Best 2 Easy Duck Confit Recipes
Duck confit is a classic French dish made with duck legs preserved by curing them in salt and then cooking them slowly in their own fat. The result is a tender, flavorful meat that can be enjoyed on its own or used in a variety of dishes. This article provides three different recipes for duck confit, each with its own unique flavor profile. The first recipe is for a traditional duck confit, made with simple ingredients like salt, pepper, and garlic. The second recipe adds a touch of sweetness with the addition of honey and orange zest, while the third recipe incorporates the bold flavors of rosemary and thyme. No matter which recipe you choose, you're sure to enjoy this delicious and versatile dish.
Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!
DUCK CONFIT, THE RIGHT WAY
Duck confit takes a while to prepare properly but is well worth the effort. This melt-in-your mouth duck treat will become a favorite. I buy whole ducks and then remove legs/wings whole and breasts from the bone. Always keep the skin on duck! You can easily double this recipe if you're having a dinner party. I learned this method from Chef Uriah of the Columbian Cafe of Astoria, Oregon. The breasts become pan roasted Muscovy duck (see my recipe) and the legs/wings become confit. Never roast a Muscovy duck whole: the breast comes out dry, musky, and bitter tasting.
Provided by brujakitty
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Game Meats Duck
Time P1DT3h13m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine shallot, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme in a small bowl. Rub all over duck legs, thighs, and wings.
- Arrange duck parts skin side-up in a dish and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until the seasoning is well absorbed, 24 to 48 hours.
- Rinse off the seasoning and pat the duck dry. Arrange duck in a single layer in a 9x13-inch baking pan. Let duck stand until it reaches room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C).
- Melt duck fat in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbles begin to form, 6 to 8 minutes. Pour duck fat over the room-temperature duck.
- Bake duck in the preheated oven until tender and the juices run clear, 2 to 3 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 135 degrees F (57 degrees C). Pour off the duck fat.
- Brush a grill pan with some of the used duck fat and heat over medium-high heat until smoking. Add baked duck; cook in batches until skin is crispy, about 90 seconds per side.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 554.4 calories, Carbohydrate 5.3 g, Cholesterol 137.8 mg, Fat 47.2 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 23.5 g, SaturatedFat 13.2 g, Sodium 3103 mg, Sugar 2.3 g
EASY DUCK CONFIT
The name of this recipe may seem laughable. Isn't confit meant to be an arduous, messy, not-really-easy thing to make at home? Doesn't it involve large quantities of hot liquid fat and even larger reserves of patience? Surely chefs have a trick to getting those duck legs to be so rich, so luxurious? This version is not traditional, and it is still a time investment for home cooks (the legs are cured for 24 hours, and then cooked for about 3 ½ hours more). But by allowing the duck legs to cook in their own rendered fat, rather than adding quarts of extra fat to the pan, you have a recipe that is far less of a pain to both prepare and clean up. And the method is truly simple, with results that are just as outrageously good. The duck lasts for at least 5 days in the refrigerator, and should be reheated in a 350-oven until warm. Then run the legs under the broiler until crisp.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, easy, main course
Time 3h30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaf pieces. Sprinkle duck generously with mixture. Place duck legs in a pan in one layer. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.
- The next day, heat oven to 325 degrees.Place duck legs, fat side down, in a large ovenproof skillet, with legs fitting snugly in a single layer (you may have to use two skillets or cook them in batches). Heat duck legs over medium-high heat until fat starts to render. When there is about 1/4 inch of rendered fat in pan, about 20 minutes, flip duck legs, cover pan with foil, and place it in oven. If you have used two pans, transfer duck and fat to a roasting pan, cover with foil and place in oven.
- Roast legs for 2 hours, then remove foil and continue roasting until duck is golden brown, about 1 hour more. Remove duck from fat; reserve fat for other uses.
- Serve duck hot or warm, over roasted potatoes or noodles or sturdy salad greens.
Tips:
- Ensure your duck legs are of good quality and have a nice layer of fat.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to ensure even cooking.
- Be generous with the salt and pepper when seasoning the duck legs.
- Sear the duck legs in a hot pan until golden brown. This will help to seal in the flavor and moisture.
- Cook the duck legs in the duck fat over low heat. This will help to render the fat and create a rich, flavorful confit.
- Cook the duck legs for at least 2 hours, or until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.
- Remove the duck legs from the fat and let them cool slightly before serving.
- Serve the duck confit with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad.
Conclusion:
Duck confit is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its rich, flavorful meat and crispy skin, duck confit is sure to be a hit at your next dinner party or family gathering. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!
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