Consider the Rabbit
In France, rabbit is often served for dinner at least once a week. So why isn’t this lean, protein-rich meat more popular in North America?
Take a walk down the meat aisle of your local supermarket and you’ll find poultry, beef, pork and lamb ready to be braised, poached or barbecued. Want a fatty or lean cut? A whole chicken or just the thighs? Care for something healthy or indulgent?
Enter the rabbit. It’s not a meat typically seen at the grocery store; it’s a specialty item that usually has to be preordered or can be found frozen at the butcher shop, and there are several reasons for this. First, rabbit isn’t mass produced in confined animal feeding operations, so it’s unlikely to find its way into big grocery stores. Secondly, the demand for rabbit meat in North America is quite low, especially compared to France, where rabbits can be found right beside the chickens at the grocery store. In France, rabbit is often served for dinner at least once a week. Yet, for people who don’t cook rabbit often, it can seem like an intimidating animal to butcher and cook at home.
It’s time to get over the fear because there are many advantages to eating rabbit. First off, it’s healthy: Compared to beef, pork, lamb, turkey, veal and chicken, rabbit has the highest percentage of protein, the lowest percentage of fat and the fewest calories per pound. Unlike other meats, it contains high levels of vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
The environmental impact from raising rabbits is low. Rabbits produce six pounds of meat on the same feed and water as cattle consume to produce only one pound, resulting in a smaller overall carbon footprint. Also, rabbits don’t require much space, especially compared to livestock, which means using less energy resources. They feed on a grain-free diet of alfalfa, compost scraps and foraged grass, which is cheaper and more naturally available.
Beyond the health benefits of eating rabbit, it’s quite delicious and versatile. You can roast, braise, bread and fry rabbit meat. It also pairs well with both intense spices and delicate flavors. If you feel intimidated, ask your butcher to break it down for you. Rabbit meat is lean and subtle and tastes similar to chicken. If you’re wondering what to make for dinner tonight, may I suggest a beautiful rabbit stew?
[post_recipes]
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by Michelle Rabin, Modern Farmer
March 12, 2019
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We raise rabbits to eat but we can’t sell dressed rabbits as they passed a law to make it virtually impossible to sell them dressed from your farm in Ohio. My husband calls rabbit natures fast food. You can go from a live rabbit to a dressed rabbit ready to cook in 10 minutes or less. Much less time than butchering a chicken and plucking it. Yes we raise chickens for meat and eggs. I can sell dressed chickens from our farm. We like rabbit many different ways. Siracha BBQ rabbit is my husbands favorite. But I must say the… Read more »
So how can we gain market access for our rabbit meat? We have many farmers who can’t sell their products and need to close their doors.
I’m a rabbit breeder in Zimbabwe and I’m very much grateful for getting to know more about rabbits
Rabbit is more firm than chicken so you have to cook it more. I always cook rabbit in a pressure cooker. Usually twice a week. I don’t eat chicken much anymore for many of the reasons in this article.
I will look at the rabbits in our yard a little differently from now on.
Just wanting to start rabbits this year, have been studying about them. Excited to start the adventure!Ray
Love to see more rabbit receipts. I raise them for meat and show.
Thank you,
Cynthia
I will give it a try but adjust the time for my pressure cooker. Thanks Jim
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I would like to read what you publish