Introduction
Roast duck brings rich flavor, golden skin, and a festive feeling that suits winter gatherings beautifully. Whether you enjoy bright citrus pairings, earthy herb blends, or sauces with deep sweetness, these recipes help you bring delicious roasted duck to the table with confidence. Each one offers its own style, so you can match your menu to your mood or occasion.
1. Classic Crispy Winter Roast Duck
A timeless version with simple seasoning and crisp texture.
Ingredients
- Whole duck: 5–6 lbs
- Salt: 2 tsp
- Pepper: 1 tsp
- Garlic powder: 1 tsp
- Carrots (thick cut): 2 cups
- Onion (quartered): 1
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pat duck dry and season inside and out.
- Place vegetables in roasting pan and set duck on top.
- Roast 1 hour, then prick skin to release fat.
- Roast another 45–60 minutes until skin is crisp.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted carrots and pan drippings spooned on top.
2. Orange-Glazed Winter Roast Duck
Bright citrus gives the duck a sweet, fragrant finish.
Ingredients
- Whole duck: 5 lbs
- Orange juice: 1/2 cup
- Honey: 3 tbsp
- Soy sauce: 2 tbsp
- Garlic: 3 cloves
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season duck and roast 1 hour.
- Mix glaze ingredients and brush over duck.
- Roast 40–50 minutes, brushing more glaze every 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add orange zest or slices for a bright touch.
3. Rosemary-Garlic Winter Duck Roast
Herbs add earthy, aromatic depth.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Rosemary: 2 tbsp
- Garlic cloves: 6
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Rub duck with oil, salt, garlic, and rosemary.
- Roast 1 hour.
- Baste with pan juices and roast 45 minutes more.
How to Serve It
Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs.
4. Pomegranate Winter Roast Duck
Sweet and tart flavors add winter flair.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Pomegranate juice: 1 cup
- Honey: 2 tbsp
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Salt: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Roast duck at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
- Reduce juice with honey and garlic to make glaze.
- Brush glaze on duck and roast another 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Sprinkle pomegranate seeds before serving.
5. Maple-Glazed Roast Duck
A rich sweetness that pairs well with crispy skin.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Maple syrup: 1/3 cup
- Mustard: 1 tbsp
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roast duck 1 hour.
- Mix glaze and brush on.
- Roast 40 minutes, brushing again halfway.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted winter squash.
6. Cranberry-Roast Duck with Winter Herbs
Cranberry adds color and seasonal brightness.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Cranberry sauce: 1 cup
- Thyme: 1 tsp
- Garlic: 3 cloves
- Salt: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Roast duck at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
- Mix cranberry, thyme, and garlic.
- Brush over duck and roast 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add extra cranberry sauce on the side.
7. Five-Spice Winter Roast Duck
A cozy spice mix perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Chinese five-spice: 1 tbsp
- Soy sauce: 1 tbsp
- Honey: 1 tbsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Rub duck with spices.
- Roast 1 hour.
- Brush with honey-soy mix and roast 40 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with steamed greens.
8. Lemon-Herb Winter Duck Roast
Fresh and fragrant with citrus and savory notes.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Lemon: 1 (sliced)
- Thyme: 1 tbsp
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Stuff duck with lemon slices and thyme.
- Roast 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add lemon wedges for brightness.
9. Winter Spice-Rub Duck Roast
Warm spices bring cozy seasonal depth.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Smoked paprika: 1 tsp
- Cinnamon: 1/2 tsp
- Garlic powder: 1 tsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Rub duck with spices.
- Roast 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted apples.
10. Ginger-Soy Roast Duck
A bold mix of savory and sweet.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Soy sauce: 1/4 cup
- Ginger (grated): 1 tbsp
- Honey: 2 tbsp
- Garlic: 3 cloves
Instructions
- Roast duck at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
- Mix glaze and brush generously.
- Roast 45 minutes more.
How to Serve It
Add sesame seeds for texture.
11. Winter Apple-Cider Roast Duck
Apple cider adds sweet acidity.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Apple cider: 1 cup
- Butter: 2 tbsp
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Apples (sliced): 2
Instructions
- Roast at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
- Reduce cider with butter for glaze.
- Brush on duck and roast 45 minutes with apples.
