Main Course · Dinner · Vietnamese ·

Fragrant Vietnamese Star Anise Duck Confit with Pickled Vegetables

Name: Fragrant Vietnamese Star Anise Duck Confit with Pickled Vegetables
Prep time: 90 min
Cook time: 270 min
Total time: 360 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Duck legs, 4 (with skin); Salt, 2 tbsp; Garlic, 5 cloves, crushed; Star anise pods, 4; Cinnamon sticks, 2; Cloves, 5; Black peppercorns, 1 tbsp; Carrots, 1 cup, julienned; Daikon radish, 1 cup, julienned; Rice vinegar, 1 cup; Sugar, 1/2 cup; Salt, 1 tbsp; Coriander seeds, 1 tbsp; Fennel seeds, 1 tsp; Fish sauce, 1 tbsp

This dish is a harmonious blend of Vietnamese spices infusing into succulent duck, paired with crisp pickled vegetables to create a flavorful and aromatic experience.

4.7(301 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 17, 2025

Fragrant Vietnamese Star Anise Duck Confit with Pickled Vegetables — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 30 min

Cook

4 h 30 min

Difficulty

Advanced

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Duck Confit

Pickled Vegetables

Aromatic Spice Mix

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 586 kcal
Protein: 41.3 g
Carbs: 33.5 g
Fat: 35.5 g
Fiber: 2.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2342 kcal
Protein: 165.3 g
Carbs: 134 g
Fat: 142 g
Fiber: 9.8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Duck legs 4 (with skin)	1800	160	0	140	0
Salt 2 tbsp	0	0	0	0	0
Garlic 5 cloves, crushed	20	1	5	0	0.5
Star anise pods 4	8	0	1	0	0.5
Cinnamon sticks 2	12	0	3	0	1
Cloves 5	3	0	1	0	0.5
Black peppercorns 1 tbsp	17	0	4	1	2
Carrots 1 cup, julienned	45	1	11	0	3
Daikon radish 1 cup, julienned	20	1	4	0	1
Rice vinegar 1 cup	0	0	0	0	0
Sugar 1/2 cup	385	0	100	0	0
Salt 1 tbsp	0	0	0	0	0
Coriander seeds 1 tbsp	15	1	3	1	1
Fennel seeds 1 tsp	7	0.3	1	0	0.3
Fish sauce 1 tbsp	10	1	1	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Duck

1
Pat and Season
Pat dry the duck legs and rub with salt thoroughly.
Tip: ⚠ Important: Do not overcrowd the duck legs during marination.
2
Combine Marinade
Place duck in a dish, add garlic, star anise pods, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and peppercorns.
3
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to marinate.

Preparing the Pickled Vegetables

1
Prepare Brine
In a saucepan, combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil.
2
Cool Mixture
Once sugar dissolves, remove from heat and let cool.
3
Pickle Vegetables
Place carrot and daikon in a jar, pour vinegar mixture over, seal, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Tip: 💡 Pro Tip: For even more flavor, let pickled vegetables sit overnight.

How to Make Fragrant Vietnamese Star Anise Duck Confit with Pickled Vegetables

Total time: 6 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Duck Confit
Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Rinse marinated duck, pat dry, place in a cast-iron pot covering with spice mix and fish sauce. Cover and bake for 2.5 hours.
2
Pickling
Ensure vegetables are fully submerged in brine for best results.
3
Aromatic Spice Mix
Toast lightly in a pan before adding to enhance flavor.