Roasted Duck with Apple-Raisin Dressing

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1-3/4 hours

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Jun. 27, 2023
As a boy growing up on the farm, my husband had "duck every Sunday". I tried to maintain that tradition after we married—more than 50 years ago now! Edgar is a retired dairy farmer. We are the parents of four grown children.

Ingredients

  • 2 domestic duck (4 to 5 pounds each)
  • Salt
  • DRESSING:
  • 1 tube (12 ounces) bulk pork sausage
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped peeled apple
  • 1 cup golden raisins
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 8 cups cubed crustless day-old white bread
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

Directions

  1. Sprinkle the inside of ducklings with salt; prick skin well all over and set aside. In a large skillet, cook sausage with onion and celery until sausage is no longer ink and vegetables are tender. Add apple and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally; drain. Meanwhile, simmer raisins in water for 8 minutes; do not drain. In a large bowl, combine sausage mixture, raisins, salt, sage, pepper and parsley; mix well. Add the bread cubes, eggs and broth; mix lightly. Divide and spoon into ducklings. Place with breast side up on a rack in a large shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 1-3/4 to 1-1/4 hours or until the thermometer reads 185°. Drain fat from pan as it accumulates. Remove all dressing.

Nutrition Facts

12 ounce-weight: 1169 calories, 74g fat (25g saturated fat), 344mg cholesterol, 1901mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 4g fiber), 53g protein.