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Peking Duck

China

One of the oldest dishes in Chinese cuisine, developed in the Imperial kitchens of the Ming Dynasty.

Beijing's most celebrated dish — duck hung and air-dried, then roasted until the skin lacquers to a mahogany sheen. Sliced and eaten in pancakes with hoisin, cucumber and spring onion.

Authentic China Peking Duck recipe
Prep
24 hrs
Cook
90 mins
Difficulty
Hard
Calories
395 kcal
Serves
4
Calories are an estimate based on ingredients used

Ingredients

1whole duck
3 tbsphoney
3 tbspsoy sauce
2 tbspShaoxing rice wine
maltose or golden syrupfor the glaze
Mandarin pancakes, hoisin sauce, cucumber and spring onionto serve

Method

1

Pour boiling water over duck. Hang to air-dry 24 hours in a cool, airy spot.

2

Mix honey, soy and wine. Brush over duck. Air-dry 6 more hours.

3

Roast at 190°C for 1.5 hours, basting every 20 minutes.

4

Carve skin and meat separately. Serve with pancakes.

Chef's Tip

The air-drying is non-negotiable — moist skin cannot achieve the lacquered crispness.

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Some recipe photos courtesy of Openverse and Wikimedia Commons contributors, used under Creative Commons licenses.
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