Elegant Sliced Duck Breast with Sweet Cherry Sauce

Tender, juicy duck breast meets a rich, glossy cherry sauce in this restaurant-worthy dish you can master at home. Ideal for date nights, holidays, or any time you want to impress with bold, savory-sweet flavor.

🧂 Ingredients (Serves 2):

2 boneless duck breasts, skin on
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 cup fresh or frozen sweet cherries, pitted
¼ cup chicken stock
¼ cup dry red wine or port
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for finishing sauce)

🍳 Instructions:

1️⃣ Score and Season the Duck:
🔪 Use a sharp knife to score the duck skin in a crosshatch pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat. Generously season both sides with salt and pepper.

2️⃣ Render and Sear the Duck:
🔥 Place duck breasts skin-side down in a cold, dry skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook for 6–8 minutes, rendering the fat and crisping the skin. Flip and cook the flesh side for 3–4 minutes more, or until desired doneness (130°F for medium-rare). Remove and rest, loosely covered.

3️⃣ Make the Cherry Sauce:
🍒 Pour off excess fat, leaving 1 tablespoon in the skillet. Add cherries, wine (or port), chicken stock, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Simmer over medium heat for 5–6 minutes until cherries are soft and liquid reduces.

4️⃣ Thicken the Sauce:
🥄 Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook another 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and swirl in the butter and fresh herbs, if using.

5️⃣ Slice and Serve:
🔪 Thinly slice the rested duck breast against the grain. Spoon the warm cherry sauce over the top and serve with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or wild rice.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Master Elegant Sliced Duck Breast with Sweet Cherry Sauce

🔪 Razor-Sharp Boning & Carving Knife – Perfect for scoring and slicing duck like a seasoned chef
🍷 Classic Bordeaux Wine for Cooking – A rich, deep red that elevates your cherry glaze with elegance
🍒 Cherry Pitter Tool – Quickly pits fresh cherries for smooth, mess-free prep
🔥 Cast-Iron Skillet – Locks in heat to crisp duck skin perfectly
🥄 Heat-Resistant Silicone Spatula Set – Gentle on cookware, great for stirring glazes and sauces
🌿 Fresh Dried Thyme Leaves – Adds earthy depth to your cherry Bordeaux reduction

💡 Helpful Tip:

To get that perfect, restaurant-quality sear, be patient while rendering the duck fat—start with a cold pan and let it gradually heat up. Save the excess duck fat for roasting potatoes!