Beef stew

Ingredients: 2 lbs. chuck beef in chunks, 4 large carrots, 2 large potatoes, 3 cups water, 1 tablespoon salt (or to taste), 1 tsp. black pepper, 2 cloves garlic (optional), 1 small onion. Peel and chunk carrots, scrub and chunk potatoes, peel garlic cloves and slice or press, peel and dice onion. Using sautee feature on Instant Pot - or using a frying pan - brown meat and (add to slow cooker if using frying pan), add all other ingredients in no specific order, cover with all the water. Close lid and set Instant Pot to slow cooker mode on high and cook for at least 6 hours, with the steam vent set to releasing. If using a lower heat setting, add more time. If desired - add cornstarch or flour to thicken. I don't do this and it tastes great with the natural thin broth. Enjoy!