Slow cooker French onion beef

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1.2 kg beef chuck steak, excess fat trimmed, cut into 3cm pieces
• 1 brown onion, cut into thin wedges
• 2 carrots, peeled, coarsely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 190 ml red wine (2/3 cup)
• 40 g French onion simmer soup mix
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme, plus extra to serve
• 1 1/2 tbsp cornflour
• Mashed potatoes, to serve
• Steamed green beans, to serve

Instructions

1. 1Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add half of the beef and cook, turning occasionally, for 8 minutes or until golden. Use tongs to transfer to the bowl of a slow cooker. Repeat with the remaining beef.
2. 2Heat the remaining oil in the frying pan. Add the onion and carrot. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until tender. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic. Pour the wine into the pan and simmer for 3 minutes or until reduced.
3. 3Pour the onion mixture into the slow cooker. Add the French onion soup mix, thyme sprigs and 500ml (2 cups) water. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours 40 minutes or until the beef is tender.
4. 4Combine the cornflour with 1 1/2 tbsp cold water. Add to the slow cooker. Stir until combined. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20 minutes or until the beef is very tender. Season. Serve, sprinkled with extra thyme, with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans.