For many families, serving duck breast as the centerpiece of their holiday meal is a beloved tradition. Whether it’s Christmas or another special occasion, this elegant main course often takes center stage. If you’re planning to serve duck breast at your next gathering and are looking for inspiration on what sides to pair with it, fear not! Here are 20 recipes and ideas to help you get started.
French Fries
When it comes to pleasing a large group of people, including kids with finicky tastes, classic potato fries are often a crowd-pleaser. For a healthier take on this comfort food staple, skip the deep fryer and head straight for the oven instead. Simply toss your cut potatoes with salt and bake them in the highest heat setting until crispy, ensuring a satisfying snack that’s both easy to make and kid-friendly.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries offer a delicious alternative to traditional potato fries, but it’s essential to forgo deep-frying altogether. Baking these sweet treats in the oven yields an unparalleled flavor experience. Simply cut the sweet potatoes into wedges, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with your preferred spices. Pair them with a succulent duck breast and a tangy mustard-mayo dip for a culinary delight that’s sure to satisfy.
Creamy Mash
For a harmonious balance to the richness of duck breast, it’s a good idea to lighten up your side dish options. One way to do this is by serving a lighter version of mashed potatoes. The key is to choose floury potatoes like Maris Piper and mash them with a combination of semi-skimmed milk, just a hint of butter, and a splash of crème Fraiche. This will result in a creamy and fluffy mash that complements the duck breast nicely.
Creamy Mashed Pumpkin
While mashed potatoes can be a satisfying side dish, it may not be the most exciting choice to serve alongside a flavorful main course like duck breast. A creative twist on this classic is to swap out regular potatoes for roasted pumpkin. This recipe utilizes a small pumpkin that’s been cooked through and blended with a mixture of heavy cream, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
The result is a deliciously smooth and savory side dish that pairs surprisingly well with the rich flavors of duck breast.
Whipped Sweet Potato
Blending heavy cream, butter, and aromatic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg with mashed sweet potatoes creates a rich and indulgent side dish that perfectly complements the bold flavors of duck breast. This sweet potato mash, while sharing a similar creaminess and sweetness to its pumpkin counterpart, boasts a darker orange hue and a slightly heavier carb content due to the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
Creamy Polenta
Make creamy polenta from scratch at home with ease! While store-bought options are available, the process is surprisingly straightforward. Simply boil the polenta in salted water, then simmer while gradually whisking in butter until the mixture thickens. Allow it to cook for an additional 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, before incorporating cream cheese. Serve warm alongside your duck breast and indulge in a delicious combination.
Grilled Asparagus
As a popular appetizer among many, grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon has won over numerous taste buds. However, by leaving out the bacon, you can transform this dish into a quick, easy, and nutritious accompaniment to pair perfectly with your duck breast. This stripped-down version still offers the same smoky flavor from the grilling process, but without the added richness of the bacon.
Roasted Beetroot, Red Onion, And Watercress Salad
To bring this beet-based salad to life, start by roasting whole beetroots until they’re tender. Then, slice them up and combine with caramelized onion wedges that have been roasted to perfection. Next, take care of the beetroot stalks and leaves by blanching them in boiling water before frying with garlic and finishing with a splash of wine. With the salad’s foundation laid, it’s time to craft the vinaigrette.
This trio of ingredients – balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and olive oil – combines seamlessly to create a dressing that’s ready in mere seconds.
Roasted Pepper Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
Elevate your meal with a vibrant salad that complements the rich flavor of duck breast. This colorful creation requires a medley of vegetables such as bell peppers in various hues, cherry tomatoes, and red onions. To add depth to this salad, whisk together herbs like oregano and basil, spices including cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper with olive oil and vinegar to create a zesty vinaigrette. The finishing touch?
Add fresh mozzarella pearls for a creamy burst of flavor that will make this side dish a showstopper.
