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Today, we’re going to find out what goes best with the yummy taste of duck breast. Are you getting ready for a fancy dinner or just a relaxing evening at home? Picking the right sides to go with duck breast can make your meal even more special.
In this blog post, we’re going to look at lots of different side dishes that taste great with duck. We’ll make sure every mouthful is interesting and delicious. We’ll help you find the best choices that you and your friends or family will really enjoy.
Come along as we discover the best flavors to match with the tasty duck breast!
What Is Duck Breast?
A duck breast is meat cut from a duck’s breast. It’s commonly used for roasting or braising, although it can also be used for making soups and stews.
Duck breast has a high-fat content and is very flavorful. It’s often sold as “duck sausage,” but it’s not really sausage; instead, it’s a piece of meat that’s just been cut into different sizes and shapes to make it easier to cook.
So if you’re looking for something that resembles sausage more closely, look elsewhere.
It’s not surprising that duck breast is such a popular cut—it’s one of the most delicate parts of the bird!
And because it’s so tender, you don’t need much meat per serving to get a delicious meal with minimal effort.
Duck breast is often served as a main dish or an entree, but it can also be used as a meat substitute in recipes, especially those that call for chicken or turkey.
What To Serve With Duck Breast
1. Arugula Salad
Arugula salad and duck breast are a match made in heaven, especially if you like your salads to be light and fresh.
The flavors of the two dishes complement each other.
Arugula is a tender green from the same family as rapini, mustard greens, and endive, but it has a milder flavor than its relatives.
It’s an excellent choice for salads because it doesn’t overwhelm other ingredients like broccoli or carrots. However, it still packs a nice punch of flavor when mixed with other foods—for example, pairing it with goat cheese for an easy appetizer or serving it alongside chicken breasts for dinner.
2. Dauphinoise Potatoes
Dauphinoise potatoes are also an excellent choice for your next meal with duck breast because they’re creamy, smooth, and buttery without being too heavy or dense.
They’re also nutty from being cooked with butter and cream, which pairs well with the mild flavor of the duck breast.
The dish consists of fried potatoes layered with ham and cheese, then topped with butter sauce and baked cheese sauce. It is now known as one of the most popular foods in France and has gained popularity over time.
3. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great accompaniment to almost any type of meat, and duck breast is no exception.
Although duck breast is a bit trickier than other meats because it has such a mild flavor that doesn’t really stand out in the dish, it’s served with.
Hence, it’s best to pair it with something that will bring out its flavor instead of masking it behind another flavor altogether. Mashed sweet potatoes fit the bill perfectly!
The sweetness of the mashed sweet potatoes goes well with the roasted flavor of the duck breast, thus giving it an additional dimension.
Mashed sweet potatoes are also creamy and smooth, perfect for pairing with a lean protein like duck breast.
You can also add some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to enhance the flavor of your dish even more.
4. Mashed Pumpkin
Mashed pumpkin has a sweet and soft texture that complements the richness of duck breast very well. It also has lots of natural sweetness that makes a perfect addition to your dinner table.
The mashed pumpkin will not overpower the taste of the duck breast as it is not too sweet on its own.
You can serve this dish on any occasion, but it is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Your guests may think you’re a rock star chef.
The fat in mashed pumpkin provides the body with energy, making it a great food choice during the winter. The fat content also makes it a good source of healthy fats.
5. Polenta
Polenta is a dish that originated in Italy, but it has become trendy throughout the world. It’s a type of pasta made from cornmeal and cooked like risotto.
It has a soft-to-tender consistency. It’s usually served in a broth, but it can also be served plain.
Polenta is typically served with chicken or duck breast, then topped with mushrooms and cheese.
6. Glazed Carrots
When you’re cooking for your loved ones, sometimes it’s fun to surprise them with some small touches that make their day.
I love the idea of adding some color outside of just carrots and the sight of them on your plate. This dish makes for a great appetizer or entree.
The flavor of the glaze is just so appealing—it’s sweet and savory at the same time!
It’s also got a little bit of heat from the cayenne pepper, which adds a nice kick to this dish, which is why you can serve these carrots alongside your duck!
7. Orange Sauce
Duck breast is a delicious and tender protein often served with orange sauce. The combination of the flavors in this dish makes it an excellent choice for any occasion.
The orange sauce has an interesting flavor profile that goes well with many different foods and dishes. It’s sweet, savory, and spicy.
Thus, it’ll be a classic combination.
8. Plum Sauce
Plum sauce is a classic Chinese condiment that adds a layer of flavor to any dish.
It’s made from plums, and it’s often served with duck breast because it pairs well with the mild, sweet flavors of the meat.
The plum sauce can be served warm or cold—it’s up to you!
We recommend serving it warm if you eat your duck breast right away (so it doesn’t have time to cool down).
We recommend eating your plum sauce with white rice and steamed bok choy so the flavors can meld together even more.
9. Ramen
Ramen is a popular food in Japan, and duck breast is one of their most popular meats. So it’s no surprise that people have been trying to combine these two things for years!
You can find lots of recipes online for combining duck breast and ramen.
And if you insist on trying this at home, ensure your marinade has enough acidity. Try pickle juice or vinegar.
Many people like their ramen with soy sauce because it adds a bit of sweetness which helps balance out the saltiness from the fish sauce and other seasonings on top of the noodles themselves.
And make sure your meat is well-cooked before adding it to your bowl, so it doesn’t fall apart.
10. Creamed Spinach And Mushrooms
It’s a great combination because the baby spinach contrasts the sweetness of the mushrooms, and the duck breast provides a nice protein boost.
It’s also full of iron and calcium, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians looking to increase their intake of these nutrients.
Moreover, they both have a robust and earthy flavor that works well with the flavors in the duck breast. The mushrooms add some texture to the dish, while the spinach adds some healthy color and a touch of greenery.
Conclusion
Suppose you’ve made it this far; thanks for reading. I hope all the information here is valuable and that you enjoyed it.
And in my opinion, the most common pairing for this rich, fattier meat is a root vegetable or starch-based side dish. Try something like Roasted Potatoes and Carrots, Mashed Potatoes, or Glazed Carrots and Parsnips.
Which do you prefer?
As always, if you have any comments or questions, please post them below, and I will get back to you asap.
