This Instant Pot Boneless Turkey Breast and Gravy Recipe makes delicious turkey breast from frozen to ready! The easiest way, with no prep ahead of time. The gravy is the perfect finish to this amazing boneless turkey breast!
Jump to:
- Why this recipe works?
- How to make a boneless frozen turkey breast in the Instant Pot?
- Seasoning for turkey breast
- How to make gravy for turkey breast?
- How long does it take to cook frozen turkey breast in the Instant Pot?
- What to serve with boneless turkey breast:
- Instant Pot Boneless Turkey Breast with Gravy Recipe
Why this recipe works?
When I shared my Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe last year, I had no idea it will become so popular and made all year long. I also got a lot of questions about making a boneless frozen turkey breast in the pressure cooker. I knew I had to try it. You guys, it totally works! You can make juicy and delicious boneless turkey breast in the Instant Pot, without thawing it out.
This Instant Pot Boneless Turkey Breast is perfect for smaller holiday dinners as well as to make as meal prep and use throughout the week. It's so easy and you don't have to remember to thaw out the turkey!
How to make a boneless frozen turkey breast in the Instant Pot?
- Start by setting the trivet in your Instant Pot. Add 1.5 cups of water.
- Run the frozen turkey breast under warm tap water to release the gravy packet. I never use the gravy that comes with turkey, so I discarded it.
- Make the seasoned oil mixture and rub all over the turkey breast.
- Set turkey breast on trivet and arrange veggies around it.
- Set the Instant Pot to 55 minutes for a 3 lb turkey breast, on manual setting and high pressure. The Instant Pot will take about 8 minutes to come to pressure.
- Once done, let the pressure release naturally, it may take about 12 minutes.
- If you want to save on calories, remove the skin and slice the turkey breast to serve. You can also, pour a tablespoon of the juices from the bottom of the Instant Pot insert all over the cooked turkey breast and pop it under the broiler to crisp up the skin.
Seasoning for turkey breast
I have my go-to seasoning I use in all of my turkey recipes: a mixture of olive oil, paprika, poultry herb mix, salt and pepper. If you have one that you love, feel free to use it. The addition of celery, onion and garlic is supposed to be mainly to infuse the gravy with flavor. You can also use melted butter in place of oil.
Another option is to cook the turkey breast seasoned with oil, salt and pepper and once it's done, brush it with maple glaze and pop under the broiler. So delicious!
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How to make gravy for turkey breast?
Once the turkey breast is out of the Instant Pot, measure out 2 cups of the pan drippings. You can cook it in the Instant Pot or on the stove in saucepan. Add ¼ cup of water mixed with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. It will make a smooth and clear gravy. If using flour, use 3 tablespoons (add more if needed). The gravy will be cloudy.
How long does it take to cook frozen turkey breast in the Instant Pot?
My boneless turkey breast was 3 lbs and pretty rock solid frozen. After 55 minutes of cooking, the center of the breast was not reaching 165 degrees F so I added 8 more minutes of cooking time and it was perfect. If you bought turkey breast straight from the open freezer in your store and brought it home, 55 minutes for a 3 lb breast should be enough time to cook it thoroughly. Always check with the kitchen thermometer to make sure the turkey is at least 165 degrees F.
My Instant Pot took 8 minutes to come to pressure and 12 to release the pressure naturally. Once you add up the time (total timing: 75 minutes) it may seem like a lot but don't forget that the turkey breast we are using is frozen. No thawing time is needed!
If you are cooking thawed boneless turkey breast, cook for 5 minutes per pound.
What to serve with boneless turkey breast:
Check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance!
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Instant Pot Boneless Turkey Breast with Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lb frozen boneless turkey breast
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chopped poultry herb mix sage, rosemary and thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ white onion cut into slices
- 1 celery stalk cut into 3 pieces
- 2 garlic cloves
Instructions
- Start by setting the trivet in your Instant Pot. Add 1½ cups of water to the stainless steel insert.
