When it comes to poultry meats, chicken is a staple in most households, with duck coming in at a close second. But for those who have had the two types of meat together before, it’s obvious that they’re different, but just how, exactly? And why does it matter? To answer those questions, this article will reviewthe major differences between chicken and duck meat.
Taste and Texture
Most people are familiar with the taste and texture of chicken. It’s a meat that has a neutral taste and is great at picking up added flavor, seasonings, and marinades. In terms of meat, it’s generally more fibrous. Duck, on the other hand, has an earthier, gamier flavor and, because of its fat content, is much more tender. However, because it is considered a game meat, you do have to know how to prepare it properly in order to mask any undesired taste.
Nutritional Differences
For people with issues such as high cholesterol, or other diet-based restrictions, chicken is a go-to as it’s generally easy on the stomach and is a much leaner meat. However, despite its higher fat content, duck has nutritional value. Healthy animal fat is necessary in most diets, and duck is rich in iron and copper. In terms of nutritional differences, one is not necessarily better than the other, as it all depends on personal nutritional needs.
Cooking Processes
Chicken is relatively easy to cook, and most people are familiar with the process. To avoid dry chicken, you have to keep the skin on or leave the bone in, cook it quickly at high heat, and let it rest for at least 15 minutes. Ideally, the internal temperature is between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Duck needs a similar internal temperature, but the cooking process looks different.
Because duck has a higher fat content, you can cook it low and slow if you want to and still end up with tender and juicy meat. However, in order to get rid of the gamey taste, you can soak the meat in buttermilk, vinegar, or lemon juice for a few hours. Just be sure to use strong flavors like garlic, cracked pepper, or strong aromatics if you really want to mask any gaminess.
Now that you know thedifferences between chicken and duck meat, you can cook either one like the pros. If you’re sold on duck meat, here at Vincent’s Meat Market, you canbuy whole duckonline for a tender and savory meal whenever you want it.
FAQs
In terms of meat, it's generally more fibrous. Duck, on the other hand, has an earthier, gamier flavor and, because of its fat content, is much more tender. However, because it is considered a game meat, you do have to know how to prepare it properly in order to mask any undesired taste.
How is duck meat different from chicken? ›
Chicken and duck also differ greatly in appearance. They are both considered to be white meat, but duck has a significantly darker appearance than chicken does. Duck also looks much fatter than chicken does. The main difference between the two types of fowl, however, has to do with their taste.
Why do more people eat chicken than duck? ›
Though duck is just as delicious as other poultry meat, it has not caught on in the US. One of the biggest reasons for this is that it is not possible to raise ducks with the same large-scale agricultural practices that are used to produce chicken and turkey.
Which tastes better, chicken or duck? ›
Duck is much richer, fattier and more flavorful. Chicken, though it is more bland, is more versatile. You can compliment chicken with many more flavors than duck.
Why are the feet of a duck and a chicken so different? ›
Ducks have webbed feet for swimming. Chicken have clawed feet which are most suited to scratching for worms and other delicacies in the dirt.
Why does duck taste gamey? ›
Gamey meat is almost entirely a function of the flavors in skin and fat. Most of the stronger aromas we perceive in meat are fat soluble and reside in that fat. A prime example is in waterfowl.
Why can duck be rare but not chicken? ›
My take on this is that medium-rare to rare duck is safer to eat, mainly because of the different farming conditions between duck and chicken. Generally, duck is not as intensively farmed as chicken, who are often reared in a squalid and very dirty environment. Salmonella is not specific to chicken.
Why duck is the best meat? ›
Duck meat, particularly its fat, is rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats can help maintain "good" HDL cholesterol levels while reducing "bad" LDL cholesterol levels.
Does duck take longer to cook than chicken? ›
Duck takes a long time to cook, like turkey but longer. You would cook chicken for a shorter time, maybe an hour.
What is the meat of a duck called? ›
Duck and goose are poultry and considered "white" meat. Because they are birds of flight, however, the breast meat is darker than chicken and turkey breast. This is because more oxygen is needed by muscles doing work, and the oxygen is delivered to those muscles by the red cells in the blood.
Cooking Processes
Ideally, the internal temperature is between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Duck needs a similar internal temperature, but the cooking process looks different. Because duck has a higher fat content, you can cook it low and slow if you want to and still end up with tender and juicy meat.
Do ducks eat more food than chickens? ›
Also, because ducks tend to consume more feed each day as compared to a chicken, they can usually meet their daily niacin requirement with a good quality layer feed.
Why do people eat duck feet? ›
Goose and duck feet have ample amounts of webbing; when stewed, they are delicate and tender with a hint of chewiness that resembles the texture of simmered sheets of bean curd. While goose and duck feet are more prized in Chinese cuisine, I prefer the meatiness of a chicken's foot.
Is duck a healthy meat? ›
Duck meat is an excellent source of protein. Protein keeps us healthy by building and repairing our muscles, skin and blood. Duck meat is an excellent source of iron, providing 50% of the iron we need in a day. Iron helps make healthy blood that flows through our bodies, giving us energy and making us grow.
Is duck meat chewy? ›
As ducks are waterfowl, they have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. When you look at a duck breast, you can see the fat under the skin, and though duck fat is delicious for use as a cooking fat, it is squidgy and chewy when it is in tissue form.
Do you butcher a duck the same as a chicken? ›
Breaking down a whole duck follows the same basic steps as other poultry butchery. If you've taken down a chicken or turkey before, you'll have no problem with ducks. And if you've never tackled cutting up a bird, rest assured that it's a technique worth learning and it's really quite easy.
