Pat the beef stew meat dry with paper towels and season with sea salt and black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the beef to the pot and sear until browned on all sides, then remove the beef and set aside.
In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the paste turns a deep brick red.
Add the diced red potatoes, dried thyme, and return the seared beef to the pot.
Pour in the beef broth and stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes until the beef is fork-tender.