Rating: 3.50
(146)

Roasted Duck Breast With Plum Sauce

February 3, 2025

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.

Roasted Duck Breast With Plum Sauce
Roasted Duck Breast With Plum Sauce
3.50 from 146 votes
A delicious and elegant dish featuring succulent duck breast paired with a rich and tangy plum sauce. Perfect for a special occasion or a gourmet dinner at home.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 35gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 15mg
Calories: 450kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: duck, gourmet, plum sauce
Cooking Method: Roasted
Time: >45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!

Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar Piter De Vries says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is amazing! The duck was so juicy and the plum sauce was a perfect match. Will definitely make it again!

  2. 5 stars
    Yum! Loved it! So juicy and delicious, I could eat it every day.

  3. 4 stars
    The plum sauce complements the duck so well! I was surprised how easy it was to make. Will definitely make again!

  4. 4 stars
    Easy and delicious! Next time, I’m adding ginger to the sauce for a twist.

  5. User avatar Daisy Picking says:

    4 stars
    What a fancy dish! I felt like a chef! Thanks for the recipe!

  6. User avatar viola.olson1977 says:

    5 stars
    Wow! Never thought I could cook duck at home. So fancy! Definitely recommend.

  7. User avatar vance.hamill1970 says:

    3 stars
    Just made this! Yum! But what’s a crisscross pattern? 🤔 Confussed.

  8. User avatar abdul.cormier52 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is so easy! I love duck, and the plum sauce is a great combo. 5 stars!

  9. 4 stars
    Plum sauce? Never thought of that! This sounds fancy and delicious. Can’t wait to try it!

    1. User avatar Jim Laucher says:

      5 stars
      I never knew duck could be this fancy! Plum sauce sounds amazing. Gonna try it this weekend!

  10. User avatar moses.blick says:

    4 stars
    yum! I couldn’t find plums so I used apples instead, it worked out fine!

    1. User avatar charles.robel5 says:

      4 stars
      Using apples sounds like a creative substitute! Glad it worked for you.

  11. User avatar necole.barton1968 says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe but my duck turned out too rare. Sad.

  12. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

    5 stars
    Searing the skin side is key! Perfectly crispy. I added garlic to the sauce for extra flavor.

    1. User avatar titus.rice50 says:

      3 stars
      Wait, are you sure the skin needs to be scored? I thought that makes it tough?

    2. User avatar bradly.mertz says:

      5 stars
      I tried it and the garlic really took it to another level! Thanks for the tip!

  13. 4 stars
    So good, but my kids didn’t want to try it. Too fancy for them, I suppose.

    1. User avatar elijah.herman58 says:

      4 stars
      Maybe try something simpler next time, like chicken nuggets? Kids can be picky!

    2. User avatar deandra.feest says:

      3 stars
      So fancy for kids, but I think they just need to grow up a bit! Duck is delicious!

  14. User avatar scott.tillman32 says:

    1 star
    I tried this and it was a total disaster. The duck was overcooked! Never again. 1 star.

    1. User avatar ArabianNights says:

      4 stars
      I’m sorry to hear that! Duck can be tricky to cook. Maybe try a meat thermometer next time?

  15. User avatar tu.gutmann says:

    1 star
    This recipe is too complicated for me. I stick to chicken.

    1. User avatar jeanetta.greenholt1968 says:

      3 stars
      Nah, duck is not that hard. Just follow the steps! Chicken is boring… live a little!

    2. User avatar nadia.hoppe91 says:

      4 stars
      I get what you mean! Duck feels way more complicated than chicken. But maybe try it once? You might surprise yourself!

  16. 1 star
    Duck is just a fancy name for goose, right? Not really sure about cooking it tho.

    1. 2 stars
      I dunno, sounds fancy but duck is just a bird right? I stick to chicken.

    2. User avatar Slartibartfast says:

      4 stars
      No, duck and goose are different! Duck is richer and better for roasting. Give it a try!

  17. 1 star
    Yuck! I didn’t like the taste. My husband said it was okay but we won’t make again. Back to tacos.

  18. User avatar Vera Labadie says:

    1 star
    Duck?! That’s for fancy restaurants. I ain’t got time.

    1. User avatar luigi.kuhlman says:

      2 stars
      Ain’t no way I’m making duck at home, way too much work for me! Stick to chicken, y’know?

    2. User avatar ruben.hagenes says:

      4 stars
      Fancy or not, this sounds delicious! Maybe I should give it a try someday.

  19. User avatar sylvester.block says:

    5 stars
    Yum! I had some leftovers and they were even better! 🍽️

    1. User avatar Thanatos says:

      5 stars
      Leftovers are the best! I licked the plate clean. 😋

  20. User avatar desirae.will40 says:

    4 stars
    Easy and tasty! My family loved it. The crispy skin was perfect.

