Duck Confit, the Right Way

Duck confit takes a while to prepare properly but is well worth the effort. This melt-in-your mouth duck treat will become a favorite. I buy whole ducks and then remove legs/wings whole and breasts from the bone. Always keep the skin on duck! You can easily double this recipe if you're having a dinner party. I learned this method from Chef Uriah of the Columbian Cafe of Astoria, Oregon. The breasts become pan roasted Muscovy duck (see my recipe) and the legs/wings become confit. Never roast a Muscovy duck whole: the breast comes out dry, musky, and bitter tasting.

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr
• Total Time: 2 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 554 Calories

Ingredients

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup kosher salt
• 1 shallot, minced
• ¼ cup evaporated cane sugar
• 3 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
• 6 sprigs thyme, chopped
• 4 duck legs with thighs
• 4 duck wings, trimmed
• 4 cups duck fat

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine shallot, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme in a small bowl. Rub all over duck legs, thighs, and wings.

Step 3

Arrange duck parts skin side-up in a dish and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until the seasoning is well absorbed, 24 to 48 hours.

Step 4

Rinse off the seasoning and pat the duck dry. Arrange duck in a single layer in a 9x13-inch baking pan. Let duck stand until it reaches room temperature, about 30 minutes.

Step 5

Melt duck fat in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbles begin to form, 6 to 8 minutes. Pour duck fat over the room-temperature duck.

Step 6

Bake duck in the preheated oven until tender and the juices run clear, 2 to 3 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 135 degrees F (57 degrees C). Pour off the duck fat.

Step 7

Brush a grill pan with some of the used duck fat and heat over medium-high heat until smoking. Add baked duck; cook in batches until skin is crispy, about 90 seconds per side.