This hearty French-inspired stew is packed with tender beef, rich red wine sauce, and baby potatoes. It's the ultimate comfort meal, made easy in the slow cooker for a fuss-free dinner.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, transferring to the slow cooker as they are done.
In the same skillet, add carrots and onion. Cook until the onion is translucent, then add garlic and cook for another minute.
Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
Transfer the wine and vegetable mixture to the slow cooker.
Add beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Add the halved baby potatoes to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the beef is tender.
About 30 minutes before serving, mix the flour and butter to form a paste. Stir it into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce.
Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
For extra richness, you can sauté a few chopped mushrooms with the onions and carrots. Serve this dish with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.