Rabbit Casserole with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rustic French casserole slow-cooked with tender rabbit, sweet pearl onions, and earthy mushrooms in a rich white wine sauce. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 95 minutes pairs large, cut into pieces rabbit legs, olive oil, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 French cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 large rabbit legs cut into pieces. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a heavy casserole over medium-high heat. Brown the rabbit pieces on all sides for 6-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 peeled pearl onions and 8 oz quartered button mushrooms to the casserole. Sauté for 5 minutes until the onions soften and mushrooms release their moisture.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat, cooking for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
  4. Step 4: Gradually pour in 1 cup dry white wine and 1 cup chicken stock, stirring to deglaze the pan and form a smooth sauce.
  5. Step 5: Return the rabbit pieces to the casserole along with 3 fresh thyme sprigs and 1 bay leaf. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  6. Step 6: Cover and simmer gently over low heat for 1 hour 15 minutes until the rabbit is tender and the sauce thickens. Remove thyme and bay leaf before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rabbit Casserole with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Rabbit Casserole with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rabbit Casserole with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Rabbit Casserole with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Rabbit Casserole with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms?

French slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes