Lapin aux Pruneaux
Rabbit with Prunes
A classic Belgian dish featuring tender rabbit braised in a rich sauce with sweet prunes, often enhanced by Belgian beer, bacon, and aromatic herbs. This hearty stew is a comforting and flavorful meal, perfect for cooler weather.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Whole rabbit(cut into 6-8 serving pieces)
- 300 g Pitted prunes(soaked in hot water for 2 hours)
- 200 g Smoked bacon(diced small)
- 3 large Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 500 ml Dark Belgian beer(such as a Trappist ale)
- 250 ml Chicken stock
- 10 ml Red wine vinegar
- 60 g Butter
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 10 g Sugar
- 1 pinch Nutmeg
- 3 Bay leaves
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(freshly ground, to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Cut the rabbit into pieces. Season generously with salt and pepper. Dredge the rabbit pieces in flour, shaking off any excess.
💡 Tip: Ensure rabbit pieces are at room temperature for even cooking. - 2
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Brown the rabbit pieces in batches until golden brown on all sides. Remove the rabbit and set aside.
- 3
Add the diced bacon to the pot and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- 4
Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Deglaze the pot with the red wine vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it reduce slightly.
- 6
Return the rabbit pieces to the pot. Add the dark Belgian beer, chicken stock, sugar, nutmeg, and bay leaves. Bring the liquid to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Use a good quality Belgian ale for authentic flavor. - 7
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently for 1.5 hours, or until the rabbit is very tender.
- 8
Add the soaked prunes and cooked bacon to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
- 9
Continue to simmer, covered, for another 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- 10
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
💡 Tip: The stew can be made a day in advance; the flavors deepen overnight.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Serve with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or Belgian fries to soak up the rich sauce.
- ✓For a deeper flavor, marinate the rabbit in the beer and aromatics overnight.
- ✓If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it with a slurry of cornstarch and water.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add sliced carrots and celery along with the onions for extra vegetables.
- A splash of brandy or cognac can be added with the prunes for an extra layer of flavor.
- Some recipes include rabbit liver, puréed with vinegar, and whisked into the sauce at the end for richness.