How Many Meals Can You Make from One Rabbit? Our Real Example
In much of the world like Italy, Spain, France, and beyond, rabbit meat is a common household staple. It’s affordable, lean, and full of flavor. But here in the United States, rabbit has somehow been placed in the “fine dining” category, showing up mostly on upscale restaurant menus.
On our homestead, we raise rabbits for one big reason: sustainability. Rabbits are one of the most efficient meat sources you can raise. They require less space, reproduce quickly, and convert feed into healthy protein far better than many other livestock animals. They’re also a great choice for people looking for a leaner alternative to chicken, turkey, or pork.
We process our rabbits at around 12 weeks old, each weighing between 2–3 pounds, most often closer to 3. Every time we open pre-orders, we have loyal customers who buy several at a time. They know rabbit meat is delicious and versatile.
But we also hear from people who hesitate to try it. They’re not sure how to cook a rabbit in their typical recipes, how to prepare a whole rabbit, or how far one will go towards feeding their family. That’s why we wanted to share exactly how we used one recently so you can see just how much you can do with a single rabbit.
How to Prepare Rabbit Meat for Multiple Recipes
For this example, we used a rabbit weighing just over 3 pounds. We cooked it whole, frozen in the crockpot on high for 4 hours, until the meat was tender and pulling away from the bone. We used chicken broth along with our favorite poultry herbs and seasonings. If this is a new meat for you, think about how you would season a whole chicken that you planned to use in multiple meals and season it like that, or don’t season it at all.
Once cooked, we set aside the legs for our first meal and shredded the rest of the meat to use in different recipes. This method makes it easy to enjoy rabbit meat in completely different dishes without it feeling repetitive, and it saves you time in the days to come.
4 Meals from One 3-Pound Rabbit (Each Meal Served 2 Plates)
Meal One: Rabbit Legs with Baby Potatoes and Italian Cucumber-Tomato Salad
A simple, classic plate that lets the flavor of the rabbit shine. This was our Anniversary meal this week, and it was delicious.
Meal Two: Rabbit Alfredo
Tender shredded rabbit folded into a creamy Alfredo sauce, served over pasta for a cozy comfort food dinner. We make this super easy by using a pre-made Alfredo sauce.
Meal Three: Italian Rabbit Pasta Salad
A cold pasta salad with shredded rabbit, fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and basil from our garden. Tossed with olive oil and Italian seasonings. This is light, fresh, and perfect for a hot summer night.
Meal Four: Buffalo Ranch Rabbit and Potato Tacos
Shredded rabbit tossed in buffalo sauce, paired with mashed potatoes and topped with cheese and ranch dressing. You could easily swap the buffalo and ranch with any of your favorite taco toppings.
Why You Should Try Cooking Rabbit at Home
Cooking with rabbit meat is easier than you might think. Once cooked, the meat stays fresh in the fridge for several days and can be used in countless dishes from pastas to salads to tacos. On our farm, one rabbit gives us three to four dinners each week.
If you’ve never cooked rabbit before, don’t be intimidated. Try starting with a slow cooker or crockpot recipe—you’ll get tender, flavorful meat every time. We’d love to hear how you prepare yours, so if you make a rabbit meal, share your favorite recipe with us.
Whether you’re looking for sustainable inexpensive meat, a lean protein option, or simply something new to try, rabbit might just become your next favorite ingredient.
In a world where the price of staple meats is rising, it’s worth asking yourself why you might spend $19.50 on treats like four ice creams or four coffees for your family and go without the nutrients that a rabbit can provide. For the same amount, a $19.50 rabbit can feed you multiple meals with nourishing, wholesome protein. Choosing to use rabbit meat means choosing health, sustainability, and value.