Rabbit civet
Rabbit civet is a classic dish of French cuisine. The word "civet" comes from "cive", an old word for onion.
These days, the name refers to chunks of meat, marinated then cooked slowly in red wine with bacon, mushrooms and onions.
This tasty stew or casserole, with its very tender meat, is like my grandmother Jeanne used to make for me when I was little.
These days, the name refers to chunks of meat, marinated then cooked slowly in red wine with bacon, mushrooms and onions.
This tasty stew or casserole, with its very tender meat, is like my grandmother Jeanne used to make for me when I was little.
108 K 3.1/5 (9 reviews)
15 hours 20 min.
Easy
4 people
14 IngredientsLast modified on: May 10th 2023
For 4 people, you will need:
2 lb + 3.2 oz rabbit meat
2 
1 
1 sprig 
1 sprig 
3 lb + 4.8 oz red wine
5 tablespoons 
5.3 oz 
1 lb + 14.8 oz 
8.8 oz 
2 tablespoons 
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 20 min.
Resting: 12 hours
Cooking: 3 hours
All in all: 15 hours 20 min.
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 5 min.
Prepare the marinade
Cut the rabbit into pieces (or have your butcher do this for you).
Stage 2 - 2 min.
Stage 3 - 1 min.
Place the rabbit pieces on top.
Stage 4 - 12 hours
Cover with the red wine.
Cover with a plate and leave to marinate for 12 hours.
Cover with a plate and leave to marinate for 12 hours.
Stage 5 - 10 min.
Stage 6 - 5 min.
Stage 7 - 7 min.
Stage 9 - 2 min.
Still using the same pan, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil and when hot, add the chopped onion, salt and pepper.
Fry the onion for 2 or 3 minutes.
Fry the onion for 2 or 3 minutes.
Stage 10 - 1 min.
Return the bacon and mushrooms to the pan and mix well.
Stage 12 - 1 min.
...then mix well.
Stage 13 - 2 min.
Begin the main cooking
Add the rabbit pieces to the pan...
Stage 14 - 2 min.
...then pour in the marinade, discarding the rosemary.
There should be enough wine to just about cover the meat. If not, add a little more.
There should be enough wine to just about cover the meat. If not, add a little more.
Stage 15 - 6 min.
Bring to the boil on high heat...
Stage 16 - 2 hours 30 min.
...then leave to simmer on low heat: 1 hour with the lid on and about an hour and a half uncovered to allow the sauce to thicken slowly.
Stage 17
Discard the garlic, thyme and bayleaf, then check the seasoning.
Serve by standing the pan in the centre of the table so that people can help themselves, or by plating up, like in the photo.
To accompany your civet, I suggest pasta or pan-fried potatoes.
Serve by standing the pan in the centre of the table so that people can help themselves, or by plating up, like in the photo.
To accompany your civet, I suggest pasta or pan-fried potatoes.
Remarks
Rabbit civet is one of those dishes, like boeuf (beef) bourguignon or carbonnade, which just gets better with each reheating. So make plenty and keep some for another day.
For even more flavour, you can add a chicken or beef stock cube at stage 14.
For even more flavour, you can add a chicken or beef stock cube at stage 14.
And to drink?
The same red wine as you have used in the recipe. I recommend something with plenty of tannins, such as a Shiraz (Syrah).
Keeping: A few days in the fridge, protected by a plastic film.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 320 RDI=120 % | 80 RDI=7 % | 250 RDI=40 % | 5,090 RDI=260 % | 21,320 RDI: 260 % |
| Per 100 g | 9 RDI=4 % | 2 RDI=0 % | 7 RDI=1 % | 150 RDI=7 % | 620 RDI: 7 % |
| Per person | 80 RDI=30 % | 20 RDI=2 % | 60 RDI=9 % | 1,270 RDI=60 % | 5,330 RDI: 60 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 4 people : 35.15 €
- Per person : 8.80 €
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Red wine
Like these other recipes: Spaghetti Bolognese, Roscoff loaf, Strawberries in a thyme and lemon-flavoured red wine reduction, Winemaker's toast, Saucipain, ... See them all 19
Rabbit meat
Like these other recipes: Rabbit terrine, Rabbit with mustard, Rabbit civet "à la normande", ... See them all 3
Mushrooms
Like these other recipes: Nanou's tuna tart, Sliced chicken with mushrooms and broccoli, Rabbit with mustard, Sauce Normande (for fish), Veal with mushrooms and green asparagus, ... See them all 62
Onion
Like these other recipes: Chicano burger, Pollack Parmentier, Spaghetti Bolognese, How to prepare an onion or shallot, Oven omelette, ... See them all 147
Other recipes you may also like
New tiramisu
This new version of tiramisu is easier, and in my opinion much better. You will certainly appreciate, like me, the light creamy taste, this time presented in brandy goblets. January 19th 2015409 K3.3 55 min.
Arizona cupcakes
Cupcakes are small sponge cakes. In their original American version, they are usually decorated with brightly coloured icing. Here's a version inspired by the famous saguaro cactus, so common in Arizona. October 13th 2010217 K 14.6 1 hour 50 min.
Pancake batter
Here is a pancake batter that is a little more sophisticated than the traditional version. The pancakes will be tastier with a softer texture. February 2nd 2020365 K3.8 15 min.
Tiramisu
Classic italian recipe (the name means "pull me up" or more poetically, "take me up to the sky"). It's similar to a charlotte in its structure: layers of flavoured biscuits between layers of smooth cream. July 27th 2013510 K5 50 min.
How to prepare tomatoes
Yes, I know you will say to me: why peel tomatoes? The answer is very simple: it's much better, gives a better texture, softer in the mouth. The skin is tough, adds nothing to the taste (and you will have noticed that commercial tomatoes have practically no taste), and finally it's there (on/under the skin) that the awful chemical products that the fruit receive during growth, are concentrated (treatments, pesticides, etc...). June 6th 2012344 K 24 40 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-09-21)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.