Duck Breast 3 Lb.

Duck breast is one of the more expensive, but worthwhile items to order at high-end restaurants, but there’s a secret those restaurants don’t want you to know. That pricey duck that costs more than anything else on the menu, it’s simple to purchase from Wholey and make at home. With just a few easy steps, you could be serving duck to your friends and family’s amazement. Don’t be surprised when you receive compliments like, “Hat’s off to the chef!” at the end of the meal, and expect duck breast to be requested again and again at future dinner parties.

When cooking duck, remember that it is safe to eat when cooked to medium rare, unlike chicken and other poultry. A perfectly cooked duck breast shouldn’t be cooked through, it should be moist and juicy with crispy, succulent skin. First, score the fat to allow it to render while cooking. Duck meat has a beautiful layer of fat beneath the skin that renders it rich and flavorful, and scoring it allows it to cook a bit faster. Deeper cuts will render more fat, while shallow cuts just along the surface keep more fat inside. Whether you plan to eat the fat or not, don’t remove it entirely. This layer protects the duck breast, allowing it to cook through evenly, creating an easy and quick cook.

After scoring and seasoning with salt, place the duck skin side down in a pan over medium-low heat. Searing duck on a higher heat results in fat that doesn’t have enough time to render, while cooking it on a lower heat allows the meat to overcook while the fat is trying to render. About fifteen minutes after placing the duck in the pan, flip the breast over onto the meat side and turn the heat to medium. This should cook for another minute or two until the meat is medium rare.

Before serving or cutting, allow the duck to rest for about ten minutes. During this time, deglaze the pan with white wine and let the mixture cook down. Add chicken stock and continue cooking until the sauce is thick and rich, then finish with butter and lemon juice. Once your sauce is done, slice the duck breast, pour it over with your incredible pan sauce, and enjoy!