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    Roast Duck Recipe

    By Julia | Updated: Nov 16, 2025 | Published: Oct 24, 2015 | 1,477 Comments

    135.1K shares
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    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Ever wondered how to cook duck? It's much simpler than most people think. This Roast Duck has tender and juicy meat, crispy skin, and it's glazed with the honey-balsamic glaze to give the duck a beautiful roasted look.  Perfect holiday main dish recipe or something you can make any time for a special occasion.

    whole roasted duck with honey-balsamic glaze

    Why This Roast Duck Is Perfect for the Holidays

    It's a great-looking dish - perfect for any special occasion, and with the holidays coming up, this roast duck will look great on any Thanksgiving menu (my 50 best Thanksgiving recipes), or as a Christmas and New Year's Eve dinner idea.  By the way, the honey-balsamic glaze in this recipe DOES NOT MAKE THE DUCK SWEET - I did not want a sweet duck.  It only gives a nice crispiness and beautiful look to the duck skin.  Your duck will have a very savory and juicy flavor from the garlic and lemon that you'll stuff inside the duck cavity. SO GOOD!   Cooking this duck does take some time and effort, which makes it a perfect holiday main dish or a special occasion dinner. If you love duck, you've got to try these recipes next: Thai duck curry and festive duck breast with cranberry sauce. My other popular "big" holiday main courses are braised short ribs with polenta, rich Beef Bourguignon (French Red-Wine Beef Stew), and apple cider braised pork shoulder.

    close-up of whole roast duck with honey-balsamic glaze

    This recipe has very detailed instructions (with step-by-step photos) on how to prepare and cook the duck - which could be very helpful if you've never cooked the duck before.  The duck will be roasted in the oven at 350 F for about 3 hours, and in addition to the beautiful duck, you'll end up with a lot of duck fat which I highly recommend you save and use for roasting vegetables, potatoes, and even cooking your breakfast eggs with it!

    whole roast duck with honey-balsamic glaze

    The Best Festive Sides to Dress Up Your Roast Duck

    If you want a really beautiful and festive presentation for your holiday duck, use my recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash glazed with Cinnamon & Maple Syrup, with Pecans & Cranberries as garnish for the duck (this is what you see on the photo below).  You can garnish the duck and decorate the serving platter with these colorful veggies - they will have all the holiday colors and flavors and will look very pretty with duck. You can also make these side dishes:

    • Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    • Green Beans with Pine Nuts
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
    • Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash
    • Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Pecans and Cranberries
    • Roasted Asparagus with Bacon, Garlic, and Cheese
    whole roast duck with honey-balsamic glaze

    How to Prepare a Whole Duck for Roasting

    Step-by-step photos and instructions start here (the complete recipe without photos is at the bottom of this post).  I recommend that you read and look through these photos and then scroll down to the recipe box itself for more condensed version of the recipe (without photos).

    • If using frozen duck, make sure it's completely defrosted (defrosted in the refrigerator for a couple of days).
    • Remove the giblets from inside the duck. Rinse the duck, inside and outside, with cold water.  Pat dry with paper towels:
    raw whole duck
    • Set the duck on the working surface.  Score the duck's skin on the breast side in a diamond pattern, making sure you only cut the skin, without reaching the meat.  
    • The 2 deep cuts to the right of the photos is the example of how NOT TO SCORE, but it's still OK, as I did not cut through the meat but did reach the meat in those 2 cuts on the right:
    scoring the duck's skin
    • The duck breast should be scored in a diamond pattern:
    score the duck breast in a diamond pattern
    • This is what the duck should look like, breast side up, scored (see 2 deep scores on the right - try not to do that but it's OK as long as you don't cut into the meat itself):
    score the duck skin in a diamond pattern
    • Poke the other fatty parts of the duck with the tip of the knife all over, to ensure fat release, especially in very fatty parts.  You don't need to poke the duck legs as the skin is pretty thin there (except for where the duck legs connect to the duck body).
    poking the duck's skin with a knife
    • Season the duck very generously with salt both inside the cavity of the duck and outside on the skin, legs, all over.
    generously salt the duck
    • Add 5 chopped garlic cloves and lemon slices inside the duck cavity (these are just for flavor, not for eating - you will discard them after cooking).
    adding lemon slices and minced garlic into the duck cavity
    • The duck will have flapping skin on both ends - fold that skin inwards, to hold the garlic and lemon inside.
    folding the duck's flapping skin on both ends inwards, to hold the minced garlic and lemon slices inside the duck's cavity
    • Tie the duck legs with butcher's twine or butcher's string (or, in my case, I just used folded aluminum foil to tie up the duck legs, because I forgot to get butcher's twine):
    Tie the duck legs with aluminum foil
    • Place the bird breast side up on a large roasting pan with a rack (the roasting pan should have a roasting rack to lift the duck from the bottom of the pan and allow the fat to drip below the duck).
    duck placed on a large roasting pan

