Recipe: Dry Garlic Duck Legs

by
posted on January 9, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
recipe-dry-garlic-duck-legs_lead.jpg

Waterfowlers sometimes overlook the flavor and volume of meat on the legs and thighs of ducks and geese. Hunters that have embraced taking the swimming and walking gear find they will quickly become a favorite.

Large ducks like mallards, pintails and gadwall have as much meat on their legs and thighs as they do on one breast. When cooked properly, they are tender, juicy and delicious. Legs can be skinned, but for extra flavor, pluck the legs and thighs so that the fat and skin remain attached.

Chicken wings and dry garlic ribs are staples at the pub but can also be made into a meal. If you like spicy wings and dry ribs, you’ll love this combination of ingredients on duck legs. Crunchy and well seasoned, serve with carrot sticks and celery, like at the pub, or round out a meal with fries and coleslaw.

Ingredients
• 8 large duck legs
• ¼ cup cayenne pepper sauce
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 quarts frying oil

Dry Garlic Duck Legs Served on Plate


Directions

1. Place duck legs in a plastic bag and pour pepper sauce over. Shake well to coat the legs.

2. Place flour, cornstarch, garlic powder and pepper in a plastic bag and shake to mix. Add the duck legs coated in pepper sauce and shake again until the legs are coated with the dry ingredients.

3. In a 10-inch Camp Chef Dutch oven or another suitable vessel for deep frying, heat oil to 360°F. Gently place the legs one at a time into the hot oil and cook for 5 minutes. Use tongs to keep legs separated.

4. Remove legs and place them on a paper towel to drain for one minute. Serve with hot sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing.

For more delicious wild-game recipes, click here.

Latest

Olmsted Shooting 110 Trail Blazer
Olmsted Shooting 110 Trail Blazer

New for 2026: Savage 110 Trail Blazer

Leading off Savage's line of next-generation Model 110s comes the 110 Trail Blazer, perfect showcase for the company's new AccuFit 2 stock. Learn more about it in this exclusive video with American Hunter Editor in Chief Scott Olmsted.

Hot from SHOT: Best Optics of 2026

In the market for a new optic? You're in luck. In this installment of our 2026 SHOT coverage, we tasked experienced hunter and longtime contributor Brad Fenson with rounding up the best new optics of 2026. Read on to see what made his exacting cut.

New for 2026: EAA Balikli Blue Label O/U

This year, EAA has debuted the latest in its line of imports, with the Balikli Blue Label Over/Under shotgun.

Hot from SHOT: The Best New Hunting Rifles for 2026

The annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas is a launch pad for many new firearm platforms. Here is a list of the best new hunting guns arriving in 2026.

New for 2026: Hornady American Whitetail Tipped

Hornady’s American Whitetail ammo line has been a huge success, offering a no nonsense combination of Hornady’s InterLock and their excellent brass cases. Deer hunters now have even more to be happy about, with the release of the Hornady American Whitetail Tipped.

First Look: Galco Brush Hog Belt Holster

Galco has launched the Brush Hog Belt Holster, to protect hunters' pistols from nature and the elements while keeping them ready for quick action in the field.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.