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5.0 from 21 votes

Pulled Duck

These instructions are for a sort of barbecued pulled duck, with a preliminary smoking step. See the post above for alternative cooking methods, which are easier, but a bit less flavorful.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 hrs
Total Time
5 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 259 kcal
Course: Main Course , Appetizer , Lunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds duck or goose legs and wings, skin on or off
  • salt
  • 1 quart duck or chicken broth

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Salt the legs and wings well. Get your smoker ready and set it to about 200°F. Put the duck legs in the smoker -- if they are very fatty, set a drip tray under them. Reserve any fat that collects because it tastes amazing! Smoke the legs for 1 to 3 hours; I do 2 hours.
  2. Put the legs in a heavy, lidded pot and cover with the broth and enough water to cover the legs by about 1 inch. Cover and either cook in the oven at 350°F or on the stovetop on medium-low until the meat is beginning to fall off the bone, about 2 to 4 hours -- the low end is for domesticated ducks, the high end for very old wild ducks and geese.
  3. Remove the legs and pull the meat and skin off the bones. Discard the bones. Shred with forks or your fingers, or chop. Season with salt and black pepper, and mix in some of the smoked duck fat, and whatever sauce you want.

Notes

  • The remaining broth is fantastic, and can be used as a base for my recipe for duck soup, or Nordic "pho." 
  • Any sort of wild or farmed duck or goose will work with this method, as will sharp-tailed grouse, wild turkeys, guinea hens or even pork. 
  • Don't smoke longer than 3 hours, or the meat will be unpleasantly smoky. 
  • Take your time on braising, especially with wild birds. There are always a couple that are tougher than the rest. Just keep braising until you can pull the meat off. It won't hurt the final result. 
  • I prefer to just leave the pulled duck with salt, pepper and some of its fat, adding different sauces later for different meals. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 259kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Cholesterol 134mg (45%) Sodium 613mg (26%) Potassium 35mg (1%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 16mg (2%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 259

% Daily Value*

Calories 259kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 134mg 45%
Sodium 613mg 26%
Potassium 35mg 1%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 16mg 2%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.