Barney's Confit of duck
See this recipe step by step

Barney's Confit of duck

A classic, hugely popular recipe from France - one you can make time and time again and it just gets better

Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 4

Easily doubled

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 20 mins

Cook time

Cook 2 hrs 30 mins

Plus salting, and cooking time is staggered
Freezable

Method

  1. The day before you want to make the dish, scatter half the salt, half the garlic and half of the herbs over the base of a small shallow dish. Lay the duck legs, skin-side up, on top, then scatter over the remaining salt, garlic and herbs. Cover the duck and refrigerate overnight. This can be done up to 2 days ahead.
  2. Pour the wine into a saucepan that will snugly fit the duck legs in a single layer. Brush the salt off the duck legs and place them, skin-side down, in the wine. Cover the pan with a lid and place over a medium heat. As soon as the wine starts to bubble, turn the heat down to the lowest setting and cook for 2 hours, checking occasionally that the liquid is just barely simmering. (If you own a heat diffuser, it would be good to use it here.) After 2 hours, the duck legs should be submerged in their own fat and the meat should feel incredibly tender when prodded. Leave to cool.
  3. The duck legs are now cooked and can be eaten immediately - or you can follow the next step if you like them crisp. If you are preparing ahead, pack the duck legs tightly into a plastic container or jar and pour over the fat, but not the liquid at the bottom of the pan. Cover and leave in the fridge for up to a month, or freeze for up to 3 months. The liquid you are left with makes a tasty gravy, which can be chilled or frozen until needed.
  4. To reheat and crisp up the duck legs, heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Remove the legs from the fat and place them, skin-side down, in an ovenproof frying pan. Roast for 30-40 mins, turning halfway through, until brown and crisp. Serve with the reheated gravy, a crisp salad and some crisp golden ptoatoes.

636 kcalories, protein 30g, carbohydrate 0g, fat 57 g, saturated fat 16g, fibre 0g, salt 2.83 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, October 2005.

Try 3 issues of Good Food magazine for £3 - subscribe now!

Latest comments and suggestions

Results 1-20

  • Binder photo Missy Moo

    2008-03-07 23:49:13.332539

    Missy Moo rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This has become my signature dish! So easy to prepare; make in advance then finish off at the last minute, making it a great dinner party dish. Try it with braised lentils and a sauce of equal parts jam, red wine vinegar and water!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Alison

    2008-04-17 12:25:36.591457

    Alison rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This is my favourite 'wow' recipe - so easy and the most delicious thing ever! I served it with potatoes roasted in the fat, and a watercress salad which cuts through the richness. I know have 6 duck leg portions in the freezer so this dish is never far away!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Amanda

    2008-04-27 13:44:04.021082

    Amanda rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This recipe is great!!! The duck is so flavoursome and tender. I've used half a duck and even the breast came out delicious... Will definately use this recipe again. It is very easy to prepare and brings that wow factor to the table.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo ronnie

    2008-12-10 19:28:17.109143

    ronnie commented on this recipe

    i have made this recipes using the traditional method in the past,but this recipe is outstanding truly recommended.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo teresag1963

    2009-01-11 18:15:46.656414

    teresag1963 commented on this recipe

    I did this for tea today, we thoroughly enjoyed it, very tasty. I would definately do this again.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo teresag1963

    2009-01-11 18:16:12.493427

    teresag1963 rated this recipe

    5 stars

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Pippa

    2009-01-26 11:12:53.990403

    Pippa commented on this recipe

    Baffled and perplexed as to how something this easy could taste so delicious! I popped mine in the AGA (baking oven) for 6 hours (checked after 3 and 4 hours then forgot it by mistake!!) It was fantastic, so will do again for same time. Crisped up beautifully too. I will now try again and flake meat from bones to mix with puy lentils, onions etc, for a warm salad. Can't wait to try freezing it too - above comments indicate this works a treat too!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo my_dunh

    2009-12-11 08:51:09.332824

    my_dunh rated and commented on this recipe

    1 stars

    Hideously salty, even though I rinsed off the salt thoroughly. Dinner went straight into the bin!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo suezy

