Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and the black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side. The beef does not need to cook through.
Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker. Add the carrots, onion, and garlic.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt.
Pour the broth mixture over the beef and vegetables. Add the bay leaves and gently stir.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the carrots are soft.
Remove and discard the bay leaves.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir the mixture into the hot stew.
Cover and cook on HIGH for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the broth thickens slightly.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Serving Size: 1½ cups
Tips and Tricks
Choose Chuck Roast – Chuck roast has enough marbling to become tender during slow cooking. Very lean cuts can turn dry.Don't Crowd the Skillet – Browning the beef in batches gives it a better sear. Too much meat in the skillet at once can cause it to steam.Cut Carrots Evenly – Keeping the carrot pieces about the same size helps them cook evenly and prevents smaller pieces from becoming too soft.Keep the Lid Closed – Opening the slow cooker repeatedly releases heat and can increase the cooking time.Adjust the Thickness – For a thinner stew, add a little warm beef broth before serving. The broth will also thicken as the stew cools.
Storing and Reheating
Refrigerating – Transfer leftovers to shallow, airtight containers and refrigerate within 2 hours. Store for up to 3 to 4 days.Freezing – Freeze cooled stew in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months for best quality. Leave a little space at the top for expansion.Reheating on the Stove – Place the stew in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until heated to 165°F. Add a splash of beef broth if it's too thick.Reheating in the Microwave – Place a serving in a microwave-safe bowl and cover loosely. Heat in short intervals, stirring between each, until it reaches 165°F.Thawing – Thaw frozen stew overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.