Here you will learn the easy steps for how to cook duck bacon on the stove so it is perfectly crisp, chewy, and delicious every time! It's a great alternative to pork bacon that is sure to satisfy as an addition to your favorite meals or for a meaty snack.
Also try my air fryer duck, bacon wrapped duck or air fryer duck legs recipes if you love duck as much as i do.
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Duck. Bacon. These two culinary favorites are famously delicious on their own... So you just know duck bacon is going to be peak tastiness. And once you learn how easy it is to cook duck bacon, it will surely be your go-to choice any time you are in need of an elevated bacon element on the plate.
Thick, meaty yet lean slices of duck bacon are an irresistible balance of savory and sweet. In fact, fans of turkey bacon as an alternative to pork will find that (in my opinion) this other type of poultry bacon is an even better option to mimic the taste and texture of pork.
Unlike turkey bacon, duck has a more firm thickness and chewiness that resembles the bite of pork. However, do not expect duck to get the same level of crispiness as pork bacon...
For the best taste and mouthfeel we cook duck bacon in a skillet on the stovetop. Pork bacon gets all that crispy goodness from the high fat content. As the pork cooks, all of that fatiness essentially deep fries the bacon.
This is the same for duck bacon: Cooking in a skillet on high heat helps to render what bit of fat there is. So this method will yield the crispiest texture possible for duck bacon.
Home cooked duck bacon is easy to make and delicious - and it is super versatile, too! Use thick slices on sandwiches and wraps, add chopped or crumbled pieces to salads and other tasty dishes. Serve as a simple and comforting breakfast side dish, or enjoy slices by themselves for a protein-rich and scrumptious snack!
What is duck bacon
This hearty poultry bacon is made from cuts of duck breast meat. The uncured breast is typically rubbed with a combination of salt, sugar, and sometimes other spices to create different flavor profiles. The meat is then slow smoked, often on sweet applewood chips. Lastly, it is cut into thin slices to make traditional bacon strips.
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Uses for cooked duck bacon
- Breakfast Dishes: Add it to omelets, scrambled eggs, or alongside pancakes for a rich, flavorful breakfast.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Use it in place of traditional bacon in BLTs, club sandwiches, or wrapped around veggies for a crunchy bite.
- Salads: Crumble it over salads for a savory, crispy element.
- Pasta and Risotto: Incorporate into carbonara, pasta dishes, or risottos for added depth and texture.
- Burgers and Tacos: Top burgers or tacos for an extra layer of flavor.
- Soups and Stews: Add to soups, chowders, or stews for a smoky, meaty note.
- Appetizers: Serve as part of a charcuterie board or make canapés for an elegant touch.
- Sides: Sprinkle over roasted vegetables or baked potatoes.
Storage suggestions
To store cooked duck bacon, first let it cool to room temperature. Then, drain any excess fat and place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Refrigerate and consume within three to four days for best quality. For longer storage, freeze it, properly wrapped, for up to two months. Always check for signs of spoilage before consuming.
Frequently asked questions
The vibrant pink color is due to the high levels of oxygen carried in the bird's blood stream. It takes a lot of muscle work to move those wings! But although it is dark pink in color, duck is indeed still classified as white meat fowl.
Not, duck bacon is not good... It is FANTASTIC! If you like classic turkey, pork, or beef bacon you will certainly love bacon made from smoked duck breast.
Also, in addition to being a great source of protein and other essentials, there's about half as much fat per serving versus pork bacon. Just keep in mind that it *is still* bacon, and therefore is not considered to be a lean food.
Much of the flavor of duck bacon is similar to pork bacon. It is smoky and savory, with just a hint of sweetness. It is less fatty than pork bacon. However, bacon made with duck meat has a more rich flavor and pronounced smokiness.
The texture of duck bacon is more chewy versus pork or turkey bacon. When you cook duck bacon it will shrink up a good bit. But it tends to not get quite as crispy as other types of bacon. I find it most closely resembles a leaner and less tough beef bacon.
Uncured smoked duck bacon is typically available in popular grocery store chains like Whole Foods, Walmart, and Costco. Local butcher shops also should have no problem sourcing fresh or frozen slices for you.
Additionally, there is no shortage of reputable online retailers that can ship frozen duck back directly to you!
You may also like
- Duck tongue recipe
- Duck gizzard recipe
- Air fryer duck breast
- Air fryer rabbit
- Honey gold wing sauce
- Air fryer salmon belly
Hope you will like this duck bacon recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
How To Cook Duck Bacon
Here you will learn the easy steps for how to cook duck bacon on the stove so it is perfectly crisp, chewy, and delicious every time! It's a great alternative to pork bacon that is sure to satisfy as an addition to your favorite meals or for a meaty snack.
Ingredients
- 1 lb duck bacon strips
- chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat. You don't need to add oil because the duck bacon will render its own fat as it cooks.
- Place the duck bacon strips in the pan in a single layer. Make sure they are not overlapping so that they cook evenly.
- Allow the duck bacon to cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on one side. Unlike pork bacon, duck bacon contains less fat, so it won’t shrink as much and doesn’t need to be cooked as long.
- Using tongs, flip the bacon strips to the other side and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the bacon and your desired level of crispiness.
- Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess fat.
Notes
To store cooked duck bacon, first let it cool to room temperature. Then, drain any excess fat and place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Refrigerate and consume within three to four days for best quality. For longer storage, freeze it, properly wrapped, for up to two months. Always check for signs of spoilage before consuming.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 423Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 212mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 24g
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