Tuck into the golden crispy gloriousness that is Duck Fat Roast Potatoes. The simple addition of duck fat (bought at the grocery store) makes the humble potato ultra-crispy with a meltingly soft interior and incredibly delicious! Made conveniently on a sheet pan.
What are Duck Fat Roast Potatoes?
If you love roast potatoes, try these — Duck Fat Roast Potatoes.
The simple addition of duck fat transforms the humble potato into something gloriously crispy, golden and crunchy. You won’t believe the crunchy crust on these potatoes! Combined with a meltingly soft and ultra-fluffy interior — these potatoes are simply irresistible.
Why Duck Fat? The high fat content plus the high smoke point of duck fat makes it ideal for crisping up food. Compared to other animal fats, duck fat also contains more healthy fats that lower cholesterol.
Duck fat also adds tremendous flavor. Earthy, rich, and decadent — you’ve never tasted roast potatoes like these!
As a bonus, Duck Fat Roast Potatoes are so simple to make. A sheet pan makes it even more convenient and easy!
Where can I find Duck Fat?
Nowadays, Duck Fat can be found at most grocery stores. In the past, duck fat was only available in specialty stores. But nowadays, it can be easily found in regular stores.
Look for duck fat in the refrigerated meat section. They are sold in tubs next to the poultry. Or, look for glass jars in the oils/fats aisle next to the shortening and olive oil.
To be honest, the BEST duck fat comes from saving the leftover fat when searing duck breast or roasting an entire duck at home. Cooking duck produces LOTS of duck fat. Cool the fat completely then sieve through a fine mesh strainer to remove crumbs. Store in an old jam jar, in the fridge. In my experience, 1 roasted duck (regular sized) produces about 1 cup of duck fat.
Ingredients:
- Yellow Potatoes. My favorite potatoes for roasting. Tons of flavor. Enough starch for a creamy, ultra-fluffy interior. Enough waxiness to keep their shape and for crispy edges. No need to peel, as the skin crisps up delightfully.
- Duck Fat. Delicious, decadent, earthy duck fat is a luxurious way to flavor the humble potato! Small plastic tubs or glass jars of duck fat can be found at most grocery stores. Look in the poultry aisle.
- Salt + Pepper. Season generously as potatoes need a lot of salt to taste good! Freshly cracked black pepper is preferred.
- Parsley. A handful of Italian parsley adds freshness, flavor, and color.
Instructions:
- Chop potatoes. Cut into even-sized pieces so they cook evenly. 1-inch chunks are ideal.
- Parboil potatoes. Briefly boil potatoes for 5 minutes then drain. The quick boil ensures a soft, fluffy interior.
- Roast on high heat. Add duck fat and plenty of salt and pepper. Mix with your hands. Roast in the oven until golden and crispy. This creates that super crispy, crunchy crust!
Essential Tools:
- Sheet Pan. A thick, heavy-duty rimmed sheet pan works best to create a super crispy and crunchy crust.
- Colander. To properly drain the potatoes.
- Large metal spatula. To scrape up the crispy, crunchy coated potatoes. I use an Oxo fish spatula (large) (affiliate). A plastic spatula won’t be able to do the same job, as it’s more bendy and soft.
PRO Tips:
- Be patient when roasting. It takes a long time for the potatoes to get crispy and golden brown!
- Scrape potatoes. About halfway through, use a metal spatula and scrape up the potatoes. Essential for that crunchy crust!
- Be generous with salt. Potatoes are notorious for needing a lot of salt. To season properly, be generous with it.
- Use homemade duck fat. Although you can buy duck fat at grocery stores, the best flavor comes from leftover duck fat that’s been rendered out in your own kitchen. The flavor is superior.
Variations:
- Add dried herbs. Add dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano with the duck fat and salt. Roast as per usual. Creates a gorgeously flavorful, herby flavor that’s deep and earthy.
- Add fresh herbs + garlic. After the potatoes are roasted, add a ton of fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, rosemary) and grated garlic. Adds more fresh lightness. Toss with spatula and serve immediately.
- Add parmesan cheese. Add freshly grated parmesan right before serving.
- Serve with aioli. My favorite aioli is 1/2 cup mayo, lemon juice + zest, 1 garlic clove, salt and pepper. Delicious and creamy dip!
FAQ:
How do I store Duck Fat?
Store duck fat in an air-tight container, in the coldest part of the fridge. Duck fat stays good for a long time — several months and up to a year or two. It’s easy to reuse, again and again, as long as you strain out the crumbs and bits. Alternatively, you can freeze duck fat for longer storage.
Other sides you may enjoy:
- Scallion Star Bread with Duck Fat
- No Knead Focaccia with Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Roasted Miso Cauliflower
- Arugula Quinoa Salad
- Instant Pot Turmeric Rice with Kale
Duck Fat Roast Potatoes
Equipment
- 13 x 18" rimmed sheet pan
- Colander
- Large metal spatula
Ingredients
- 3 lbs potatoes (preferably yellow or Golden Yukon)
- 1/2 cup duck fat
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450F/232C.
- Remove duck fat from refrigerator and bring to room temperature. Or, heat for 30 seconds in the microwave. The duck fat should be runny and pourable.
- Cut potatoes into 2-inch chunks, leaving the skin intact. Place potatoes in a large stock pot and add cold water to cover. Bring to a boil then boil for 5 minutes.
- Drain potatoes in colander. Shake the colander to drain excess water. Set aside for 5 more minutes to continue steaming/draining.
- Dump potatoes onto a sheet pan. Drizzle with duck fat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix well with hands and spread out in an even layer.
- Roast until potatoes are crispy and browned, about 40-55 minutes. About halfway through, scrape up the potatoes with a spatula and turn them to the other side.
- Garnish with parsley and a few more grinds of fresh pepper and pinch of salt. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Add dried herbs. Add dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano with the duck fat and salt. Creates a gorgeously flavorful, herby flavor that’s deep and earthy.
- Add fresh herbs + garlic. After the potatoes are roasted, add a ton of fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, rosemary) and grated garlic. Toss with spatula and serve immediately.
- Add parmesan cheese. Add freshly grated parmesan right before serving.
- Serve with aioli. My favorite aioli is 1/2 cup mayo, lemon juice + zest, 1 garlic clove, salt and pepper. Delicious and creamy addition!
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