    How to Roast Duck in the Oven

    THIS IS A RECIPE OVERVIEW WITH STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOS. SCROLL DOWN TO THE RECIPE CARD TO SEE THE COMPLETE RECIPE.

    Note: this is the recipe for a duck cooked to the final internal temperature of 165 F (well-done, not dry, not overcooked, just juicy and well-done). Use an internal meat thermometer at all times to guide you through the process. Adjust the cooking times proportionally if you prefer to cook your duck medium (140 F internal temperature) or medium-rare (130 F internal temperature).

    1) Roast the duck for about 40 minutes at 350 F, breast side up, then remove the duck from the oven, it should look like this after the first 40 minutes of roasting:

    roasted duck scored breast side up in a roasting pan
    close-up of roasted duck scored breast side up in a roasting pan

    2) Then, flip the duck breast side down, and roast for 20 or 40 minutes at 350 F breast side down. After 20 minutes of roasting, check the duck's internal temperature with an instant meat thermometer. If the temperature reaches 140 F, proceed to the next step. If the meat temperature is below 140 F, roast the duck for 10 or 20 more minutes or until the temperature reaches 140 F. The duck should look like this - it's breast side down on this picture:

    roasted duck with the breast side down in a large roasting pan

    3) Remove the roasting pan with the duck from the oven, careful not to spill the juices (fat) in the roasting pan. Carefully remove the duck to a platter (making sure the lemons and garlic from the cavity do not fall out - keep the skin on both ends of the duck folded), and carefully pour off all the duck fat juices from the roasting pan into a large heat-proof bowl or container.

    4) In a small bowl make balsamic glaze: combine ½ cup of balsamic vinegar with the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon and ¼ cup of honey.  Set the duck breast side up again on the roasting rack in the roasting pan.  Brush all of the duck with the balsamic mixture (especially the scored duck breast) and cook the duck breast side up for another 20 minutes at 350 F, brushing every 10 minutes with the mixture. Continue to measure the duck's internal temperature with the meat thermometer.

    5) Add more honey to the mixture if it's too thin; it should be relatively thick. Roast the duck for another 20 minutes, brushing the duck breast side every 5 minutes with honey balsamic mixture.

    6) Remove the duck from the oven once its internal temperature reaches 155 F (and after you've briefly broiled it if needed). Let it rest, uncovered, on the kitchen counter for about 15 minutes. During this time, the duck will continue cooking in residual heat until it reaches 165 F.

    7) In the end, the duck should be nicely browned with crispy skin like this:

    close-up of roasted duck

    8) Untie the legs:

    Whole roasted duck with honey-balsamic glaze

    9) Serve: If you want a really beautiful and festive presentation for your holiday duck, use my recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash glazed with Cinnamon & Maple Syrup, with Pecans & Cranberries. or Hasselback Butternut Squash with Candied Pecans.

    Roast duck with honey-balsamic glaze

    Serving Suggestions

    You can garnish the duck and decorate the serving platter with colorful veggies - they will have all the holiday colors and flavors and will look very pretty with duck:

    • Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    • Green Beans with Pine Nuts
    • Hasselback Squash with Candied Pecans
    • Holiday Cheese Ball (with fresh herbs, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and cranberries)
    • Apple Spinach Salad with Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing
    • Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
    • Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Bacon, and Cheese
    • Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
    • Green Beans with Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan
    • Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash
    • Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Pecans and Cranberries
    • Roasted Asparagus with Bacon, Garlic, and Cheese
    4.76 from 603 votes

    Roast Duck Recipe

    Detailed recipe with step-by-step photos on how to roast a whole duck in the oven.  This Roast Duck has juicy meat, crispy skin, and it's glazed with the honey-balsamic glaze to give the duck a beautiful roasted look.  Perfect main dish for any special occasion, especially holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve! 
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 people
    Calories per serving 2862 kcal
    Author: Julia

    Ingredients

    Roast Duck

    • 6 lb whole Pekin duck
    • salt
    • 5 garlic cloves chopped
    • 1 lemon small or medium, chopped

    Glaze

    • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
    • 1 lemon , freshly squeezed juice
    • ¼ cup honey
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions 

    HOW TO THAW FROZEN DUCK

    • If you purchased a frozen duck, make sure it's completely defrosted in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Then remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking to bring it closer to room temperature. 

    PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 350 °F (175 °C)

    • Pre-heat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Prepare a large roasting pan with a rack so the duck is elevated and fat can drip beneath.

    PREPARE THE DUCK

    • Remove the giblets from the duck cavity (if present). Rinse the duck inside and out with cold water; pat thoroughly dry with paper towels.
    • Set the duck on the working surface. Score the duck's skin on the breast in a diamond pattern, ensuring you only cut the skin, without reaching the meat. Poke the other fatty parts of the duck with the tip of the knife all over, to ensure fat release, especially in very fatty parts. You don't need to poke the duck legs as the skin is pretty thin there (except where the duck legs connect to the duck body). Season generously with salt inside the cavity and all over the skin, legs and exterior. Place the duck breast side up.
      (refer to step-by-step photos on scoring duck's skin above this recipe card - please scroll up).
    • Place the chopped garlic cloves and lemon slices inside the duck cavity (these are just for flavor, not for eating - you will discard them after cooking). The duck will have flapping skin on both ends - fold that skin inwards, to hold the garlic and lemon inside. Tie up the duck legs with butcher's twine (or aluminum foil if twine is unavailable).
      (again, refer to the step-by-step photos above).

    GENERAL GUIDELINES on roasting the whole duck safely in the oven

    • Before you go ahead with the recipe, please review these general guidelines.
    • According to USDA, to safely cook the duck in the oven at 350 Fahrenheit you have to cook it for 30 minutes per pound, which equals 3 hours for a 6-pound duck. Of course, one should use a meat thermometer and cook the duck to one's preference (medium-rear, for example), but at your own risk. 🙂 Here is the link for the USDA's safe cooking guidelines for whole ducks.
    • The duck is considered safe to eat (according to USDA) when an internal temperature reaches 165 °F using a meat thermometer. That's when it's well done. If you take the duck out of the oven once the internal temperature is 155 F and let it sit for 10-15 minutes on the counter until it reaches 165 F - the duck will be well-done, delicious, and safe to eat. Check the internal temperature in the thigh's and wing's innermost part and the breast's thickest part. 
    • If you prefer to cook your duck rare or medium-rare, the internal temperature (as measured by a meat thermometer) at which you take it out of the oven is 130 Fahrenheit. For medium, take it out at 140 Fahrenheit.  But it could be not safe to eat (according to USDA). Do so at your own risk. 🙂 The USDA recommends roasting the duck for 30 minutes per pound at 350 F to be safe.

    RECIPE OVERVIEW

    • With these considerations in mind, here is the recipe for a duck cooked to a final internal temperature of 165°F (well-done, juicy, and not overcooked). Always use an internal thermometer to guide the process. As a general rule, whole ducks roast at about 30 minutes per pound at 350°F (175°C), and you can adjust all cooking times proportionally if you prefer your duck medium (140°F) or medium-rare (130°F).

