Roast Duck With Orange Sauce and Cauliflower Greens Stuffing
By June Xie
Approved by the Delish Test Kitchen

Yields:
6 serving(s)
Prep Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
2 days 4 hrs 40 mins
As part of my $100 Christmas budget eats special, I had my eyes set on a whole roast duck as the centerpiece entrée. I definitely bit off more than I could chew though, when I bought a duck with its head and feet still attached. If you want to see me come face to face with my dinner, you won't want to miss the adventure (fiasco?) above.
As far as this recipe goes, it's a 6-spice soy marinated little number that isn't fully Chinese or fully American—kind of like me. Considering it was my very first time roasting a whole duck, it didn't come out too shabby. I loved the sweet-savory balance that resulted from a full-body rub down with sugar, salt, spices, followed by a 2-day rest in the refrigerator.
To prevent food waste, we took some cauliflower greens, chopped them up real fine, tossed them in seasoning and roasted them until they were golden, crispy, and delicious. Stuffed inside the duck, they soaked up all the fatty, juicy goodness and were perfect served alongside the meat itself. If you don't have any leftover greens, you can substitute any variety of hearty leafy greens, like kale or collards.
To finish it all off, a little citrusy reduction made from tangerine juice, soy, ginger, and star anise will add a sweet little extra zing to each bite.
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Ingredients
For the duck
- 1
(5-lb.) duck
- 2 Tbsp.
kosher salt
- 2 Tbsp.
granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp.
dark mushroom soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp.
freshly grated ginger
- 2
cloves garlic, grated
- 2 Tbsp.
rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp.
cooking wine
- 1 Tbsp.
five-spice powder
- 1/4 tsp.
ground white pepper
- 1 tsp.
freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tsp.
ground chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp.
crushed red yeast rice
For the stuffing
Diced tender stem and greens of 1 cauliflower (about 5 c.)
- 1/2
red onion, finely diced
- 3
cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp.
kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp.
freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup
pork belly braise sauce (optional)
- 2 Tbsp.
extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp.
hoisin sauce
- 2 Tbsp.
Sriracha
For the orange sauce
Juice of 4 tangerines (about 1 c.)
- 1 Tbsp.
granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp.
low-sodium soy sauce
1" piece ginger, thinly sliced
- 2
star anise
- 1/4 tsp.
ground white pepper
- 1
English cucumber, thinly slivered, for serving
- 4
green onions, thinly slivered, for serving
Directions
- Step 1Prepare the duck: In a large pot of boiling water, blanch duck for 30 seconds. Transfer to a large bowl and use a heatproof measuring cup to carefully pour boiling water into the bird for a thorough blanching. Drain completely and pat dry with paper towels.
- Step 2Combine salt and sugar and rub mixture all over and inside the duck. Let stand on a cooling rack for 1 hour at room temperature, then pat dry again.
- Step 3Meanwhile, make spice rub: In a medium bowl, whisk together all remaining duck ingredients. Rub mixture all over and inside the duck. Transfer to a cooling rack set over a baking dish and refrigerate for 2 days.
- Step 4Make the stuffing: Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, toss together cauliflower, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and oil until evenly combined then transfer to a large baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, then add hoisin and Sriracha, tossing to coat evenly. Return to oven to continue baking, tossing every 12 minutes, until greens are golden and half-crispy, about 25 minutes more.
- Step 5Stuff duck with roasted greens mixture, then pin wings into the body with toothpicks, and secure legs with twine and tuck under the fat flap to prevent burning.
- Step 6Bake duck breast-side up for 35 minutes. Flip the bird and bake for 35 minutes more. Flip once more and bake until internal temperature reaches at least 155°, 15 to 20 minutes more. Increase oven temperature to 400° and continue roasting until deeply golden and perfectly bronzy, about 15 minutes more.
- Step 7Meanwhile, make orange glaze: In a small pot over medium-low heat, combine all ingredients and bring to a simmer. Reduce for 20 minutes, or until mixture thickens to a slightly syrupy consistency.
- Step 8Let duck rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. Serve with orange glaze, cucumbers, and green onions.
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