Experience a rustic culinary delight with this hearty Snowshoe Hare with Onions recipe, a dish that blends earthy flavors with comforting simplicity. Tender snowshoe hare is seared to golden perfection, then braised slowly with caramelized yellow onions, whole garlic cloves, and aromatic herbs like thyme and bay leaves. A splash of dry white wine and a rich chicken broth create a deeply flavorful sauce that enhances the hareβs delicate, slightly gamey profile. This dish is a celebration of slow cooking, resulting in fork-tender meat that pairs beautifully with crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or an impressive main course, this recipe delivers a warm, satisfying meal packed with layers of savory depth.
Prepare the hare by cleaning and portioning it into manageable pieces (hind legs, forelegs, and saddle). Pat the pieces dry with paper towels.
Season the hare pieces generously with salt and pepper, then coat them lightly with all-purpose flour. Shake off any excess flour.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Sear the hare pieces in batches, cooking each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pan. Remove the seared pieces and set them aside on a plate.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the onions, thinly sliced, and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and caramelized.
Add the whole garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves to the onions. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until aromatic.
Deglaze the pan by pouring in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Return the hare pieces to the pan, nestling them among the onions. Pour the chicken broth over everything until the hare is mostly covered.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the hare meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Serve the snowshoe hare with onions generously spooned over the top, accompanied by crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Calories |
1562 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 75.6 g | 97% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.3 g | 136% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 394 mg | 131% | |
| Sodium | 3002 mg | 131% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 67.6 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.3 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 23.4 g | ||
| Protein | 113.2 g | 226% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 217 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 17.8 mg | 99% | |
| Potassium | 2442 mg | 52% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.