With what to accompany the duck breast

Duck meat is a great meat to serve. The skin crisps up beautifully if cooked well, giving way to a juicy, tender meat underneath.

Duck is considered a luxurious meat, so it can be a bit confusing when deciding what to serve with it.

Do you serve fancy sides? Do you serve something simple that complements the flavor of the duck? It can be difficult to know which way to go.

So what should you serve with the duck breast?

There are quite a few things you can serve with duck breast, whether it’s a rich, fruity sauce, or a vegetable side dish like potatoes, greens, or even sweet potatoes. You can accompany the duck breast with many different vegetables and sauces, but the flavors should complement the rich flavors of the duck.

You don’t have to go broke serving the most luxurious side dishes with the duck; with some delicious sauces and vegetable dishes, you can make the most amazing duck breast meals.

We are going to offer a list of some of the best garnishes and sauces to serve with duck breast, but first we are going to explain a little what duck breast is to better understand what goes well with it.

The beauty of the duck breast

Duck magret is the favorite meat of many. The best, and most popular, way to cook duck magret is to first roast it in a pan and then finish it in the oven.

This allows for crispy skin on the outside and soft, tender and juicy meat on the inside.

Duck has a strong flavor, and although it is considered white meat, it is darker and tastes like red meat rather than chicken.

It’s also fattier than chicken, but this allows it to stay moist and tender when cooked. Duck skin is also thicker and fattier than chicken, so it crisps up perfectly when done right.

This dish is rich and flavorful, and pairs well with quite a few different sauces and garnishes.

However, some types of duck, depending on the quality and the way of preparation, can have quite a strong flavor. If you don’t like this flavor, consider pairing foods or sauces that mask or neutralize the game flavor.

With what to accompany the duck breast

You can get quite creative with what you serve with the duck breast, as this rich yet versatile meat lends itself quite well to different flavors.

However, there are some garnishes and sauces that go better with duck breast, so take a look at the list below for some ideas on what to serve the next time you cook up some delicious duck breast.

1. Orange sauce

The orange sauce and the duck breast are a perfect combination. The high fat content of the duck means it can be quite oily or greasy, and the tangy-citrus orange sauce helps cut through the fat perfectly.

There are some simple orange sauce recipes that you can use, most using concentrated orange juice.

You can also get fresh orange juice from the source and squeeze an orange into the mixture, with some pulp and zest for added flavor.

The duck breast works really well with the freshness of the orange sauce, and although it’s a common pairing, it’s popular for a reason!

2. Dauphinoise potato

The dauphinoise potato is a dish that usually accompanies duck breast, and this is because both combine very well.

Duck is a rich meat, especially when cooked well, and still has all the fatty juices and tender meat inside it, and to go with this, you want to go for a rich, decadent side dish as well.

The dauphinoise potato is crispy on top and wonderfully creamy on the bottom. The cream and garlic mixture goes very well with the duck breast, and it is quite easy to make.

3. Red currant sauce

A sweet currant sauce or currant juice is an ideal pairing with dark meat such as duck.

It also sounds very fancy, but the currant sauce is very easy to make. You can use a ready-made sauce, a little hot water to deglaze the pan and a little currant jelly.

Cook and heat for a while, and the deglazed pan juices, sauce mix, and red currant jelly will help make a wonderfully rich, yet still sweet sauce that can be spread over the duck breast to bring out the rich flavors. .

4. Sweet Glazed Carrots

Glazed sweet carrots bring the perfect balance of sweet and savory to a duck breast dish, plus the carrots give the dish a nice pop of colour.

Cut some baby carrots into fingers and cook them in a pan (using the pan the duck has been roasted in helps to give it more flavor) along with butter, honey and some fresh parsley.

Fry them and then bake them in the oven until the carrots are shiny, glazed and cooked through.

To sweeten them further after cooking, you can sprinkle a little sugar on top of the carrots.

5. Sticky sauce

Rich duck meat goes great with a sticky sweet sauce. The crispy skin of duck breast is also great when paired with a sticky sauce, and it’s a great way to put it to good use!

A sticky sauce is also quite simple to make, using a mixture of balsamic vinegar, crushed garlic, honey, and lemon juice. Mix it all together and marinate the duck breast in the sauce overnight or a few hours.

This gives the duck breast time to absorb all the flavors of the marinade and when cooked, this marinade will create a sticky sauce that will finish off the duck breast perfectly.

6. Sweet potato puree

Sweet potato mash is so tasty and comforting, and it’s so easy to make. The sweet potato pairs so well with the rich flavors of the duck meat. The sweetness of the sweet potato balances the flavor of the dish well.

You just need some good quality sweet potatoes to peel and chop and boil until soft. Drain the water and add a tablespoon of butter and seasonings, and blend until smooth.

You can leave the sweet potato puree a bit thicker, but that’s up to you!

This dish is perfectly rounded off with a nice jus or sauce over the duck breast and sweet potato purée, to bring it all together.

7. Grilled asparagus

Grilled asparagus can add a crisp, fresh touch to a dish of duck breast. These spring vegetables are worth preparing.

You just have to roast the asparagus in a little olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. Roasting the asparagus helps to soften it, make it less fibrous and bring out a delicate sweetness in the shoots.

Grilled asparagus is also a low calorie side dish, and is packed with different nutrients and vitamins, making it a really beneficial side dish to serve with duck breast, which is also a healthy meat to include in your diet!

