Crock Pot/slow cooker Onion Beef Stew

4 cups halved and thinly sliced sweet onions (about 1 1/2 onions)

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves

1 1/2 lb beef stew meat

1 cup beef flavored broth 

1 package (.87 oz) onion gravy mix

2 cups 1-inch pieces diagonally cut carrots

1 cup 1-inch pieces diagonally cut parsnips

1/2 cup frozen sweet peas

Directions

• 1 Place Slow Cooker Liners inside a 5- to 6 1/2 -qt slow cooker bowl. Make sure that liner fits snugly against the bottom and sides of bowl and pull the top of the liner over rim of bowl.
• 2 In 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Cook onions and sugar in butter 30 to 35 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions are deep golden brown and caramelized. Stir in thyme and stew meat; place in slow cooker.
• 3 In medium bowl, mix broth and gravy mix; pour over meat mixture in slow cooker. Top with carrots and parsnips. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 9 hours or until beef and vegetables are tender.
• 4 Stir in peas. Cover; cook 10 to 15 minutes longer or until hot.

 Tip

Serve food directly from the lined slow cooker. Once your slow cooker cools, remove the liner and throw away for easy clean up.
Substitute mushroom beef gravy mix or brown beef gravy mix for the onion gravy mix, if desired.
Serve this saucy beef stew over mashed potatoes with plenty of crusty bread for mopping up the extra sauce.