Tender rabbit, slow cooked with wine, bacon, and herbs.
One of the questions that I get asked quite a bit, is:
“What does rabbit taste like?”
Well, here is the honest to goodness truth. It tastes like chicken. Now I know, I know, people often say that something tastes like chicken when really it doesn’t. But in this case, it is the truth.
We have had rabbit many different ways in our home, but with only one exception, it tasted like chicken every single time. If you deboned the meat prior to cooking, no one would be the wiser. The one exception – and this is simply my opinion – was when we barbecued it on the grill. To me, grilled rabbit has a gamey taste and was clearly not chicken. That said, Mr. Smith loved it all the same.
Whether you are planning to go rabbit hunting or if you are raising meat rabbits on your farm, this is an excellent recipe to prepare rabbit with. If you have friends or family who would like to try rabbit and are hesitant …make this recipe. You will win them over. I’m telling you.
This rabbit is dredged in flour and browned in the Dutch oven. Then you briefly sauté some onion, garlic, and bacon – can any recipe be bad that has those three? I mean really.
Finally, this is slow cooked in your oven in a rich, red wine sauce.
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Boozy Bacon Stewed Rabbit
Ingredients
- 1 c prunes
- 2 Tb brandy
- 1/4 c brown sugar
- 2 prepared rabbits, cut into serving pieces
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2/3 c all-purpose flour, for dredging
- 2 Tb extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, coarsely chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
- 2 stalks celery, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 6 slices of thick cut bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 c red wine
- 2 c chicken broth
- 3 sprigs of fresh thyme, 2 teaspoon dry
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, 2 teaspoon dry
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- To begin, heat your oven to 325 degrees.
- In a shallow dish, combine the brandy, prunes, and brown sugar. Stir them together and set them aside for now.
- Pat the rabbit pieces dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the rabbit with the salt and pepper.
- Dredge the rabbit in the flour to lightly coat it.
- Heat the oil in an oven safe Dutch oven over medium high heat.
- Brown the rabbit pieces in the oil until golden on both sides. Work in batches so that you do not over crowd the pot. As each piece is browned, place it on a plate and brown the rest. Place all of the pieces on the plate when browned.
- Add the onion, carrots, celery, bacon, and garlic to the pot. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the bacon and onion begin to develop a little golden brown color.
- Pour in the wine and use your wooden spoon to loosen any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Nestle the rabbit pieces down into the contents of the pot.
- Pour in the chicken broth.
- Add in the herbs.
- Pour the dish of brandied prunes and all of the liquid over the top of the contents of the pot.
- Bring this all to a gentle boil.
- When it begins to boil, turn off the heat, cover, and place it in the oven.
- Bake for 2 hours or until the rabbit is tender.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
If nutritional values are provided for this recipe, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands of ingredients you use. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste or for serving. If nutritional values are very important to you, I suggest using your favorite nutritional calculating tool with the brands you use.
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Note: I no longer eat pork or rabbit, however I am leaving recipes like this one up for those who enjoy it.
I’ve never ever had rabbit before. Does it really taste like chicken? This does look mighty tasty and I would probably like it!
Yes, it really does :)
Oh wow! I tried rabbit when I was a kid. I didnt’ like it too much but I was a pretty picky kid anyway, now, I’ll eat anything! I’m sure this is delicious!
This looks so satisfying and comforting for the cold weather ahead. Yum!
I did not eat rabbit since I was little, I even forgot the taste. It’s time to make it!
The first time I ate rabbit was at a wild game culinary retreat. It was simply prepared and delicious. I think I like your addition of red wine and herbs!
I remember the first time I cooked rabbit for my dad and husband. My dad love rabbit meat, he said my mom use to make it for him. So my husband brought home a cute rabbit, they both killed it and I cooked it. My dad enjoyed, but my husband not so much. I will try your recipe next time
Such a wonderful, comforting meal! I have actually never tried rabbit before. Definitely need to be on the lookout for it.
I’ve never had rabbit before! I wonder if I can trap one in my backyard to make this dish? :p The bay leaf makes this dish extra tasty looking! Can’t wait to try this.
LOL! Well, wild rabbit is totally edible. As long as it is in season and you have a hunting license ;)
Haven’t even considered eating rabbit before but this looks so good! The gamey flavor of the grilled rabbit reminds me of the time I tried lamb for the first time, it took me a while to get used to it!
Lamb does have a strong taste and takes a bit getting used to if you didn’t grow up with it, I think.
Interesting! I’ve never had rabbit, but my grandmother’s old neighbors used to raise them to sell the meat. I guess I should expand my palate and give it a try!