Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 3 lb boneless beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tsp salt, divided
• 1 tsp ground pepper, divided
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 large onion, halved and sliced
• 1 1/2 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1 1/2 -inch pieces
• 1 lb carrots, cut into 2-inch lengths
• 3/4 cup red wine
• 1 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 small bay leaf
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Place beef in a large bowl and season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add flour and toss to coat. Shake off excess flour back into the bowl and reserve.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add about a third of the beef to the pan. Cook until brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and cook the remaining beef in 2 more batches, adjusting the heat as needed. Transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and onion to the pan. Cook on medium heat, stirring, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the onion to the slow cooker along with potatoes and carrots. Add wine to the pan and scrape up any browned bits. Pour into the slow cooker.
4. Whisk broth, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper into the flour left in the bowl. Pour over the stew ingredients and stir well.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on High for 4 hours or on Low for 7 1/2 hours. Serve the stew sprinkled with parsley, if desired.