What Are The Best Sauces For Duck Breast? Here Are 12 Delicious Choices

Duck breast is a wildly versatile and delicious meat, and one that is much more impressive than chicken. If you are looking to make an upscale meal for two, or even entertaining a group, duck with sauce is a winning combination. But how to dress it? Here are some of the best sauces for duck breast so you can entertain to your heart’s content.

duck breast in px sauce with finishing salt and edible flowers on a bed of whipped potatoes

If you have not cooked duck breast before, don’t worry; Duck is actually one of the easiest birds to cook. You can follow this duck breast cooking guide if you want a more thorough walkthrough. If you are just looking for the best sauces for duck breast then continue on down below!

1. Duck Breast With PX Sauce

Do you happen to have a bottle of Pedro Ximenez that you just don’t know what to do with? Make this duck breast with px sauce. A sweet and savory sauce for the duck breast never goes amiss and pairs perfectly with some creamy mashed potatoes. Don’t forget to sprinkle on a bit of your favorite finishing salt. PX sauce is similar to a Madeira Port sauce so feel free to make a substitution if you have another bottle on hand.

2. Hot Honey Duck Breast

Hot honey has become quite popular in recent years so this hot honey duck breast was a no brainer. Like the one above this is also a sweet and savory sauce for the duck breast but one that has a bit of kick to it as well. As a more casual recipe you can serve it with chips or roast vegetables like celeriac.

3. Miso Glazed Duck Breast

miso glazed duck breast with pickled cabbage and white rice

A miso glaze brings an Asian flare to a traditional French cooked duck breast in this miso glazed duck breast recipe. Paired with white rice and pickled cabbage, this dish is sure to impress those that like pan-Asian cuisine.

4. Duck Breast With Cran-Maple Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a popular duck breast pairing, but this cranberry-maple duck breast from Running to the Kitchen is a great take on tradition. The sweetness of the maple pairs beautifully with the tartness of cranberry, and both play perfectly with the fatty richness of a high quality duck breast. This recipe is perfect for the holiday season – especially a smaller Christmas dinner.

5. Duck Breast With Gravy

It isn’t often people think of gravy for a sauce with duck, but Zestuous has this easy seared duck breast with gravy that is actually really delicious. Yes, the rich gravy and rich duck make for quite a heavy meal, but sometimes that’s what you need. A cold winter’s night, snow outside, and a gravy laden piece of poultry; How great does that sound?

6. Duck With Blackcurrant Sauce

While you might imagine a blackcurrant sauce on duck to be a very European dish, duck breast with blackcurrants was actually made famous in the 19th century New York scene. This was of course before blackcurrants were banned by America, but if you can get your hands on them, this dish is absolutely excellent.

7. Duck With Balsamic Blackberry Sauce

This duck breast with balsamic blackberry sauce from The Sophisticated Caveman is an absolutely divine dish. It’s elegant yet primal, rich but light, and can be done in less than a half hour for a perfect weeknight meal. Or make it for that special someone to show off some impressive cooking skills.

8. Duck With Corn Cream And Cranberries

medium rare duck breast on a bed of corn cream and stewed cranberries. All in a shallow blue bowl next to gold flatware

Corn cream pairs beautifully with a well cooked duck breast. And yes, creams can also be sauces. In the case of this duck breast with corn cream there is also the addition of cranberry sauce to cut the richness. This is one of my absolute favorite duck breast recipes I’ve ever made, and I’m sure you’ll love it too. It is perfect for a more casual Thanksgiving or Christmas, especially if celebrating alone or with just another special someone.

9. Duck Breast With Sage And Pear Sauce

This simple but elegant duck breast with sage and pear sauce by Gutsy By Nature is a wonder meal if you need to use up excess pears. Speaking of, pear and duck go great together as the sweetness balances the fatty richness quite nicely. The sage of course adds plenty of flavor for a simple yet satisfying duck dinner.

10. Duck Breast With Grape Sauce

If you are into the paleo diet then this duck breasts with grape sauce is for you. A simple recipe with a simple yet unique sauce is a way to present duck that most people likely haven’t tried before. The grapes are cooked just until warm so don’t think you’ll be making a jelly…although that would probably be tasty as well. This recipe is healthy and satisfying, and perfect if you want a paleo duck recipe.

11. Duck & Orange Sauce

Everyone knows the classic duck a l’orange, but this duck and orange sauce from AnotherFoodBlogger adds quite the twist. With dessert spices like vanilla and cinnamon, and some added sweetness from maple syrup, this recipe is more on the sweeter side of the spectrum. That said if you are looking for an orange sauce to go with your duck breast then this recipe is a winner in my book and something I think you’ll love.

12. Duck Breast With Pomegranate Sauce

Just like with other tart fruits, pomegranates pair well with duck breast. This duck breast with a pomegranate and red wine sauce from Talia Bunting is a tasty and impressive dish that is sure to entertain your guests. The tart and tangy pom-wine sauce spooned over the rich and fatty duck breast is a bird and sauce match made in heaven. Wondering what to make with that random pomegranate you bought? This duck sauce is the answer.

13. Duck Breast With Peppercorn Sauce (au Poivre)

This easy duck breast with peppercorn sauce only needs five ingredients. It is also done in less than a half hour making it the perfect date night recipe for the home cook looking to impress. I like to serve this easy duck recipe on a bed of buttery mashed celeriac but you can use whatever side dish you prefer!

Final Thoughts On These Delicious Sauces For Duck Breasts

What did you think of the recipes on this list? Do you have delicious sauces for duck breasts that you think should be added? Send me a message through the email or contact form found in ‘Write For Us‘.


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