Although not quite as popular as other types of poultry, duck is particularly delicious when marinated and enjoyed alongside oriental vegetables and sticky rice.
And if you’ve prepared duck for the family for something a little different, you might wonder if it’s safe to reheat your leftover duck the following day.
To reheat duck, use the oven or microwave to reheat dry pieces of meat that aren’t in a sauce. If the duck is in a sauce, curry or soup, you’ll need to reheat it on the stovetop.
How to Reheat Duck
How you choose to reheat duck is entirely up to you, but we recommend using the oven or microwave to reheat duck breast, legs, or shredded duck pieces.
If you have already marinated your duck or it is in a curry or sauce of some description, reheating it on the stovetop is the best way to go.
So, without further ado, here are the steps you need to follow to safely reheat duck in three different ways, starting with the microwave:
How to Reheat Duck in the Microwave
Reheating duck in the microwave is the quickest option, but it doesn’t necessarily produce the best-tasting duck. Here’s what you need to do:
- Prepare Duck
Place your duck in a microwave-safe dish. Then, add some moisture to the dish – you can add some broth, plain water, or sauce, depending on how you plan to serve your duck. This is an important step to prevent your duck from drying out. - Cover
Cover the dish with some plastic wrap or a paper towel before placing the duck in the microwave. - Reheat
Reheat your duck for 2-3 minutes (depending on its size) on medium heat. - Check the Temperature
When you think your duck might be ready, remove it from the microwave and check its internal temperature is at least 165F or 75C before serving. If it’s not quite done, return your duck to the microwave for sixty-second bursts until it’s up to temperature. - Serve and Enjoy
When your duck is at the right temperature, it’s time to serve it alongside your chosen accompaniments.
How to Reheat Duck in the Oven
If time isn’t an issue, then it’s much better to reheat duck in the oven by following these simple steps:
- Preheat Oven
Switch on your oven and preheat to 350F or 175C. - Prepare Duck
Place the duck in an ovenproof dish. Then, pour around a quarter of a cup of liquid – broth, water, sauce, or soup – on top of the duck, and cover with a lid or some tin foil. - Reheat
Place the duck in the centre of the oven and reheat for twenty minutes. - Check the Temperature
When you think your duck might be ready, remove it from the oven and check its internal temperature is at least 165F or 75C before serving. If it’s not quite done, return your duck to the oven for another five minutes or until it’s up to temperature. - Serve and Enjoy
Serve the reheated duck immediately while it’s piping hot.
How to Reheat Duck on the Stovetop
If you have already marinated your duck or it is in some type of sauce or curry, then reheating it on the stovetop is the way to go. Here’s how to reheat it:
- Add the Duck to a Pan
Add your duck to a suitably sized non-stick pan and place it on the stovetop. - Reheat
Over medium heat, reheat your duck for 5-7 minutes, stirring it occasionally. - Check the Temperature
When you think your duck might be ready, remove it from the heat and check its internal temperature is at least 165F or 75C before serving. If it’s not quite done, return it to the heat for another minute or so. - Serve and Enjoy
Serve your juicy duck alongside a bed of rice and tuck in!
How to Reheat Duck Successfully
Reheating duck isn’t too difficult but it can go wrong if you don’t follow a few simple tips. Here are our top 3 tips for when you want to reheat duck:
- Add Some Moisture – Before reheating duck in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop, don’t forget to add some moisture. Reheating duck as it is will cause it to dry out, so don’t forget this important step.
- Always Check the Temperature – Before you eat duck that has been reheated, you must check that it has reached an internal temperature of at least 165F or 75C before it’s safe to eat.
- Refrigerate or Freeze It – As soon as you realise that you’re going to have some duck left over, make sure you refrigerate or freeze it, so it doesn’t go to waste. Duck that has been sitting out at room temperature won’t be safe to reheat.
Is It Safe to Reheat Duck?
Yes, reheating duck is entirely safe, provided you have stored it in the fridge or the freezer.
As mentioned throughout, you must ensure your duck has been reheated to an internal temperature of at least 165F or 75C before it’s safe to eat.
Reheating Duck FAQs
Do you have further questions about reheating duck? Then check these out:
Yes, Peking duck from your favourite Chinese restaurant can be reheated in the oven or the microwave as long as it hasn’t been left sitting out at room temperature for an extended period. 
If you reheat duck in the oven, then every so often, add a knob of butter, allow it to melt and then baste the duck in the melted butter. This will help it retain moisture.
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
