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What to Serve With Confit Duck: 15 Best Side Dishes

Choosing the right sides can transform your confit duck into a memorable feast. Roasted potatoes offer a crispy contrast to the duck's tenderness. Braised red cabbage adds a vibrant and tangy twist. Green bean almondine delivers a nutty crunch, while garlic mashed potatoes provide a creamy base. Sautéed spinach, packed with nutrients, pairs wonderfully as well. Consider honey-glazed carrots for a touch of sweetness, or Puy lentils for earthy depth. Cauliflower purée is smooth and subtle, and a pear and blue cheese salad can be a invigorating complement. Each dish brings its own delightful flavor to the table—discover more to enhance your meal!

Roasted Potatoes

delicious side dish choice

Roasted potatoes, with their golden, crispy exterior and tender interior, make a classic and complementary side dish for confit duck. The crispy texture of the potatoes contrasts beautifully with the rich, succulent duck.

There are many seasoning variations to explore, from simple salt and pepper to rosemary and garlic. These variations allow you to tailor the flavors to perfectly match the main dish.

Braised Red Cabbage

roasted pork chops

Braised red cabbage, with its tangy and slightly sweet flavors, provides a vibrant and delicious contrast to the rich taste of confit duck. This side dish not only enhances the flavor balance but also pairs wonderfully with a variety of wines.

The deep, savory notes of the duck are beautifully complemented by the cabbage, creating a harmonious and satisfying dining experience.

Green Bean Almondine

tasty green bean recipe

Following the vibrant flavors of braised red cabbage, green bean almondine offers a crisp and nutty accompaniment that enhances the meal's overall texture and taste.

The dish showcases the vibrant colors of fresh green beans, beautifully garnished with slivered almonds that add a delightful nutty flavor.

This side dish not only complements the rich confit duck but also brings a rejuvenating contrast to the plate.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

comforting side dish recipe

Garlic mashed potatoes provide a creamy and flavorful foundation that perfectly complements the richness of confit duck.

The creamy texture of the potatoes, infused with the aromatic garlic flavor, creates a delightful contrast to the succulent duck.

This side dish not only enhances the overall dining experience but also adds a comforting, homely touch, making your meal feel both luxurious and heartwarming.

Sautéed Spinach

healthy green leafy vegetable

Complementing the creamy garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach offers a vibrant, nutritious balance to the richness of confit duck. Spinach benefits include high levels of iron and vitamins.

For best flavor, use simple cooking techniques like quickly sautéing the spinach with olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of salt. This method preserves its nutrients and a bright green color, enhancing your meal beautifully.

Apple and Walnut Salad

nutritious apple and walnuts

Why not add an invigorating apple and walnut salad to your meal to provide a delightful contrast to the rich flavors of confit duck?

This crisp salad, dressed with a light vinaigrette dressing, offers a revitalizing flavor contrast that enhances the dish.

The sweetness of the apples and the crunch of the walnuts create a balanced texture, adding brightness and complexity to your dining experience.

Gratin Dauphinois

creamy french potato dish

Gratin Dauphinois, a classic French dish made from thinly sliced potatoes baked in cream, offers a rich and creamy accompaniment to confit duck.

The cheese selection, typically involving Gruyère or Emmental, enhances its luxurious texture.

For an ideal wine pairing, a crisp white such as Chardonnay balances the dish's richness, creating a harmonious dining experience that is both satisfying and elegant.

Caramelized Onions

savory and sweet onions

Caramelized onions, with their deep, sweet flavor, provide a perfect counterpoint to the savory richness of confit duck. When slowly cooked to golden perfection, they transform into a delightful onion jam, enhanced by a touch of balsamic glaze.

This side dish adds complexity and a hint of sweetness, making it an excellent pairing that balances the duck's indulgent taste effortlessly.

Truffle Polenta

delicious creamy truffle dish

Truffle polenta, with its rich and earthy flavors, serves as an elegant complement to the luxurious taste of confit duck. This creamy side dish, much like a mushroom risotto, incorporates the subtle sweetness of corn, creating a delightful balance.

The truffle's depth adds sophistication, making each bite a savory experience that enhances the overall dining pleasure, perfectly pairing with the tender duck.

Ratatouille

cooking rat in kitchen

Ratatouille, a vibrant and hearty vegetable medley, offers a colorful and flavorful contrast to the richness of confit duck. Bursting with Mediterranean flavors and vibrant colors, this classic French dish includes zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and tomatoes.

Slow-cooked to perfection, the vegetables blend beautifully, providing a light yet satisfying side that complements the savory depth of the duck confit.

Arugula and Parmesan Salad

fresh arugula with cheese

An arugula and Parmesan salad guarantees a revitalizing, peppery bite and a touch of umami to balance the rich flavors of confit duck.

With various dressing options like lemon vinaigrette or balsamic reduction, this salad guarantees a delightful flavor balance.

The fresh, crisp arugula combined with the salty, nutty Parmesan creates an invigorating contrast, making it an excellent companion for your sumptuous dish.

Honey-Glazed Carrots

delicious glazed carrots recipe

Complementing the invigorating arugula and Parmesan salad, honey-glazed carrots provide a sweet and earthy counterpoint to the rich confit duck. The flavor profile of the carrots, enhanced by the honey's natural sweetness, adds depth to the dish.

Additionally, their nutritional benefits, including vitamins A and K, make them a wholesome choice that balances the richness of the duck beautifully.

Puy Lentils

high in protein and fiber

When paired with confit duck, Puy lentils offer a hearty and earthy complement that enhances the overall dining experience.

As a staple in French cuisine, these small, green lentils are known for their firm texture and slight peppery flavor.

They not only add depth to the dish but also provide significant nutritional benefits, being rich in protein, fiber, and essential minerals.

Cauliflower Purée

creamy cauliflower side dish

How does the creamy texture and subtle flavor of cauliflower purée enhance the rich, savory notes of confit duck?

The mild flavor profile of cauliflower purée complements the duck's richness, creating a balanced dish.

For preparation tips, steam cauliflower until tender, then blend with butter, cream, and seasoning.

This creates a smooth, luxurious base that accentuates the duck's savory depth without overpowering it.

What Are the Best Side Dishes to Serve With Confit Duck?

Some of the best side dishes for corn fritters include crispy roasted potatoes, a tangy and refreshing green salad, or a creamy and indulgent macaroni and cheese. These dishes complement the rich and flavorful confit duck beautifully, adding a variety of textures and flavors to the meal.

Pear and Blue Cheese Salad

delicious salad with contrast

A pear and blue cheese salad offers an invigorating contrast to the rich flavors of confit duck, introducing a delightful interplay of sweetness and tang.

This combination can be enhanced with a well-chosen wine pairing, such as a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

For the best experience, serve the salad slightly chilled to balance the warm, savory notes of the duck, creating a harmonious dining experience.