Roasted duck breast with plum sauce is a delicious and elegant dish that combines the rich, tender flavor of duck with a sweet and tangy plum sauce. This sophisticated dish is perfect for special occasions, romantic dinners, or when you want to impress your guests with a gourmet meal. The crispy skin and juicy meat of the duck are perfectly complemented by the fruitiness of the plum sauce, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
The key to a perfect roasted duck breast is achieving a crispy skin while keeping the meat tender and juicy. The duck breasts are first scored on the skin side, which allows the fat to render out during cooking, creating a crispy texture. They are then seared in a hot pan to develop a golden, crispy skin and finished off in the oven to cook through while keeping the meat succulent.
While the duck breasts are roasting, the plum sauce is prepared. The sauce starts with ripe plums, which are simmered with sugar, vinegar, and a splash of water to create a sweet yet tangy base. Aromatic ingredients like ginger, garlic, and a hint of soy sauce can be added to bring depth and complexity to the sauce. As the plums break down, they form a thick, velvety sauce that is perfect for drizzling over the duck.
Once the duck breasts are cooked to perfection, they are sliced into thin, juicy pieces and served with the rich plum sauce. The sauce can be drizzled over the top of the duck, or served on the side as a dipping sauce. A garnish of fresh herbs, such as thyme or parsley, can add a pop of color and freshness to the plate.
This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a light salad to balance out the richness of the duck. The sweetness of the plum sauce enhances the savory flavor of the duck, creating a truly memorable meal.
Roasted duck breast with plum sauce is an impressive and indulgent dish that brings together bold flavors in a way that feels both elegant and comforting.

Ingredients
- 1 piece duck breast boneless, skin-on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 cup plums pitted and chopped
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce low sodium
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Score the skin of the duck breast in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut into the flesh.
- Season the duck breast with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Place the duck breast skin-side down and sear until the skin is golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Flip the duck breast and sear the flesh side for 2 minutes, then transfer the skillet to the oven.
- Roast in the oven for about 8-10 minutes for medium-rare.
- While the duck is roasting, prepare the plum sauce. In a small saucepan, combine plums, honey, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the plums are soft and the sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Remove the duck from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve sliced duck breast with plum sauce drizzled over it.
This recipe is amazing! The duck was so juicy and the plum sauce was a perfect match. Will definitely make it again!
Easy and delicious! Next time, I’m adding ginger to the sauce for a twist.
Wow! Never thought I could cook duck at home. So fancy! Definitely recommend.
This recipe is so easy! I love duck, and the plum sauce is a great combo. 5 stars!
yum! I couldn’t find plums so I used apples instead, it worked out fine!
Using apples sounds like a creative substitute! Glad it worked for you.
I followed the recipe but my duck turned out too rare. Sad.
So good, but my kids didn’t want to try it. Too fancy for them, I suppose.
Maybe try something simpler next time, like chicken nuggets? Kids can be picky!
So fancy for kids, but I think they just need to grow up a bit! Duck is delicious!
I tried this and it was a total disaster. The duck was overcooked! Never again. 1 star.
I’m sorry to hear that! Duck can be tricky to cook. Maybe try a meat thermometer next time?
This recipe is too complicated for me. I stick to chicken.
Nah, duck is not that hard. Just follow the steps! Chicken is boring… live a little!
I get what you mean! Duck feels way more complicated than chicken. But maybe try it once? You might surprise yourself!
Yuck! I didn’t like the taste. My husband said it was okay but we won’t make again. Back to tacos.
Yum! I had some leftovers and they were even better! 🍽️
Leftovers are the best! I licked the plate clean. 😋
Easy and tasty! My family loved it. The crispy skin was perfect.
Made this for dinner and my husband loved it! The skin was perfectly crispy! 😍
Not bad, but I think I overcooked the duck. Don’t follow the instructions too closely!
Absolutely delightful! The duck was so tender and the plum sauce was the perfect complement. Will definitely make it again!
Delish! The flavor combo is so good. I might add some garlic next time. 😋
I love garlic! That would totally amp up the flavor. 🤤
Garlic? In duck? Sounds weird… but okay, I guess…
This is fancy food for sure! But can you use chicken instead of duck? I like chicken better.
This plumb sauce is fire! 🔥 Next time gonna double the sauce, yum!
I don’t like plums, can I use apples? Asking for a friend.
Nah, apples ain’t the same as plums! You can’t just swap fruits like that. Stick to the recipe.
I think apples would totally change the taste, but why not? Experimenting can be fun! 🍏
Absolutely delicious! The plum sauce was a revelation. Will make this again!
Why the duck breast? Isn’t that like a pet? I think chicken tastes better, right? lol
Too many steps! Can I just grill the duck instead? Not for me.
Duck breast, huh? Sounds fancy! But honestly, I used chicken instead. Still good.
Duck is way better than chicken! You missed out!
Chicken works too! It’s all about what you like. What seasonings did you use?
Not sure about duck. Seems fancy, but doesn’t it taste gamey? I prefer chicken.
I couldn’t get the skin crispy! What did I do wrong? 😩
Who even eats duck? I think this is a waste of good meat.
Plum sauce was just OK. I prefer orange sauce with duck. 😕
The sauce was too sweet for my taste. I ended up adding some vinegar to balance it out. 3 stars.
Plum sauce was alright, but I prefer sweeter. Maybe more honey next time?
So fancy! I would never make this at home, too complicated for me.
Too hard for me too! Who even has time for all this? Cooking should be simple. 🤷♂️
I get that it seems complicated, but once you try it, you might be surprised! Just start with the basics.
Doesn’t look like the picture. Mine came out kinda sad. Booo!
Looks fine to me, maybe you just need to work on your plating. 😜
I’m sorry to hear that! Sometimes the way it looks in pictures is just too perfect. Maybe next time try adjusting the cooking time a bit?
This was the best duck recipe I’ve ever tried! The plum sauce is heavenly.
I tried this recipe but it turned out a bit dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure I’ll attempt again.
I think you might have messed it up! This recipe is usually so juicy if done right. Maybe you can just try again? Don’t give up!
Dry duck? That might be because you left it in the oven too long. Try checking the temp next time instead of the timer! It’s really not that hard, trust me. 🦆
A recipe for gourmet food? What? I just wanted something simple for dinner.
I totally agree! This seems way too fancy for a simple dinner. Just give me some pasta instead!
But gourmet food can be simple if you know how! Duck breast is actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
OMG this was so good! My friends thought I was a chef! I feel like I could run a restaurant with this dish.