Duck Confit Recipe

Not many dinners can compare with this Duck Confit Recipe. The skin is crisp and the meat is so tenderly succulent, you might have to give yourself a moment or two before uttering a word after your first bite of this fine French dish.

Because of how tender and juicy it is, I have considered serving this Duck Confit instead of turkey for Thanksgiving (may the purist forgive me). Marry it with whipped mashed potatoes and your guests might not even notice that the big bird is missing from your table.

What is Duck Confit?  

Duck Confit Recipe is a centuries-old recipe using duck meat and rendered fat. Duck pieces are rubbed in salt, garlic, and herbs then salt-cured for 24-48 hours. Next, the meat is placed in a baking dish and covered with rendered fat. After some slow cooking,  you have one of the finest French dishes on your table. Оh, the simplicity of genius!

This Duck Leg recipe is simple and hands off. After the duck legs have  you’re done with the fat, you can save it to roast root vegetables or potatoes. If you’re short on time but have duck leg recipe on your mind, try this Juicy Duck Breast recipe.

French Recipe

Duck Confit is considered to be one of the finest French dishes. It is popular across France but consumed in moderation. So are many other dishes, hence the coveted slimness of the French people. Also, French like to savor their food and not rush their meals. Be like the French, savor this Duck Confit and consume in moderation 🙂

The Meaning of Confit

Confit (pronounced känˈfē ) means to slowly cook duck or other meat in its own fat. Centuries ago when refrigerators were not available, French used this technique as a way of preserving meat through the winter. Both the curing and the submersion in fat remove the medium for bacteria to grow in.

Nowadays when we have refrigeration, this popular French Recipe is prepared not because of the ability to be preserved, but because it is irresistibly delicious and there is nothing quite like it.

Perfect Keto Dinner Recipe

This Duck Confit is a perfect keto dinner recipe. Duck meat is a good source of protein, zinc, thiamine, monosaturated fat and vitamin B-6. Use pasture raised duck for optimal keto diet benefit.

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Duck Confit Recipe

5 from 3 votes

The best duck confit recipe that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: French

Keyword: duck confit

Calories: 862 kcal

Prep Time: 55 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients for Duck Confit Recipe

• 4 duck legs or 2 duck legs & 2 duck breasts
• 2 cups duck fat *optional. See note in the instructions
• salt
• ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp garlic minced
• 1 large onion sliced
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Score the skin of the duck with a sharp knife, taking care not to go through the meat.

2. Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, ½ tsp oregano, 1 tsp thyme, and1 Tbsp either dry or minced garlic. Place in a ziplock bag, add 1 onion sliced and shake. Let sit in the fridge for 24-48 hours.

3. Preheat oven to 375°F. Shake off excess seasoning and onion.

4. Place into an ovenproof baking dish small enough to snuggly fit the amount of duck you have.

5. Pour the 2 cups of duck fat on top (*optional. similarly good results can be achieved without the fat).

6. Place in the oven and roast for about 30 minutes.
7. Lower temperature to 275F – 290F, cover with foil and roast for another 2+ hours. Check to make sure that it’s soft enough to fall off the bone.

8. Remove foil, increase temperature to 375F and crisp the top of the skin, about 20-30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Duck Confit Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 862 Calories from Fat 729

% Daily Value*

Fat 81g125%

Saturated Fat 26g163%

Cholesterol 199mg66%

Sodium 127mg6%

Potassium 27mg1%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 31g62%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 18mg2%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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