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Duck Confit with Potato Leek Ragout

This elegant duck confit with potato and leek ragout is a sophisticated take on French bistro cooking. The richness of the slow-cooked duck is perfectly balanced by a savoury vegetable base infused with white wine, citrus zest, and sweet Armagnac-soaked prunes. It is an indulgent, dairy-free dish that feels truly special, making it an ideal choice for a weekend dinner party or a comforting Sunday supper when you want to impress without the need for cream or butter.

Preparing this restaurant-style main course is surprisingly straightforward. Using shop-bought confit duck legs allows you to focus on building the deep, complex flavours of the ragout. The Yukon Gold potatoes soak up the aromatic broth, while the crisp skin of the duck adds a delightful texture. Serve this hearty meal in warmed shallow bowls to keep the ragout hot and the duck skin perfectly crunchy until the very last bite.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Duck Confit with Potato Leek Ragout

  • 2 large leeks (white and pale green parts only), halved lengthwise, then cut into 1-inch pieces (950ml )

  • 4 Confit Duck Legs at room temperature

  • 180ml pitted prunes, coarsely chopped

  • 60ml Armagnac or Cognac

  • 2 tablespoons rendered duck fat or extra-virgin olive oil

  • 230g cremini mushrooms, trimmed and halved lengthwise

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 240ml dry white wine

  • 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf

  • 3 large thyme sprigs

  • 2 whole cloves

  • 6 strips (3- by 1-inch) lemon zest

  • 4 strips (4- by 1-inch) orange zest

  • 240ml reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • 475ml water, divided

  • 450g (1- to 1 1/2-inch) Yukon Gold potatoes, quartered

How to make Duck Confit with Potato Leek Ragout

Wash sliced leeks and pat dry. Remove duck meat (with skin) from bones in large pieces, reserving meat and bones separately.

Simmer prunes and Armagnac in a small saucepan until Armagnac is absorbed, about 3 minutes.

Heat rendered duck fat in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook mushrooms with 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/8 teaspoons pepper, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then cook leeks with 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/8 teaspoons pepper, stirring once or twice, until beginning to soften and brown on edges, about 6 minutes. Transfer to bowl with mushrooms.

Bring wine, bay leaf, thyme, cloves, and zests to a boil in skillet, scraping up any brown bits. Add reserved bones, then broth and 240ml water and simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Add potatoes, leeks, and mushrooms (with any juices) and simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Add prunes (with any juices), remaining cup water, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoons pepper and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender and liquid is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. (If liquid hasn't thickened, remove lid and boil.)

Meanwhile, cook duck meat, skin side down, covered, in a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until skin is well browned and crisp and meat is heated through, about 15 minutes.

Discard bones and bay leaf from ragout, then season with salt and pepper and serve topped with duck confit.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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