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Crispy Pan-Seared Duck Breast Recipe

4.8 from 101 reviews

A simple yet elegant Pan-Seared Duck Breast recipe that delivers crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. Perfect for a quick gourmet meal using minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.

Ingredients

Scale

Duck Breast

  • 2 duck breasts, skin on
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Score the Skin: Using a sharp knife, carefully score the duck breast skin in a crosshatch pattern without cutting into the meat. This helps render the fat and crisps the skin evenly.
  2. Season: Generously season both sides of the duck breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
  3. Sear the Duck Breast: Place the duck breasts skin-side down in a cold skillet. Heat over medium heat, allowing the fat to slowly render and the skin to become golden brown and crispy. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes.
  4. Flip and Finish Cooking: Turn the duck breasts over and cook the meat side for 3-4 minutes until the desired doneness is reached, typically medium rare.
  5. Rest the Meat: Remove the duck breasts from the skillet and let them rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and flavorful bite.

Notes

  • Make sure to start with a cold pan for even fat rendering and crispy skin.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure proper browning.
  • Resting the duck after cooking is crucial to keep it juicy.
  • Serve sliced to showcase the crispy skin and tender interior.

Keywords: duck breast, pan-seared duck, crispy duck skin, simple duck recipe, gourmet duck