- Run the frozen turkey breast under warm tap water to release the gravy packet. I never use the gravy that comes with turkey, so I discarded it.3 lb frozen boneless turkey breast
- In a small bowl, whisk together oil, paprika, herb mix, salt and pepper. Rub all over the turkey breast.1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, ¼ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon chopped poultry herb mix, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Set turkey breast on trivet and arrange veggies around it.½ white onion, 1 celery stalk, 2 garlic cloves
- Set the Instant Pot to 55 minutes for a 3 lb turkey breast, on manual setting and high pressure. The Instant Pot will take about 8 minutes to come to pressure.
- Once done, let the pressure release naturally, it may take about 12 minutes.
- If you want to save on calories, remove the skin and slice the turkey breast to serve. You can also, pour a tablespoon of the juices from the bottom of the Instant Pot insert all over the cooked turkey breast and pop it under the broiler to crisp up the skin.
- Once the turkey breast is out of the Instant Pot, measure out 2 cups of the pan drippings. You can cook it in the Instant Pot or on the stove in saucepan. Add ¼ cup of water mixed with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. It will make a smooth and clear gravy. If using flour, use 3 tablespoons (add more if needed). The gravy will be cloudy.
Wanda Henley says
I forgot to add, I do have a pressure cooker. Could it be made in that?
Thank you
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
If it's a digital pressure cooker like the Instant Pot, then it will be just fine. If it's the stove-top kind, I am afraid it won't work.
Wanda Henley says
Thank you.
Wanda Henley says
Since I don't have an instant pot, do you have directions for crock pot?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Wanda! I did not test this recipe in a slow cooker so I cannot promise what the result will be. So sorry! I think that a 5 or 6 lbs bone-in turkey breast will need 7 to 8 hours in the slow cooker.
karin says
I cook frozen turkey breast in the Ninja crock 8 hours on low with 2 jars of turkey gravy for liquid!
Bruce says
Have not tried the instant recipe yet, but I have cooked defrosted 3 pound turkey breasts in a crock pot, in a slow cooker bag. First on low for 3 hours, then for 2.5 hours. I hoped the bag would keep it more moist. I put about a half cup of water in the pot to ease cleanup. Never really came out as moist as some precooked turkey breasts I bought at ALDI but didn’t like the seasoning on the breast. I scrub it off with a vegetable brush. I own an insta-pot and was wondering if I could use it for my turkey breasts and found many recipes, which were basically all the same. Hope to put it to the test tomorrow. Lots of good input here.
Kimberly says
I love the convenience of this and that turkey breast looks perfect!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
It's just so easy and no prep time. Gotta love that!
Jennifer Sullivan says
So I have a 6 lb if I am going to cook from frozen how long would you add timewise and would you add more water?
Jacque Hastert says
The perfect way to cook for a smaller family.
Dee says
This looks so tasty! I love all the flavors in it!
Amy says
This turkey looks so tasty! I love that it is made in the instant pot too!
Pam Price says
I made this tonight, thank you for the recipe! It tasted amazing!! The center was a little pick though so I think next time I will add five mintues and hope that’s enough time to cook the center a little more.
Jamielyn says
It doesn't get any easier than this! Love that there's no prep ahead of time!
Taylor W. says
This looks SO easy and delicious! Need to try this!!
Kara says
I have a hard time remembering to defrost my meat, so this is the perfect recipe for me. The turkey looks amazing!
Lori says
Perfect Thanksgiving recipe for my small family!
Erin says
This is seriously making me hungry!
Chrissie Baker says
I think it's a good idea for a festive table. A good combination of ingredients. I really like. I'm sure this is very tasty.
Melanie Bauer says
This is absolutely fabulous! Looks really delicious and really can't wait to make this!
Julia says
OMG! Just what I was looking for! I had to try this recipe asap. It's AMAZING! Love how juicy the turkey is. And no thawing! Gotta love that. Thank you so so much for the recipe, Anna!!