Smoked duck breast with crispy skin is easier to make at home than most people think. I use a smoke-and-sear method that works well for both special dinners and regular weeknights. The key steps are dry brining for crispy skin, smoking it low and slow, then finishing with a quick sear. It takes a bit more attention than just throwing it in the smoker, but the results are worth it.
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Table of contents
Traeger Duck Breast
I’ve found that duck breast is one of those dishes that feels fancy but doesn’t require hard-to-find ingredients. Smoking it at home gives you that restaurant-quality result without leaving your backyard. The process involves a few specific steps to get the skin crispy and the meat tender, but once you’ve done it once, it becomes straightforward. It’s perfect for impressing family and friends or just treating yourself to something special.
What You’ll Need
- Duck Breast
- BBQ Rub
How to Smoke Duck Breast on a Traeger
Step 1: Prep Your Duck
Set your Traeger to 225°F and let it heat up. Prep your duck by lightly scoring the fat in a crosshatch pattern. Then season both sides of the breast with your BBQ rub. You can season it at least an hour before smoking or overnight for more flavor.
Step 2: Smoking The Duck
The smoker should now be at 225°F. Leave breasts in the smoker for 45 minutes, or until the internal meat temperature of the meat hits 130°F. You can attach your probe to a breast to monitor the internal temperature.
Step 3: Searing The Duck
Let the breast rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, crank up the flame broiler. We want to get a nice sear on the duck breast for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. If you want it extra cooked, cook the breast to 140°F for medium doneness.
What Temperature to Smoke Duck Breast at
You’ll need to heat the smoker to 225°F before putting in the duck.
What Internal Temperature to Reach For Duck Breast
After smoking in the smoker for at least 45 minutes, the duck meat should reach 125°F–130°F. You can insert a thermometer in a single breast and keep it attached to the meat for reference while it’s cooking.
How Long to Smoke Smoked Duck Breast
The duck breast will need to be smoked for at least 45 minutes.
How To Store Leftover Traeger Smoked Duck Breast
The best way to store duck breast is in the fridge for up to three days.
My Favorite Wood Chips for Duck Breast
The best wood chips for smoking duck breast are fruity wood chips like Cherry, Maple, Apple, or Pecan. You can combine wood chips as well, for example, cherry offers mild to medium smoke that is slightly sweet and fruity, and ties in well with oak wood.
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Sides For Duck Breast
Looking for more sides for your duck?
Traeger Duck Breast
Equipment
- Traeger Grill
Ingredients
- 4 whole Duck breasts
- 2 tbsp BBQ rub
Instructions
Step 1: Set Your Smoker to 225°F
- Add your chosen wood chips to your smoker set it to 225°F and give it time to heat up.
Step 2: Prep Your Duck
- While the smoker is heating up, prep your duck by lightly scoring the fat in a cross-hatch fashion. Then season both sides of the breast with your BBQ rub. You can season it at least an hour before smoking or overnight for more flavor.
Step 3: Smoking The Duck
- The smoker should now be at 225°F. Leave breasts in the smoker for 45 minutes, or until the internal meat temperature of the meat hits 130°F. You can attach your probe to a breast to monitor the internal temperature.
Step 4: Searing The Duck
- Let the breast rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, crank up the flame broiler. We want to get a nice sear on the duck breast for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. If you want it to be extra cooked, you can cook the breast until 140°F for medium doneness.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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