I love turkey. It happens to be one of my favorite meats, partially because it tastes so good but also because it just gives me those warm and cozy holiday feels. Mike and I actually eat turkey a lot, at all times of the year, because instant.
A couple of years ago, we did a whole Instant Pot Thanksgiving, just to see if we could. Spoiler alert: we did it! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sprouts, the Instant Pot did it all. The thing I was most impressed with was the turkey. It was juicy and incredibly fast. No basting, no guessing, just super simple juicy turkey.
Absolutely yes! We made a little skin-on boneless turkey breast roast rubbed with butter, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage. All the classic turkey flavors you know and love. And bonus, you’ll even get some drippings to make turkey gravy.
Cooking a juicy, flavorful turkey breast in an Instant Pot is easier than you think! With just a few simple steps, you can have a perfectly cooked turkey breast ready in under an hour.
An Instant Pot is a great way to cook turkey breast because the pressurized environment locks in moisture and infuses flavor into the meat. The result is a tender, succulent turkey breast that’s far superior to oven roasted.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook a turkey breast in an Instant Pot, from start to finish.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey in an Instant Pot
Before jumping into the steps, let’s first go over some of the major benefits of using an Instant Pot to cook turkey breast:
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Shorter cook time – A turkey breast cooks up fast in the Instant Pot, usually in 30 minutes or less This saves you hours compared to roasting in the oven.
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Juicy and tender meat – The pressurized steam infuses moisture into the turkey, ensuring it stays juicy and tender.
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More flavor – Spices and aromatics penetrate deep into the meat for more flavor,
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Easy cleanup – With no spatter in your oven, cleanup is a breeze.
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Versatile machine – The Instant Pot not only cooks the turkey, but you can use it to make gravy, side dishes, and more.
Step 1: Choose the Right Size Turkey Breast
When selecting a turkey breast to cook in your Instant Pot, it’s important to choose one that will fit in the inner pot of your model. Here are some size guidelines:
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3-5 pound bone-in breast – Fits well in a 6 quart Instant Pot
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5-7 pound bone-in breast – Better for an 8 quart Instant Pot
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For larger turkey breasts over 7 pounds, you may need to cut in half or opt for a stove-top pressure cooker which can accommodate bigger sizes.
Make sure to check the dimensions of your inner pot and the turkey breast before purchasing to ensure a good fit. A snug fit is fine, but you want enough room for steam circulation.
Step 2: Prepare the Turkey Breast
Once you have your appropriately sized turkey breast, it’s time to get it prepped for the Instant Pot:
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Remove packaging – Unwrap the turkey and discard any giblets or neck that may be included. Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry.
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Trim excess fat – Use a sharp knife to trim off any large chunks of fat from the breast to reduce popping and spattering.
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Season the breast – Generously rub salt, pepper, herbs, and spices all over the turkey. Get seasoning under the skin as well for maximum flavor infusion.
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Add aromatics – Place sliced onions, carrots, celery and herbs like thyme, sage or rosemary in the bottom of the Instant Pot inner pot. This will provide a flavorful base for the turkey to cook in.
Your turkey breast is now prepped and ready for the Instant Pot!
Step 3: Add Liquid to the Instant Pot
To build pressure and steam, your Instant Pot needs liquid. For cooking turkey breast, chicken or turkey broth works best.
Use about 1-2 cups of broth per pound of turkey. You can use store-bought broth or homemade if you have it on hand.
Pour the broth into the Instant Pot inner pot on top of the aromatics.
Step 4: Position the Turkey in the Instant Pot
Place a trivet or steamer basket in the bottom of the Instant Pot if needed to elevate the turkey breast up out of the liquid.
Gently place the seasoned turkey breast on top of the trivet, skin-side up.
Use tongs to ensure the turkey is positioned as centered as possible for even cooking.
Step 5: Select Cook Time and Pressure
The cook time for a turkey breast in the Instant Pot can vary based on size, but here are general guidelines:
- 3-4 pound bone-in breast – 25 minutes
- 4-5 pound bone-in breast – 27 minutes
- 5-7 pound bone-in breast – 30 minutes
For best results, cook the turkey breast on high pressure in the Instant Pot.
After entering the cook time, make sure the pressure valve is sealed and then select start. The pot will take 10-15 minutes to build pressure before the cook time begins.
Step 6: Allow Natural Release
Once the Instant Pot cook time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10-15 minutes before doing a quick pressure release to vent any remaining steam.
Natural release lets the turkey breast gently finish cooking as the pot depressurizes. Quick release may cause the breast to overcook.
Step 7: Check Internal Temperature
When the pressure is fully released, carefully remove the lid.
Use an instant read thermometer to check that the thickest part of the breast has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
If needed, you can put the lid back on and cook for a few more minutes to finish.
Step 8: Remove Turkey and Make Gravy
Carefully remove the tender, cooked turkey breast from the Instant Pot and transfer it to a cutting board or platter.
