Cantonese-Style Soy-Glazed Roast Duck

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy roast duck with a glossy soy glaze, featuring a balance of sweet and savory flavors characteristic of Cantonese cuisine. This chinese ready in about 105 minutes pairs whole duck, five-spice powder, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 90 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse and pat dry 1 whole duck (about 4 lbs). Rub the skin and cavity evenly with 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp five-spice powder. Stuff the cavity with 2-inch slices of ginger and 3 scallion lengths.
  2. Step 2: Let the duck rest uncovered in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight to dry the skin for crispiness.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the duck breast side up on a roasting rack set inside a baking pan.
  4. Step 4: Mix 3 tbsp honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine. Brush half of this glaze over the duck skin.
  5. Step 5: Roast the duck for 1 hour, basting with the remaining glaze every 20 minutes.
  6. Step 6: After 1 hour, pour 1 cup water into the pan to prevent drippings from burning and continue roasting for another 30 minutes until the skin is shiny and crisp.
  7. Step 7: Remove the duck from the oven, let rest 10 minutes before carving and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cantonese-Style Soy-Glazed Roast Duck take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cantonese-Style Soy-Glazed Roast Duck?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep whole duck from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cantonese-Style Soy-Glazed Roast Duck?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cantonese-Style Soy-Glazed Roast Duck for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cantonese-Style Soy-Glazed Roast Duck?

Chinese chinese like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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