Description
This festive Christmas Roast Duck features a crispy-skinned duck seasoned with spices and finished with a cranberry-orange glaze. It serves as a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday feast.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole duck (innards and gizzards removed)
- 1 onion (quartered)
- 1 lemon (quartered)
- Several sprigs of rosemary, sage, and thyme
- Salt (for seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 garlic clove (grated or minced)
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Splash of cold water
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh orange zest
Instructions
- Pat the duck dry and trim any excess fat. Score the breast skin in a criss-cross pattern.
- Stuff the duck cavity with onion, lemon, and herb sprigs. Tie the legs and refrigerate uncovered for at least 8 hours.
- Remove the duck from the refrigerator 30 minutes before roasting. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and rub the duck with the spice blend.
- Place the duck on a rack in a roasting pan. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh.
- Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F (175°C) and roast until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the duck rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
- In a saucepan, combine the glaze ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Make a slurry with cornstarch and cold water, then whisk into the simmering sauce to thicken.
- Stir in fresh orange zest and brush some glaze over the duck during the last 15 minutes of roasting. Serve remaining glaze on the side.
Notes
- For best results, allow the duck to dry in the refrigerator overnight.
- Adjust spices in the glaze according to your taste.
- Prep Time: 8 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg