Duck Legs with Potatoes

Duck Legs with Potatoes is a classic comforting meal that requires very little effort to prepare. The duck fat renders down during the roasting process and coats the potatoes to give them a rich flavour. This dish is perfect for a Sunday lunch or a simple weekday dinner when you want something special. You only need a few basic ingredients to create a meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant.
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Why you should try duck legs with potatoes

This recipe for duck legs with potatoes is incredibly easy because everything cooks in one roasting tin. The combination of tender meat and crispy potatoes is always a crowd pleaser. You do not need to add extra oil since the duck provides all the natural fat required for frying the vegetables. It is a hearty meal that feels luxurious without needing complex techniques or expensive equipment.

Follow these simple steps for duck legs with potatoes

Step 1
Prepare the duck: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Use a small fork to prick the skin of the duck legs all over without piercing the meat. Rub half of the salt and pepper into the skin to help it become crispy during roasting.
Step 2
Prepare the potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks about three centimetres wide. Place them in the roasting tin and toss them with the remaining salt, thyme and crushed garlic cloves. Ensure the potatoes are spread out in a single layer for even cooking.
Step 3
Roast the dish: Place the duck legs on top of the potatoes in the tin. Put the tin in the middle of the oven and roast for eighty minutes. The duck legs with potatoes are ready when the meat is tender and the skin is golden brown.
Step 4
Rest and serve: Remove the roasting tin from the oven and let the duck rest for five minutes. This allows the juices to settle so the meat stays moist when you eat it. Serve the crispy duck alongside the golden potatoes while everything is still hot.

Important tips for duck legs with potatoes

For the best duck legs with potatoes, try to choose potatoes that are good for roasting like Maris Piper or King Edward. These varieties have a floury texture that absorbs the duck fat perfectly while getting a crunchy exterior. If you have extra time, you can parboil the potatoes for five minutes before roasting to make them even fluffier inside.

Make sure the duck legs are at room temperature before they go into the oven. This helps the fat render more efficiently and ensures the meat cooks evenly throughout. You can also add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or a whole onion cut into wedges to the tin for extra aroma. Always let the meat rest before serving to ensure the best possible texture.

Find more ideas here: fish soup with prawns, breaded dab or roast pork with crispy crackling.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 2 duck legs
  • 500 g potatoes
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt
  • 1 pinch of black pepper

Cooking time

Kitchen tools

Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:2594 kJ / 620 kcal
  • Fat:38 g
  • - of which saturates:12 g
  • Carbohydrates:42 g
  • - of which sugars:2 g
  • Protein:32 g
  • Fibre:5 g
  • Salt:850 mg

People also ask

Roast the duck legs with potatoes for about eighty minutes at two hundred degrees. This duration ensures the meat is soft enough to pull away from the bone while the potatoes become crisp in the fat.
To achieve crispy skin on duck legs with potatoes, prick the skin multiple times with a fork before roasting. This allows the fat to drain out and fry the skin until it is crunchy and golden.
You can keep leftover duck legs with potatoes in an airtight container for up to three days. It is best to reheat them in the oven to help the skin regain its crispness and keep the potatoes firm.
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