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If you’re wondering what to serve with your roast duck, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for roast duck.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve with roast duck are root vegetable gratin, duck fat Yorkshire puddings, and sweet and sour cabbage. You can also go for cranberry pecan stuffing, bread dumplings, or noodle soup. For salad options, try citrus fennel salad or a quinoa pomegranate salad.

Ready? Let’s get started!

Hasselback butternut squash

Looking for another show stopping dish?

This Hasselback butternut squash is an excellent option.

The sage and maple butter glaze will drip down into all the slices and infuse the squash with so much flavor.

And don’t forget the prosciutto breadcrumbs – they add that salty kick that keeps you coming back for more.

Why we love this recipe: it makes a wonderful centerpiece.

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Hasselback butternut squash
Keep it simple
Cinnamon roasted butternut squash
Swap the veggie
Roasted Hasselback beets

Duck fat Yorkshire pudding

Duck fat is considered liquid gold when it comes to cooking – so don’t throw it out after roasting!

Instead, use the drippings to whip up a batch of Yorkshire pudding to accompany your roast duck.

These rich, golden, fluffy treats are best when smothered in a delicious gravy.

Why we love this recipe: these are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

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Duck fat and cheddar Yorkshire pudding
Make it different
Cornmeal popovers
Make a classic
Soft dinner rolls

Mushroom rice

Skip the plain white rice and make this mushroom rice instead.

It’s soft, fluffy, and oh-so-flavorful since it’s cooked with broth instead of just water.

Plus, adding mushrooms brings a delicious umami flavor that goes nicely with rich, meaty dishes like roast duck.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a one-pot dish ready in 30 minutes – perfect for those busy weeknight dinners.

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Mushroom rice
Make it low-carb
Cauliflower mushroom rice
Change the flavor
Cherry pecan wild rice

Citrus fennel salad

You might think salads are not an exciting side dish, but this recipe will prove you wrong.

Aside from peppery arugula, it’s loaded with crispy radish slices, fennel, creamy avocado, and juicy grapefruit segments.

But what sets this recipe apart is its grapefruit vinaigrette. It has a refreshing, tart flavor that will cut right through your rich roast duck.

Why we love this recipe: it make a great starter or side.

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Citrus fennel salad
Make it Moroccan-inspired
Moroccan carrot and orange salad
Make it wintery
Apple cranberry walnut salad

Cranberry pecan stuffing

If you’re planning to serve duck for Thanksgiving, this stuffing is a must-have accompaniment.

It’s studded with festive cranberries and pecans that add pops of sweet, tart, and buttery flavors to every bite.

Pro-tip: dry your bread croutons as much as possible so they’ll absorb the broth better.

Why we love this recipe: your guests will be lining up for second helpings of this stuffing.

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Cranberry pecan stuffing
Stick to the basics
The best stuffing
Make it fun
Cornbread stuffing

Sweet and sour cabbage

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Take some inspiration from German cuisine and serve your roast duck with this sweet and sour cabbage.

It involves sauteing red cabbage ribbons in butter, then adding brown sugar and balsamic vinegar to form a finger-lickingly good glaze.

Psst… you can also add chopped apples, onions, or chestnuts.

Why we love this recipe: it will add a nice pop of color to the plate.

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Sweet and sour German red cabbage
Fire up the oven
Roasted cabbage wedges
Make it fresh
Vinegar coleslaw

Czech bread dumplings

These bread dumplings are a popular side dish for a roast duck in Eastern Europe.

They were initially invented as a way to use up stale bread, but they’ve evolved into a tasty side dish in their own right.

These dumplings are usually boiled, but you can also pan-fry them for a more interesting texture.

Why we love this recipe: it turns a simple ingredient into something really tasty.

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Czech bread dumplings
Skip the bread
German potato dumplings
Make it Italian-inspired
Homemade ricotta gnocchi

Pomegranate quinoa

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Take a Middle-Eastern approach to your side dish by adding some pomegranate to the mix.

I think pomegranate is a really underutilized ingredient, and it just so happens to go great with duck.

The sweet pop you get is balanced out in this salad with some salty feta.

Why we love this recipe: quinoa is filling, but also packed with nutrients.

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Pomegranate and quinoa salad
Swap the grain
Morrocan couscous
Go veggie
Eggplant with pomegranate

Roasted carrots and parsnips

This dish is a must-try if you’re a fan of sweet and savory flavor combos.

The naturally sweet carrots and parsnips are coated in a spicy seasoning before roasting, then as they come out, they’re drizzled with cane syrup and orange juice mixture.

Then they’re finished off with a sprinkling of crispy bacon bits to add a smoky bite and offset the sweet glaze.

Why we love this recipe: you can use your duck drippings to roast the veggies.

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Roasted carrots and parsnip
Keep it simple
Baked parsnip fries
Change the veggie
Air fryer brussels sprouts

Crispy leaf potatoes

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Try these leaf potatoes if you’re looking for a new and exciting way to serve potatoes with your roast duck meal.

You’ll need a mandoline slicer for this recipe because the key is getting really thin and even slices.

No mandoline slicer? Roast duck is fantastic with a classic mash too!

Why we love this recipe: it looks as good as it tastes.

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Crispy leaf potatoes
Try a classic
Duck fat roast potatoes
Make it decadent
Scalloped potatoes

Noodle soup

Planning to use Chinese spices on your roast duck?

Why not serve it inside a delicious bowl of noodle soup?

There’s no standout flavor in this traditional cantonese recipe, instead all the ingredients work together to form an understated but delicious meal.

Pro tip: use a good quality broth as a base. The soup is simple, so the broth needs to be tasty.

Why we love this recipe: it’s perfect for using up leftover roast duck.

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Roast duck noodle soup
Ditch the soup
Bao buns
Skip the noodles
Duck and rice soup

French carrot salad

I’ve never been more excited about carrots than when I first tasted this classic French dish.

It gives you the perfect balance of flavors – the carrots’ natural sweetness is offset by some peppery parsley and a tangy Dijon mustard vinaigrette.

Psst… use a food processor to grate the carrots.

Why we love this recipe: no fancy ingredients are needed, just basic pantry staples.

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French carrot salad
Preheat the oven
Miso glazed carrots
Try a mash
Carrot and sweet potato puree

Cheesy root vegetable gratin

Want something indulgent? You’ve found it.

Slices of sweet potatoes, parsnips, and beets are tossed with heavy cream and parmesan cheese before being arranged elegantly in a casserole.

Yum!

Why we love this recipe: it’s a fabulous showcase for winter and fall veggies.

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Cheesy root vegetable gratin
Make it simple
Creamed spinach
A summer option
Greek roasted vegetables

The best side dishes to serve with roast duck

Hasselback butternut squash
Duck fat Yorkshire pudding
Mushroom rice
Citrus fennel salad
Cranberry pecan stuffing
Sweet and sour cabbage
Czech bread dumplings
Pomegranate quinoa
Roasted carrots and parsnips
Crispy leaf potatoes
Noodle soup
French carrot salad
Cheesy root vegetable gratin