Duck Liver Pate Recipe - How to Make Liver Pate | Hank Shaw (2024)

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4.73 from 11 votes

By Hank Shaw

January 11, 2021 | Updated June 06, 2022

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I need to start this post by stating that I am not normally a liver lover. As an avid duck and goose hunter, for decades I’d searched for a duck liver pâté recipe I really, honestly enjoyed. To no avail.

Until now. I’ve finally cracked the code, and I’ll walk you through how I learned to love liver… at least in pâté.

Duck Liver Pate Recipe - How to Make Liver Pate | Hank Shaw (2)

Keep in mind this recipe works for pretty much any liver. I normally use wild duck and goose livers, but chicken livers, farmed duck livers and even the livers from larger animals will work, to a point.

If you do use mammal livers, my advice is to brine them overnight in a ratio of 1/4 cup kosher salt to 1 quart water, and/or another night’s soak in milk. This will strip some of the smell from, say, a deer or pig’s liver.

Now if you are using wild duck livers for your pâté, some are better than others.

Duck Liver Pate Recipe - How to Make Liver Pate | Hank Shaw (3)

See these? See how tan they look, compared to a normal, burgundy colored liver? This is what you want. This is the equivalent of wild foie gras, and yes, wild foie gras is real. I’ve seen similar livers in turkeys, pheasants, quail and even pigeons and doves.

You can make duck liver pâté out of any duck’s liver that is safe to eat, however. If you make it with lean livers, the color of the finished pâté will be darker, and you might want to double the amount of cream.

(Another great option for bird livers is my easy seared liver recipe.)

Now I did just use the phrase “safe to eat,” and I did because in some places, they are not. Where I live, there is a health warning against eating the livers of diver and sea ducks in the San Joaquin Valley and San Francisco Bay; it’s a mercury and selenium thing. These health warnings are rare, however, so chances are you’ll be fine. But if you are a hunter, it’s worth a check with your state health department.

Anyone using farmed bird livers is in the clear.

So, you may be asking yourself, what is so different about this duck liver pâté from all the other ones? Why is Hank so keen on this one? In a word, butter.

Yep, this is not a low fat pâté. No good one is. It requires a stick of butter, which is 1/2 cup. You’ll also want some lovely, flavorful strong wine or brandy, but that’s about it. This is very simple, and easy to make.

Duck Liver Pate Recipe - How to Make Liver Pate | Hank Shaw (4)

Once made, pack your duck liver pâté in glass jars or ramekins and they’ll keep in the fridge for a couple weeks. If you want to keep them longer, melt some butter over the top of the pâté and let it set like a cap over the pate.

And yes, you can freeze pâté. Definitely do the butter cap, and then put a lid on the jar and freeze. It will keep a few months that way, maybe 3 or 5. After that things could go downhill. When you want to eat it, thaw slowly in the fridge for a day or two first.

4.73 from 11 votes

Duck Liver Pate

This is a simple, accessible liver pate for those who normally don't like livers. See the headnotes for options and substitutions.

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Course: Appetizer, Condiment, Snack

Cuisine: French

Servings: 12

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter, divided (1/2 cup)
  • 1 large shallot or small onion, minced
  • 1/2 pound duck livers (see above for other options)
  • Salt
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 3 tablespoons Marsala or brandy (or something similar)
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  • Sweat the shallot in a pan over medium-low heat with 1 tablespoon of the butter. You want it soft, but not browned. Add the livers and cook, stirring often, just until browned on the outside, maybe 3 minutes.

  • Sprinkle salt and the flour over everything and toss to combine. It'll get a bit gunky, but that's OK. Cook this gently over medium-low heat for about 3 to 4 minutes, just to cook out the raw flour taste. Add the brandy or Marsala and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits.

  • Move all this into a blender, along with the white pepper. Let this cool for a minute or three, then pour in the heavy cream and start to puree the pate. Once it's going, drop the rest of the stick of butter in one tablespoon at a time, waiting for it to incorporate before adding the next one.

  • Pack the pate into jars or ramekins immediately, while the pate is still hot. You will want to chill it thoroughly before serving.

Notes

This recipe makes about 1 pint.

Nutrition

Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 7850IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @huntgathercook or tag #hankshaw!

Categorized as:
Appetizers and Snacks, Ducks and Geese, Featured, French, How-To (DIY stuff), Recipe, Wild Game

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About Hank Shaw

Hey there. Welcome to Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, the internet’s largest source of recipes and know-how for wild foods. I am a chef, author, and yes, hunter, angler, gardener, forager and cook. Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook.

