Thai Red Duck Curry with Pineapple (2024)

Thai red duck curry, a perfectly cooked rosy pink duck breast in sweet, spicy, sour, and salt red curry sauce tempered with coconut milk.

The pineapple adds and extra sweet and sour note that is the perfect contrast to the rich and delicious duck breast.

Red Duck Breast Curry

I don’t know you wait forever to stumble upon a duck curry and then two come along in quick succession.

This Thai red duck curry is not the first here. I have a glorious Indian duck curry made with duck breast too.

Both of these recipes share one thing in common, the desire to keep the duck breast pink. I achieve that in this recipe by not cooking the duck in the curry sauce.

That also helps play around with a very modern and different take on a curry.

Whilst I love to embrace a bowl of comforting curry, I like to play with food new ideas and sideways looks at dishes without losing any flavour.

My sea bass curry is another delicious example of this!

Don’t worry though, it is not all “fur coat and no knickers”, this dish is packed to the gunnels with classic Thai curry flavours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What curry paste do you prefer?

Do I need Thai Basil?

Can I cook the duck so that it is not pink?

• Rare: 57°C or 135°F
• Medium: 62°C or 144°F
• Well Done: 67°C or 153°F

Serving Suggestions

For me, this red duck curry needs very little, although I typically serve it with a small amount of Jasmine rice.

If you wanted to serve it as a multi-course meal then I would serve half of a large duck breast per person.

Then you can open yourself up to a host of starters you can pair this with.

I would personally go for these Spicy Thai tuna fishcakes and some cucumber salad.

Equipment Used

I only mention brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Stovetop.
• 28cm or 11″ frying pan or skillet, not nonstick is best for this recipe.
• Kitchen tongs.
• Stirring and serving spoons.
• Weighing scales and or measuring cups and spoons.
• Kitchen knife.
• Chopping board.
• Quick read meat thermometer, optional but I find using one invaluable for cooking duck.

Yield: 2 Servings

Red Thai Duck Curry Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

This delicious and simple Thai red duck curry is full of the flavours of Thailand and a healthy kick of spice.

Ingredients

• 2 Duck Breasts
• 2 Red Birds Eye Chillis
• 50g (3 Tbsp) Thai Red Curry Paste
• 6 Lime Leaves
• 1 (35g) Shallot
• 1 Tbsp Lemongrass Paste
• 1 Tbsp Garlic and Ginger Paste
• 400ml (14oz) Tin of Coconut Milk
• 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
• 1-2 Tbsp Fish Sauce
• 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
• 150g (¾-1 Cup) Pineapple Rings
• 2 Tbsp Thai Basil

Instructions

1. Ensure the skin of the duck is dry and score in a 6-10mm (¼-½") crosshatch pattern with a sharp knife ensuring you do not pass through to the flesh.
2. Season with the salt and place skin side down in a cold 28cm or 11" frying pan or skillet, turn the heat to low-medium and allow to cook for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown.
3. Slit the red chillies in half lengthways.
4. As soon as the duck breasts have given off enough oil add the slit chillies to the oil.
5. Dice the shallot as finely as you can.
6. Roughly tear the lime leaves into pieces making sure you remove the central vein.
7. Cut the pineapple into 2-3cm (¾-1¼") pieces.
8. When the duck is nicely golden remove it from the pan and set it aside, skin side up.
9. Drain the pan of all but about a tablespoon of duck fat and return it to a medium heat.
10. Add the shallots and garlic and ginger paste and cook for 1 minute.
11. Add the Thai curry paste and cook for two minutes stirring and mashing all of the time.
12. Pour in the coconut milk and add the lime leaves, lemongrass paste, brown sugar, lime juice and fish sauce, then stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
13. Add the duck breasts skin side up and cook until the desired level of cooking. I aim to remove at around 53-54°C or 127°F.
14. Remove the duck and allow it to rest covered with foil for 5 minutes.
15. Add the pineapple to the sauce and have a taste before refining the levels of sugar, lime juice and fish sauce to your taste.
16. Shred the Thai basil and stir through the sauce just before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1020Total Fat: 71gSaturated Fat: 44gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 326mgSodium: 2328mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 3gSugar: 17gProtein: 66g

Calorific details are provided by a third-party application and are to be used as indicative figures only.

Did you make this recipe?

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