Simple Fennel Salad With Lemon
For a lighter accompaniment to your duck breast, consider a refreshing fennel salad with a zesty lemon and olive oil dressing. Use a mandoline to finely shred the fennel bulbs, then combine them with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Allow the salad to sit for a few minutes, allowing the fennel to absorb the flavors and soften slightly. Serve it at room temperature or chilled alongside your duck breast.
Orange Sauce
The humble orange sauce is a timeless companion to duck breast, offering a reliable and tantalizing accompaniment that’s sure to delight even the most discerning palates. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party with guests of varied tastes or simply seeking a trusty side dish to elevate your meal, this sweet and spicy condiment is well worth crafting.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Looking for a quick and effortless side dish to pair with your succulent duck breast? You’re in luck if you have a package of Brussels sprouts lurking in the fridge! Simply arrange the sprouts on a baking tray, halve them, and then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Pop them into the oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until they reach a tender, golden state. For optimal flavor and texture, bake them just before serving your duck breast, as they’re at their best when warm.
Red Cabbage
A harmonious union of flavors is achieved by pairing duck breast with sweet and spicy notes, and this recipe delivers a generous serving of red cabbage that perfectly embodies this synergy. The preparation begins by sautéing onions and warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, followed by the addition of finely chopped cabbage to the pan. Once the cabbage has tenderized slightly, the sugar, apples, and red wine vinegar are stirred in, and the mixture is allowed to simmer for 30 minutes.
To add a tangy twist, sweet sauce like cranberry sauce is incorporated and cooked for an additional 10 minutes. This delectable cabbage dish can be presented as a show-stopping centerpiece salad or served alongside or under the duck breast on each plate.
Dauphinoise Potatoes
While dauphinoise potatoes may seem like a daunting dish to prepare, especially for amateur cooks, this recipe is designed to make the process easy and accessible. The key to success lies in a simple simmering step that brings together milk, double cream, and whole garlic cloves. Next, add your sliced potatoes to the creamy mixture and let them cook for a few minutes.
From here, transfer the potatoes to a baking tray, coat them with the remaining creamy sauce (minus the garlic), and top with grated cheese like Gruyère, Grana, or Parmesan. A 30-minute bake in the oven will yield perfectly cooked, creamy potato layers that can be served alongside your favorite duck breast for a truly authentic French-inspired meal.
Glazed Carrots
To bring out the natural sweetness in carrots, toss sliced or peeled carrots with a mixture of olive oil, melted butter, brown sugar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Then, roast them in the oven for 20 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through to ensure even cooking. For an added pop of freshness, garnish with chopped parsley before serving. This sweet and caramelized side dish pairs beautifully with poultry dishes like chicken or duck breast, as well as fattier cuts like duck.
Wild Rice Pilaf
Wild rice’s distinctive chewiness and longer cooking time make it an excellent contrast to the tender duck breast. When combined, they create a harmonious balance of textures that will delight your taste buds. You can enhance this dish by cooking the wild rice in either chicken or vegetable broth, then mixing it with sautéed onions, carrots, and Brussels sprouts for added depth. To bring out its full flavor, add Italian seasoning, black pepper, and garlic to the mixture.
For best results, serve the side dish warm and enjoy the wholesome taste.
Cherry And Red Wine Sauce
Indulge in a rich and flavorful cherry and red wine sauce that perfectly complements the savory taste of duck breast, turkey, or chicken dishes. With its velvety texture and tangy sweetness, this sauce is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
To craft this delectable condiment, combine red wine vinegar and sugar in a pan and simmer until a deep caramel forms.
Then, pour in red wine and chicken stock, allowing the mixture to thicken to your desired consistency before adding pitted cherries. Feel free to adjust the sauce’s viscosity by adding more liquid or reducing it further if needed.
For an added layer of complexity, consider incorporating cherry jam for a sweeter take on this classic sauce.
Honey-Soy Glaze
As the countdown begins for your succulent duck breast, prepare the game-winning move by drizzling a delectable honey-soy glaze over it 10 minutes before its expected finish. This sweet and savory combination will work wonders to elevate every bite, imbuing it with an irresistible harmony of flavors that’s sure to leave you craving more.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.