Yuletide Roasted Duck

Festive. Crispy. Juicy.

A whole roasted duck coated in a rich Yuletide honey glaze, stuffed with fresh oranges, and roasted until the skin is beautifully crisp, glossy, and caramelized. Warm notes of cinnamon, ginger, smoked paprika, and dried orange peel transform this traditional holiday favorite into something truly special.

Serve with traditional Czech potato flatbreads (lokše) or bread dumplings and braised cabbage.

⏱ Recipe Information

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes

  • Cooking Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

  • Resting Time: 15 minutes

  • Total Time: Approximately 3 hours 10 minutes (excluding marinating)

  • Servings: 4

🛒 Ingredients

Duck

  • 1 whole duck (2–2.5 kg / 4.4–5.5 lbs)

  • 6 tbsp Ember & Iron Yuletide seasoning (for seasoning the inside and outside)

  • 2 oranges, sliced or cut into wedges

Honey Glaze

  • 2 tbsp Ember & Iron Yuletide seasoning

  • 2 tbsp honey

  • 4 tbsp soy sauce

  • 4 tbsp melted butter

For Serving

  • Traditional Czech potato flatbreads (lokše) or bread dumplings

  • Braised cabbage

Koření Yuletide od Ember & Iron

Yuletide

Aromatic spice blend with a Christmas touch for duck, game, and festive dishes.

249,00 Kč

Buy Yuletide 🛒

🔥 Instructions

1. Prepare the Duck

Remove the duck from the refrigerator and pat it completely dry, inside and out, using paper towels. Trim away any excess fat around the cavity. Dry skin is essential for achieving a beautifully crispy finish.

2. Season Generously

Divide the 6 tablespoons of Yuletide seasoning into two portions. Rub one portion evenly over the entire outside of the duck and the other inside the cavity.

Be generous with the seasoning to ensure both the skin and meat develop a rich, bold flavor.

Do not add additional salt, as Yuletide already contains salt and the soy sauce will add extra seasoning.

3. Stuff with Oranges

Place the sliced oranges or orange wedges inside the duck's cavity. The oranges add moisture and a wonderful citrus aroma that complements the warm spices in Yuletide.

4. Prepare the Honey Glaze

In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of Yuletide seasoning, honey, soy sauce, and melted butter.

Mix until smooth and glossy. Set aside a portion of the glaze for basting during roasting. Keep any glaze that touches raw duck separate from the reserved portion.

5. Roast Covered

Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).

Place the duck in a roasting pan with a lid, or cover tightly with aluminum foil. Add a small amount of water to the bottom of the pan.

Roast for approximately 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the reserved glaze and pan juices. Uncover briefly to baste, then cover again.

6. Crisp the Skin

Remove the lid or foil and increase the oven temperature to 210°C (410°F).

Turn on the oven's upper grill (broiler) and roast for approximately 30 additional minutes, or until the skin becomes deeply golden, glossy, and beautifully crisp.

Watch carefully during this stage, as the honey and sugar in the seasoning can caramelize and burn quickly. Reduce the heat or switch off the broiler if the skin darkens too fast.

7. Let It Rest

Remove the duck from the oven and allow it to rest for 15 minutes before carving. This helps the meat retain its juices.

The internal temperature should reach at least 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone. For especially tender duck legs, a higher finished temperature may be preferable.

8. Serve

Carve the roasted duck and serve hot with traditional Czech potato flatbreads (lokše) or bread dumplings and braised cabbage.

For an extra touch of flavor, skim the excess fat from the roasting juices and serve the remaining juices as a rich, savory sauce.

💡 Chef's Tip

For exceptionally crispy skin, leave the seasoned duck uncovered in the refrigerator for 2–4 hours, or preferably overnight, before roasting.

This allows the skin to dry slightly, helping it become wonderfully crisp in the oven while preserving the rich flavor of Yuletide.

If the skin over the breast begins to darken too quickly during the final roasting stage, loosely cover those areas with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Koupit Yuletide