Tips and Trick for Grilling Duck

Grilling duck can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are new to cooking and preparing duck. Do not let the idea of trying something new scare you away as grilling duck is quite simple and can be done with a few simple steps!

Grilling Duck Breast

To prepare the duck breast for grilling first you must score the skin.

Once you have done that, make sure to season with salt and pepper to taste. If you would like to add more spices or a different rub to this dish, this is the step to do so.

After the duck is seasoned and scored, you can begin preparing it by sautéing the duck breast, skin side down over medium-low heat on the stovetop for 8-12 minutes.

To finish cooking the duck, place the sautéed duck on the grill, meat side down, for 4-5 minutes. After that is finished, flip the duck breast to finish cooking it on the skin side for 2-3 minutes.

Watch this video for a step-by-step tutorial on how to grill the perfect duck breast for this summer!

Grilling Whole Duck

If you are looking to grill a whole duck rather than just the duck breast, this process is done entirely on the grill. No sautéing needed!

After seasoning and prepping the duck, (see instructions here), place the duck, breast side up, on a rack over the drip pan. Cover the grill and cook the duck for 1-1/2 hours. If you are using a charcoal grill, add 10-12 pre-lighted coals per side every hour.

If you are pressed for time, you may want to butterfly the whole duck so that it is wide and flat allowing for a faster and more even method of grilling a whole duck.

Don’t get stuck in a grilling rut. Try preparing versatile and easy-to-prepare duck to add variety to your grilling go-tos.