Toss stewing beef with flour to coat. Shake excess.
Heat a skillet to medium high heat and add 1 Tablespoon of oil. Add ¼ of the beef and brown for about 2 minutes, then stir or flip and brown for 2 more minutes. Add to bottom of the slow cooker, and repeat with the remaining beef in 3 more batches.
Add onion to skillet, and fry for about 2 minutes, stirring a couple of times. Add to slow cooker.
To the slow cooker, add potatoes, carrots, celery, beef broth, pickle juice, garlic powder*, onion powder*, beef base*, and pepper. Make sure all ingredients are covered. If not, arrange to cover or add additional broth if needed.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or high for 4-5 hours.
Mix together cornstarch and water. Add cornstarch slurry and peas to the slow cooker and stir. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened.
Serve with bread or dumplings
Notes
*Replace garlic powder, onion powder, and beef base with a packet of beef stew seasoning if desired
Try adding the beef base in addition to the seasonings for a lovely flavor.