Can you believe I fit a 10 lb whole turkey in the Ninja Foodi? The best part is how wonderful it turned out! Im sure the first thing you want to know is what size Ninja Foodi do I have. I have both the 6.5 qt and the 8 qt.
The first turkey I bought was an 8 pound turkey and that fit in the Ninja Foodi 6.5 qt. Unfortunately, I overcooked it! I followed my formula for a whole chicken and pressure cooked the turkey for 32 minutes. While it was moist and delicious, it was overcooked and registered about 196° F on my thermometer.
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I could tell immediately it was overcooked because the leg bones were exposed, but I was really surprised that the flavor and texture were still perfect. So, even if you overcook it, it still is great… just not very pretty! I wish I would have snapped a picture!
Anyway, I am big fan of a pressure cooked turkey and will be doing this from now on! Unless of course, Im hosting Thanksgiving and need a bigger turkey. Even then, I might consider cooking 2 smaller turkeys instead of 1 large one. Maybe even season them differently. The lightbulb is going off in my head right now!
The Ninja Foodi is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance that makes cooking turkey breast fast and easy. With its combination of pressure cooking and air frying functions, you can achieve tender, juicy meat and crispy skin in minimal time.
But one frequent question is – just how long does it take to roast a turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi? The cooking time can vary based on size of the breast and a few other factors In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know to roast perfect turkey breast in your Foodi every time
Average Turkey Breast Roasting Time in the Ninja Foodi
When roasting turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi you can expect approximately the following cook times
- Boneless turkey breast: 15-20 minutes per lb
- Bone-in turkey breast: 20-25 minutes per lb
So for a 3 lb boneless turkey breast, the total roasting time would be 45-60 minutes. For a 5 lb bone-in breast, plan on 100-125 minutes of cooking time.
These roasting times are general guidelines, but the precise duration can vary a bit based on the size and shape of your particular turkey breast.
That’s why it’s important to always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying solely on roasting times. More on that shortly.
Factors That Impact Roasting Time
While the times above work for most turkey breast roasting scenarios, there are a few variables that can slightly lengthen or shorten the total cooking time:
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Turkey breast size – Bigger, thicker breasts need more time than smaller, thinner ones.
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Bone-in or boneless – Boneless breasts cook faster than bone-in.
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Brined or unbrined – Brining infuses moisture and seasons the meat, which can speed cooking slightly.
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Ninja Foodi model – Different models heat up at slightly different rates, affecting cook time.
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Altitude – Higher altitudes may increase roasting time slightly.
Because of these potential factors, I highly recommend using a good digital meat thermometer and checking temperature frequently. It’s more reliable than roasting for a certain timed duration.
Now let’s get into the step-by-step process of roasting turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi.
Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting Turkey Breast
Follow these simple steps for juicy, flavorful Ninja Foodi roasted turkey breast:
Ingredients:
- 1-3 lb turkey breast
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, herbs
Directions:
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Pat turkey breast dry and rub with olive oil. Generously season.
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Preheat Ninja Foodi to 400°F on Roast setting.
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Place breast on cooking rack, meaty side up. Insert thermometer.
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Pressure cook 10-15 minutes on high until 165°F. Quick release pressure.
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Remove rack, pat breast dry. Return to rack skin side up.
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Air crisp at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until skin is crispy.
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Check internal temp (165°F). Remove and let rest before slicing.
That’s all there is to it! Now you can enjoy incredibly juicy and flavorful roasted turkey breast.
Helpful Turkey Roasting Tips
- Brine turkey breast overnight for extra moisture
- Use thermometer for doneness – don’t rely solely on time
- Let breast rest at least 5 minutes before slicing
- Add broth/water to pot before pressure cooking
- Pat skin dry before air crisping for ultra crispiness
- Mix up seasonings – herbs, spices, citrus, compound butters
Common Turkey Breast Roasting Questions
What temperature should I roast turkey breast to?
Cook until it reaches an internal temp of 165°F for food safety.
How long does turkey breast take in the Ninja Foodi?
Around 15-20 minutes per lb for boneless, and 20-25 minutes per lb for bone-in.
Can I roast a frozen turkey breast?
It’s best to thaw breast fully in the fridge before roasting for food safety and texture.
Should I brine the turkey breast first?
Brining keeps the meat super juicy and well seasoned. It’s highly recommended but optional.
What happens if I overcook the turkey breast?
It may end up dry and stringy if overcooked. Use a meat thermometer for best results.
Can I roast stuffed turkey breast in my Foodi?
No, stuffing won’t reach a safe temp. Cook stuffing separately to avoid food safety issues.
More Delicious Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast Recipes
Once you master the basic roasted turkey breast, get creative with rubs, glazes, and more:
- Maple Mustard Turkey Breast
- Jerk Turkey Breast
- Pesto Turkey Breast
- Coconut Curry Turkey
- BBQ Turkey with Bacon
The options are endless for making amazing turkey breast creations in your Ninja Foodi!
Enjoy Perfectly Cooked Turkey Breast in Your Ninja Foodi
Roasting moist, juicy turkey breast with crispy skin is easy with the right techniques. Use the Ninja Foodi roasting times, temperature guidelines, tips, and recipes provided above to make outstanding turkey breast dishes your family and friends will rave about.
In no time, you’ll become the Ninja Foodi turkey pro and be able to whip up incredible roasted turkey creations for any occasion!
How to brine a turkey using the Ninja Foodi
The brining process is easy and its made even easier with the Ninja Foodi! You simply throw the brine ingredients into the inner pot with some water and pressure cook for zero minutes. This means that you set the time on the Ninja Foodi to zero and once the Ninja Foodi comes up to pressure, the display will read done and you can immediate release the pressure.
