Italian Rabbit Stew
Learn how to cook rabbit perfectly with this authentic Italian recipe for a rich and comforting stew. Tender, braised rabbit simmers slowly in a savory tomato sauce infused with aromatic herbs and vegetables, creating a deeply flavorful dish. If you’re seeking a traditional approach to cooking rabbit, this hearty stew delivers rustic Italian comfort food at its finest, ideal for a memorable family meal.
- Servings 5
- Prep 20 min
- Cooking 1.5 hrs.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Fat: 2.5 gm
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3.5 g
- Sugars: 6.2 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
- Sodium: 250 mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary.
Ingredients in Italian Rabbit Stew
- One whole rabbit, cleaned and cut into pieces
- Two bay leaves
- Juice of half a lemon
- Half a cup of olive oil
- Two chopped onions
- Three finely minced garlic cloves
- One cup of red wine vinegar or red wine.
- Salt and pepper-to taste.
- 250 ml. of Italian tomato passata
- Two fresh tomatoes minced
- Three cups of water
- Three tsps. of chopped fresh or dried greens: basil, parsley, thyme or oregano
Kitchen Tools for Italian Rabbit Stew
- Large, wide pot or Dutch oven with lid (for searing and simmering the stew)
- Wooden spoon or spatula (for stirring and scraping)
- Garlic press (optional): (for mincing garlic)
- Cooking rubber gloves (optional): (for handling raw rabbit)
How to Make Italian Rabbit Stew
- Mix salt, pepper powder, dried herbs, three tablespoons of olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice in a bowl to prepare the marinade for the meat.
- Gently rub the rabbit meat with the marinade mixture and set aside for 10-15 minutes.
- Pour three tablespoons of olive oil into a large, wide pot over medium heat.
- Add garlic, onion, tomatoes, and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Add marinated rabbit meat, tomato passata, and water to the dish and mix everything well.
- Cover the pot with a lid and cook on low heat for 1,5 hours.
Tips
Browning the Rabbit: Browning the rabbit meat is a key step for flavor development in this braised rabbit dish and any good rabbit stew recipe. Don’t overcrowd the pot; brown the rabbit in batches if necessary. This helps create a rich base for your Italian rabbit stew.
Herb Choices: Feel free to experiment with different herbs to create your unique Italian rabbit recipe. Rosemary, sage, and marjoram are delicious additions to this hearty stew, complementing the other flavors in this Italian cuisine classic. Consider what herbs pair well with a tomato-based stew.
Vegetable Additions: Enhance your rabbit stew with other vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or potatoes. Adding these during the last hour of cooking ensures they retain some texture and don’t become mushy in the slow-cooked rabbit. This is a great way to make it a more complete family meal.
Slow Cooker Adaptation: This rabbit stew recipe can also be adapted for a slow cooker, perfect for a hands-off family meal. Brown the rabbit, sauté the vegetables as directed, and then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours for a tender, flavorful, slow-cooked rabbit dish. This is an excellent option for a comfort food dinner.
Wine vs. Vinegar: Red wine will result in a richer, sweeter flavor in your Italian rabbit stew, while red wine vinegar adds a bit of tang. This choice can influence the overall profile of your Italian Rabbit Stew, so consider your preference when making this rabbit meat recipe. Both options work well in a tomato-based stew.