One of the best things about duck is how adaptable it is in the kitchen. As a great alternative to other meats, duck is just as easy to prepare as other proteins. With the help of cooking videos and written out tips and tricks, you can learn to make delicious duck dishes that your friends or family will love! Duck is so versatile and therefore it can be as straightforward and simple or as elaborate and detailed as you want it to be. Here’s a quick and easy rundown on how to get started with cooking duck:
Choosing Your Duck:
For beginners, duck breast is a good place to start— it is easy to handle and it’s the most versatile cut of duck making it great for a large variety of recipes. Another advantage is duck breast cooks faster compared to whole duck, making it extremely convenient for busy work and school days. Do not let the longer prep time for a whole duck scare you off though. A whole duck, infused with spices and full of rich smokey flavor is a fantastic choice for special occasions and holidays!
Preparing Duck Breast:
For the perfect crispy duck breast, start by placing the breast, skin side down, in a cool pan. Turn the heat to medium-low and allow it to render slowly for about 10 minutes. This method ensures the skin becomes perfectly crispy. Score the skin in a crisscross pattern with 1/4-inch intervals to help the fat render evenly. It is recommended that there should be about 21 cuts across the skin of the duck breast. This will help render off about 70% of the fat. Save the rendered duck fat for later as it can be used in other recipes! For a quicker finish with fewer flare-ups, you can finish the duck breast on the grill. If you have leftover skin or decide to remove it from the duck breast while preparing a recipe, you can make tasty duck cracklings with it. Simply cut the skin into strips and bake or fry them for a crispy treat.
Cooking a Whole Duck:
The first and most important step of cooking a whole duck is making sure it is thawed out. A whole duck takes at least 36-48 hours to thaw, making this the longest step in the preparation process. Make sure to remove the neck and giblets in the body before cooking. Once the whole duck is thawed, it is time to add the spices. Season the duck inside and out with any of the spice rubs from the recipes below or use your own preferred mix of seasoning. Once it is seasoned to your liking, roast it uncovered, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan for 26 minutes per pound (about 1 ½ -3 hours) at a low temperature (around 375°F) until the meat is tender, the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 180 °F. Check the temperature at the thigh joint for the most accurate reading. Once it is finished, the legs will move freely, and the juices will be a clearer color. For different ways to prepare a whole duck, find the recipes below:
Roasted Whole Duck - Basic Recipe for Crispy Skin
Sauces and Sides: Duck pairs wonderfully with fruit-based sauces like orange or cherry, and it goes well with sides like roasted vegetables, rice, or potatoes. These sides can be prepared with the duck fat that was rendered off during the cooking process. Duck fat is unique in that it is lower in saturated fat and higher in “healthy” unsaturated fats. Looking for sides and sauces to add to your culinary creativity? Check out these delicious and easy recipes:
Garlic Duck Fat Mashed Potatoes
Cooking for Pre-Beginner Cooks:
Sometimes cooking isn’t where one's talents lie, and we have you covered! Products like our Roast Half Duck, Duck Confit, and Duck Bacon are fully cooked. They just need a few minutes in the oven or air fryer to deliver a high-quality dining experience!
Now that you know the basics, it is time to put those skills and knowledge to the test. Find recipes below for those who want to try duck but do not necessarily feel confident in their kitchen skills. Past those meals are recipes for the ones who want to show off their self-learned cooking skills with some extra pizzazz. With these recipes and expert tips at hand, cooking duck at home is a rewarding experience. It is a great way to impress family and friends with a gourmet meal!
Beginner Friendly Recipes
Duck Pesto Cauliflower Gnocchi