Rabbit Recipes - Recipes for Rabbit, Hare and Squirrel | Hank Shaw (2024)

Rabbit Recipes - Recipes for Rabbit, Hare and Squirrel | Hank Shaw (1)

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  • About
  • Basics: Cut Up a Rabbit | Cut up a Squirrel | Buttermilk Fried Rabbit
  • Recipes: Rabbit | Squirrel | Hare/Jackrabbit

About

How do you cook a rabbit? This is how. Below is my collection of rabbit recipes, yes, but also for hares and squirrels. All are among my absolute favorite animals to eat.

These rabbit recipes cover both wild and domesticated animals. Keep in mind that a store-bought rabbit will be larger and more tender than a cottontail. Cottontails feed maybe two people, a domestic rabbit feeds four easily. In general, you make a rabbit tender by slow cooking it, if it’s wild. Store-bought rabbits can be fried or even poached and still be tender.

At the table, these critters are often maligned as “poor people’s food.” I get annoyed at this, because rabbits and especially squirrels can be far more interesting to eat than venison. But hey, let everyone else think they’re no good. More for us.

Rabbit and its related meats are all high in protein and very low in fat. Rabbit is higher in protein and lower in fat and calories than a comparable weight of beef, lamb, turkey, pork or chicken.

The eating of rabbits and hares has a venerable history in Europe. Greeks, Germans, Spaniards and Britons love rabbits and hares, as do Italians in certain regions. Most of the recipes I will post here come from these traditions.As for squirrels, these recipes are almost uniquely American. After all, squirrel-eating is as American as apple pie. In fact, the original chicken pot pie was actually a squirrel pie. Really. And itis wonderful.

Rabbit Recipes - Recipes for Rabbit, Hare and Squirrel | Hank Shaw (2)

Hares, on the other hand, are, well, a whole different animal. Hares are mostly known in America as jackrabbits, although those blessed with snowy weather get snowshoe hares as well. They are better eating than jacks, although I like both. Hares are large, up to 12 pounds in some cases, and one will serve six easily. Hares are also dark meat; they look more like beef than chicken. And finally, hares live longer and so tend to be tougher. They are best served braised.

In fact, rabbits, hares and squirrels are all best braised.

Unless you are lucky enough to get a young one. You can tell this in a rabbit or hare by their ears: Tear them lengthwise, and if they tear easy, the animal was young. With a young rabbit or squirrel in hand, you really oughta make that pinnacle of rabbit recipes, Southern Fried Rabbit, preferably with greens and sweet potatoes. You’ll like it better than fried chicken.

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Basics

How to Cut Up a Rabbit

Most rabbits come whole in the store, and all rabbits come whole when you hunt them, so you will need to know how to cut up a rabbit properly. Here’s how.

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How to Cut Up a Squirrel for Cooking

Squirrels are a lot like rabbits, but since they are smaller you cut them up in a slightly different way.

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Buttermilk Fried Rabbit

The classic. If you ever get a young cottontail or squirrel, make this recipe. And if you are cooking domestic rabbits, definitely make this recipe. You will eat more than you think you can…

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Rabbit Recipes

The White Rabbit

This is an Italian-inspired recipe that highlights the delicate flavor of the rabbit. Easy, yet sophisticated.

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Braised Rabbit with Garlic

A similar recipe to the one above, only from Spain. This is easy, satisfying and pretty to look at. What’s not to love?

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Kentucky Burgoo

This is a big, hearty stew that always has at least three meats in it. In this recipe it’s squirrel, venison and pheasant. Feel free to improvise on your own!

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Rabbit with Morels and Gnocchi

Slow-cooked rabbit served with pasta and mushrooms. This can be as fancy or as simple you want it to be.

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Rabbit Recipes - Recipes for Rabbit, Hare and Squirrel | Hank Shaw (10)

German Rabbit Stew

A light, brothy German rabbit stew made with lemon, bay leaves, capers and sour cream. A knockout dish when served with roasted potatoes.

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Calabrian Rabbit with Red Peppers

Braised rabbit with lots of roasted red peppers. Serve with bread or polenta.

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Rabbit Curry

Yep, the name is a joke, but this is a great – and easy – Indian-style rabbit curry

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Braised Rabbit, and a New Way to Look at Food

A comforting braise that brings all of what’s good about the change of seasons on one plate.

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Greek Rabbit Stifado

This is the classic Greek rabbit stew, one of the best ways to cook rabbit, hare or squirrel. Red wine and LOTS of onions are the key.

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Sichuan Rabbit with Peanuts

Yep, the Chinese eat lots of rabbit, too. This is a fantastic recipe that’s a little sweet, a little hot, and loaded with peanuts. Totally a winner.

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Squirrel Recipes

Drunken Squirrel with Pumpkin Dumplings

My take on squirrel and dumplings. And besides, squirrels like to eat fermented pumpkins…

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Pipian Rojo

A wonderful Mexican way of braising meats, in this case a Mexican fox squirrel. You can use any meat you’d like, though.

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Homemade Agnolotti

Classic Italian agnolotti pasta filled with squirrel. You can use any light meat as the filling here.

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Squirrel Stew with Paprika and Greens

I made this Portuguese-style stew up on the spur of the moment, but it was so good I just had to share it with you.

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Squirrel Pie

Hand pies made with a little acorn flour and filled with squirrel, walnuts, apples and melty cheese.

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Hmong Squirrel Stew

Few cultures love squirrel as much as the Hmong, a Southeast Asian group. This is a light, aromatic stew with lots of bright, fresh flavors.

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Braised Squirrel Aurora

A Spanish dish originally done with rabbit that features olives, walnuts or almonds and white wine.

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Hare Recipes

Classic Hasenpfeffer with Semolina Dumplings

To make this right, you will need a hare — snowshoe or jackrabbit — but it does of course work fine with rabbits, too. Come to think of it, squirrel is even better here. And be sure to make the dumplings. They are awesome.

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Sardinian Hare Stew

A traditional way to serve an old hare or jackrabbit, with a little saffron and capers. Slow cooking brings out the flavor.

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Classic Civet of Hare

An ancient recipe that’s a good Sunday dish, as it takes a while to come together.

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Tuscan Rabbit Ragu with Pappardelle

Another quintessential hare dish, this time from Tuscany. If there is one dish supremely meant for hares or jackrabbits, it is this one.

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Rabbit Recipes - Recipes for Rabbit, Hare and Squirrel | Hank Shaw (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak rabbit before cooking? ›

A Brine Keeps the Rabbit Moist

And while the combination seasons the rabbit nicely, the buttermilk and salt give you a little wiggle room to ensure that the cooked rabbit doesn't dry out.

Is hare and rabbit meat the same? ›

Raw hare meat is a deep reddish brown colour, juicy and has fine fibres. Compared to the mild flavour of rabbit meat, which tastes a little like fowl, hare meat is distinctly more gamey. The leg and back are particularly popular cuts of meat.

What is the best to cook rabbit in? ›

Cook rabbit in a range of comforting dishes. This rich game meat is delicious when slow-cooked in stews, roasted or served in pies and pasta ragu.

What is the preferred method of cooking rabbits? ›

Notoriously tricky to cook, the lean flesh of rabbit can result in dry, tough meat. Slow cooking rabbit is one of your safest bets for a good result – cooking at a low heat over long period of time, submerged in a liquid, is great for bringing out the best in this delicate meat.

Should rabbit be marinated before cooking? ›

Marinating the rabbit for 2 hours is actually ideal since the marinade will have more time to permeate and flavor the meat. Preheat the oven to 425º. Prepare an ovenproof frying pan by adding the butter to it and warming it over medium-high heat.

Why is rabbit not a popular meat? ›

Rabbits have never had a purpose as farm animals, meaning they did not have the same opportunity to become a popular meat in American households. Since rabbits never became a popular meat from the agricultural industry, a stigma was attached to the meat itself.

What is the tastiest part of a rabbit? ›

The legs are the meatiest part of the rabbit, and are a popular choice for a confit or slow braise. Rabbit shoulders are often braised for traditional ragouts and eaten bones and all, and the loin is delicious roasted or grilled.

What is rabbit meat called? ›

Rabbit meat is commonly referred to as "rabbit" or "coney". The term "coney" is derived from the Old French word "conil," which means rabbit. While "rabbit" is the most widely used term, "coney" is also used in certain regions and culinary contexts.

Is rabbit meat good for high blood pressure? ›

For those looking for high vitamin content, rabbit is an excellent choice. Rabbit meat is rich in vitamins B12 and E, while also having a higher concentration of most minerals. One mineral it is lower in compared to other meats is sodium, making rabbit even more appealing to people with high blood pressure.

How often can you eat rabbit meat? ›

You can safely consume fully cooked rabbit meat in a variety of stews, soups, and baked dishes. Use your creativity to enjoy this lean, versatile, and heart-healthy meat as often as you like.

Why is rabbit meat so expensive? ›

Processing Costs: Processing rabbit meat involves a lot of work, including breeding, feeding, butchering, and packaging. The processing costs can significantly affect the rabbit meat price. The cost of feed, labour, and equipment used for processing can all contribute to the final price of rabbit meat.

What do you soak rabbit meat in? ›

The meat is slightly darker and has more flavor, but can also be slightly tougher,” says Christopher Eley, who explains that the best way to prepare a wild rabbit is to soak it in either a saltwater solution or buttermilk. Saltwater will draw out any remaining blood and start to tenderize it.

What's the best way to tenderize rabbit? ›

In order to tenderize the meat, we are going to marinate the rabbit overnight. For the deep fried rabbit, I prepared a buttermilk base with some rosemary and thyme. The recipe below will give you the exact ingredients. Make sure it soaks for a minimum of 12 hours, but 24 is better.

How do you get the wild taste out of a rabbit? ›

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water. Use enough solution to cover the game completely.

Why you don't bathe rabbits? ›

Damp Bunnies Can Become Ill

In addition to being extremely stressful, bathing can be bad for your rabbit's health. Wet fur can cause hypothermia quickly, especially if you use cold water. In addition, if water gets into your rabbit's nose or ears, it can cause an ear infection, which can be both painful and serious.

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