Duck cooking times and calculator
Whether you’re roasting a whole duck, or just cooking a duck breast, this page will tell you how to cook duck perfectly. It tells you how long your duck needs to cook, hints and tips on the best way to cook your roast duck, and some ideas for the best duck recipes around. All you need to do is follow our advice to get the perfect duck dinner!
Duck roasting tips
- Let the meat come up to room temperature before cooking.
- Prick the skin of the duck with a toothpick or skewer before cooking and season with salt.
- For super crispy skin, pour a kettle of boiling water over the duck and then leave to dry for an hour before cooking.
- Don't forget to rest the meat before carving. This allows the meat to relax and distributes the juices throughout. A general rule of thumb used by chefs for resting meat is 1 minute for every 100g of meat.
Need the right cut?
Find butchers, farm shops and food suppliers that match the meal you are planning.
Find suppliersRecipe ideas for Duck
A little inspiration for the cut you have selected.
Duck cooking time questions.
Use the calculator for planning, then make the final food-safety checks before anyone eats.
How do I use this Duck cooking time calculator safely?
Choose the cut and weight, use the calculated time as a planning guide, then check the thickest part of the meat with a food thermometer before serving.
Can I rely on cooking time alone for Duck?
No. Oven performance, cut shape, starting temperature and stuffing all change the result. Use the time as guidance and confirm doneness with temperature and visual checks.
Should Duck rest before carving?
Yes. Resting helps the meat relax and improves carving. The page tips include practical resting guidance for the selected meat.
Useful next steps.
Move from a single timing to a complete cooking plan, method guide or supplier search.