By Connie Markham
This recipe appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s April 2026 eNewsletter.
Duck Jambalaya
There’s something special about turning a successful day in the marsh into a warm, comforting meal shared with family and friends. Duck jambalaya is a perfect way to celebrate the harvest—rich, hearty, and packed with bold Cajun flavor. This one-pot classic transforms wild duck into a savory dish filled with smoky sausage, vegetables, and spices, bringing a taste of the South to your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for camp, the cabin, or the dinner table at home, this recipe is sure to become a favorite tradition.
The recipe is straightforward:
What you’ll need
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven to keep this simple
- 2 Whole Mallard Duck
- 2 Wood Duck breast meat
- 1 lbs package Bacon
- 1 Andouille sausage
- 1 Smoked sausage
- 1 cup chunked shrimp
- 1 whole onion chopped
- 6 sweet peppers chopped
- 4 stalks of celery chopped
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 1 cup roasted corn cut off the cob
- 4 whole tomatoes chopped (with juices)
Marinade
- 3 T Red wine vinegar
- 3 T Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- 2 T New Orleans Cajun
- 2 T Slap Ya Mamma
- 2 T Lowery’s
- 2 T Liquid Smoke
Instructions
- Day before (at least 4 hours), combine all marinade ingredients, drop breast and whole birds, cover and refrigerate
- Cooking
- Heat covered Dutch Oven on the stove
- Drop bacon and onion – cook med well, remove bacon and onions, and set aside
- Add olive oil to drippings 2-4 T
- Drop Wood duck breast into sear (4 min) – set aside
- Drop whole ducks into sear, rotate in pan to sear all sides (4 min) – set aside
- Drop all meat products (add olive oil if needed), searing meat as you go
- Add spices 1 T each or to taste for hot spicy ones
- Slap Ya Momma, Lowery’s, Cajun, Jerk, sea salt, fresh pepper
As the last spoonful disappears, duck jambalaya becomes more than just dinner—it’s a reminder of crisp mornings, loyal retrievers, and the stories shared after the hunt. Recipes like this keep traditions alive and connect the field to the table in the most meaningful way. We hope this dish inspires you to gather your crew, swap stories, and savor the rewards of conservation and the outdoors. Enjoy every bite!