How to Serve It
Serve apples alongside.
12. Red-Wine Winter Duck Roast
Wine reduction brings a bold winter flavor.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Red wine: 1 cup
- Butter: 2 tbsp
- Thyme: 1 tsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Roast duck 1 hour at 350°F (175°C).
- Reduce wine with butter and thyme.
- Brush glaze on duck and roast 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with mashed potatoes.
13. Maple-Soy Roasted Winter Duck
A sweet-savory glaze that clings beautifully.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Maple syrup: 1/4 cup
- Soy sauce: 2 tbsp
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Pepper: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Roast duck 1 hour.
- Brush glaze.
- Roast 45 minutes more.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts.
14. Dijon-Herb Roast Duck
A sharp mustard base balances the richness.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Dijon mustard: 2 tbsp
- Rosemary: 1 tsp
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Olive oil: 1 tbsp
Instructions
- Mix Dijon and herbs.
- Coat duck and roast at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted potatoes.
15. Pear-Glazed Winter Roast Duck
Fruit adds gentle sweetness.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Pear puree: 1/2 cup
- Honey: 2 tbsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Pepper: 1/2 tsp
Instructions
- Roast duck 1 hour.
- Brush pear glaze on top.
- Roast 45 minutes more.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted pears.
16. Garlic-Butter Winter Roast Duck
Garlic butter adds richness and aroma.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Butter: 1/3 cup
- Garlic (minced): 4 cloves
- Parsley: 1 tbsp
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter with garlic.
- Brush duck and roast at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Drizzle leftover garlic butter on slices.
17. Honey-Balsamic Winter Duck Roast
Sweet and tangy with deep flavor.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Balsamic vinegar: 1/2 cup
- Honey: 2 tbsp
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Pepper: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Reduce balsamic and honey.
- Brush duck and roast at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted carrots.
18. Savory Herb-Basted Winter Duck
Repeated basting creates deep flavor.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Butter: 1/4 cup
- Thyme: 1 tsp
- Garlic: 3 cloves
- Salt: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Baste duck every 20 minutes.
- Roast at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add fresh thyme.
19. Winter Plum-Glazed Roast Duck
A sweet, bold glaze perfect for winter dinners.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Plum jam: 1/2 cup
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Soy sauce: 1 tbsp
- Pepper: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Roast 1 hour.
- Brush glaze and roast 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add fresh plum slices.
20. Herb-Lemon Butter Roast Duck
Bright and savory at the same time.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Butter: 1/4 cup
- Lemon zest: 1 tsp
- Parsley: 1 tbsp
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Coat duck with herb butter.
- Roast at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Garnish with lemon zest.
21. Garlic-Soy Winter Roast Duck
Savory and rich with depth from soy sauce.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Soy sauce: 1/4 cup
- Garlic: 3 cloves
- Honey: 1 tbsp
- Pepper: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Mix glaze.
- Roast duck at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
- Brush glaze and roast 45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add sliced scallions.
22. Winter Spice-Honey Duck Roast
A sweet and spiced combination.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Honey: 2 tbsp
- Cinnamon: 1/2 tsp
- Smoked paprika: 1 tsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Rub spices.
- Roast at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Brush honey during final 20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with winter greens.
23. Ginger-Citrus Winter Roast Duck
A bright, fragrant mix perfect for cold months.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Orange zest: 1 tsp
- Lemon juice: 2 tbsp
- Ginger: 1 tbsp
- Honey: 1 tbsp
Instructions
- Roast 1 hour at 350°F (175°C).
- Brush glaze.
- Roast 45 minutes more.
How to Serve It
Add citrus slices around the platter.
24. Caramelized Onion Winter Roast Duck
Caramelized onions add deep sweetness.
Ingredients
- Duck: 5 lbs
- Onions (sliced): 3
- Butter: 2 tbsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Pepper: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Cook onions until caramelized.
- Roast duck at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
- Add onions and roast 45 minutes more.
How to Serve It
Serve with onions spooned over slices.
Conclusion
These winter roast-duck recipes bring warmth, rich aroma, and festive flavor to any dinner. Try a few styles, save your favorites, and share the ones that match your seasonal table. A well-roasted duck always adds something special to cold evenings.