  21. User avatar buster.johnston0 says:

    3 stars
    The duck was alright, but the plum sauce was a bit weird. Not what I expected.

  22. User avatar elisha.shields45 says:

    5 stars
    Made this for dinner and my husband loved it! The skin was perfectly crispy! 😍

  23. User avatar Yong Pfannerstill IV says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing! The plum sauce adds such a nice touch to the duck. Definitely making it again.

  24. User avatar kasandra.boyer1959 says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but I think I overcooked the duck. Don’t follow the instructions too closely!

  25. 5 stars
    Absolutely delightful! The duck was so tender and the plum sauce was the perfect complement. Will definitely make it again!

  26. User avatar maegan.gleason52 says:

    5 stars
    Incredible! The skin was perfectly crispy. I’ll be making this again for sure.

  27. User avatar wilbur.fay49 says:

    2 stars
    Is this really how to make duck? I thought that was illegal to roast them…

  28. User avatar buffy.oconner1961 says:

    3 stars
    Why do you score the skin? It just makes it harder to eat! Not sure if I wanna try this…

  29. User avatar wilbur.cassin says:

    4 stars
    Delish! The flavor combo is so good. I might add some garlic next time. 😋

    1. User avatar Mr. Muoi Murray says:

      5 stars
      I love garlic! That would totally amp up the flavor. 🤤

    2. User avatar logan.bailey50 says:

      3 stars
      Garlic? In duck? Sounds weird… but okay, I guess…

  30. User avatar alayna.mccullough21 says:

    5 stars
    Who knew duck could taste this good! My whole family loved it.

    1. 5 stars
      Absolutely! Duck is super tasty! Glad your family loved it too. The plum sauce is a perfect match!

  31. 4 stars
    This is fancy food for sure! But can you use chicken instead of duck? I like chicken better.

  32. User avatar cruz.cruickshank1979 says:

    2 stars
    Simple ingredients but not sure I want to try searing duck. How do you even know when it’s done?

  33. User avatar celia.reynolds2000 says:

    3 stars
    Too much work for a duck! I prefer just frying chicken.

  34. User avatar adolph.johnson1988 says:

    5 stars
    This plumb sauce is fire! 🔥 Next time gonna double the sauce, yum!

  35. User avatar erasmo.lehner2008 says:

    3 stars
    I don’t like plums, can I use apples? Asking for a friend.

    1. 2 stars
      Nah, apples ain’t the same as plums! You can’t just swap fruits like that. Stick to the recipe.

    2. User avatar jacinto.dubuque says:

      4 stars
      I think apples would totally change the taste, but why not? Experimenting can be fun! 🍏

  36. User avatar elden.hodkiewicz2023 says:

    3 stars
    I found the duck a bit greasy. Maybe I overcooked it? Not sure if I’ll try again.

  37. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! The plum sauce was a revelation. Will make this again!

  38. User avatar jesse.kiehn2007 says:

    2 stars
    Why the duck breast? Isn’t that like a pet? I think chicken tastes better, right? lol

  39. User avatar Chronos says:

    3 stars
    Too many steps! Can I just grill the duck instead? Not for me.

  40. User avatar Grandpa Gohan says:

    5 stars
    Yum! My husband loved it! I’ll be making this again for sure. Thanks for sharing! 😍

  41. User avatar Falmer Spellsword says:

    4 stars
    Duck breast, huh? Sounds fancy! But honestly, I used chicken instead. Still good.

    1. 3 stars
      Duck is way better than chicken! You missed out!

    2. User avatar Spider Guardian says:

      4 stars
      Chicken works too! It’s all about what you like. What seasonings did you use?

  42. User avatar irving.purdy68 says:

    5 stars
    This dish is to die for! The plum sauce really takes it to the next level. My family loved it!

    1. User avatar jasper.stark1989 says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you loved it! The plum sauce does sound delicious. Will definitely try this recipe!

  43. User avatar mathWizard says:

    1 star
    This was nasty. Never cooking duck again. Yuck!

    1. User avatar ArabianNights says:

      2 stars
      Ugh, duck is so greasy. You’re not alone. Completely overrated! Stick to chicken!

    2. User avatar marylou.reynolds says:

      5 stars
      I actually loved it! The plum sauce was perfect with the duck. Maybe you just cooked it wrong?

  44. User avatar Al Luminum says:

    3 stars
    Recipe is good, but what’s with the balsamic? Too sour for me. I’m sticking with honey only!

  45. 2 stars
    I didn’t have plums, so I used apples. It was a disaster lol. Learned my lesson.

  46. User avatar freddy.frami84 says:

    2 stars
    Not sure about duck. Seems fancy, but doesn’t it taste gamey? I prefer chicken.

