How to Use Whole Duck in the Kitchen

If you are wanting to prepare a Whole Duck but you’re looking for some guidance, we have you covered. There are so many ways to prepare a whole duck and because of the large variety, you are able to add it to a big list of recipes.

The first step in cooking a whole duck is learning all of the tips and tricks to make sure it comes out the way YOU want it to! This starts with making sure you put the duck in the fridge 2-3 days before you are planning on preparing it to ensure it is thoroughly defrosted (so it cooks evenly).

Once you remove the duck from its packaging, make sure to take out the giblets, trim the excess fat with a knife or kitchen scissors, and rinse it with water. Once you have done all of that make sure to pat it dry.

The next step is to render the fat out. To do this you need to carefully prick the skin with a fork. Once you do that, place the duck in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. This will help the skin crisp up.

Depending on what you want to make with Whole Duck, this is where the directions start to deter from each other. Now that you know the tips and tricks for prepping a whole duck, here are a few recipes and ways to use this delicious ingredient!

Smoked Whole Duck

Duck & Noodles

Duck a l'Orange Sandwich

Beer Can Duck

Wild Mushroom Duck Soup

Roasted Whole Duck - Basic Recipe for Crispy Skin

Duck Under a Brick

If you are pressed for time, cooking Duck Under a Brick is the way to go! By spatchcocking a whole duck and using bricks to weigh it down, it ensures the skin has more contact with the heat source crisping up the skin quicker than other ways of cooking whole duck.

Make sure to keep the leftovers of the whole duck to make Duck Stock. This can be used in soup, gravy, stews and other tasty dishes!