Pasture-raised roast duck recipe!

How do you cook duck? Most people ask with great curiosity and trepidation. Not to fear! We have a very easy to follow and basic duck recipe just for you.

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 2-4 ENTREE SERVING(S)

• 1 pastured frozen duck, 4½ to 6 pounds

• ½ to 1 cup coarse kosher salt

• ½ cup brown sugar

• Black peppercorns

• Fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 2 teaspoons ground pepper

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• Optional: Potatoes, onions, carrots, Brussels sprouts or turnips, cut into chunks

  At least 24 hours before roasting, place frozen duck in a large deep pot and cover with cold water. Add . to 1 cup of coarse kosher salt and brown sugar, peppercorns and herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme. Place pot in refrigerator. The duck will be fully thawed and brined in 24 hours. Duck can remain in brine for up to 3 days.

  Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove bird from brine mixture and drain cavity of excess water. Pat duck dry with towel. Place bird on a rack in a pan on your counter and bring to room temperature for about an hour. In a small saucepan, melt butter and add ground pepper, garlic powder and kosher salt. Using a sharp knife, prick or crosshatch skin across the breast area. Try not to pierce the meat below the skin as exposing red flesh could dry out the meat during roasting. Place bird on a rack in a roasting pan and brush butter and seasonings across the bird’s skin. If desired, add cut-up veggies and arrange around the bird. Place pan in oven and roast duck, breast-side up, for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and turn duck breast-side down and roast for another 45 minutes. Turn duck over again so that it finishes roasting breast-side up. Total cooking time will depend on the size of the bird. A 5-pound duck usually requires a total cooking time of 2 hours. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that bird has reached 160 degrees. Remove pan from oven, tent bird loosely with foil, and let rest at least

  15 minutes before carving.

Our roast duck recipe was featured in edible Vermont back in November of 2018. To view the full article and recipe click the link here. Enjoy roasting your duck- you can do this!