Savory Slow Cooked Beef Dinner with Tender Vegetables and Rich Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef sirloin, chuck roast, or stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, for browning (optional)
• 1 cup beef broth, low-sodium preferred
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
• 1 to 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water