Serving duck, but no idea what goes with it? I'm here to help! Duck breasts are my go-to dinner party dish, so I've gathered up the best sides for duck. From salads and veggies to risotto and different types of potatoes - this list has something for every taste.
Duck Is My Go-to “Fancy” Dish
Have you tried my Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce yet? If not - here's your reminder. It's a quick and easy savory recipe that's perfect for dinner parties since it's easy to prep... easy to make... but everyone thinks it's fancy. It's been my go-to "fancy" recipe for years now!
If you're new to duck, it can be difficult to know exactly what to serve with it. It's poultry but very different from chicken, and I find it more similar to steak or game in what I like to pair it with.
Duck loves carby and earthy, sweet, and citrusy tones - so depending on which flavors you season the duck with, you might want to balance it with another flavor from this triad. For example, I will pair my sweet & tart duck with orange juice sauce with a carby side like smashed potatoes.
Whether you end up making my duck breasts or maybe g for a whole duck roast - you'll find the perfect sides to go with it in this list below. Read on and you are sure to find something you will love!
And don't forget - that duck fat is liquid gold, and even more useful than the duck meat. Don't throw it out! Save it, and use it to fry up potatoes, make sauces, or anything else where you need a good dose of flavorful fat.
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The Lighter Option: Salads to Serve With Duck
Duck can get a bit heavy, so a salad might be all you need on the side. Either go the citrusy route to break up the heaviness of the dish, or choose something earthy to really complement the duck.
Sweet & Sour: Arugula Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
This lemony arugula salad is perfect to cut the heaviness of your duck. It's also super quick to make, and loaded with delicious flavors from honey, sun-dried tomatoes and lemon juice.
Earthy: Beet & Fennel Salad with Feta Cheese & Pine Nuts
If you want something earthier, this beet salad is it. With fennel that has almost melted into the beets while roasting in the oven, and soft feta cheese on top, this salad has layers of texture and is a winner every time. The feta cheese is also a bit acidic, so you still get that component as well.
The Best Veggies to Serve With Duck
Roasted vegetables are a classic to serve with duck - and for good reason. Many veggies make a good side for duck, and especially if they are on the earthier side.
Earthy: Air Fryer Green Beans
Green beans are a classic tasty side for duck, and so easy to make. Air fry for a few minutes and season lightly with sea salt flakes - and done!
Earthy: Garlic Roasted Broccoli
Another super easy side is Garlic Roasted Broccoli. With just a few minutes of prep you can make this super flavorful broccoli dish that's so crispy and delicous, any broccoli hater will happily devour it.
Earthy, Sweet & Sour: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
Earthy Brussels Sprouts go so well with duck, and none more than this version with a sweet and tart Honey & Balsamic Vinegar Dressing. Cook the brussels sprouts from frozen for an even easier dish.
Earthy & Sweet: Hasselback Butternut Squash
This Hasselback squash is half roasted for easy slicing, then basted with maple sage brown butter and roasted again. It's easy to make, but looks impressive, and it's perfect to serve with duck!
Earthy & Sweet: Honey Roasted Carrots
Whole carrots are covered in honey and seasonings, then roasted over high heat until tender and caramelized. A super easy yet elegant side dish, and a classic to serve with duck!
Earthy: Garlic Parmesan Baked Asparagus
Here's a side that's just as perfect any night of the week - and fancy enough for the weekend! Tender Baked Asparagus is topped with a crispy, crunchy, buttery garlic parmesan crust for a delicious side.
Earthy & Sweet: Smoked & Roasted Leeks with Raz el Hanout
This is one of my new favorite sides for duck! Done on the smoker for a nice smokey flavour and finished over hot charcoal to crisp it up. You'll be amazed at how the leek changes flavor, and turns super sweet, during grilling!
The Best Carbs to Serve With Duck
I love a good carby side for my duck - often some type of potatoes. But recently I've started switching it up with other types of carbs, and right now my favorite is a surprising take on a risotto.
Smashed Potatoes with Garlic & Parmesan
This is my #1 side dish for duck - and for anything else. Crispy, cheesy, delicious potatoes that are easy to make and perfect to prep ahead.
Steak Fries
Steak fries are crispy, delicious, and perfect as a side for any protein - and duck is no exception! This version is made in the air fryer for the easiest cleanup.
Mashed Potatoes
If you want to mash instead of smash - this Mashed Potato recipe without milk will have you skipping the milk going forward. Super creamy and all done with just potatoes, butter, salt and pepper.
Carby & Citrusy: Greek Potatoes with Lemon & Parmesan
These roasted potatoes are loaded with lemon & oregano flavors, and topped with slightly melted Feta cheese. A delicious side for sure!
Homemade Tater Tots
Now this is a fun take on duck sides - potatoes, some seasoning, and all served in a well-known tater tot package. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside - just as they should be.
Carby & Sweet: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are great with duck, and this version seasoned with salt & cinnamon is no exception. Easy to make with an air fryer and just a few minutes of prep!
Country Potatoes
Simple fried potatoes make a great side for duck - especially with a flavor packed sauce. Quick & easy to make, so you can focus on getting the duck just right!
Carby, Sweet & Tart: Apple Risotto with Marcona Almonds
Duck loves sweeter sides, and this apple risotto has just the right balance of sweet, salty and tart to pair amazingly with it. Crunchy marcona almonds take it all to a whole other level!
Lyonnaise Potatoes
Rustic Lyonnaise potatoes are a classic French side dish that's perfect to pair with duck. Fancy comfort food at its best!
Scalloped Potatoes
These Scalloped Potatoes are super creamy and made without flour for a gluten free side. And you can even make them without dairy!
Hasselback Potatoes
Being Swedish, there's no way I'm leaving out the Hasselback potatoes... This version is flavored with garlic butter and topped with parmesan cheese. And oh, we make it in the air fryer, because that's just the best way!
Roasted Baby Potatoes
These Whole Roasted Baby Potatoes with Polenta will become one of your favourite side dishes. They are quick and easy to make and delicious with duck!
Alxandre
Duck with wild rice is a devine fall treat!