How to Make Duck Confit - A Step-by-Step Guide

One of the most indulgent and luxurious dishes in French cuisine, Duck Confit is a classic preparation that has been enjoyed for centuries. Originating in Gascony, a region known for its rich and hearty dishes, this method of preserving duck in its own fat has become a staple in French cooking. The result is tender, succulent duck with crispy skin that is nothing short of exquisite.

Traditionally, Duck Confit was a way to preserve the meat before refrigeration was available. The duck ...

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Ingredients

  • 2 uncooked Peking duck legs
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 lemon, zested and thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
  • 1 tablespoon juniper berries
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 cups rendered duck fat

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 6 hrs
  • Additional Time: 1 day
  • Total Time: 1 day 6 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 2

  • Season duck legs with kosher salt on both sides. Place in a large resealable bag. Add lemon zest and slices, garlic, allspice berries, juniper berries, and fresh thyme. Seal the bag; massage duck legs through the bag until all of the ingredients are evenly dispersed. Marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
  • Remove duck legs from the marinade. Rinse them off and pat dry. Place remaining marinade ingredients in the bag in the an oven-safe dish, preferably enameled cast iron or glass, just large enough to hold the legs in a single layer. Arrange legs skin-side down in the dish.
  • Pour duck fat into a small saucepan and warm over low heat until liquid. Pour over legs until they are completely covered. If the legs are not covered, add olive oil until they are. As the legs cook, more fat will be rendered from the skin. Cover the dish with a lid.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the meat pulls easily from the bones, 6 to 7 hours.
  • Remove legs from fat and place in a sealable container. You may leave the bones in or remove them. Make sure there is room at the top of the container. Strain all of the solids from the remaining fat and discard the solids. Pour the fat over the duck until it is covered completely. Seal and allow to cool to room temperature. Once cool, refrigerate and let duck meat cure for 2 months. Reserve any leftover duck fat for other uses.
  • Nutrition

    2521 cal.

    • Total Fat: 271g
    • Saturated Fat: 90g
    • Cholesterol: 330mg
    • Sodium: 2989mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 10g
    • Dietary Fiber: 5g
    • Protein: 20g
    • Vitamin C: 49mg
    • Calcium: 81mg
    • Iron: 5mg
    • Potassium: 475mg