    2010-01-11 18:46:19.929679

    suezy rated this recipe

    5 stars

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Lu_C

    2010-07-20 17:20:30.429113

    Lu_C rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Fantastic. Use goose legs because there wasn't any duck at the shop. Definitely doing this again.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo henry-root

    2010-09-08 11:24:38.865991

    henry-root rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Good recipe! To save a day dry refrigerate for 2 days before cooking and recooking will not be needed!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo tinathompson

    2010-09-08 12:01:10.840016

    tinathompson rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I had never cooked confit duck before, and I loved this recipe as it was so simple. The result was absolutely delicious. As I had some blueberries in the fridge, I roasted off the confit duck to serve it nice and crisp, and I served it with a sauce made from the blueberries. Fab!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo els

    2010-11-28 12:08:20.621835

    els rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    so very-very good!I allready made this recipe several times and every time it is wonderfull.Last night I did debone and shred the duck and put it on top of saurekraut mixed with mashed potatoes ,it was great.Served cooked pears with cranberries as a side order,loveley winter meal.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Verne

    2010-12-07 09:11:33.230997

    Verne commented on this recipe

    Because we live in a hot climate we are all taking a cold meat for Christmas day and I have 3 ducks to take. Would this recipe be nice served cold? Has anyone tried this cold? Any advice or alternate recipe for cold duck would be so appreciated.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo sheepcat

    2011-01-21 11:19:09.159764

    sheepcat commented on this recipe

    Just superb, I served my duck with James Martins Plum Sauce, it was fantastic. I was short of time and only left the duck in the salt for a few hours and it still came out perfect. My favourite dish of all time!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo sheepcat

    2011-01-21 11:19:20.166641

    sheepcat rated this recipe

    5 stars

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Heather

    2011-01-21 12:04:53.153788

    Heather rated this recipe

    5 stars

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Pippa

    2011-05-10 19:23:20.105573

    Pippa rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    For goodness sake - commented ages ago and forgot to rate. I think I (maybe 'we') need a prompt?!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Pelupi

    2011-08-27 15:39:47.756556

    Pelupi rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Very good indeed and dead easy

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Dory

    2011-11-27 09:57:44.332611

    Dory commented on this recipe

    I want to try this but need to know how I would make gravy from the leftover juices. Can anyone guide a young novice??

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Leave a comment or suggestion

You must sign in or register to leave a comment.

Sign in / Register

Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 4

Easily doubled

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 20 mins

Cook time

Cook 2 hrs 30 mins

Plus salting, and cooking time is staggered
Freezable

Ingredients

  • handful coarse sea salt
  • 4 bay leaves , roughly torn
  • 4 garlic cloves , roughly chopped
  • handful thyme sprigs, roughly torn
  • 4 ducks legs
  • 100ml white wine
Print this recipe
Add to your binder

636 kcalories, protein 30g, carbohydrate 0g, fat 57 g, saturated fat 16g, fibre 0g, salt 2.83 g

Advertisement

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons why to sign up:

  • You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
  • You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.

Follow Good Food

Advertisement

All about Good Food

Magazine

Good Food Magazine

Subscribe to Good Food magazine - enjoy 100+ triple-tested recipes delivered to your door, every month.

Order today, and receive your first 3 issues for just £3

On TV

Foodie TV

See your favourite chefs on Sky Channel 247, Virgin TV 260 and find their recipes at goodfoodchannel.co.uk.

Good Food Apps

Good Food Apps

For Good Food on the go, download our apps to your phone or portable device.
Find out more here

Buy ingredients

With just one click, the full list of recipe ingredients will be put into a basket at your choice of provider. Choose from:

mySupermarket Compare prices and choose a retailer you wish to buy them from.

Ocado Let Ocado deliver all you need for this recipe, right to your door

Tesco Buy all the ingredients from our recipes through your Tesco online shop.

new

Asda Shop with Asda? You can now buy ingredients for our recipes via your Asda online shop.

In association with the above providers. Terms and conditions apply.

Close