Duck Size Calculator
Enter how many people and whether you are cooking whole duck or duck breasts. The calculator gives the duck to buy, how many birds, the roasting time for each and how much fat you can save.
- Duck to buy
- Number of ducks
- Roasting time
One duck breast of about 225 g (8 oz) serves one person.
Duck has a lot of fat and bone, so allow more per person than chicken. Allow about 1.5 lb (680 g) of whole duck per person. Six people need about 9 lb, so two ducks of about 4.5 lb. Each roasts in about 1 hour 54 minutes at 180°C (350°F), finishing hot to crisp the skin.
Duck size chart
Whole duck. Search for people.
| People | Duck (lb) | Duck (kg) | Ducks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 1.4 | 1 |
| 3 | 4.5 | 2 | 1 |
| 4 | 6 | 2.7 | 2 |
| 6 | 9 | 4.1 | 2 |
| 8 | 12 | 5.4 | 3 |
| 10 | 15 | 6.8 | 3 |
| 12 | 18 | 8.2 | 4 |
| 16 | 24 | 10.9 | 5 |
1.5 lb each.
People and ducks
Whole duck. Slide the people.
The roast ducks are drawn for your table.
How to roast a duck
People to oven. Step through it.
People
Count them.
Pour off the fat during roasting and save it for the crispiest roast potatoes.
Whole duck, breasts or legs
Duck cuts. Compare them.
Roast.
Quick.
Slow.
Duck legs suit slow cooking and confit.
Before you cook
Duck checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Dry the skin uncovered in the fridge overnight for the crispiest result.
What you get
Duck sizing. Each tile explains one result.
To buy.
How many.
Roast.
Temperature.
To save.
A 5 lb duck gives about 250 ml of fat when roasted.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
How much duck per person?
About one and a half pounds of whole duck, or one breast.
How many people does one duck feed?
Three to four people.
How long do I roast a duck?
About twenty-two minutes per pound at one hundred and eighty degrees Celsius, then fifteen minutes hotter.
What temperature is duck done?
Seventy-four degrees Celsius in the thigh for whole duck.
Should duck breast be pink?
Yes, cooked to about fifty-seven degrees Celsius.
How do I get crispy duck skin?
Prick the skin, roast on a rack and finish at a high heat.
What can I do with duck fat?
Roast potatoes in it. It keeps for months in the fridge.
Crisp skin for everyone
Buy enough duck for the table and roast it slowly then hot, and every plate gets crisp skin and tender meat.
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