    HOW TO ROAST THE DUCK IN THE OVEN

    • Step 1. Roast for 40 minutes. Place the duck breast-side up on the prepared rack in the roasting pan. Roast uncovered at 350 °F (175 °C) for 40 minutes.
    • Step 2. Roast for 20 minutes (or up to 40 minutes). Flip the duck so it's breast-side down, and continue roasting uncovered at 350 °F (175 °C) for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes of roasting, check the duck's internal temperature with an instant meat thermometer. If the temperature reaches 140 F, proceed to the next step. If the meat temperature is below 140 F, roast the duck for 10 or 20 more minutes or until the temperature reaches 140 F.
    • Step 3. Remove duck fat. You now have roasted the duck for 1 hour (or 1 hour 20 minutes total).  Remove the roasting pan with the duck from the oven, careful not to spill the juices (fat) in the roasting pan. Transfer the duck to a platter, and carefully pour off the rendered duck fat from the roasting pan into a heat-proof container (you can save this fat for roasting vegetables later). Make sure the lemons and garlic from the cavity do not fall out - keep the skin on both ends of the duck folded.
    • Step 4. Make a honey-balsamic glaze and roast for 20 minutes, brushing the duck with the glaze. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup balsamic vinegar + the juice of 1 lemon + ¼ cup honey. Place the duck breast-side up again on the rack in the roasting pan. Brush all over the duck (especially the scored breast) with the balsamic mixture. Return it to the oven at 350 °F (175 °C) and roast for 20 minutes, brushing every 10 minutes with the glaze.
    • Step 5. Roast for 20 minutes and continue brushing the duck with the glaze. If the glaze seems thin, add more honey (it should be relatively thick). Then roast the duck another 20 minutes at 350 °F (175 °C), brushing every 5 minutes with the honey-balsamic glaze.
    • Step 6. Broil the duck (optional and if needed). You can carefully broil the duck for about 5 or 10 minutes (check it regularly to ensure it doesn't char too much). Broiling the duck is a great option if the skin is not crispy enough. It will speed up the caramelization of the skin if your duck is already cooked to a desired internal temperature (as measured by a meat thermometer).
    • Step 7. Remove the duck from the oven. Remove the duck from the oven once the internal temperature reaches ~155 °F (68 °C) (for well-done finished to 165 °F). Let it rest, uncovered, on the kitchen counter for ~15 minutes - during this time the internal temperature will carry over to the final target of 165 °F.
    • Step 8. Discard the lemon. Then, carefully remove and discard the lemon from the cavity (being careful not to get burned). Carve the duck and serve!

    Notes

    • This recipe is written for a 6-lb duck; if your duck is significantly smaller or larger, adjust the time proportionally. As a general rule, a whole duck needs about 30 minutes of roasting time per pound when cooked at 350°F (175°C).
    • Using a meat thermometer is essential - times are estimates; internal temperature is your reliable guide.
    • If you prefer medium rather than well-done, adjust the cooking times - but be aware the USDA considers 165 °F (74 °C) the safe minimum for poultry.

    Why is the calorie amount in the Nutrition Section so huge?

    The huge calories (about 3,000 calories per serving) you see on the nutrition label (the nutrition info on my site is approximate anyway!) include a large amount of duck fat rendered when you roast the duck. You will not eat this fat with the duck (it's rendered and then removed from the roasting pan). But you can save it and use some of it to roast the potatoes or eggs for the next several days.

    Duck's weight matters!

    Ducks come in different sizes. The recipe, as written, is for a 6-pound duck. If your duck is half that size (3 pounds), adjust cooking times accordingly (in half). Use a meat thermometer as your guidance.

    Looking for Thanksgiving side dishes to serve with duck?

    I have created a comprehensive recipe collection of 60 Thanksgiving side dishes conveniently categorized by ingredient: Green Beans, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Potatoes, Acorn Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Asparagus, Broccoli, etc. It's a great resource to browse through for a last moment holiday inspiration! This side dishes will also work great for Christmas and New Year's Eve.

    Looking for a complete Thanksgiving menu?

    Be sure to check out my 50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes (The Complete Holiday Menu) - it includes everything: Fall-inspired holiday appetizers, side dishes, salads, main courses, pasta recipes, desserts, and even breakfast. This holiday menu features proven, tried, and true Thanksgiving dishes that have been reader favorites for years (I've been publishing recipes since 2012).

    ⬇️⬇️ My most popular Thanksgiving side dishes, salads, and desserts are below. They will pair beautifully with the roast duck. I highly recommend you check them out. ⬇️⬇️

    Updated recipe

    I originally posted this recipe on October 24, 2015. I updated this recipe on October 28, 2023, and again on November 16, 2025, to make it more complete and helpful. Let me know in the comments what you think of the updates - or if you miss the old version (which I can repost).

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Information
    Roast Duck Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    2862
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    267
    g
    411
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    89
    g
    556
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    517
    mg
    172
    %
    Sodium
     
    438
    mg
    19
    %
    Potassium
     
    1558
    mg
    45
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    29
    g
    10
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    23
    g
    26
    %
    Protein
     
    79
    g
    158
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1145
    IU
    23
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    48.8
    mg
    59
    %
    Calcium
     
    104
    mg
    10
    %
    Iron
     
    17
    mg
    94
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutrition Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.

