Smoked duck is an old and traditional main course for a holiday dinner. Duck meat absorbs all the ingredients well and gives a bolder and robust flavour than any other poultry meat. And have no fear, Smoked Duck is a great meat to smoke as it’s more forgiving than other poultry meat and harder to dry out on your grill. You’re going to love the unique flavour of this meat!
Smoked Duck
Are you done eating and paying for this expensive dish in the restaurant? Do not worry. We will walk you through a full-proof smoked duck recipe, after which you will be able to smoke your delicious, whole duck and save money and time.
Smoking a duck for a special occasion or family dinner is easy and can be smoked in no time. It can be a bit tough for the new pit master, but let me tell you, the effort you will put in will definitely be worth it and this smoked duck recipe will pay off all your efforts.
How To Make Smoked Duck
Step 1: Dry Brine Fresh Duck
First, make holes in the duck skin, be careful that the instrument with which you are making the holes doesn’t penetrate the meat, including the duck breast meat and all other parts. After piercing the skin thoroughly, apply kosher salt to it. Put the duck in a tray and let it rest in the refrigerator for 15 hours.
Step 2: Preheat Smoker
Step 3: Marinate
Our favourite rubs for Smoked Duck are the BBQ Hero Chicken Rub or Pork Rub.
Step 4: Smoke the Duck
Step 5: Broil in Oven
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
Serve it with your favourite sides, we recommend our Smoked Baked Potatoes, Smoked Asparagus, Smoked Corn on the cob or, Smoked Sweet Potatoes. Your family will love it.
Tips For Making The Best Smoked Duck
- Check The Temperature. Use a temperature probe to check the internal temperature of the duck. If the inside temp is 170°F, consider it done.
More Great Smoked Bird Options
If you’re looking to try other similar recipes, why not give Turkey a try! Have a crack at our Smoked Turkey, Smoked Turkey Breast, and Smoked Spatchcocked Turkey recipes a try as well. They are easy to make and also go well with any smoked side dishes.
Related Recipes
- Smoked Top Sirloin Roast
- Smoked Pork Loin
- Smoked Baked Potatoes Recipe
- Smoked Sweet Potatoes
- Smoked Beef Roast

Smoked Duck Recipe
Equipment
- Smoker Pellets
- BBQ Grill Accessories (Basting brush)
- Cutting board
- Wire rack
Ingredients
- 1 whole duck
- 1 batch of Chicken Rub, or Pork Rub
- A pinch of black pepper
- A bit of Kosher salt
BASTING LIQUID
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 up orange juice
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Dry brine your whole bird.
- Start your smoker, grab your pellets, and get the temperature stable at 275 ºF.
- Season the duck all over with Chicken Rub, or Pork Rub.
- Place the duck directly on the grill and smoke for 2 hours. Baste with butter around the halfway point.
- Broil the smoked duck for 2-5 minutes.
- Remove the duck from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smoked Duck Healthy?
Nonetheless, it is generally deeper in colour than other sections of chicken and turkey, and it is frequently prepared differently. As a result, the duck may be classified as red meat under culinary standards. Duck is a nutritious meat choice that may be included in a balanced diet, regardless of whether it is classified as white or red meat.