What To Serve With Duck Breast

What to serve with duck breast – the perfect side dishes to enhance this wonderfully decadent and indulgent dish! 

A well-cooked duck breast is often regarded as the classy alternative to chicken.

It’s rich, it’s robust, and it’s wonderfully flavourful, making it a good option when you’re planning a dinner party or you just want an extra special meal. 

Many people avoid cooking with duck because they’re not quite sure what to do with it, but if you’re prepared to take a step outside your culinary comfort zone, you’ll definitely be rewarded for your efforts.

What’s important to consider though is what to serve with duck breast. The right side dishes choices make all the difference, so it’s worth taking some time to familiarise yourself with your options. 

Let’s take a look at popular choices… 

1. Mashed potatoes and green beans

This is a quick and easy side dish that pairs well with the flavour-packed, rich duck breast.

Mashed potato with perfectly cooked and seasoned green beans are simple options that don’t require a lot of preparation.

When cooking the green beans, drizzle an adequate amount of extra virgin olive oil. This is the freshest and least processed olive oil, and has numerous health benefits.

With mashed potatoes, you can use butter, milk, or cream depending on your desired consistency.

A serving of creamy mashed potato will render a subtle velvety contrast to the duck meat. 

2. Spinach and mushroom salad

This delicious side dish is a great way to get more veggies into your diet.

Simply saute the mushrooms in a pan and place them in a bowl. Add chopped spinach, your favourite dressing, and then serve.

Duck meat can be a heavy dish and accompanying it with a lighter side dish would be a good idea to ensure the meal isn’t overpowering.

Consider using sweet dressings for your salad such as honey, caramelised sweet onion, or blueberry. These will all balance well with the strong, distinctive taste of duck. 

3. Balsamic-roasted vegetables

Roast your favourite vegetables such as celery, courgette, or carrots using the intensely flavoured balsamic vinegar to match your duck breast. This side dish will make a perfect complement to your meat.

To get a nice crispy vegetable dish, roast them at a medium heat and add some fresh herbs.

Interestingly, balsamic vinegar is reported to have a whole host of health benefits, including the stabilisation of blood cholesterol levels. 

4. Duck fat-roasted Brussel sprouts

Brussel sprouts have a pleasingly crunchy texture, which makes them a perfect contender to be paired with your tender duck breast.

It is one of the most convenient side dishes because you can cook it using the same pan that you’re using for your main course. You can season the dish with citrus and cayenne pepper, to taste.

The duck fat enhances the flavour of your brussels sprouts while giving them a crunchy consistency. This cruciferous food is known to contain a high amount of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. It is also rich in antioxidants and can reduce inflammation.

5. Polenta fries

Duck breast is one of the most striking dishes and serving it with polenta fries will give your presentation a unique twist.

Polenta is a popular cornmeal in Italy that has a starchy consistency. It is normally served as a substitute for pasta or rice because it also contains carbohydrates.

If you’re thinking about balancing the deep flavour of your duck breast with fries, choose polenta and you will have a side dish that’s easier to prepare. You can bake polenta fries from scratch or just purchase a prepared version from the supermarket.

Duck meats tend to have a high fat content, which makes polenta fries a better option since they can help lessen the overall saturated fat intake in the diet.

6. Asparagus and leek risotto

If you want to indulge in a pairing that will leave you feeling extremely satisfied, then asparagus and leek risotto is a great option for you.

It’s a delicious combination of rice, cheese, asparagus, and leek, and though it’ll require some hands-on attention in the kitchen, it’ll definitely be worth the extra effort! 

7. Honey-roasted carrots

Honey-roasted carrots are delectably sweet, and they’re also super easy to make. 

Heat a pan on the stove with a little oil, and chuck in the sliced carrots to stir fry gently for around 5 minutes. Remove them, and roast in the oven until tender. To make sure that they don’t burn, stir through the honey with some freshly ground black pepper for the final five minutes. 

To make them visually appealing, add some fresh herbs when you serve up your dish. 

8. Fried egg 

Sometimes, the simplest side dishes are the best! 

A fried egg is super quick to prepare, and the runny yolk is oh so satisfying. 

This option is a particularly good choice during the summer months when you might to avoid anything too heavy. Pair with a simple side salad, and you’ve got a dish that will remind you of something that could be served in a classy French bistro, with a crisp glass of dry white wine! 

9. Stir-fried pak choi 

Pak choi offers a super fresh crunch, making a good option for what to serve with duck breast when you’re looking for a lighter, summery meal. 

Simply pan fry with some garlic, and squeeze over some fresh lemon juice to really make this side dish sing. 

10. Red cabbage with shredded apple 

Red cabbage and apple is a vibrant, colourful side dish that works particularly well in the autumn months. 

The whole dish can be roasted in one tray, which means less washing up and less fuss! 

11. Dauphinoise potatoes 

If you’ve ever had Dauphinoise potatoes, you’ll know just how luxurious they are! 

Slices of potato slow roasted with garlic and lashings of cream, this dish is the ultimate in indulgence, and a solid choice for when you really want to impress your dinner guests. 

Teamed with duck breast, this will be a filling meal, so either skip dessert altogether or choose something light and simple such as a fruit sorbet or vanilla ice cream. 

12. Wild rice with dried cherries 

Wild rice is a perfectly balanced food, with an abundance of micronutrients and antioxidants. It’s also relatively low in calories, making it a good option for what to serve with duck breast if you’re trying to follow a healthier lifestyle. 

Pair with dried cherries to add a little extra colour. It’s well known that fruits go so well with duck. 

Save these ideas for what to serve with duck breast to Pinterest

If you’re planning a special meal, you might want to save these ideas for another day. 

If that’s the case, just pin the image below to Pinterest!