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The starter, Chic bistro

Honey soy glazed duck breast strips

Honey soy glazed duck breast strips are a bistro style starter for 6, marinated in soy and ginger, seared at the last minute over a crisp salad. They take 20 minutes of active work, with the marinade and dressing made ahead in the morning. The recipe is easy, costs about €3.10 per serving, and the trick is coating the meat with the reduced marinade without cooking past 4 minutes.

Honey and soy glazed duck strips, caramelized just right, over a crisp salad.

Honey soy glazed duck breast strips
For
6 people
Work
20 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.10
Calories per person
340 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

The duck stays pink and juicy under a glossy glaze of honey and soy, with a sharp kick from ginger and garlic. Toasted sesame adds a fragrant crunch, and lime in the dressing brightens the whole plate. It's a starter with real character without feeling heavy, a good way to open a meal that keeps going strong.

This is a starter for a dinner party or a family meal from spring through fall, simple enough for a Sunday night and polished enough for a birthday dinner. It fits easily into a menu with a richer main course to follow, since it stays light despite its bold flavor. Kids tend to love it too, the sweet and salty glaze always goes down well.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 2 steps
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step
  4. When it's time to serve 2 steps, 5 min

In the morning, make the marinade and let the duck strips sit in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours, then make the lime dressing. Just before guests arrive, take the meat out of the fridge to come to room temperature and wash the greens. At serving time, sear the duck for 4 minutes, coat it with the reduced marinade, arrange it over the salad and sprinkle with toasted sesame.

The ingredients

6 people

Butcher

  • Duck breast strips 700 g

Pantry

  • Honeyoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Sesame seedsoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh ginger 20 g
  • Garlic 1 cloves
  • Mixed baby greens 150 g
  • Lime 1

Allergens Soy, Gluten, Sesame

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Mix the honey, soy sauce, grated ginger and crushed garlic, then let the duck strips soak in this marinade in the fridge.

    2 to 3 hours of marinating is enough, any longer and the soy oversalts the meat.

  2. Make the dressing with lime juice, a little soy sauce and the olive oil.

    Taste it on a leaf, the lime should lift the flavor without overpowering it.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Take the duck strips out of the fridge and wash the baby greens.

    Meat at room temperature sears better and cooks more evenly.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Sear the duck strips over high heat, then pour in the marinade and let it coat the meat. 5 min

    Don't go past 4 minutes, the duck should stay pink and juicy.

  2. Arrange the duck strips over the dressed salad and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

    Dry toast the sesame seeds for 1 minute, it brings out much more flavor.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick duck strips that are nicely pink with not too much visible fat, they cook faster and stay tender.
  • Pat the duck dry before searing if it comes out of the marinade too wet, it will color better in the pan.
  • Keep the greens and dressing separate until the last moment so the salad stays crisp and doesn't turn watery.

The variations

  • Swap the duck for chicken or turkey breast strips, the glaze works just as well and the cooking stays quick.
  • For a vegetarian version, glaze firm tofu blocks seared in the pan the same way.
  • For kids in a hurry, serve the meat cut into small pieces over rice instead of salad, with a little sauce on the side.

What to serve it with

  • Steamed rice or stir fried noodles as the main
  • Green tea or sparkling water with lime
  • Crisp wok fried vegetables afterward

Storage

Cooked duck strips keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, though they lose the crunch of the sesame and the juiciness. Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat so the meat doesn't dry out. Freezing isn't recommended, cooked duck turns stringy once thawed.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use a whole duck breast instead of strips?

Yes, slice the breast into thin strips before marinating and searing it. Cooking takes a bit longer, add 2 to 3 minutes per side depending on thickness.

How do I know the marinade has reduced enough in the pan?

It should turn slightly syrupy and coat the back of a spoon within a few seconds. If it's still runny, keep it on high heat for another minute while turning the meat.

Can I use a different salad instead of baby greens?

Yes, baby spinach or arugula work well with the sweet and salty glaze. Avoid overly bitter greens, they would overpower the lime.

Does this work for a dinner with a larger group?

Yes, just multiply the quantities and sear the meat in several batches to keep the heat high. Make the marinade and dressing ahead so serving stays quick.

Can honey soy glazed duck breast strips with sesame be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 20 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.

How long does it take to make honey soy glazed duck breast strips with sesame?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 20 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in honey soy glazed duck breast strips with sesame?

About 340 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does honey soy glazed duck breast strips with sesame cost?

About €3.10 per person, that's €18.60 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains soy, gluten, sesame. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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