Pan-Seared Duck Breasts with Cranberry Drizzle, Mashed Potatoes, and Watercress Salad

This dish brings together the richness of pan-seared duck with the bright, tart flavor of cranberry. The duck skin is crisped to perfection, then finished with a simple cranberry pan sauce that cuts through the fat beautifully. Served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and a peppery watercress salad, it’s a restaurant-quality meal you can make at home.

Perfect for a special dinner or a cozy autumn evening, this recipe comes together in under an hour. The key is rendering the duck fat slowly to achieve that irresistible crackling skin. The cranberry jam and demi-glace create a glossy, tangy sauce that complements the duck and potatoes wonderfully.

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Ingredients

12 ounce Yukon Gold PotatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Duck BreastsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce ThymeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Heirloom Grape TomatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit ShallotView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.33 cup MilkView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chicken Demi-GlaceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Cranberry JamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce WatercressView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Peel potatoes, then cut into ½-inch cubes. Mince garlic. Make shallow slits in duck skin in a crosshatch pattern. Season with salt and pepper. Add to a large pan skin-side down and place over medium heat. Cook until fat is rendered and skin is crisp, 10-15 minutes. Flip and cook to desired doneness, 2-5 minutes more.
2. Place potatoes in a medium pot with a large pinch of salt and enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook until easily pierced by a knife, 10-12 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
3. While duck and potatoes cook, place garlic and 2 TBSP butter in a small bowl and microwave on high until melted. Strip 1 tsp thyme leaves from stems; discard stems. Halve tomatoes and lemon. Halve, peel, and mince shallot until you have ¼ cup minced shallot.
4. Add garlic butter and 1/3 cup milk to pot with potatoes. Mash with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (Add more milk as needed to give potatoes a creamy consistency.) Cover to keep warm.
5. Once duck is finished cooking, remove from pan and set aside to rest. Pour off all but 1 TBSP duck fat from pan, then return pan to medium heat. Add shallot and thyme leaves. Cook until shallot is softened, 3 minutes. Add demi-glace, cranberry jam, and ¼ cup water, stirring to break up jam. Let simmer until syrupy, about 2 minutes. Stir in a squeeze of lemon. Season with pepper and more lemon to taste.
6. Toss watercress and tomatoes with a squeeze of lemon and a large drizzle of olive oil in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Thinly slice duck crosswise. Divide potatoes and duck between plates, then drizzle with sauce. Serve with salad on the side.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Large Pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Peeler

OXO Good Grips Swivel PeelerView on AmazonSpring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Soft Grip Handle and Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Blades - Perfect Kitchen Peeler For Veggie, Fruit, Potato, Carrot, Apple - BlackView on AmazonFUHUY Vegetable, Apple Peelers for kitchen, Fruit, Carrot, Veggie, Potatoes Peeler, Y-Shaped and I-Shaped Stainless Steel Peelers, with Ergonomic Non-Slip Handle & Sharp Blade, Good Sturdy (2PCS)View on Amazon

Pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCAROTE 8QT Full Clad Tri Ply Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid, Kitchen Soup Pot, All Stoves Compatible, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, Stay Cool Handle, White, Mothers Day GiftsView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on Amazon

Strainer

Cuisinart, Mesh Strainers, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Fine Mesh Kitchen Strainer Set for Sifting, Straining and Cooking, Ctg-00-3Ms, 3 CountView on Amazon3Pcs Super Wire Extra Fine Mesh Strainer with Handle, Small Medium Large Size Sifter Metal Strainer Set, Stainless Steel Sieve Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen Rice Juice Quinoa Food Flour Baking YLYLView on AmazonWinco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, 8-Inch Diameter, Medium, Stainless Steel, Tan,SilverView on Amazon

Small Bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Potato Masher

Chef Craft Select Sturdy Masher, 10.25 inch, Stainless Steel/BlackView on AmazonKitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher, 10.24-Inch, BlackView on AmazonUpgraded Potato Masher, Durable Non-break Handle, Rust-proof, Dishwasher safe, Heavy duty 304 Stainless Steel, Kitchen Gadgets Gifts, BlackView on Amazon

Bowl

8PCS Cereal Bowl, Ohola Unbreakable Wheat Straw Cereal Bowls, Microwave & Dishwasher Safe Kitchen Bowls for Cereal, Snack, Soup, Salad and Rice, MultiColors, BPA Free, 26oz (Ser of 8)View on AmazonFox Run Stainless Steel Small Mixing Bowl, 7.25 x 7.25 x 3.75 inches, MetallicView on AmazonDOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of potato?

Yes, Russet or red potatoes work well, but Yukon Golds give the creamiest texture.

How do I know when the duck is cooked?

Cook to an internal temperature of 135°F for medium-rare, or 150°F for medium. Let rest before slicing.

Can I substitute the cranberry jam?

You can use whole berry cranberry sauce or even raspberry jam for a different flavor.