Duck Adobo
In Chef John's duck adobo, the duck legs are simmered low and slow in soy sauce and vinegar. The result is particularly rich and satisfying.
By Nadia Kovalenko
Posted October 9, 2026Share
Time
Calories
Servings
Difficulty
Description
In Chef John's duck adobo, the duck legs are simmered low and slow in soy sauce and vinegar. The result is particularly rich and satisfying.
Quick Tip Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
Ingredients 10
6 duck legs
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, sliced
8 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 cups chicken broth
1 cup seasoned rice vinegar
0.5 cup soy sauce, or to taste
2 teaspoons sambal chili paste, or other hot pepper sauce to taste
2 bay leaves
Instructions
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1
Season the duck legs with some salt and black pepper.
-
2
Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Put duck legs in skin-side down and cook until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; drain all but 1 tablespoon fat from the skillet.
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3
Cook the onion in the reserved duck fat over medium heat until it starts to turn translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the broth, vinegar, soy sauce, chili paste, and bay leaves, then bring it to a simmer.
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4
Return duck legs to the skillet, loosely cover, and simmer until duck legs are tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 2 hours. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center; it should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
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5
Uncover, increase the heat to high, and cook until the sauce is thick, about 5 minutes; season with salt and black pepper to taste. Take out and discard the bay leaves before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Amount Per Serving
-
Calories 111 kcal
% Daily Value *
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Total Fat 5g
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Saturated Fat 1g
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Cholesterol 34mg
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Sodium 1493mg
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Total Carbohydrate 7g
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Dietary Fiber 1g
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Protein 11g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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