Best Duck Breasts With Maple Syrup Recipes

MAPLE PECAN CRUSTED DUCK BREAST

Steps:

• Rinse and dry duck breasts, then stab full of holes with a skewer or a knife works fine too.
• Lay the duck in a large bowl, avoid overlapping if possible and pour enough maple syrup over breasts to cover.
• Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
• Pour 1/2-3/4 of the pecans in a zip bag and smash well with a rolling pin. You may wish to pulse in a food processor instead.
• Remove duck from frige and set at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• One breast at a time baste with remaining syrup and a basting brush, then roll in pecan crumbs.
• Place in a buttered baking dish.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes. You want the duck to be a little rare or it will be tough.

MAPLE-SMOKED DUCK BREASTS

Steps:

• Season duck breasts on all sides with salt and pepper. Place in a shallow dish and cover with 3 tablespoons maple syrup. Cover, place in refrigerator, and allow to marinate 12 to 24 hours.
• Preheat an electric smoker according to manufacturer's directions to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C) using maple wood chips.
• Remove duck breasts from marinade and rinse well. Pat dry with paper towels. Use a sharp knife to cut shallow cross-hatch marks into duck breast skin; do not cut all the way through to the meat. Brush with 2 teaspoons maple syrup.
• Place duck breasts, skin-side up, on grill rack in the smoker. Place a drip pan underneath. Smoke at 225 degrees F (110 degrees C) for 3 to 4 hours, adding more maple wood chips as necessary to keep smoke continuous, until duck breasts reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Cool to room temperature before slicing. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.