Heat the coconut oil in a skillet on the stove top.
Brown the meat on all sides in the preheated skillet then transfer to the slow cooker.
While the meat is browning, chop the onions into large chunks.
Pour the beef broth into the hot skillet and scrape all the browned bits from the bottom.
Add the broth and all remaining ingredients except the carrots, potatoes, arrowroot, and water to the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 6.
After two hours of cooking time, roughly chop the carrots and potatoes and add them to the slow cooker. They can be added at the beginning but they will be much softer at the end.
If a thicker gravy is desired, whisk together the arrowroot flour and water and stir into the slow cooker for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Instant Pot Method
Turn the Instant Pot on saute and heat the coconut oil.
Brown the meat on all sides in the preheated Instant Pot and then remove to a platter.
While the meat is browning, chop the onions into large chunks.
Pour the beef broth into the hot Instant Pot and scrape all the browned bits from the bottom.
Add the onions, garlic, and spices to the broth and return the meat to the Instant Pot.
Cover and cook at high pressure for 60 minutes with a 10 minute natural pressure release at the end.
While the meat is cooking, roughly chop the carrots and potatoes.
After the 10 minute natural pressure release, add the chopped vegetables and cook at high pressure for an additional 3 minutes with another 10 minute natural pressure release.
If a thicker gravy is desired, whisk together the arrowroot flour and water, turn the Instant Pot to saute, and stir in the arrowroot/water mixture for 1 minute.
Notes
You can also make this recipe in the oven if you'd like. Just brown the meat in a dutch oven or other oven-proof skillet, deglaze with broth, add chopped onions, garlic, and onions, and cook covered at 325°F for an hour. Add the vegetables and cook an additional hour or until the vegetables and meat are tender.