Read More About Me

Duck Liver Pate Recipe - How to Make Liver Pate | Hank Shaw (2024)

FAQs

How is duck pate made? ›

Duck Pate
  1. MAKES: 1.5 TO 2 CUPS.
  2. [STEP 1] Lightly brown bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and duck breast and sauté until duck is just cooked. ...
  3. [STEP 2] Place pistachios and cranberries or Craisins in a food processor and process until smooth. Add cooled duck mixture and pulse until smooth.
Mar 4, 2021

What makes a good pâté? ›

All good charcuterie requires high-quality meat, and pâté is certainly no exception. “Care about the sourcing of your meat. Purchase from a trusted butcher to make sure it's high-quality and fresh. It's especially important that when you're using organ meat, it's coming from an animal that's raised and fed properly.

How long does duck liver pate last in the fridge? ›

Once opened eat within 7 days. The rillettes are preserved in fat and can last much longer, use your judgement. Unopened the pate can be stored for about 2 weeks.

How long to keep homemade pâté? ›

Refrigerator: Refrigerate chicken liver pâté tightly covered for up to 1 week. To refrigerate it longer than 1 week but no longer than 1 month, pour a little melted lard or clarified butter on top to seal.

What is the main ingredient in pâté? ›

Pâté is often made of pig meat and parts, but wild game like snipe, partridge, venison or wild boar can be cooked into a pâté, as can farm-raised duck, rabbit or pheasant. Even vegetables can be made into pâté. Lean meats might require the addition of some pork fat to keep the pâté from drying out in the oven.

What is duck liver pate? ›

Definitions of duck pate. a pate made from duck liver. type of: pate. liver or meat or fowl finely minced or ground and variously seasoned.

What are the basics of pâté? ›

A pâté often contains chicken, pork, duck, goose, or other game and common additions include vegetables, herbs, spices, and either wine or brandy (often cognac or sherry). Pâté can be served either hot or cold, but it is considered best enjoyed at room temperature.

What is the most famous pâté? ›

Some of the most popular types of pâté in France include pâté de campagne, made with pork, pâté de foie gras, made with duck or goose liver, and pâté en croûte, which is baked in a pastry crust.

What is the most important meat in pâté? ›

Liver in pâté is as much a binding agent as an ingredient to add flavour. Soaked and seasoned, the foie gras usually blended with minced meat, herbs and truffle. Pork liver is also commonly employed for the more rustic Pâté Campagne.

Is duck liver pate healthy? ›

Foie gras, or fatty duck or goose liver, is a staple in French cuisine. It's typically served as a pâté with crackers or bread. It's high in fat and calories but also full of nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin A, copper, and iron. It also contains mostly anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat.

What cheese goes with pate? ›

As the name suggests, hard cheese is firm and goes perfectly well with our creamy and decadent mousse pâtés. Often savory, hard cheese can be divided into two categories: hard (such as Parmesan), and semi-hard (such as Gouda). We suggest pairing the former with Black Peppercorn, and the latter with Chicken Liver.

What to serve with duck pate? ›

Accompaniments for meat Pates and fish Pates require little more than toast and a few refreshing celery sticks or radish slices. Toasts are also a great partner with Pate. A grilled, properly spiky sourdough bread would be the ideal here, but any decent, thick-cut real white or granary bread will do.

How to tell if pâté has gone bad? ›

Examine its appearance - if you see any mold development or changes in color (grey or green instead of the usual pinkish/beige), it's likely spoiled. Likewise, a sour or off-putting smell is another strong indication your Pate is not safe to eat.

Can you overcook pâté? ›

Pâté isn't like just any meatloaf, when it comes to cooking. While it's true that we don't want to overcook any meatloaves, the pâté feels overcooking more strongly because it is eaten chilled and then brought back up to room temperature. There is no fresh-cooked-juiciness going on with this!

Can you freeze home made paté? ›

One of those foods is chicken liver pate. It is easy to do and can be frozen. If you freeze it in small portions you can take one out when your visitors arrive and is ready to serve as soon as you have set the table. You can "personalize" your pate by adding olives, or mushrooms, or bacon bits.

How healthy is duck pate? ›

Foie gras, or fatty duck or goose liver, is a staple in French cuisine. It's typically served as a pâté with crackers or bread. It's high in fat and calories but also full of nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin A, copper, and iron. It also contains mostly anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat.

Is duck liver pate legal in the US? ›

Many European countries have outlawed the pâté as well due to the cruelty of its production. However, foie gras currently remains legal in America's other 49 states, and there is an ongoing debate about the California ban being unconstitutional.

Is duck liver pate raw? ›

Pate is traditionally made with liver, and mixed with wine and spices until it's cooked down into a spreadable texture. It can also be created with liver or other parts of pork, venison, chicken, fish, duck and other game, and even created with veggies on occasion.

What is the difference between duck rillette and pâté? ›

The main difference between a rillette and a pâté is that in a pâté, meat and fat are combined before cooking, while with rillette, this process happens after. So there you have it, 3 delicious French spreads for you to enjoy this summer! You'll find them in artisan and fine food shops nationwide.

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