Duck Recipes That Don't Require You Throwing Away The Duck & Just Eating The Bacon!

I fell inn love with duck hunting in high school. I didn’t know what I had! I lived across from a peanut farm in south east Oklahoma with a pond on one end. I would literally walk from my house less than a hundred yards and not once did I not limit out. If you know much about ducks you know peanuts are kinda like crack. Ducks can’t get enough so I honestly didn’t know what I had until I moved and realized you don’t limit out every time you go!

With that being said I have cooked duck a million ways and had some good recipes and bad ones and many of us have heard to joke that you wrap the duck in bacon, cook it then throw the duck away and eat the bacon. But when done right duck can be…well…awesome! So I wanted to share a few recipes that I have found to be pretty awesome and easy!

Pan-Seared Duck Breast (Hunter Classic)

This is the fastest and most foolproof way to enjoy wild duck. Simple seasoning lets the meat speak for itself.

Ingredients

  • 2–4 duck breasts (skin on if available)

  • Salt and black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon butter or duck fat

  • Optional: garlic or fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Pat duck breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.

  2. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter or fat.

  3. Place duck breasts in the pan (skin-side down if applicable).

  4. Cook for 4–5 minutes, allowing the fat to render and the skin to crisp.

  5. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes.

  6. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes.

  7. Slice thinly and serve.

Tip: Duck is best served medium-rare to medium. Overcooking makes it tough.

Duck Popper Skewers (Campfire or Backyard Favorite)

Perfect for sharing, these cook fast and pair well with a cold drink after a long hunt.

Ingredients

  • Duck breast meat, cut into cubes

  • Jalapeño slices

  • Cream cheese

  • Bacon strips (cut in half)

  • Toothpicks or skewers

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Season duck cubes lightly with salt and pepper.

  2. Spread cream cheese onto each duck piece.

  3. Top with a jalapeño slice.

  4. Wrap with bacon and secure with a toothpick.

  5. Grill over medium heat or bake at 400°F.

  6. Cook until bacon is crispy and duck is just done (about 15–20 minutes).

  7. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tip: Avoid cooking too long—duck dries out quickly once overdone.

Quick Duck Stir-Fry On BlackStone

When you want something filling but easy, this stir-fry is hard to beat.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb duck breast, sliced thin

  • 1 tablespoon oil

  • 1 bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 onion, sliced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Soy sauce or teriyaki sauce

  • Cooked rice

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

  2. Add duck slices and cook quickly until just browned.

  3. Remove duck from pan and set aside.

  4. Add vegetables and garlic; cook until tender.

  5. Return duck to pan and add sauce.

  6. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.

  7. Serve over rice.

Tip: Thin slicing and quick cooking keep duck tender and flavorful.

Wild duck doesn’t need fancy techniques or long marinades to be great. With proper preparation and simple cooking, it becomes one of the most rewarding meals a hunter can enjoy. Whether you’re pan-searing breasts, grilling poppers, or throwing together a quick stir-fry, these recipes let you celebrate the hunt with food that’s just as satisfying as the day itself.

Wildgame RecipesBrad ClayComment