Okay, hear me out—roast duck sounds super fancy, but it’s actually not that hard to make. And when you add this sweet, citrusy orange glaze? OMG. The crispy skin, the juicy meat, the zesty sauce—it’s next-level delicious. Let’s get into it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Crispy, golden-brown skin (the best part!)
✔️ Juicy, tender meat with a zingy orange glaze
✔️ Looks impressive, but is super easy
✔️ Perfect for holidays, date nights, or when you feel extra

What You Need

For the Duck:

1 whole duck (about 5 lbs)
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 orange (cut into wedges)
4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)

For the Orange Glaze:

1/2 cup fresh orange juice (squeeze from that orange!)
1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (for a little heat!)

How to Make Zesty Roast Duck with Orange Glaze

Step 1: Prep the Duck

Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Pat the duck completely dry with paper towels (this helps the skin get crispy).
Rub it all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Stuff the cavity with orange wedges and thyme for extra flavor.

Step 2: Roast the Duck

Place the duck breast-side up on a roasting rack over a baking pan.
Roast for 1 hour, then flip it over and roast for 30 more minutes.
Flip it back to breast-side up, and roast another 20-30 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.

Step 3: Make the Orange Glaze

While the duck is roasting, combine orange juice, honey, soy sauce, mustard, orange zest, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan.
Simmer on low for 5-7 minutes until it thickens into a syrupy glaze.

Step 4: Glaze & Finish

Brush the duck all over with the orange glaze.
Roast for 10 more minutes to get that sticky, caramelized finish.

Step 5: Rest & Serve

Let the duck rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Serve with extra glaze on the side (because more sauce = better).

Pro Tips for the Best Roast Duck

✔️ Prick the skin (not the meat!) with a fork so the fat renders out.
✔️ Baste with pan drippings for extra crispiness.
✔️ Pair with roasted potatoes or rice to soak up all that sauce.

This duck is fancy AF but secretly super simple. Make it, flex on everyone, and enjoy the crispy, zesty goodness!