The ingredients in the brine are infused into the water during the time to pressure. It used to take me a long time to boil the brine on the stove, but now I can get it done in a fraction of the time.
I have always used a recipe from the Pioneer Woman for her Favorite Turkey Brine Recipe and its perfect, so I felt no need to change any of the ingredients. I did change the amounts so that everything fits in the inner pot of the 6.5qt or the 8 qt.
What you will need for this wonderful brine recipe:
- 8 cups water
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup fine grind sea salt or Kosher salt
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon whole peppercorns
- 2-3 cloves of minced garlic
- 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 orange, we only use the peel
Instructions:
- Gather all of your ingredients. Turn the Ninja Foodi on high sear/sauté and add 8 cups of water and 1 cup of apple cider. I made my own apple cider in the Ninja Foodi and it is wonderful, you can find the cookbook with this recipe and many more here: Flavors of Fall Ninja Foodi Cookbook Of course, you can also use store-bought apple cider.
- While the liquid is heating, add the salt and brown sugar and mince your garlic and add to the pot. Add the peppercorns, rosemary springs, and bay leaves. Do not add in the orange peel yet. Many times when you pressure cook citrus peels it releases the bitterness in the peel and the pith and infuses the liquid with bitterness.
- Put the pressure lid on, turn the valve to seal. Set the Ninja Foodi to high pressure and the time for zero minutes. To do this, just hit the down arrow until the display reads 00:00 and hit start. The brine will boil during the time to pressure and that is all we need to do.
- While the Ninja Foodi is coming to pressure, peel the rind off of the orange. Try not to get too much of the white part or pith. It is bitter.
- When the Ninja Foodi beeps that it is done, immediately release the pressure.
- Remove the lid and add in the orange peels.
- Add 3 cups of ice to cool the liquid down. You cannot put the turkey in a hot brine, so it needs to cool down to room temp or colder. You can either put it in the fridge or cool it down in the pot sitting in a sink full of ice water.
- Put your thawed turkey in the inner pot once the liquid is cool. Make sure to remove anything that might be in the turkey cavity. If the turkey is not completely submerged and you have more room in the pot, add some water to bring the liquid level up.
- Cover the pot and put in the fridge for 16 to 24 hours. I like to use this silicone lid when I want to store food in the inner pot, but you can cover with foil or even the pressure lid. Just be sure to clean the pressure lid very well after using to cover raw turkey.
- When the turkey has finished brining, dump the liquid into the sink using a strainer to catch the solid ingredients. Discard the solids and rinse the sink.
- Fill the sink with cold tap water and put the turkey in the sink. Rinse it well with cold tap water and let it sit in the water for about 15 minutes. This will remove any excess salt.
- Your turkey is now brined and ready for you to season up and cook!
If you want to see exactly how I brined and cooked my 10 pound turkey, the step-by-step video link is right HERE: How to Cook a Whole Turkey in the Ninja Foodi
How to cook your turkey in the Ninja Foodi
Now that you have determined how long to cook your turkey, lets get into how to do it. This process will be the same if you brine or dont brine your turkey.
Make sure the turkey is well-rinsed and remove anything inside the cavity. Usually, there is a packet that contains the heart, liver, and gizzard. Sometimes the neck is in there, too. I dont throw those away. I put them in the pot when I pressure cook the turkey to flavor the stock, but that is optional.
Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. The rub will adhere better if the turkey is dry.
Rub the turkey all over with the dry rub. You can use my recipe or your own concoction or simple salt and pepper. I do recommend seasoning the outside of the turkey.
Put ½ cup of plain water or chicken stock in the inner pot of the Foodi. You dont need more than this because the turkey is going to give off a lot of liquid.
You will want to put your turkey on a (affiliate link)silicone sling or if it is small enough, you can use the rack in the low position. If you dont have a silicone sling, you can make one out of foil. If you want to see what that looks like, I show it this recipe for Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze.
Lower the turkey into the pot and put the pressure lid on. Turn the valve to seal. Set the time based on the size of your turkey. Allow the pressure to natural release for 15 minutes. Release the remaining pressure.
Remove the turkey and strain the liquid into a bowl. If your turkey is small enough, you can put the turkey back into the Ninja Foodi to crisp up the skin using the AC function. Or, you can always transfer the turkey to a roasting pan and crisp it up with the broil setting (or high heat setting) in the oven just before serving.
And, that is how you cook a turkey in the Ninja Foodi! Easy Peasy!
NINJA FOODI-ROASTED TURKEY BREAST
FAQ
How long to cook turkey breast Ninja Foodi?
Air fry turkey breast
Place the entire turkey in the ninja foodi with the breast side down. Air fry the turkey breast for 25 minutes, then flip it over and air fry for 15-20 minutes till it’s a lovely golden brown color. Use a meat thermometer to make sure it has reached an internal temperature of 165F.
How long can turkey breasts be in an air fryer ninja?
Air Crisp on 400° F for 10-14 minutes, make sure to check on it every 2 minutes after the first 6 minutes to make sure it doesn’t start to burn.Nov 10, 2019
How long to cook a turkey breast per pound?
The cooking time typically ranges from 15 to 18 minutes per pound, depending on the size of the turkey breast and whether it’s bone-in or boneless.Dec 2, 2022
Can you roast a turkey in a Ninja?
Yes, you can cook a whole turkey in under an hour! The Ninja Foodi makes magic happen with a whole turkey and it’s so easy to do.