Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
Duck breast Calories
High in protein, iron, and B vitamins
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 piece (medium) of Duck breast (170 g) has 342 calories. That works out to 201 calories per 100 g. It contains 0 g of carbs, 31.8 g of protein, 23.6 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its 7.7 mg of B3 covers 48% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 0 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Duck breast Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 170 g
342
KCAL / 170G
Carbs
0g
· 0% DV
Protein
31.8g
· 64% DV
Fat
23.6g
· 30% DV
Fiber
0g
· 0% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 0% · Protein 37% · Fat 63%
Duck breast nutrition facts table · 1 piece (medium) (170 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 342 kcal | |
| Total fat | 23.6 g | 30% |
| Saturated fat | 6.97 g | 35% |
| Trans fat | 0.14 g | |
| Sodium | 107 mg | 5% |
| Total carbohydrate | 0 g | 0% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Protein | 31.8 g | 64% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
Log this food in EatBetter
100,000+ people use it
- Get your daily calorie target
- Snap your meal, log it in seconds
- See every vitamin and mineral
📸 Scan the code to get the app free.
How Many Calories in 1 Medium Duck breast?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (medium) | 170 g | 342 kcal |
| ½ piece (half) | 85 g | 171 kcal |
| 3 ounce (medium) | 85 g | 171 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 201 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 120 g | 241 kcal |
| 1 cup (diced) | 140 g | 281 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 150 g | 302 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 230 g | 462 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 250 g | 503 kcal |
Calculated from 201 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Duck breast
How do you cook duck breast in a pan?
Pat the duck breast dry, then place it skin-side down in a cold pan so the fat renders gradually. Cook over medium heat until the skin is crisp, turn the breast, and finish cooking to your preferred doneness. Let it rest before slicing.
How do you get crispy skin on duck breast?
Dry the skin thoroughly and score it in shallow lines without cutting into the meat. Start the duck breast skin-side down in a cold pan, then cook over medium-low heat so the fat renders before the skin browns and crisps.
Can duck breast be eaten medium rare?
Duck breast is often served pink, but undercooked poultry can carry foodborne pathogens. For the safer option, cook the thickest part to 74°C (165°F); people at higher risk from foodborne illness should avoid pink duck breast.
What does duck breast taste like?
Duck breast has a richer, more pronounced flavor than chicken, with a tender texture when cooked carefully. Its rendered skin fat adds a savory taste, while fruit-based sauces such as orange or cherry provide a tart-sweet contrast.
Is duck breast healthier than chicken breast?
Duck breast and chicken breast differ in flavor and fat, and the amount of fat in duck depends partly on whether you eat the skin. Neither is automatically healthier for everyone; choose based on your needs and how each is prepared.
Should you score the skin on duck breast?
Yes, shallow scoring helps duck fat render and lets the skin crisp more evenly. Make small cuts through the skin and its fat layer only, keeping the knife away from the meat so the breast loses less moisture while cooking.
How should you season duck breast?
Salt and black pepper are enough to bring out duck breast’s rich flavor. For a more aromatic result, add thyme, garlic, or citrus zest; apply wet marinades sparingly and pat the skin dry before cooking so it can crisp.
What sauce goes well with duck breast?
Duck breast pairs especially well with sauces that balance its rich flavor, such as orange, cherry, or berry sauce. A pan sauce made with stock and a little wine also works; serve it alongside the sliced meat rather than soaking the crisp skin.
How long does cooked duck breast keep in the fridge?
Store cooked duck breast in a covered, airtight container in the refrigerator and eat it within three to four days. Refrigerate it promptly rather than leaving it at room temperature, and reheat leftovers thoroughly before serving.
Can you freeze duck breast?
Yes, raw duck breast freezes well when wrapped tightly or sealed in a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn. Thaw it in the refrigerator, not on the counter, and cook it soon after thawing; avoid refreezing it raw after thawing.
Duck breast Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B3
7.65mg · 48% DV
B5
2.21mg · 44% DV
B2
0.48mg · 37% DV
Biotin
10.2µg · 34% DV
Minerals
Phosphorus
323mg · 46% DV
Selenium
24µg · 44% DV
Copper
0.27mg · 30% DV
Zinc
3.23mg · 29% DV
Potassium ⭐
461mg · 14% DV
Sodium
107mg · 5% DV
Duck breast Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Duck breast
To burn the 342 calories in 1 piece (medium) (170 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Duck breast?
Duck breast is the cut taken from a duck’s chest, with darker meat and a fuller flavour than chicken breast. It is popular in French cooking, where it is often pan-seared or roasted, but cooks around the world also grill it or use it in sliced-meat dishes.
The meat can be tender and juicy, while the skin turns crisp when cooked slowly enough to render its fat. It is commonly served with fruit-based sauces, greens, roasted vegetables or potatoes. Duck breast is a protein-rich choice and also provides iron and B vitamins. For a lighter plate, leave off some of the skin and pair it with vegetables rather than a rich sauce.
How Nutritious Is Duck breast?
Nutrient density
High
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Duck breast Processed?
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Duck breast Contain Allergens?
No known major allergens
Which Diets Is Duck breast Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
✓ Suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Duck breast Fat Profile
SATURATED
6.97g
MONOUNSATURATED
10.37g
POLYUNSATURATED
2.89g
Omega 6:3 ratio 12.4:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (12.4:1).
Compare Duck breast
Foods Similar to Duck breast
Have another question about Duck breast?
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Scan calories with your camera
Instant AI nutrition analysis
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.