    Roast duck with honey-balsamic glaze

    My Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    • Thanksgiving Side Dish with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries
    • Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Apples
    • Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Bacon, and Cheese
    • Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic Glaze

    My Most Popular Thanksgiving Salads

    • Fall Pasta Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash
    • Apple Spinach Salad
    • Winter Pear Salad
    • Christmas Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Honey-Mustard Lime Dressing

    My Most Popular Thanksgiving Desserts

    • Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake
    • Apple Cranberry Pecan Bundt Cake
    • Thanksgiving Pecan Pie (my Mother-in-law's recipe)
    • Pear Almond Cake
    • German Apple Caramel Cake
    • Carrot Cake Cheesecake
    • Apple Cranberry Round Cake
    « Trout with Garlic Lemon Butter Herb Sauce
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    135.1K shares
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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tim

      November 11, 2021 at 9:18 am

      Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I'm about to try it. Why is it necessary to pour off the duck fat juices part way through the process? Can one wait to remove them when the duck is finished cooking?

      Reply
      • Kay

        November 14, 2021 at 6:07 pm

        I think it just helps make the Duck crispier. Not 100% sure though.

        Reply
      • Julia

        November 15, 2021 at 11:16 pm

        Tim, as the duck is being cooked, there is so much fat dripping into the roasting pan, that I just had to remove the fat, otherwise it just sits there and burns as the duck continues to cook.

        Another reason is that in the following steps, the duck is being brushed with the balsamic glaze, and if you want to save the duck fat for later (for example, for cooking the potatoes), you don't want the balsamic glaze drip into the duck fat. So the duck fat is removed before that step.

        Reply
      • Rich

        November 16, 2021 at 9:06 pm

        I poured off the fat because it was splattering a lot in the oven. Also, if you pour it off early you can separate the fat from the juices and use it to cook potatoes or something else while the duck is finishing.

        Reply
        • Julia

          November 18, 2021 at 3:35 pm

          Yes, that's exactly the 2 reasons why I poured off the fat: 1) it splatters in the oven 2) in the next steps you would be brushing the duck with balsamic glaze, so if you do want to save the duck fat for cooking potatoes, remove it from the pan before the balsamic glaze drips into the duck fat.

          Reply
        • Miranda

          November 20, 2021 at 7:45 pm

          I’d love to cook this in a large crockpot. Any recommendations for the low or high setting and for approximately how long for a 6 lb duck? Thanks!

          Reply
          • Julia

            November 21, 2021 at 3:21 pm

            Miranda, I never tried this recipe in a slow cooker and I do not think I can recommend it. I think it can actually be done and the duck would be delicious! But, the skin will certainly not be crispy and there will be a lot of fat rendered.

            Reply
    2. Mary

      November 07, 2021 at 1:06 pm

      What happens when you overscore it and cut into the meat? Unfortunately, our cook did this and we want to know what effect it will have. What do we do now? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 10, 2021 at 8:31 pm

        Mary, I overscored the skin too, and it's really OK. As long as the skin stays on the duck, the recipe will turn out well! Scoring the skin creates crispy skin.

        Reply
    3. Gloria

      November 02, 2021 at 11:06 am

      I love the recipe, but haven't tried it yet. I would like to make it for Thanksgiving this year instead of turkey. I'm curious if roasting it covered for the first half of the cooking will make it juicier??

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 03, 2021 at 2:09 pm

        Gloria, I would not cover the duck at any time. The duck skin has so much fat - it cooks differently than turkey. To make it juicier, I would 100% recommend using a meat thermometer and maybe even cooking it for a shorter amount of time (depending on the meat thermometer reading).

        *****How to know when the duck is done? The duck is done to medium rare if the juices are pinkish when you carefully cut the duck in the fattest part. The duck is well done when juices run yellow-ish color.

        *****Use a meat thermometer. The cooked duck should measure an internal temperature of 165 °F using a meat thermometer. Use the meat thermometer early on (after the first 1 hour and 40 minutes of roasting) to avoid overcooking the duck, especially if the duck is on a smaller side.

