Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

Total Time: 10 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 10 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 5 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 medium onions, chopped fine
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth or 2 cups beef broth
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 lb carrot, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 lb parsnip, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 lb red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons minute tapioca
• 2 cups frozen peas, thawed

Recipe

• 1 dry beef with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper.
• 2 heat 1 t oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking.
• 3 add half of beef and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes.
• 4 transfer to slow cooker inset and repeat with remaining beef (you shouldn't need more oil).
• 5 add 1 t oil, onions and 1/4 t salt to empty skillet and cook until golden brown, about 6 minutes.
• 6 add tomato paste and cook, stirring well, for 2 minutes.
• 7 add broth and soy sauce, bring to a simmer and transfer to slow-cooker inset.
• 8 toss carrots, parsnips, potatoes, 1/2 t thyme, and remaining 1 t oil in bowl.
• 9 season with salt and pepper.
• 10 wrap vegetables in foil packet that will fit in slow cooker.
• 11 note: to make the pack, place the vegetables on one side of a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
• 12 fold the foil over, shaping it into a packet that will fit into your slow cooker, then crimp to seal the edges.
• 13 stir bay leaves and tapioca into slow-cooker insert; set vegetable packet on top of beef.
• 14 set slow cooker to high, cover, and cook for 6-7 hours (or cook on low for 10 hours-11 hours).
• 15 transfer vegetable packet to plate.
• 16 carefully open packet (watch for steam) and stir vegetables and juices into stew.
• 17 add remaining 1 t thyme and peas and let stand until heated through.
• 18 season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.