The combi oven is the secret weapon that restaurants don’t want you to know about, and this hoisin-slicked duck breast bao recipe uses all the great features of the oven. Using sous vide mode without steam (aka dry sous vide) gives you a perfectly dry and rendered fat cap on the duck breasts for the perfect sear. It creates incredible layers of texture and flavor to create a mouth-watering bite.
Note: Frozen bao buns are available at most Asian grocery stores. You can also make your own following the recipe in the oven app, or you can use tortillas to make tacos instead!
Serves
4
Prep Time
00:15
Cook Time
00:40
0
133
Ingredients
2 (6- to 8-oz)
boneless duck breasts
Kosher salt
8
frozen bao buns
⅓ cup
hoisin sauce
¼ cup
thinly sliced pickled fresno chiles
2
scallions, thinly sliced
Fresh cilantro leaves
Sriracha hot sauce
Steps
1. Preheat the Oven
Rack
Sous Vide Mode: On
Steam: Off
Temp: 150°F
Heat: Rear
2. Prepare the Duck
Score the fat on the duck breast in a ½-inch cross-hatch. Be sure to only score the fat and not the meat. Season with salt.
Place the duck on a wire rack set inside a sheet pan. Insert the probe into the center of the thickest part of one of the breasts.
3. Cook Sous Vide
Rack
Transfer to the oven, attach the probe, and cook until the probe reaches its target temperature, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the oven.
Sous Vide Mode: On
Steam: Off
Temp: 150°F
Heat: Rear
135°F Probe Target
4. Adjust the Oven for Broiling
Rack
Sous Vide Mode: Off
Steam: Off
Temp: 482°F
Heat: Top
5. Brown the Duck
Rack
Once the oven is hot, put the duck back in, skin side up, and sear until the fat is crispy and browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven.
Sous Vide Mode: Off
Steam: Off
Temp: 482°F
Heat: Top
00:05 Timer
6. Adjust the Oven for Steaming
Rack
Sous Vide Mode: Off
Steam: 100%
Temp: 225°F
Heat: Rear
7. Steam the Buns
Rack
Place the buns in a parchment-lined bamboo steamer basket. Cover, place in the oven, and cook until hot, 6 to 8 minutes.
Sous Vide Mode: Off
Steam: 100%
Temp: 225°F
Heat: Rear
00:06 Timer
8. Assemble and Serve
Thinly slice the duck breasts. Spread 1 to 2 teaspoons of hoisin in each bun, then top with the duck. Garnish each bun with the pickled chiles, scallions, cilantro, and sriracha. Serve.