        Reply
        • Ron

          November 22, 2021 at 8:41 am

          I should have followed my previous recipe like chicken 165* f and done . I found it way over cooked , the meat was ok but not great in my opinion the skin was good but not worth sacrificing the meat for a good skin .

          Reply
          • Julia

            November 22, 2021 at 2:32 pm

            I am so sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted it to.

            I would highly recommend using a MEAT THERMOMETER, especially for the smaller size of the duck. The cooked duck should measure an internal temperature of 165 °F using a meat thermometer. Use the meat thermometer early on (after the first 1 hour and 40 minutes of roasting) to avoid overcooking the duck, especially if the duck is on a smaller side.

            Reply
    4. Evelyn

      October 29, 2021 at 1:46 pm

      Thank you so much for giving such complete instructions. I've cooked duck many times but always wondered if there was a better way. Your very precise instructions were exactly what I needed. I did substitute oranges for the lemons as I really like the duck a little sweet but it didn't make it sickly sweet. Just right. Thanks again. I'm looking forward to trying other recipes of yours.

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 03, 2021 at 2:57 pm

        Evelyn, your comment made my day - thank you so much for stopping by and sharing it - it means a lot to read such positive and uplifting reviews! 🙂 Oranges stuffed in the duck sound delicious!

        Reply
      • Kathleen

        November 25, 2021 at 3:35 pm

        So the duck cooked super fast for me and I’m a long time away from my guests coming. Any advice on how to store/keep it for 2-3 hours after it cooks?

        Reply
    5. Nancy

      October 18, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      Love this recipe!! I am making it for the 3rd time right now. Bird always turned out beautiful-just like in the pictures. I am even making the Brussels sprouts, squash, pecan dish that’s it’s pictured with.

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 23, 2021 at 2:28 pm

        Nancy, your comment made my day! So glad you've made this 3 times and enjoyed it! I am also glad you're making the side dish it's pictured with - it's delicious and a great choice of a side dish!

        Reply
    6. Melanie

      October 16, 2021 at 2:27 pm

      Great recipe. I cooked for 10 min less and probably could have taken another 10 min off. Easy recipe to follow, it tasted great, and my husband loved it.

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 23, 2021 at 3:16 pm

        Melanie, I am so glad you gave this recipe a try and enjoyed it! Thank you for the comment and the 5-star review!

        Reply
    7. Sherry Jarrett

      October 13, 2021 at 1:00 am

      Where do you place the meat thermometer?

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 23, 2021 at 3:30 pm

        Place it in the thickest part of the meat.

        Reply
    8. Bruce

      October 11, 2021 at 9:48 pm

      Incredible. The only add I did was brining for six hours and then drying in the fridge for 24 hours before cooking. My entire Family said it was the best duck they ever had.

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 12, 2021 at 12:09 pm

        Bruce, I am so happy you gave this recipe a try and enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your comment! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Jonathan Selig

      October 10, 2021 at 9:06 pm

      Made this tonight and it turned out great.

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 11, 2021 at 9:12 pm

        Jonathan, I am very pleased to hear that! Thanks for the comment!

        Reply
    10. Kelly Francis

      October 10, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      I'm just about prepare this and was wondering if you cover the roasting pan? My thoughts are no, as you want to have crispy skin...

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 11, 2021 at 9:13 pm

        Kelly, you are correct. Do not cover the roasting pan. The duck is roasted uncovered the whole way.

        Reply
    11. Steven Lloyd

      October 05, 2021 at 11:59 am

      Lovely recipe… I added a raspberry balsamic glaze into the balsamic marinade along with the honey because I do like a little sweetness—- and it came out very very well ——The honey in the glaze really does get the skin a beautiful color —-suggestion to first timers— use a meat thermometer just to make sure you’re hitting the right temperature —-I also layered three pieces of heavily scored and punctured parchment paper under the duck to help me lift it up when I had to turn it and I found that very helpful— —it came out perfect — it was my first duck ever . A very simple , tasty recipe

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 07, 2021 at 3:05 pm

        Steven, I am so glad you tried this recipe and liked it! Love your addition of raspberry balsamic glaze - sounds delicious! And great tip about using the meat thermometer!

        Reply
    12. Joy

      October 01, 2021 at 1:16 am

      Tried this for the first time last night and it was delicious! I basted it with a black cherry balsamic vinegar and yummy, yummy! Thanks so much. Will be making it again!

