Slow Cooker French Onion Beef Stew

Ingredients (14)

• 2 sweet yellow onions
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• Pinch sugar
• Pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 1/2 lbs. stew beef hunks (see note)
• 1/2 cup sherry
• 1 parsnip, chopped
• 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, quartered
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig (of several branches) fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste