Fire up the smoker: We’re sharing Chef Michael Hunter’s smoked duck recipe.

There are a few approaches to smoking a duck, and we think you’ll find this hot-and-fast smoker dish, combined with herb-infused stuffing and a DIY cranberry sauce, a new favorite way to enjoy waterfowl.

Smoked Duck Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 mallards 
• 4 slices whole grain sourdough 
• 1 large shallot minced 
• 2 cloves garlic minced 
• 2 teaspoons sage chopped 
• 4 sprigs thyme chopped 
• 1 small carrot minced 
• 1 stalk celery minced 
• 1/4 pound unsalted butter 
• 1 tablespoon salt 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 
• 1/2 cup white wine 

Making the Stuffing 

1. Remove the crust from the bread and cut into 1/2” pieces. 
2. Preheat a large pan on high heat. 
3. Add the butter and saute the minced vegetables until soft. Stir occasionally for about 3-4 minutes. 
4. Add the wine and reduce until the liquid has evaporated and add the bread. 
5. Add the salt and pepper. 
6. Stir to combine the bread and continue to cook to toast the bread in the butter. 
7. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before stuffing the duck. 

Smoking the Duck

1. Pluck the mallards and stuff the cavity with the stuffing. 
2. Tie the legs to close the cavity. 
3. Heat a large pan on high heat and sear the skin of the duck 2-3 minutes per side. 
4. Transfer the duck to your smoker heated to approx 350F. 
5. Smoke for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the duck is 130F. 
6. Rest for 8-10 minutes before slicing and serving. 

Cranberry Jam

• 2 cups (340 gram bag) fresh cranberries 
• 1 cup white sugar 
• 1/2 orange juice 
• 1 cinnamon stick 

Add all the ingredients to a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the cranberries are soft and the sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.

How Long Does It Take To Smoke a Duck?

There’s no shortage of debate on whether low-and-slow or hot-and-fast is the best smoker method. With Chef Michael Hunter’s high-heat approach, it takes just 30 minutes to smoke a whole mallard. If you opt for a low-and-slow approach (say, 200-225F), you’ll need closer to 3 or 4 hours. 

Bon Appétit

We hope you enjoy this smoked duck recipe. If you’re on the hunt for more ways to enjoy wild game, give Michael Hunter a follow on Instagram.