5 lb boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1½-inch chuncks
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil
4 oz (about 4 slices) uncured bacon, minced
2 medium onions, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
¼ cup tomato paste
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp fresh thyme, minced
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
2½ cups Pinot Noir, divided
1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 bay leaves
10 oz pearl onions, peeled
¼ cup water
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 tsp sugar
1 lb cremini mushrooms, halved or quartered if large
Instructions
Season the beef with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Once hot, add half the cubed beef and transfer the other half directly to the crock pot. Brown the meat on all sides for 7 to 10 minutes; transfer to slow cooker.
Return the skillet to the stove top and add the bacon, heating over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the diced onion, carrot, tomato paste, garlic, and thyme. Cook the mixture until the onions are softened, translucent, and beginning to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Whisk in 1¼ cups of the wine; once combined, transfer to the slow cooker.
To the crock pot, add the broth, soy sauce, bay leaves, and pearl onions; stir. Cook on low for 9 to 11 hours.
About 20 minutes before serving, heat the water, butter, and sugar in a large sauce pan over high heat, bringing to a boil. Allow mixture to reduce by half, stirring occasionally, cooking 5 to 10 minutes. Add the mushrooms and stir. Allow mushrooms to cook and soften for about 5 minutes; transfer mushrooms and liquid to the slow cooker; stir.
Meanwhile, in a separate, small sauce pan, heat the remaining 1¼ cups wine over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and allow to reduce by half, cooking 8 to 12 minutes; transfer to slow cooker.
Once all components are into the crock, give it a final stir and remove the bay leaves. Serve over mashed potatoes, if desired.