Smoked Duck With Spiced Pomegranate-Maple Glaze Recipe
Put an extra delicious touch to your holiday dinner with this juicy smoked duck! Finished with a spiced pomegranate-maple glaze for a festive spin, this duck features the most tender, succulent meat to make one memorable meal that's sure to impress.
How to Make the Best Smoked Duck With Spiced Pomegranate-Maple Glaze
This smoked duck with spiced pomegranate-maple glaze is a show-stopping centerpiece that brings elegance and warmth to any holiday gathering. The combination of smoky, tender duck meat paired with a sweet and slightly spiced pomegranate glaze creates a memorable dining experience that’s surprisingly easier to prepare than you might think.
The key to perfectly smoked duck is patience and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process. The dry rub of paprika, brown sugar, and warm spices creates a flavorful bark on the outside while the gentle smoke keeps the meat incredibly juicy and tender inside. The pomegranate-maple glaze adds a festive touch with hints of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves that complement the rich, slightly gamey flavor of duck beautifully.
Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a formal dinner or simply want to elevate your holiday menu, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results from your own smoker. The glaze can be made ahead of time, making it easy to time everything perfectly on the day you’re serving this stunning dish.
Smoked Duck With Spiced Pomegranate-Maple Glaze
Put an extra delicious touch to your holiday dinner with this juicy smoked duck! Finished with a spiced pomegranate-maple glaze for a festive spin, this duck features the most tender, succulent meat to make one memorable meal that's sure to impress.
Ingredients
Smoked Duck
Spiced Pomegranate-Maple Glaze
Instructions
Smoked Duck
- Prepare the duck by patting it dry with paper towels and placing it on your smoker grates.
- Stuff the cavity with the onion and orange wedges.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, smoked paprika, dark brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder to create the dry rub.
- Rub the seasoning mixture all over the duck, inside and out.
- Smoke the duck at 275-300°F for approximately 2.5 hours (about 30 minutes per pound), until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the thigh.
- Remove from the smoker and let rest for 10 minutes before glazing.
Spiced Pomegranate-Maple Glaze
- In a saucepan, combine the pomegranate juice and orange juice. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add the maple syrup, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Continue to simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add the salt, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a splash of water to create a slurry.
- Pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering glaze while stirring constantly.
- Continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest.
- Brush the glaze generously over the rested duck or serve on the side as a sauce.
Notes
- For best results, use a whole duck with skin intact.
- The pomegranate-maple glaze can be made ahead and reheated before serving.
- Leftover duck makes excellent sandwiches the next day.
- Pair with roasted root vegetables and a seasonal salad.