Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe - juicy turkey breast cooked in pressure cooker in just 35 minutes! The best way to save time preparing Thanksgiving dinner.
I serve this turkey breast with my Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce, Sweet Corn Casserole and use the leftovers to make Turkey Tetrazzini.
When I said, that the Instant Pot digital pressure cooker can change your life, I meant it. It's been saving me time in the kitchen since I got it. But this Instant Pot Turkey Breast is a game-changer on a whole new level. I can cook a whole bone-in skin-on turkey breast in my pressure cooker in ⅓ of the time I would take me to roast it in the oven. I can bake side dishes in the oven in the meantime.
INSTANT POT TURKEY BREAST
The turkey comes out juicy and flavorful, the pan drippings are perfect to make the gravy and if the crispy skin is your favorite part, place the turkey breast under the broiler for a few minutes. I also have a recipe for a boneless turkey breast that cooks from frozen to juicy!
HOW TO COOK TURKEY BREAST IN INSTANT POT?
You won't believe how easy it is to cook a turkey breast in the digital pressure cooker. I still can't!
- Add two cups of broth or stock to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. Add sliced onion, garlic and celery.
- Set the turkey breast side up in the trivet ( it came with your pressure cooker ) and brush it with herbed and spiced olive oil. It's a simple mixture of oil, paprika, salt, pepper and poultry herb mix ( thyme, rosemary and sage ).
- Place lid on the Instant Pot, set valve to sealing position. Press "manual" and set it the timer.
- When the IP is done, let the pressure release naturally. It will keep the turkey moist. Once the pressure pin is down, carefully open the lid away from your face. Check the temperature of the turkey in it's thickest part, not touching the bone. It should be at least 165 degrees F.
- Remove turkey from Instant Pot and broil for a crispy skin, if desired. For a low fat option, remove the skin and slice the meat.
- Make gravy with liquid remaining in the Instant Pot.
HOW LONG DO YOU COOK TURKEY BREAST IN INSTANT POT?
My turkey breast weighs about 7 lbs and the 35 minutes was perfect. You should check the turkey with a digital thermometer once done to make sure the temperature is at minimum 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast. This size of the turkey breast also fit perfectly in my 6 qt Instant Pot. After the timer beeps, let the pressure release naturally. It will keep the turkey juicy. If you do a quick pressure release, all of the juices will escape the meat. Set turkey on cutting board and let cool. Remove skin and slice the meat.
If the crispy skin is your favorite part of the Thanksgiving bird, place the cooked turkey breast on a baking pan or dish and set under the broiler for a few minutes. I set my broiler to 440 degrees F and watched the turkey the whole time.
I have the Instant Pot DUO60 6qt and love it. ( affiliate link )
HOW TO MAKE TURKEY GRAVY IN INSTANT POT?
To make the gravy, drain the pan drippings through a sieve to catch the onions and garlic. You can also press them through it to get all the flavor into the gravy. Measure out two cups of the liquid and place back in the Instant Pot insert. Add a mixture of 2 tablespoons or cornstarch with ¼ cup of cold water and whisk well. Saute until thickens. You can use the rest of the liquid from cooking the turkey for soups later. I simply place it in ziploc bag once it completely cools. It's a very flavorful broth and perfect for making soups during winter.
SIDE DISHES TO SERVE WITH TURKEY BREAST:
- mashed potatoes: If you are lucky and have two Instant Pots, I highly recommend making my IP Mashed Potatoes as a side dish. It's the only way I cook them now. Perfect every time!
- roasted Brussels sprouts: my Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts are perfect for Thanksgiving! Even the kids will love them.
- carrots: my Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots are a family favorite here. So easy and so delicious!
- green beans: my classic Green Bean Casserole made entirely from scratch yet still super easy and accidentally gluten free ( completely if you use GF fried onions ) is a must for a family holiday dinner.
- hashbrowns: this Hashbrown Casserole makes for a perfect side dish in place of mashed potatoes. It's cheesy and creamy and everyone loves it!
- stuffing: my Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing is another time and work saver in the kitchen during the holidays. It's perfect for this Instant Pot Turkey Breast!
HOW TO USE LEFTOVER TURKEY?
After cooking up the big feast, you won't feel like spending much time in the kitchen on the following days. Save the turkey meat, dice it and use in my One Pot Turkey Tetrazzini recipe. It's perfect to use the leftover turkey meat!
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup - use turkey in place of chicken for a perfect soul-comforting soup.