Tent with foil and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
While the turkey rests, you can strain and defat the cooking liquid in the Instant Pot to make a quick turkey gravy if desired.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Here are a few extra tips to ensure turkey breast success in your Instant Pot:
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Brining the turkey breast before cooking helps lock in moisture. Dissolve salt and sugar in water, submerge breast and refrigerate 1-2 hours.
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For browned, crispy skin, broil or air fry the cooked breast for a few minutes after pressure cooking.
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Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness if cook times seem off. Adjust time accordingly.
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Letting the breast rest after cooking allows juices to redistribute for moist, tender meat when cut.
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Mix up the seasoning – Cajun spices, lemon pepper, thyme, sage and rosemary all pair well with turkey.
Enjoy Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Breast
With this easy step-by-step guide, you can now cook a perfect turkey breast in your Instant Pot with confidence.
Just remember to choose the right size breast, season generously, use enough liquid, set the time and pressure accurately, and always check internal temperature.
In no time, you’ll be able to enjoy incredibly juicy, flavorful turkey breast any night of the week thanks to the speed and convenience of an Instant Pot. Give it a try!
What about Instant Pot turkey legs?
If you’re a dark meat fan, cooking turkey legs in the Instant Pot makes the meat tender and fall off the bone. Cook the turkey legs for 20 minutes on high pressure, let it natural release for 10 minutes so it can continue to get tender, then release the pressure and take the legs out.
You get turkey gravy too!
Good news: you can make a super simple gravy with the drippings and stock that are in the Instant Pot.
Measure out the drippings. Pour the drippings into a liquid measuring cup and top it off with more chicken stock (or water) so you have 2 cups of liquid.
Make a roux. Melt some butter over medium low then stir in some flour to make a roux. Cook the mixture, stirring, until it is light golden and smells toasty.
Add the liquid. Slowly stream in the liquid while stirring. Let everything come to a simmer and reduce slightly. Taste and season.
Instant Pot Turkey Breast: The BEST way to make a Turkey Breast!
FAQ
How long do you cook a turkey breast in a pressure cooker per pound?
As a general rule, cook poultry in an electric pressure cooker for approximately 6 minutes per pound.
How do you cook the turkey so that the breast doesn t dry out?
The light, tender breast meat is prone to overcooking, while dark meat portions of the bird needs extra time. A simple solution is to flip the bird over and roast the turkey upside down. This technique protects the white meat from drying out, and cooks the thigh meat faster.
How long does it take to cook chicken breast in Instant Pot chart?
- Fresh chicken tenderloins: Cook in as little as 1 minute
- Frozen chicken breasts (8–10 oz): Cook for about 10–12 minutes
- Extra large frozen breasts: Cook for up to 30 minutes
- Bone-in chicken breasts: Cook longer than boneless chicken breasts
How many minutes per pound in Instant Pot?
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cook for 6–8 minutes per pound
- Whole chicken: Cook for 6 minutes per pound
- Bone-in chicken pieces: Cook for 15 minutes for fresh and 18 minutes for frozen
How to cook turkey breast in Instant Pot?
Add Broth: Remove the turkey breast, add the broth, and scrape the bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot to ensure you don’t get a burn notice. Cook: Add onion and herbs to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the turkey breast on a trivet and cook on high pressure according to the times below.
Can you put turkey breast in Instant Pot without a trivet?
For a 6 quart Instant Pot, a bone-in turkey breast that’s under 5 pounds will likely fit in the Pot on a trivet. If it does, use the trivet when cooking. For a bone-in breast over 5 pounds, I place the breast in the Instant Pot without the trivet so it fits. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into your Instant Pot.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey in an Instant Pot?
Plus, turkey made in the Instant Pot is almost guaranteed to be moist. It can be done in four simple steps and cuts down your cooking time by more than half! You can have a plump and juicy Instant Pot turkey breast on your table in around an hour (depending on size). Keep reading to see how it all comes together.
Can a pressure cooker Cook a turkey breast?
Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t need to take hours when you have a pressure cooker and this easy Instant Pot turkey breast recipe! Thanksgiving turkey cooked in the electric pressure cooker / Instant Pot is perfect for a small Thanksgiving gathering or just a delicious Sunday supper.
How do you cook a turkey breast in a crock pot?
Rub turkey with about 2 teaspoons olive oil, then rub with dry seasonings. Set gravy packet aside for later use. Turn on the cooker and select Saute function. Allow the inner pot to heat, 1 to 2 minutes. Add remaining oil to the hot pot, then add turkey breast and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
How do you cook a thawed turkey breast in a pressure cooker?
Combine paprika, herbes de Provence, seasoned salt, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Place the trivet of a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) on a work surface. Pat all sides of thawed turkey breast with paper towels until dry. Be sure to leave the mesh in place, as this holds the turkey together.