How to Cook a Juicy Turkey in a Ninja Foodi

Cooking a delicious and moist turkey for the holidays can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be with the Ninja Foodi. This multi-purpose pressure cooker makes it easy to cook a tender and juicy turkey with crispy skin.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every step of cooking a whole turkey in the Ninja Foodi, from choosing the right size bird to getting perfect crispy skin. Follow my tips and tricks to gain the skills and confidence to make this festive centerpiece a huge hit.

Choosing the Right Turkey Size

The first key is picking a turkey that will fit nicely in your particular Ninja Foodi model.

• For the 5-quart Ninja Foodi, stick with a small turkey breast under 6 lbs. The cavity is too tight for a whole bird.

• The 6.5-quart Ninja Foodi can hold a whole turkey up to 8 lbs. However, you may not be able to use the air crisp lid due to the height.

• For the 8-quart Ninja Foodi a 10 lb turkey is ideal. You’ll have plenty of room to crispy up the skin with the air crisp function.

I recommend having your butcher trim off excess fat and skin to help the turkey fit better in the pot. A snug fit is important for even cooking.

Brining is a Must for Flavor and Moisture

While optional, I highly suggest brining your turkey before cooking. This process infuses the meat with flavor and keeps it incredibly moist.

The Pioneer Woman’s apple cider turkey brine is my favorite. To make brining easy, use the Ninja Foodi pot to boil the brine liquid. Then cool it fully before submerging the raw turkey for 16-24 hours.

If you skip brining, I recommend injecting the turkey with a flavored butter to boost moisture.

Calculating the Perfect Cook Time

Figuring out the pressure cook time for a turkey in the Ninja Foodi is simple:

• Take the turkey’s weight in pounds
• Multiply by 2
• Subtract 1 from the result

The number you get is the pressure cook time in minutes.

For example, a 10 lb turkey would cook for 19 minutes (10 x 2 – 1 = 19). This formula prevents over or undercooking.

Step-by-Step Cooking Directions

Here are the detailed steps for cooking a juicy turkey in the Ninja Foodi:

1. Remove giblets and rinse turkey: Check the cavities and remove any giblets or neck. Give the turkey a thorough rinse under cold water and pat dry.

2. Season the skin: For crispy skin, coat it thoroughly with oil, salt, pepper, sage, thyme, and rosemary. Rub it all over.

3. Add liquid to pot: Pour 1/2 cup water or chicken broth into the pot to help the turkey cook evenly.

4. Insert turkey: Place the seasoned turkey breast-side up on a sling or trivet inside the pot.

5. Pressure cook: Close the lid, seal the release valve, and pressure cook for the calculated time.

6. Natural release: Let the pressure come down naturally for 15 minutes before manually releasing the rest.

7. Air crisp skin: Remove turkey and discard liquid. Coat skin with oil spray. Air crisp at 400°F for 5-10 minutes.

8. Check temp and rest: Turkey is safe to eat once the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F. Let rest 15 minutes before carving.

That’s all there is to it! The Ninja Foodi does the hard work for you.

Helpful Hacks for Turkey Success

Here are some extra tips and tricks I’ve learned for getting the best results:

• Use an oven-safe meat thermometer to monitor the temperature without opening the pot.

• Baste the turkey with broth during the natural release for added moisture and flavor.

• Add aromatics like onion, garlic, and herbs to the pot for delicious turkey stock.

• Refrigerate or freeze the turkey stock to use in other recipes.

• If there’s room, add cubed potatoes and carrots to cook along with the turkey.

• Brush thawed frozen butter over the skin before air crisping for ultimate crispness.

• Carve the turkey on a large cutting board to catch the juices for making gravy.

Get Creative with Seasonings and Sides

Plain old salt and pepper turkey can get boring. With the Ninja Foodi, it’s easy to liven up the flavors. After brining, try different rubs using herbs, spices, citrus, or dried fruit.

You can even cook flavorful side dishes right along with the turkey. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and veggies all do great under pressure. Just add 5-10 minutes to the turkey cook time.

With the Ninja Foodi, your holiday meal can have explosive flavors and come together easily. This foolproof turkey recipe takes the stress out of cooking so you can enjoy time with loved ones.