Rating: 3.54
(158)

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
3.54 from 158 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
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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. User avatar sterling.turner73 says:

    3 stars
    I think the soy sauce amount is weirdly small—like it doesn’t do much. Still, the flavor is good, just not as deep as I expected. Also, I had to simmer longer than 10 minutes to thicken.

    1. User avatar darrick.yost1999 says:

      4 stars
      Yeah, I felt that too. 1 tsp soy sauce sounds like it’ll just barely show up. I usually add a bit more (or a splash of Worcestershire) and it helps the sauce taste “rounded.”

  17. 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!

  18. 1 star
    Yuck! I didn’t like the taste. My husband said it was okay but we won’t make again. Back to tacos.

  19. 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.

  20. 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. 😋

  21. User avatar barrett.kiehn1980 says:

    4 stars
    I used frozen plums and maybe that’s why the sauce got kinda watery at first. Once I kept simmering it worked out. Duck was delicious, but I was stressed the whole time lol.

  22. User avatar desirae.will40 says:

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

  23. User avatar buster.johnston0 says:

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

  24. User avatar elisha.shields45 says:

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

  25. 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.

  26. User avatar kasandra.boyer1959 says:

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

  27. 5 stars
    Absolutely delightful! The duck was so tender and the plum sauce was the perfect complement. Will definitely make it again!

  28. User avatar maegan.gleason52 says:

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

  29. User avatar wilbur.fay49 says:

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

  30. 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…

  31. 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…

  32. 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!

  33. 4 stars
    This is fancy food for sure! But can you use chicken instead of duck? I like chicken better.

  34. 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?

  35. User avatar celia.reynolds2000 says:

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

  36. User avatar adolph.johnson1988 says:

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

  37. 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! 🍏

  38. 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.

  39. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! The plum sauce was a revelation. Will make this again!

  40. User avatar jesse.kiehn2007 says:

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

3.54 from 158 votes
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