  47. User avatar kaylene.wolff says:

    1 star
    Cooking duck is hard, ugh. I forgot to rest it and it was dry. Immigrant grandma taught me better! 😩

  48. User avatar Tom Bombadil says:

    2 stars
    I couldn’t get the skin crispy! What did I do wrong? 😩

  49. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

    3 stars
    Do you really need balsamic? I don’t have any and I ain’t buying it just for this.

  50. User avatar jasmin.monahan says:

    4 stars
    My mom always said duck is too fancy for weekdays, but this was quick and easy. I’d rate it a 4!

  51. User avatar ivan.schroeder1994 says:

    2 stars
    I tried this and the duck was way too fatty! Maybe I did something wrong? Not impressed.

  52. 1 star
    Who even eats duck? I think this is a waste of good meat.

  53. User avatar lakiesha.weissnat says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved this! The plum sauce was a delightful surprise with the duck. Will definitely make it again!

  54. User avatar Tanja Metz says:

    3 stars
    Plum sauce was just OK. I prefer orange sauce with duck. 😕

  55. User avatar leo.schmeler66 says:

    3 stars
    The sauce was too sweet for my taste. I ended up adding some vinegar to balance it out. 3 stars.

  56. User avatar trenton.raynor2003 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about using balsamic with plums but it actually worked!! Well done! 😊

  57. 2 stars
    I dunno about this. Duck is kinda greasy to me. Why not chicken?

  58. User avatar geoffrey.wilkinson9 says:

    2 stars
    Didn’t turn out like the picture. My sauce was too sour! Anyone else have that problem?

    1. 4 stars
      Maybe you put too much vinegar? I always taste as I go. Don’t give up, it’s a great dish!

  59. User avatar mavis.klein says:

    5 stars
    Wow, I never knew roasting duck could be this easy! Mine turned out beautifully, thanks for sharing!

    1. 5 stars
      I’m so glad it turned out well for you! Duck can be tricky, but this recipe makes it way easier.

  60. User avatar brandon.volkman says:

    3 stars
    Plum sauce was alright, but I prefer sweeter. Maybe more honey next time?

  61. User avatar dale.abbott1964 says:

    5 stars
    Dude, this plum sauce is a game changer! Way better than store-bought! Just like my grandma used to make.

  62. User avatar Hwi Noree says:

    2 stars
    This recipe was a disaster! The duck was overcooked and the sauce was too sweet. Never again!

  63. 2 stars
    So fancy! I would never make this at home, too complicated for me.

    1. 2 stars
      Too hard for me too! Who even has time for all this? Cooking should be simple. 🤷‍♂️

    2. User avatar jayson.spencer says:

      4 stars
      I get that it seems complicated, but once you try it, you might be surprised! Just start with the basics.

  64. User avatar anthony.armstrong47 says:

    2 stars
    Doesn’t look like the picture. Mine came out kinda sad. Booo!

    1. User avatar clyde.goyette1 says:

      2 stars
      Looks fine to me, maybe you just need to work on your plating. 😜

    2. 4 stars
      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?

  65. User avatar Werewolf says:

    5 stars
    Made this for my anniversary dinner, it was a hit! Totally smashing! ❤️

  66. User avatar georgia.cartwright says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was delicious! I loved the plum sauce, it paired perfectly with the duck. Will definitely make it again!

  67. 5 stars
    This was the best duck recipe I’ve ever tried! The plum sauce is heavenly.

  68. 1 star
    Eh, too fancy for my taste. I just like my meat well done, no pink! 😬

  69. User avatar valentin.koss says:

    2 stars
    I tried this recipe but it turned out a bit dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure I’ll attempt again.

    1. 3 stars
      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!

    2. User avatar neville.mueller52 says:

      4 stars
      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. 🦆

  70. User avatar johnsie.weissnat14 says:

    4 stars
    Took me forever to find plums. But the sauce was worth it. Should’ve used more honey tho.

  71. User avatar michale.klocko70 says:

    5 stars
    Yaaasss! This is gourmet! 🦆🥳

    1. User avatar halley.sauer1952 says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! This dish is top-notch! 🍽️

  72. User avatar Draugr Death Overlord says:

    5 stars
    Impressive dish! Looks fancy for a dinner party. Can’t wait to show off my culinary skills!

  73. User avatar noel.beer2015 says:

    2 stars
    I tried it, but my duck didn’t turn out crispy at all. Any tips? I followed the instructions but it was soggy. 🤔

  74. User avatar shawn.schultz says:

    4 stars
    Plum sauce?? Never heard of that! Sounds strange but I wanna try.

  75. User avatar booker.feest says:

    3 stars
    So easy to make, but I overcooked my duck. Oops! Learn from my mistakes, people!

