Duck breast with butternut puree and gravy

Duck breast with butternut puree and gravy

Duck breast is a true delicacy, perfect for festive occasions. Paired with a creamy butternut squash puree and gravy, this low carb dish becomes anything but ordinary. Top with crispy kale chips and enjoy every single bite!

Duck breast with butternut puree and gravy

Duck breast is a true delicacy, perfect for festive occasions. Paired with a creamy butternut squash puree and gravy, this low carb dish becomes anything but ordinary. Top with crispy kale chips and enjoy every single bite!
USMetric
4 servingservings

Ingredients

  • 1½ lbs 650 g duck breastduck breasts
  • 1 1 chicken bouillon cubechicken bouillon cubes
  • 1 cup 240 ml water
  • 1½ tsp 1½ tsp arrowroot powder
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp butter
  • salt and pepper
  • 5 oz. 140 g kale (optional)
Butternut puree
  • 1 lb 450 g butternut squash
  • 3 oz. 85 g butter
  • ½ tbsp ½ tbsp cider vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
  • salt and pepper
Kale chips
  • 2 oz. 55 g kale
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp olive oil
  • salt
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Instructions

Duck breast

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
  2. Score the fat of the duck breasts in a square pattern with a knife. Salt generously. Put the duck breasts in a dry and hot skillet, skin side down. Fry for 3-4 minutes, then flip and fry the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
  3. Transfer the breasts to a roasting tin and roast in the oven for 20 minutes until the inner temperature is 150-160°F (65-70°C). Remove and let rest under aluminum foil for 10 minutes before cutting. Save the juices for the gravy.

Butternut puree

  1. Peel and scrape the flesh of the pumpkin and cut into 1 x 1" (3 x 3 cm) pieces. Cook the pumpkin in lightly salted water for 20 minutes until soft. Drain thoroughly.
  2. Sauté the butter in a frying pan until it is golden brown and has a nutty smell.
  3. Mix into a smooth puree in a food processor or blender. Add browned butter and combine well. Season with salt, pepper, and possibly some vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Gravy

  1. In a saucepan, boil the cooking juices, water, and crumbled chicken bouillon cube — start with a half. Lower the heat and let simmer.
  2. Add the arrowroot powder diluted with some water and allow the gravy to thicken while stirring continuously. Don't cook for too long, once it gets thick, remove from the heat. Add the butter and stir until melted.

Kale chips

  1. Add kale on a baking sheet with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil and salt.
  2. Roast in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the chips get crispy. Turn them around a few times so they get evenly dried and crisp. Keep an eye on them towards the end so they don't get burnt.
  3. Serve the sliced duck breast with butternut puree, gravy, and kale chips.

Tips

Duck has a dark and tasty meat that is easy to prepare. Use a meat thermometer to make sure to get it just the way you want it. Aim for about 140°F (60°C) for medium and 155°F (68°F) for well-done.

If you can't find or don't like pumpkin, you can serve the duck breast with butter-fried spinach or freshly cooked green beans.

Butternut squash is reminiscent of pumpkin in taste and it's easier to get. However, it contains more carbs than pumpkin, about 12 g / 100 g instead of 7 g / 100 g.

Recommended special equipment

Food processor or blender.

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6 comments

  1. Barbara Curtin
    Where do I find the nutritional information for this recipe?
    Reply: #2
  2. Hey Barbara, under the ingredients list you can see a pink section called 'Nutrition'. Just click on it and you will get the full nutrition info per serving.
  3. Tanushree
    Hi, I am an intuitive cook and I love to use whatever veggies I might have at my disposal at that moment. So I made roasted zucchini halves instead of the pumpkin purée and a shaved fennel salad instead of the kale chips. I also had some leftover red wine and chicken juices which I reduced for a gravy. The duck breast came out blushing pink, just as I like it (it had a thick fat layer, so 5 min skin side down on medium hot pan, 2 min on the other side and 7 min in a hot oven did the trick). Good recipe to follow! Will definitely make it again.
    Reply: #4
  4. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    Hi, I am an intuitive cook and I love to use whatever veggies I might have at my disposal at that moment. So I made roasted zucchini halves instead of the pumpkin purée and a shaved fennel salad instead of the kale chips. I also had some leftover red wine and chicken juices which I reduced for a gravy. The duck breast came out blushing pink, just as I like it (it had a thick fat layer, so 5 min skin side down on medium hot pan, 2 min on the other side and 7 min in a hot oven did the trick). Good recipe to follow! Will definitely make it again.

    Sounds great! Thanks for sharing!

  5. Cate
    This is a great combination. I cooked the duck in an Airfryer and used my home-made chicken stock for the gravy. Is very easy to prepare and gives great results. A regular on our menu
    Reply: #6
  6. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    This is a great combination. I cooked the duck in an Airfryer and used my home-made chicken stock for the gravy. Is very easy to prepare and gives great results. A regular on our menu

    Thanks for your feedback! So glad you love it!

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