Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Pat the beef stew meat dry with paper towels, then season with the sea salt and black pepper.
Sear the beef in the pot until a deep brown crust forms on all sides, then remove the meat and set aside.
Add the diced onion, carrots, and potatoes to the same pot, sautéing for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute until highly fragrant.
Pour in the beef broth and return the beef to the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 60 minutes until the beef is fork-tender.