Bebek Betutu – Roast Duck In Banana Leaf

BALINESE TRADITIONAL BEBEK BETUTU

Bebek Betutu – Roast Duck In Banana Leaf

Authentic Balinese Dishes & Recipes

Bebek Betutu is a deeply traditional Balinese dish, often linked with ceremonies and special gatherings. Originally reserved for temple offerings and major celebrations, this slow-cooked, spice-marinated duck reflects the Balinese values of community and reverence. Wrapped in banana leaves with a blend of aromatic spices, it’s cooked for hours to develop rich, layered flavors.

bebek betutu balinese food

Beyond being delicious, Bebek Betutu offers a taste of Bali’s heritage and is a dish that tells a story of culture, tradition, and respect for food as something sacred. 

The rich flavor of duck is greatly enhanced by a host of pungent roots, herbs and seasonings in this dish, which is invariably a great favorite with visitors to Bali. The Balinese have great admiration for the duck and consider it to be a particularly strong animal as it is, like the turtle, the only one able to survive on land as water.

bebek betutu bali

HOW TO MAKE BALINESE TRADITIONAL Bebek Betutu?

Ingredients

  • 1 whole duck, weigh about 2 kg (4 ½ lb)
  • 18 shallots, peeled, cut in half, and sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled, cut in half, & sliced
  • 3 stalks lemon grass, finely sliced
  • 5 fragrant lime leaves, finely sliced
  • 6 candlenuts, chopped
  • 5 cm (2 in), ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 8 cm (3in) fresh turmeric, peeled, chopped
  • 8 cm (3in) kencur root, peeled, chopped
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed
  • 5 bird’s-eye chilies, slices
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed
  • 2 tsp dried shrimp paste, roasted and coarsely crushed
  • 1½ tbsp salt
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • Banana leaves, greaseproof paper or aluminum foil for wrapping

Preparation

Wipe the duck dry and set aside. Combine all ingredients except banana leafs in a bowl and mix well. Rub the duck outside with this mixture and fill the center of the duck with the remainder.

Close open duck with satay skewer. Wrap in several layers of banana leaves, greaseproof paper or foil and steam for 50 minutes. Transfer duck to a moderate oven and bake at 180o C (350o F) for 30 minutes.

Remove banana leaves, cut duck meat up in small pieces and serve with stuffing. When cooked, the meat should be so tender that it falls off the bones.

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