Canard à l'Orange
Duck with Orange Sauce
A classic French dish featuring a whole roasted duck served with a rich, glossy sauce made from oranges, sugar, vinegar, duck stock, and a touch of Grand Marnier. This recipe emphasizes the traditional preparation and the balance of sweet and bitter notes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 Whole duck(Approximately 2kg (4.4 lbs), preferably Pekin or Muscovy duck. Ensure it's cleaned and any giblets removed.)
- 4 Oranges(Choose firm, fragrant oranges. You'll need the zest and juice of 2, and segments from the other 2 for garnish.)
- 100 g Granulated sugar(For the gastrique base.)
- 60 ml Red wine vinegar(Provides acidity to balance the sweetness.)
- 400 ml Duck stock(High-quality, unsalted duck stock is preferred. Chicken stock can be substituted if duck stock is unavailable.)
- 60 ml Grand Marnier(A French orange liqueur. Cognac or Cointreau can be used as alternatives.)
- Salt(To taste.)
- Black pepper(Freshly ground, to taste.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the duck: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Pat the duck thoroughly dry, inside and out, with paper towels. This is crucial for crispy skin. Prick the skin all over with a fine needle or the tip of a sharp knife, being careful not to pierce the flesh. This allows the fat to render. Season the cavity generously with salt and pepper. Place the duck on a rack in a roasting pan, breast-side up.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Roast the duck: Place the duck in the preheated oven. Roast for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. Baste the duck with its own rendered fat every 30 minutes for extra moistness and browning. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent it with foil.
⏱️ 1 hour 30 minutes - 1 hour 45 minutes - 3
Rest the duck: Once cooked, carefully remove the duck from the oven. Transfer it to a carving board and let it rest, loosely tented with foil, for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and moist meat.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 4
Prepare the gastrique: While the duck rests, make the sauce. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the sugar over medium heat without stirring until it turns a deep amber color. This is your caramel. Immediately and carefully pour in the red wine vinegar. It will bubble vigorously and steam; stir gently until the caramel dissolves into the vinegar. Be cautious of the hot steam.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Build the sauce: Add the duck stock and the juice from 2 of the oranges to the gastrique. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Zest the remaining 2 oranges and add the zest to the sauce. Continue to simmer and reduce the sauce until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. This should take another 10-15 minutes.
⏱️ 20-30 minutes - 6
Finish the sauce: Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the Grand Marnier. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. The sauce should have a balanced bittersweet flavor.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 7
Prepare garnish and serve: While the sauce is finishing, peel the remaining 2 oranges and carefully segment them, removing any pith and membranes. Carve the rested duck into portions. Arrange the duck pieces on a warm serving platter. Spoon the warm orange sauce generously over the duck. Garnish with the fresh orange segments.
⏱️ 10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a crispier skin, you can leave the duck uncovered in the refrigerator overnight to dry it out further.
- ✓The sauce should have a complex bittersweet flavor profile. Adjust sugar and vinegar to your preference.
- ✓Resting the duck is non-negotiable for tender meat. Don't skip this step.
- ✓If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can strain it after adding the stock and before adding the Grand Marnier and zest.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Use blood oranges for a deeper color and slightly different flavor profile.
- Incorporate fresh thyme or bay leaves into the roasting pan for added aroma.
- Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
- Substitute cherries (fresh or dried) for some of the orange segments for a fruity variation.