the entire mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
- Stir in the beef broth, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Gently fold in the halved potatoes and carrot chunks, ensuring they are mostly submerged.
- Add the bay leaves on top, cover, and cook on Low for 8 hours (or High for 4-5 hours) until the beef is fork-tender.
- Remove the bay leaves and stir gently to combine everything into a cohesive, rich stew.