Chop the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic into bite-sized pieces. Optionally sear the beef stew meat in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes.

Place the prepared beef, lentils, chopped vegetables, and minced garlic into your slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes and broth. Stir in the smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried thyme, and bay leaf.

Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours until beef is tender and lentils are soft.

Remove the bay leaf, taste the stew, and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.

Serve hot, optionally with crusty bread or over rice.