    1. User avatar pierre.bogan26 says:

      4 stars
      Don’t feel bad, happens to the best of us! Just try cooking it for less time next time. 😊

  76. 4 stars
    Wow! So easy to follow. Even I could do it! 🤣

  77. User avatar alfredia.kiehn87 says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but I think I prefer my duck with a more traditional orange glaze. This felt a bit off.

  78. User avatar Ian Jakubowski says:

    1 star
    A recipe for gourmet food? What? I just wanted something simple for dinner.

    1. User avatar robin.nienow64 says:

      3 stars
      I totally agree! This seems way too fancy for a simple dinner. Just give me some pasta instead!

    2. 4 stars
      But gourmet food can be simple if you know how! Duck breast is actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it.

  79. User avatar Sharon A. Burger says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know, it seems too complicated for me. Maybe I’ll just stick with chicken.

    1. 3 stars
      Really? It’s just duck! Chicken is fine, but this sounds yummy if you give it a chance. Just follow the steps, it’s not that bad.

    2. 4 stars
      I get it, duck can sound tricky! But it’s actually really easy once you try it. Don’t sell yourself short! 🦆

  80. User avatar refugio.witting9 says:

    5 stars
    OMG this was so good! My friends thought I was a chef! I feel like I could run a restaurant with this dish.

  81. User avatar Tobias Lockman Sr. says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly, but my duck came out really tough. Not sure what went wrong.

  82. User avatar kelvin.wunsch2013 says:

    3 stars
    I have no idea what duck is supposed to taste like, but this seems alright to me.

  83. 1 star
    u mean 2 cook a duck? im not ready for that yet. cans I just get it from the store? 🤔

  84. User avatar Frost Atronach says:

    3 stars
    A little too much honey for my taste. I’ll adjust it next time.

  85. User avatar phillis.stokes says:

    5 stars
    Wow! This recipe sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it this weekend!

  86. 4 stars
    So easy to follow! Even I could make it! Definitely a crowd pleaser! 🍽️

  87. User avatar caryn.hegmann says:

    5 stars
    Made this last night and it was awesome! The plum sauce was a perfect match! Just wow!

  88. User avatar emerald.schneider says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! Did not think plum would go with duck, but here I am loving it! Wow!

    1. User avatar katlyn.bergstrom51 says:

      5 stars
      I can’t believe how well these flavors work together! Definitely trying this recipe soon.

    2. User avatar Théoden says:

      3 stars
      Plum and duck? Sounds weird, but I guess tastes do surprise us sometimes. Not sure if I would try it tho.

  89. User avatar li.kulas1998 says:

    3 stars
    DUCK!!! Never tried it but this looks too fancy for just a weekday meal.

  90. User avatar Mr. Joseph Prohaska says:

    4 stars
    So easy to follow! I didn’t know scoring the skin would make such a difference. Tasty!

  91. User avatar ezekiel.renner2006 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is amazing! The duck turned out perfect and the plum sauce is just out of this world!

  92. User avatar clyde.borer says:

    3 stars
    Could’ve used more honey! Or maybe I just have a sweet tooth? 🤷‍♀️

    1. User avatar eloy.kohler says:

      5 stars
      I totally get that! A little extra honey can make a world of difference. 🍯

  93. User avatar Spriggan Matron says:

    1 star
    Seems like a waste of good plums! I prefer my plums in a pie.

    1. User avatar cleo.rowe33 says:

      5 stars
      Not a waste at all! Duck and plum sauce is amazing. You should try it!

  94. 5 stars
    This recipe is amazing! The duck was cooked perfectly and the sauce was a game changer!

    1. User avatar bryant.konopelski27 says:

      5 stars
      Absolutely! I loved the combination of flavors in this recipe too! The sauce really does elevate the dish!

  95. User avatar Wonko the Sane says:

    1 star
    More like roasted duck breast with plum sauce for fancy people! I am more a take-out kinda guy. 😂

    1. User avatar lenita.romaguera33 says:

      4 stars
      Haha, I get you! Duck isn’t for everyone, I’m more about pizza delivery myself. 🍕

    2. User avatar halflife4 says:

      3 stars
      Roasted duck is actually really good once you try it! But take-out is way easier. 😅

  96. User avatar Reg Nullify says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I have never tried duck before but this was a hit for my dinner party! 😋

  97. User avatar seth.gusikowski says:

    3 stars
    Isn’t duck hard to cook? I heard it can be chewy if not done right. Can anyone confirm?

  98. 5 stars
    This recipe sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it out for dinner this week. Thanks for sharing!

  99. User avatar freeman.gibson says:

    2 stars
    I dunno… Duck? Sounds complicated. I’m more of a chicken person, to be honest.

  100. User avatar charis.orn96 says:

    5 stars
    Wow, this looks delicious! I love the idea of plum sauce with duck. Can’t wait to try it out!

  101. User avatar charita.watsica says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get why people love duck. It’s just… eh.

3.50 from 146 votes
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