To see how to cook BONELESS turkey breast (from frozen) in the pressure cooker, check out my new recipe and video for Instant Pot Boneless Turkey Breast with Gravy.
MORE INSTANT POT RECIPES:
Instant Pot Spaghetti (fail-proof and no burn!)
Instant Pot Guinness Beef Stew
If you want to learn more about the Instant Pot, check out my Guide for Beginners! Also, if you experienced the "burn" message, check out my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn how to fix it and prevent it in the first place.
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
INSTANT POT TURKEY BREAST RECIPE
Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 lb bone-in skin-on turkey breast
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon chopped poultry fresh herb mix rosemary, sage and thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion chopped into large slices
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 celery stalks
Instructions
- Add chicken broth to Instant Pot insert. Place trivet inside. Arrange onions, garlic and celery.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix oil, paprika, herb mix, salt and pepper.
- Wash the turkey breast, remove gravy pocket. Wash and pat dry. Brush turkey breast with olive oil mixture. Place in the trivet, breast side up.
- Place lid on Instant Pot. Set valve the sealing. Press "manual", set timer to 35 minutes High Pressure.
- When the IP beeps, press "cancel/off" and let the pressure release naturally. It will keep the turkey juicy.
- When pressure is released, open lid carefully, away from your face.
- Using large fork, remove turkey from pressure cooker. Set on a cutting board, serving platter or if desired on a baking pan, to crisp up the skin in the oven. To do so: place cooked turkey breast in the oven under broiler set to 440 degrees F. Broil until skin is golden and crispy, watching the turkey the whole time. You may have to rotate the pan during broiling.
- To make the gravy, drain the pan drippings through a sieve to catch the onions and garlic. You can also press them through it to get all the flavor into the gravy. Measure out two cups of the liquid and place back in the Instant Pot insert. Add a mixture of 2 tablespoons or cornstarch with ¼ cup of cold water and whisk well. Saute until thickens.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use my link and make a purchase on Amazon, I will make a small commission, without any extra cost to you.
Jannik says
How long in an 8qt?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi! The time remains the same.
Sandra McFadin says
Will this recipe work with a conventional, stove top pressure cooker?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
No. This recipe is made for the digital pressure cooker, like the Instant Pot.
Brittany says
Do you double the time for frozen?
Joseph Massimino says
No, the pot will not start the timer until it reaches the proper pressure. The pressure comes from heating the pot. At first you will hear the steam escape as the pot heats. Once the pot gets hot enough, the pressure will close the valve, then start the timer. This is the process for pressure cooking, the non-pressure modes are what set the Instant Pot apart from conventional pressure cookers.
Deborah says
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! Our Thanksgiving turkey breast was so juicy! And I appreciate having another great recipe for my Instant Pot...
Sharon says
I have a boneless/skinless Butterball turkey that is one of those you take from freezer to oven. Should I thaw it out before cooking it in my instapot?
Barb says
This was the best turkey I’ve ever made! Very moist and tender. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe.
Althea says
Omg! It was truly the best! Completed an eight lb adding 5 more minutes! Could not be happier!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
YAY! That's wonderful! Thank you so much, Althea! I am so happy to know you love it! PS: Did you make the gravy too?
Tricia says
What about a 6 lb boneless? Time wise?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Tricia! I am not sure as I didn't try this recipe with boneless turkey breast. I would be guessing here by saying that it will probably come to pressure faster and I would still set the timer to 30 minutes. I hope this helps! Let us all know how it goes! Happy holidays!
Sarah says
How long would you recommend for a 5lb turkey?!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Sarah! I think it will come to pressure faster and you can decrease the cooking time to 25 minutes. Still check with meat thermometer to make sure it is done. I hope this helps!
kikidee says
Looks great - is the bone-in turkey breast frozen or thawed?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi! I used thawed bone-in turkey breast. Thank you for the question!
Abeer says
This looks yummy and I am going to try it out!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Abeer!
Cathy says
I just got an IP! Can't wait to try this!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yay! You will love it, Cathy!
Paula - bell'alimento says
I'm obsessed with my instant pot. Can't wait to try this one!
Amanda says
I've still yet to use my Instant Pot, but I think this is going to be the dish I try first!!
Kimberly says
That looks so perfectly moist and I can almost smell it through the screen, YUM!
Jen says
This would be so perfect for us to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal all year long. I really need to use my IP more. It seems like such a time saver!