Main Course · Dinner · Thai ·

Spicy Thai Tamarind Duck with Fresh Basil

Name: Spicy Thai Tamarind Duck with Fresh Basil
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 4 duck breasts, skin on; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon fish sauce; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon chili flakes; 3 tablespoons tamarind paste; 2 tablespoons palm sugar; 2 tablespoons fish sauce; 1/2 cup chicken stock; 1 red chili, finely chopped; Juice of 1 lime; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 large onion, sliced; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 cup snap peas; 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves; Cooked jasmine rice

Experience a flavorful journey with this spicy Thai duck recipe drenched in a tangy tamarind sauce, accented with fresh basil.

4.9(788 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 3, 2025

Spicy Thai Tamarind Duck with Fresh Basil — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Duck Marinade

For the Tamarind Sauce

For the Stir-Fry

For Serving

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 592 kcal
Protein: 32.7 g
Carbs: 59.4 g
Fat: 29.6 g
Fiber: 2.9 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2366 kcal
Protein: 130.8 g
Carbs: 237.5 g
Fat: 118.3 g
Fiber: 11.7 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 duck breasts skin on	1200	108	0	88	0
4 cloves garlic minced	18	0.8	4	0	0.2
2 tablespoons soy sauce	20	2	1	0	0
1 tablespoon fish sauce	9	1	1	0	0
1 tablespoon brown sugar	52	0	13	0	0
1 teaspoon chili flakes	6	0.3	1	0.3	0.8
3 tablespoons tamarind paste	60	0	15	0	0.8
2 tablespoons palm sugar	118	0	30	0	0
2 tablespoons fish sauce	18	2	1	0	0
1/2 cup chicken stock	3	0.5	0	0.1	0
1 red chili finely chopped	6	0.3	1	0.1	0.2
Juice of 1 lime	8	0.1	2.5	0	0.1
2 tablespoons vegetable oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 large onion sliced	44	1.2	10	0.1	1.8
1 red bell pepper sliced	37	1.2	9	0.4	3.5
1 cup snap peas	41	2.7	7	0.3	2.6
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves	6	0.7	1	0.1	0.7
Cooked jasmine rice	640	10	142	0.8	2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Duck

1
Mix Marinade Ingredients
In a bowl, mix the garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and chili flakes.
2
Marinate the Duck
Rub the marinade over the duck breasts and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Tip: For more intense flavors, marinate overnight.
3
Bring to Room Temperature
Bring the duck to room temperature before cooking.

Preparing the Tamarind Sauce

1
Combine Sauce Ingredients
In a small pot, combine the tamarind paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, chicken stock, red chili, and lime juice.
2
Simmer Sauce
Simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
Tip: Ensure tamarind sauce is smooth and well-strained to avoid seeds.
3
Cool and Adjust
Set aside to cool slightly. Adjust taste if necessary with more sugar or lime.
Tip: Prepare some sauce ahead to allow flavors to meld better.

How to Make Spicy Thai Tamarind Duck with Fresh Basil

Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Sear the Duck
Sear the duck breasts, skin side down, in a hot pan until the skin is golden and crispy, about 6-8 minutes.
2
Stir-Fry Vegetables
In the same pan, add vegetable oil and stir-fry the onions, bell pepper, and snap peas until just tender.
3
Combine and Heat Through
Return the duck to the pan, add the tamarind sauce, and let everything heat through for an additional 5 minutes.