Confit de Canard
Authentic French Confit de Canard, featuring duck legs slow-cooked in their own rendered fat until impossibly tender and succulent. A culinary treasure from the Southwest of France.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 Duck legs(Preferably from a good quality duck)
- 1 kg Duck fat(Rendered duck fat, enough to fully submerge the duck legs)
- 60 g Coarse sea salt(Kosher salt or sea salt is ideal for curing)
- 8 cloves Garlic(Peeled and lightly smashed)
- 6 sprigs Fresh thyme
- 4 Bay leaves(Whole bay leaves)
- 1 tbsp Black peppercorns(Whole peppercorns, lightly crushed)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the curing mixture. In a small bowl, combine the coarse sea salt, lightly smashed garlic cloves, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and lightly crushed black peppercorns. Mix well.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Cure the duck legs. Pat the duck legs thoroughly dry with paper towels. Rub the curing mixture evenly over all surfaces of the duck legs, ensuring they are well coated. Place the seasoned duck legs in a non-reactive dish or a large zip-top bag. Cover tightly or seal the bag. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours and up to 48 hours to allow the salt to penetrate and cure the meat.
⏱️ 24-48 hours - 3
Prepare for cooking. Remove the duck legs from the refrigerator. Gently rinse off the curing mixture under cold running water. Pat the duck legs completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin later. Discard the curing mixture.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Melt and prepare the duck fat. In a heavy-bottomed oven-safe pot or Dutch oven large enough to hold the duck legs in a single layer, melt the duck fat over low heat. Once melted, ensure the fat is clean (no salt or herbs from the curing process).
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Submerge and cook. Carefully place the dried duck legs into the melted duck fat, ensuring they are fully submerged. If the fat doesn't quite cover them, you can add a little more melted duck fat or a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil to ensure complete submersion. Cover the pot tightly with a lid or aluminum foil.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Slow cook the confit. Transfer the covered pot to a preheated oven. Cook at a low temperature of 120°C (250°F) for 3 to 4 hours. The duck legs are ready when the meat is exceptionally tender and easily pulls away from the bone. You should be able to pierce the thickest part of the thigh with a fork with very little resistance.
⏱️ 3-4 hours - 7
Cool and store (optional). Once cooked, you can let the duck legs cool slightly in the fat. For storage, ensure the legs are completely submerged in the cooled duck fat. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several weeks, or freeze for longer storage. The fat will solidify and act as a protective seal.
⏱️ 30 minutes (cooling) - 8
Crisp for serving. When ready to serve, remove the duck legs from the fat (reserve the fat for future use). Scrape off any excess solidified fat. To crisp the skin, you have two main options: \n1. Pan-sear: Heat a tablespoon of duck fat in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the duck legs skin-side down and sear for 3-5 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. \n2. Broil: Place the duck legs skin-side up on a baking sheet. Broil on high heat for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning, until the skin is golden and crisp. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5-10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The rendered duck fat is a precious ingredient; save it after cooking the confit. It can be strained and reused for cooking potatoes, vegetables, or other meats.
- ✓Low and slow cooking is the secret to tender confit. Avoid high temperatures, which can dry out the meat.
- ✓Ensuring the duck legs are completely dry before searing or broiling is essential for achieving perfectly crispy skin.
- ✓For optimal flavor, allow the duck legs to cure for the full 48 hours if time permits.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Serve with classic Pommes Sarladaises (potatoes cooked in duck fat with garlic and parsley).
- Shred the confit meat and use it in salads, sandwiches, or cassoulets.
- Add aromatics like star anise or orange peel to the curing mixture for a subtle flavor twist.