Smoked Rabbit

[wsmoak]

We made a first attempt at smoked rabbit today:

Brined in 9-10% solution (2 quarts of water + 5.75 oz table salt)
Rinsed, patted dry and seasoned with Weber's Kick'n Chicken spice mix
Smoked at 200-250 for two hours uncovered, then wrapped in foil for an additional hour.

It was *too* tender. Mushy in fact.

I think it was in the brine for 2+ hours, so that's definitely something to cut back on. Next time we'll time it at an hour in the brine solution and see if that helps. And we'll do one with no brine at all and compare them. DH also wants to wrap one in bacon and see how that turns out.

I'll update the thread when we try again. Meanwhile does anyone else have smoker recipes?

-Wendy

 

[SarahMelisse]

Droool! Be sure to post your results!

 

[Lowell]

Was thinking of smoking a rabbit tomorrow but all the reading I have done said they turn out dry. But would still like to try one!!

I read one recipe that said to wrap rabbit in bacon. Mine might be in a stew tomorrow.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Was thinking of smoking a rabbit tomorrow but all the reading I have done said they turn out dry.

We don't have a smoker, so bear with me if this is a silly suggestion, but couldn't you put a pan of water in the smoker to create moist heat?

 

[Lowell]

My smoker is homemade and I have never tried that but some smokers are made to be used that way.

I smoke venison and turkey all the time and they are very juiciy and are also lean meats almost like rabbit.

 

[wsmoak]

We don't have a smoker, so bear with me if this is a silly suggestion, but couldn't you put a pan of water in the smoker to create moist heat?

Most smokers do have a water pan, and that helps. Smoking works great for chicken because the skin protects the meat... with rabbit we're going to have to find a way to protect the exterior a bit more.

If the meat is coming out dry, try brining it first -- just not for as long as I did! -- and let us know the results.

This is our favorite smoker: http://www.target.com/p/weber-smokey-mo ... v_XSG10001 . It has two levels so you can get a *lot* of food in there. We've been known to do a beef brisket, two whole chickens and a half turkey breast.

-Wendy

 

[AnnClaire]

I baked a rabbit in the oven wrapped in bacon. I would recommend that part of the smoking/baking time be uncovered so the bacon has a chance to crisp

 

[Almazing rabbits]

i want to no if when baking a rabbit you put back straps up or down?

 

[AnnClaire]

Almazing, I put it top side up

 

[HannahM130328]

Hey! I'm new to the site and new to raising rabbits, and I was wondering if anyone has been successful with smoking rabbits. If someone has, would they be so kind as to post the directions on how they smoked their rabbit successfully?

 

[Ralph]

When you smoke your rabbit using a water pan put apple cider or apple juice in the pan not water. Make moist and tasty smoking.