Fried Rabbit (2024)

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This fried rabbit recipe will make a believer out of anyone—just don't mention Thumper.

Ingredients

Servings

1

3-lb. rabbit, cut into 6 pieces, rib cage reserved for another use (such as stock)

1

tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt

1

750-ml bottle dry white wine

1

garlic clove, crushed

2

3-inch strips lemon zest

1

bay leaf

1

/2 teaspoon whole allspice, crushed

1

cup crème fraîche

1

tablespoon Dijon mustard

1

tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

1

tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

1

tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

1

teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

1

tablespoon fennel seeds

1

cup all-purpose flour

1

cup semolina flour (pasta flour)

Vegetable oil (for frying)

1

/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

2

tablespoons minced fresh chives (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place rabbit in a medium pot; add 1 Tbsp. salt, next 5 ingredients, and water if needed so that rabbit is completely submerged. Bring liquid to a boil over medium-high heat; immediately reduce heat and gently simmer until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 135°, about 20 minutes. Let rabbit cool in cooking liquid. Drain rabbit; discard liquid.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, whisk crème fraîche, Dijon mustard, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Add rabbit to marinade, turning to coat well. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill for 24 hours.

    Step 3

    Lightly toast fennel seeds in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Grind in spice mill and transfer to a medium bowl; whisk in remaining 2 tsp. salt and flours.

    Step 4

    Pour oil into a large deep skillet to a depth of 1 inch. Prop deep-fry thermometer in oil so bulb is submerged. Heat over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 325°. Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Working in 2 batches, dredge rabbit in flour mixture, shaking off any excess, and fry, turning once and adjusting heat to maintain a steady temperature, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165°, about 10 minutes. Transfer rabbit to prepared rack. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, if using, and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chives, if desired.

Fried Rabbit (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak rabbits 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.

What is the taste of rabbit meat? ›

Most people find rabbit meat pleasant to eat, as it has a mild flavor that can be seasoned to taste and used in many dishes, including stews and stir-fries.

Is rabbit meat good? ›

Rabbit and hare meat are excellent sources of protein. Protein also keeps us healthy by building and repairing our muscles, skin and blood. Rabbit and hare meat are excellent sources of iron. Iron helps make healthy blood that flows through our bodies, giving us energy to be active and to grow strong.

How do you tenderize rabbit before cooking? ›

Marinating the rabbit in buttermilk for two to eight hours helps to tenderize the meat and add flavor and moisture to the finished product. Start the recipe with a buttermilk soak. The enzymes and acids in buttermilk help to both tenderize and add flavor and moisture to the lean rabbit meat.

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 meat not popular? ›

Rabbit's low popularity also stems from the agricultural industry as a whole. Many farm animals had dual purposes or were low maintenance to raise and breed, making them staples of the agricultural industry. Chickens provide eggs, pigs live off waste products and scraps, and cows provide milk.

Why can't you eat rabbits all the time? ›

The term rabbit starvation originates from the fact that rabbit meat is very low in fat, with almost all of its caloric content from the amino acids digested out of skeletal muscle protein, and therefore is a food which, if consumed exclusively, would cause protein poisoning.

How to get the gamey taste out of 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.

What country eats the most rabbit meat? ›

The country with the largest volume of rabbit meat consumption was China (925K tonnes), comprising approximately 62% of the total consumption. Moreover, rabbit meat consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the world's second-largest consumer, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (154K tonnes), sixfold.

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.

Who eats rabbits in food chains? ›

Rabbits are eaten by secondary consumers. This is because rabbits are herbivorous and they are therefore considered primary consumers. The organisms which feed on them are thus secondary consumers. Such animals include human beings, cats, large birds of prey and snakes.

Why is my fried rabbit tough? ›

Some people have known rabbit to be tough or dry, but this is always a result of improper cooking rather than a fault of the animal itself! Properly cooked rabbit should be tender, juicy, and fall off the bone. There are two main factors in cooking rabbit correctly: keeping it moist, and keeping the temperature low.

Why do you soak rabbit in milk? ›

The milk/vinegar mix (similar to buttermilk) will help to brine/pre-season the meat and impart moisture, while keeping the meat tender.

How do you cook rabbit so it's not tough? ›

Tips
  1. Roast rabbit on the bone for flavour and to keep it moist.
  2. Cook young meat quickly in the oven, pan fry or on the barbecue.
  3. Slow cook older meat with bacon or chorizo.
  4. Be careful not to let rabbit dry out.
Apr 12, 2016

Why shouldn't rabbits get wet? ›

Wet fur can lead to. hypothermia or a respiratory infection; hot water or. blow-dryers can scald their skin.

How do you prepare rabbit for meat? ›

Preparation:
  1. Remove the organs and any gizzards that remain in the stomach cavity of the rabbit.
  2. Using a boning knife or sharp chef's knife, remove the front legs. ...
  3. Next remove the hind legs and thighs. ...
  4. Next remove the thin meat that hangs from the rib cage. ...
  5. Lastly, remove the tenderloin.
Apr 6, 2023

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.

References

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