Confit de Canard, or duck confit, is a classic French dish that showcases both the art and tradition of slow cooking. Rich, flavorful, and incredibly tender, it’s made by slowly cooking duck legs in their own fat until the meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth soft and the skin crisp and golden.
This dish originates from the Gascony region of France, where preserving meat in fat was a practical method for long-term storage. Today, it’s considered a delicacy and a hallmark of rustic French cuisine. The process begins with curing the duck legs in salt, garlic, and herbs such as thyme or bay leaves for 24 hours. This step adds flavor and helps draw out moisture, making the meat more succulent.
After curing, the duck is gently poached in rendered duck fat at a low temperature for several hours. The result is incredibly tender meat that easily pulls away from the bone. Once cooked, the confit can be stored in its fat and reheated later—often by pan-searing or roasting, which crisps the skin to perfection while keeping the meat juicy and rich.
Confit de Canard is typically served with simple, hearty sides such as roasted or sautéed potatoes, lentils, or a fresh green salad with vinaigrette to balance the richness. A glass of red wine from Bordeaux or a medium-bodied Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with its deep, savory flavor.
Though it may seem elaborate, making duck confit at home is entirely doable with patience and a bit of planning. The results are well worth the effort—this dish delivers a luxurious taste of French culinary tradition in every bite. Whether for a special dinner or an indulgent weekend meal, Confit de Canard is a showstopper that never fails to impress.
It’s a timeless dish that brings a sense of elegance and comfort to the table, making any meal feel like a celebration.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces duck legs preferably fresh
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt for seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme for flavoring
- 1 liter duck fat enough to submerge the duck legs
Instructions
- Season the duck legs generously with coarse salt, then cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Rinse the salt from the duck legs and pat them dry.
- Place the duck legs in a deep ovenproof dish along with the garlic and thyme. Cover with duck fat.
- Cook in the preheated oven for 2 hours or until the duck meat is very tender.
- To serve, remove the duck legs from the fat, allowing any excess to drip off. Brown the skin side in a skillet until crispy before serving.
Nutrition
I don’t have duck fat, can I use olive oil instead? Not sure how that would turn out.
No way! Duck fat is totally the best for this. Olive oil is for salads, not confit!
Yeah, olive oil could work, but it won’t have the same flavor as duck fat. Just experiment!
Quick tip! Let the duck legs sit for at least 24 hours in the salt for more flavor!
Why so much cooking time? I don’t have 2 hours to spare! cooking is too hard.
My grandma used to make confit but she never wrote down the recipe. This is close! Thanks!
That sounds lovely! It’s great to keep those family recipes alive. Your grandma would be proud!
Hmm, confit seems hard. My uncle tried once and it was a disaster. Hope yours turns out better!
Yummm!!! I love duck! I made it with rosemary instead of thyme and it was still good.
Rosemary sounds good! I bet it added a nice twist to the flavor! Duck is the best! 🦆❤️
What even is duck fat? Is it really necessary? Seems weird to me.
This recipe is amazing! The duck turns out so tender and juicy. A family favorite now!
This duck is gonna be the best food at my dinner party, I just know it! Can’t wait to serve it.
I tried this recipe and it was harder than it looks! The duck was too greasy for my taste.
I totally get what you mean! Duck can be pretty rich and greasy. Maybe try roasting it without so much fat next time?