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Honey Glazed Peking Duck
Annie Graves

Honey Glazed Peking Duck

Experience the rich flavors of Honey Glazed Peking Duck! Crispy, juicy, and glazed with sweet honey, this classic dish is perfect for special occasions.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 700
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Duck
  • 1 whole duck about 4-5 lbs, cleaned and patted dry
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp five-spice powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups boiling water
For the Honey Glaze
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
For Serving
  • Thin Chinese pancakes or flour tortillas
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Sliced scallions
  • Cucumber sticks
Substitutions
  • Vegan: Substitute duck with a plant-based meat alternative and use agave syrup instead of honey for the glaze.
  • Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce.
  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free hoisin sauce.

Method
 

Prepare the Duck
  1. Rinse the duck thoroughly under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
  2. Using a sharp knife, trim any excess fat around the neck and cavity.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, five-spice powder, and salt.
  4. Rub this mixture all over the duck, both inside and out.
Boil Water and Dry the Duck
  1. Place the duck on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
  2. Pour the boiling water over the duck, allowing the skin to tighten and become glossy.
  3. Pat the duck dry once again.
  4. Place the duck in the refrigerator, uncovered, to dry out overnight.
  5. This step is crucial for getting that crispy skin.
Roast the Duck
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the duck, breast-side up, on a wire rack set in a roasting pan.
  3. Roast the duck for 1 hour, basting it occasionally with the pan drippings.
  4. After 1 hour, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and roast for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
Prepare the Honey Glaze
  1. While the duck is roasting, prepare the glaze by combining honey, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens slightly (about 5 minutes).
Glaze the Duck
  1. Once the duck is done roasting, brush the honey glaze generously over the entire duck.
  2. Return the duck to the oven for 5 more minutes to let the glaze set and caramelize.
Serve
  1. Carve the Honey Glazed Peking Duck into thin slices and serve with Chinese pancakes, hoisin sauce, sliced scallions, and cucumber sticks.
  2. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving - 1 portion of duck with pancakes and sauce):

  • Calories: 600-700
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Sodium: 1200mg
  • Sugar: 20g

 

Notes/Advice:

  • Additions/Subtractions:
    • For extra crispy skin, make sure the duck dries out completely in the fridge. If you’re short on time, dry it for at least 4 hours.
    • You can adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less honey to suit your taste.
    • Peking Duck is typically served with thin pancakes, but you can use flour tortillas or even lettuce wraps as a substitute.