Rabbit Cacciatore Recipe
A rustic Rabbit Cacciatore Recipe simmered with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, herbs, and olives for a tender, flavorful hunter-style Italian stew.
5 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 rabbit approximately 2 1/4 lbs, cut into 6–8 pieces
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or Wondra flour
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2/3 cup chopped mushrooms
- 3 cups chopped very ripe tomatoes or canned plum tomatoes
- 2 red bell peppers seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 bay leaf
- 16 salt-cured olives pitted (black or green)
Instructions
Prepare the Rabbit
- Season the rabbit pieces generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Rub half of the thyme leaves into the meat. Lightly coat each piece with flour, ensuring an even, thin layer.
Brown the Rabbit
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the rabbit pieces in a single layer. Do not stir. Allow the meat to brown for 2–3 minutes on one side, then turn and brown for an additional 1–2 minutes. Transfer the browned pieces to a separate dish and set aside.
Cook the Vegetables
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add the garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms, stirring occasionally for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the rosemary and the remaining thyme.
Return the Rabbit to the Pan
- Place the browned rabbit pieces back into the skillet. Add the chopped tomatoes and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and allow the mixture to simmer for 35 minutes.
Add the Olives
- Uncover the pan and add the salt-cured olives. Leave the lid off and continue cooking.
Reduce the Sauce
- Increase the heat to high and boil for several minutes to evaporate excess liquid. Continue until the sauce has reduced by approximately half. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat and serve immediately with rice, pasta, or potatoes.
Notes
To prepare this Rabbit Cacciatore Recipe gluten-free, replace the all-purpose flour with a certified gluten-free flour blend or omit the flour entirely and brown the rabbit without coating. Ensure all packaged ingredients—such as canned tomatoes, olives, and herbs—are certified gluten-free.