A Hearty Southern Rabbit Stew with Garden Vegetables
Grandpa Shorty’s Rabbit Stew is a rustic Southern comfort dish that combines tender rabbit, salt pork, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and sweet corn in a rich, savory broth. Slow simmering allows the flavors to develop into a hearty stew that has long been a favorite for family gatherings and country suppers.
Featured in Big Mama’s Old Black Pot Recipes by Ethel Rayson Dixon, this recipe reflects the Southern tradition of making nourishing meals from locally available ingredients while honoring generations of home cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 medium rabbits
- 8 cups water
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons pepper
- 1-1/2 cups cooked corn
- 2 small onions (chopped)
- 5 small potatoes (quartered)
- 2-1/2 cups tomatoes (diced)
- 1/2 pound salt pork
- 1-1/4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Tablespoon flour
Serves: 5–6
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil in a large heavy pot.
Add the rabbit pieces along with the salt and pepper. Return the mixture to a boil.
Stir in the chopped onions, diced tomatoes, and salt pork. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for about 1 hour.
Add the quartered potatoes and continue cooking for another 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
In a small bowl, combine the butter and flour to make a smooth paste. Stir the mixture into the stew to lightly thicken the broth.
Fold in the cooked corn and simmer for approximately 20 more minutes until the stew is thickened and the vegetables are tender.
Serve hot.
Closing Summary / Pro Tips
- A traditional Southern stew filled with hearty meat and garden vegetables.
- Slow cooking helps create tender rabbit and a flavorful broth.
- The butter and flour mixture provides a light, classic thickening for the stew.
- Serve with hot cornbread or homemade biscuits for a complete country meal.
About the Creator
Ethel Rayson Dixon, a Louisiana native, shares recipes inspired by generations of Southern home cooking. Her cookbook highlights comforting dishes rooted in Black culinary traditions and celebrates the warmth of homemade meals prepared with simple ingredients and care.
Ethel Rayson Dixon | Big Mama’s Old Black Pot Recipes
Where to Find This Recipe
This recipe is adapted from Big Mama’s Old Black Pot Recipes by Ethel Rayson Dixon.
Find more amazing recipes like this in the book, available through local booksellers and online retailers.
