Winter Spice & Citrus Roast Duck

Asian-inspired flavors of orange and winter spices graciously coat this decadent bird to create an incredible main course. Brined to perfection and glazed with an equally delicious sauce. This Winter Spice and Citrus Roast Duck is an absolute show-stopper for holidays, special occasions, or if you just want to spruce up Sunday dinners.

Prep Work For Winter Spice and Citrus Roast Duck

• Items needed for this recipe include a large covered container, pairing knife, basting brush, cooking twine, and roasting pan.

Shop my pantry and spice cabinet to find ingredients you’ll need for this recipe.

Ingredients Needed For The Brine

• 5-6 pound duck (preferably Pekin)
• 2 cups apple juice
• 2 cups vegetable stock (or your preference)
• 1/2 a 14oz bottle of Simply Organic turkey brine seasoning
• 1 orange (cut into wedges)
• 1 small yellow onion (cut into wedges)
• 16 black peppercorns
• 3 start anise
• 2 inch knob fresh ginger (halved)
• 1 cinnamon stick

How to make The Brine

1. Clean and prep the duck. Remove excess fat near the cavity and tail area simply by pulling it out. With the tip of a pairing knife, prick the skin carefully, as not to penetrate the flesh.
2. Add apple juice, vegetable stock, and brine seasoning in a pot. Heat over medium-low heat until the brine mixture dissolves (dried herbs may still be present). Set aside and allow to cool completely.
3. Add your duck, orange, onion, peppercorns, star anise, and cinnamon stick in a large air-tight container. Pour the cooled brine liquid over, seal with a lid, and place in the refrigerator for the remainder of the brining process.
4. Brine for 2-3 days, turning the duck each day to marinate evenly.

Ingredients Needed for The Glaze

• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 cup orange juice (I use fresh squeezed)
• 1/4 cup browned butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 3 strips of orange peel
• 3 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 inch knob fresh ginger
• salt to taste

How to make The Glaze

1. In a saucepan heat your butter over medium heat until nutty and fragrant and the milk solids have just ambered (lightly browned).
2. Add apple juice, orange juice, maple syrup, orange peel, star anise, and ginger. Bring to a rolling simmer then to lower heat and reduce to half of the original amount (about 15-20 minutes)
3. Season to taste. Best to prepare the sauce about an hour or two before roasting the duck.

Ingredients Needed for Winter Spice and Citrus Roast Duck (Prior to Roasting)

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp Chinese Five Spice seasoning

How to Make Winter Spice and Citrus Roast Duck

1. Start by removing duck from the brine a few hours before roasting and rinse thoroughly. Pat the duck dry with paper towels, then evenly coat with olive oil and five spice seasoning. Allow the duck a couple hours to reach room temperature. This is the perfect time to get your glaze going.
2. Preheat oven to 325F once the above is completed.
3. Using twine, tuck wings close to the bird’s body and bring the legs together (example above). Place the duck in a roasting rack and then into the preheated oven.
4. Slow roast duck for 3 1/2 to 4 hours basting with the glaze every 30 minutes.
5. Once finished, brush with a final coat of glaze and allow to rest for around 20 minutes on top of the stove to keep warm.
6. Carve like you would a turkey, removing legs and slicing breast. Serve up with your choice of sides.

Notes and Modifications

If sauce is leftover, consider saving it and the duck carcass to create a leftover soup. This is a great way to stretch this time-intensive dish further.

If you try this recipe be sure tag me on Instagram! Just mention @servedseasonal or tag #servedseasonal. Thank you endlessly for your support!