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 01, 2021 at 12:23 pm

        Joy, I am so glad you tried and enjoyed this recipe! Cherry balsamic vinegar sounds delicious - what a great idea!

        Reply
      • Helen

        October 16, 2021 at 2:48 pm

        Does it matter if it is a gressingham duck? Does it have same results?

        Reply
        • Julia

          October 23, 2021 at 2:57 pm

          Hi Helen, I looked up the Gressingham duck - it will work the same in this recipe, as long as it's the same weight. If the weight is different, the recipe will have to be adjusted.

          Reply
    13. Wayne

      September 26, 2021 at 3:29 pm

      New to roasting duck. What do you do if the neck is still attached? It's in the oven right now. I just left the neck there, tucked under.

      Reply
      • Julia

        September 27, 2021 at 1:55 pm

        Not sure about that. The ducks I roasted usually have a neck removed. Let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
    14. Jim

      September 25, 2021 at 10:11 am

      Have followed your recipe several times and the duck has been perfect every time.

      The first time was "scary" but now I feel like a duck-cookin' pro.

      We had been buying duck fat in a jar (for about $1.00 / oz.) Except for the slight lemon/garlic taste, the rendered duck fat (from step 3) is just as good and pays for almost half the duck.

      Reply
      • Julia

        September 25, 2021 at 12:21 pm

        Jim, I am so happy you tried this recipe and liked it! Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to share a 5-star review! 🙂 I really appreciate it!

        Reply
    15. Rachel

      September 20, 2021 at 11:48 pm

      Hi how long do I cook my duck if it’s 2.1kg (4.6lbs)

      Reply
      • Julia

        September 22, 2021 at 3:39 pm

        Hi Rachel,

        If your duck is 4.6 lbs - that's very close weight-wise to the duck I cooked (6 lb). Since that weight is for a frozen duck with giblets inside, I would suggest the following changes:

        In the recipe card where it says: Roast the duck for 3 hours in 4 distinctive steps: I would follow step 1 through Step 3 (cooking the duck for 1 hour and 40 minutes total). Except that in step 1 I would roast the duck for 30 minutes, and then roast the duck for another 30 minutes in step 2 (cooking the duck for a total of 1 hour instead of 1 hour and 40 minutes during those 2 steps). All of this is done in the preheated oven at 350 F.

        Then follow steps 3 through 5. When you start following step 5 (where you are supposed to roast the duck while brushing it with the balsamic vinegar + lemon + honey mixture for 40 minutes) - make sure to check your duck for doneness every 10 minutes at this point. It’s best to use a meat thermometer. The cooked duck should measure an internal temperature of 165 °F using a meat thermometer.

        If the duck is not cooked to your preference, continue cooking the duck and brushing it with the honey-balsamic mixture, checking it for doneness every 10 minutes.

        *****How to know when the duck is done? The duck is done to medium rare if the juices are pinkish when you carefully cut the duck in the fattest part. The duck is well done when juices run yellow-ish color.

        *****Use a meat thermometer. The cooked duck should measure an internal temperature of 165 °F using a meat thermometer. Use the meat thermometer early on (after the first 1 hour and 40 minutes of roasting) to avoid overcooking the duck, especially if the duck is on a smaller side.

        Reply
        • Rachel

          September 24, 2021 at 6:02 am

          Great recipe Julia. Followed your directions…the duck tasted amazing. So tender and tasty, it wasn’t completely over cooked but I think 20 minutes less and it would have been perfect.

          Reply
          • Julia

            September 24, 2021 at 12:50 pm

            Rachel, I am so happy to hear this duck turned out well for you! Thank you for giving this recipe a star review - I appreciate it! 🙂

            Reply
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    Julia is the author of JuliasAlbum.com (a food blog focused on easy dinner recipes, pasta dishes, salads made with seasonal ingredients). In this photo, Julia is pictured wearing a yellow sweater against an Autumn background.

    Hi, I'm Julia!

    I am a full-time food blogger living in beautiful Colorado. I focus primarily on savory recipes (protein-based & fiber-rich main dishes, pasta, salads) using fresh & seasonal ingredients. A food blogger since 2012, I help home cooks create well-balanced and visually appealing dinners (many of which are 30-minute ONE-PAN meals). Find out more about me and my cooking philosophy. 

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