Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup

This is comfort food made easy on a cold winter day.

1 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 cups water
14 1/2 oz can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
16 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 tsp instant beef bouillon granules
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp pepper

In a large skillet brown beef pieces, about half at a time, in hot oil. Drain off fat. Combine beef and remaining ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.