8. Spinach and pomegranate salad

Pomegranate seeds pair well with the flavors of duck meat. They are sweet and sour at the same time, and this can bring light and fresh aspects to the dish.

To make a good salad to accompany the duck breast, you can mix the pomegranate seeds with some young spinach leaves and fried mushrooms if you like. To cover the salad, you can prepare a soy and honey dressing.

A few sliced radishes are also a great addition to the salad, and all the flavors create a fresh and vibrant side to the rich and decadent duck breast.

9. Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts can be a nightmare food for some, but this is because they haven’t eaten properly prepared brussels sprouts.

Done right, Brussels sprouts make a great accompaniment to duck breast. Also, Brussels sprouts taste best when cooked in duck fat, so the two go hand in hand.

Once you’ve roasted the duck breast, don’t clean the pan. Throw in some chopped brussels sprouts and cook them in the fat and juices that remain in the pan.

If necessary, you can add a tablespoon of water to make them more moist. Stir the Brussels sprouts until they are soft and starting to brown.

If you want to add more flavor to the fried Brussels sprouts in duck fat, you can add some chopped crispy bacon to add some salt to the garnish.

Better yet, cook the bacon in the same pan as the duck and then the Brussels sprouts, so they soak up as much fat and juices as possible!

10. Wild Rice Pilaf

Wild rice pilaf can add a comforting accompaniment to a dish of duck breast.

To make the wild rice pilaf better match the rich, decadent flavors of the duck breast, you should add some dried fruit, like cranberries and sultanas, as well as some sliced almonds.

The fruit helps balance out the salty side of the duck breast, and the almonds add a delicious crunch and new texture.

Wild rice pilaf also keeps you fuller for longer, making it a great idea for lunch or dinner.

11. Sweet chili

You could cheat and use a bottled sweet chili sauce, but to really appreciate the flavors, you should whisk your own while cooking the duck breast.

Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat and add a little olive oil. Add two minced garlic cloves to the pan, along with the minced chili (the amount of chili used will depend on how spicy you like your food).

Let them fry, and then add a tablespoon of water and two tablespoons of sugar.

Let it cook and the sugar melt. Next, add the chopped cherry tomatoes and a small amount of balsamic vinegar.

Let it all cook together until it thickens to a jelly-like consistency. Serve this sweet chili sauce alongside the duck breast. The sweet and spicy flavors really complement the rich dark meat of the duck.

12. Creamy polenta

A duck breast dinner will be wonderfully complete with some creamy polenta on the side.

The polenta has a deliciously creamy texture, and with a bit of Parmesan and herbs, it carries a good amount of flavor that holds up well to the richness of the duck breast.

Polenta, contrary to popular belief, is actually quite easy to make with the right ingredients.

The whole process takes about 30 minutes, and you can even make it the day before and just heat it up to serve with the duck breast for dinner.

13. Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are so classic and so simple, but they are a must with the duck breast. Mashed potatoes can be so flavorful and creamy, and served with duck breast, it’s a great combination.

It’s a really good idea to serve mashed potatoes with duck breast if you have a good sauce or gravy to drizzle on both the meat and the mash.

You can make the mashed potatoes the simple way with a little butter and seasoning, or you can add some garlic, cream cheese, cheddar cheese and more, toasting it in the oven and creating a golden brown top.

Make sure you have enough sauce to share with the mashed potatoes, as it does a great job soaking up the sauces and flavors.

14. Baby Stem Broccoli with Chili

Baby stem broccoli is a light and crisp side dish to serve with duck breast.

On its own it can be quite bland, but if fried with lemon zest and chili it can pack a delicious burst of flavor that pairs well with the richness of the duck breast.

Plus, it’s low in fat, which is a plus if you’re watching your calorie intake.

15. Prune sauce

Prune sauce is an ideal sauce to serve over duck breast (and perhaps over sweet potato purée or onion and cabbage stew).

You can use a ready-made plum sauce or make your own with chopped red plums, brown sugar, a drizzle of soy sauce, and a little star anise. Let it cook until thick and sweet.

16. Sautéed spinach and mushrooms

Spinach and Mushroom Sauté is super easy to make, and you can make it while the duck breast is cooking in the oven.

Add a little olive oil to the pan in which you have cooked the duck breast, add a little garlic and the mushrooms, let them sauté and then add the spinach.

Let them brown and cook together, add a little salt and pepper and serve with the duck breast.

The best accompaniment for duck breast

Duck breast is a rich, decadent meat that pairs well with both sweet and savory ingredients.

A good garnish, such as dauphinoise potatoes, spinach or sweet potato purée, and a sweet and savory sauce, such as orange or plum sauce, make the perfect dish.

Take a look at the previous garnishes and sauces to serve with duck breast and find your perfect pairing.

Related questions

How long do you have to fry the duck breast in the pan?

Prepare the skillet for the duck breast by setting it to medium-high heat. Place the duck breast in the pan, skin side down.

Let it cook until the fat begins to drain from the duck, then add the garlic and thyme to cook in the fat.

When this happens, lower the heat and cook for about 15 minutes (it can be 20 depending on the thickness of the duck breast). The skin should be crisp and golden.

At what temperature should duck breast be cooked?

Duck breast should be cooked to an internal temperature of 170°F. This heat ensures the elimination of any harmful bacteria. If you want the duck to be medium rare, it should be cooked to 135°F.