Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

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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.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (1)

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 sealingposition. 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.

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HOW LONG DO YOUCOOK TURKEY BREAST IN INSTANT POT?

My turkey breast weighs about 7 lbs and the35 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 breastalso 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.

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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!

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HOW TO USELEFTOVER 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 Pot Roast

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Wings

Instant Pot Fluffy Rice

Instant Pot Spaghetti (fail-proof and no burn!)

Instant Pot Whole Chicken

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! 😀

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INSTANT POT TURKEY BREAST RECIPE

Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (6)

Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe

Juicy turkey breast cooked in the pressure cooker in just 35 minutes! The best way to save time preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

4.87 from 90 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Calories 918 kcal

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

The cook time does not include the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.

My turkey breast weighs about 7 lbs and the35 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 breastalso fit perfectly in my 6 qt Instant Pot Duo60.

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 918kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 117g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 343mg | Sodium: 998mg | Potassium: 1606mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 7.8mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 6.8mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (7)

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.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook a boneless turkey breast from frozen? ›

Believe it or not, the process of cooking a frozen turkey is incredibly simple. Remove the wrapping and place your completely frozen turkey breast side up on a roasting pan. Cook on the middle or bottom rack of the oven at 325 degrees. The turkey will take longer to cook (at least 50% longer than thawed).

How to cook a 3 pound butterball turkey breast? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. ...
  2. In a small bowl, stir together butter, thyme, lemon peel, and salt until well combined.
  3. Pat roast dry. ...
  4. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 170°F about 1 hour and 20 minutes. ...
  5. Tip: The butter mixture can be combined the night before.

How long to reheat sliced turkey in the oven? ›

Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F.
  2. Slice the turkey and spread into a baking dish. ...
  3. Cover the turkey with broth and dot with the butter. ...
  4. Reheat in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. ...
  5. Serving.

How do you reheat turkey breast? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Is it better to cook a turkey breast frozen or thawed? ›

After cooking a few frozen turkeys, I can verify that frozen turkey is really quite good. It cooks more slowly at a lower temperature, so I've found that the breast often turns out juicier than than a fully-thawed turkey.

How long to cook a 3 lb butterball boneless turkey breast? ›

and put it into the oven for 2 hours *at 325°*. I started checking on it about an hour and a half but at 2 hours. it came out looking roasted and beautiful. Cut away that netting and discard, and then your turkey is ready to go.

Do you wash turkey breast before cooking? ›

Wash your hands, but not the turkey! Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer. However, it's virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils.

Can you thaw butterball ready to roast turkey breast? ›

Preparation Instructions

Place unopened roast on a tray in refrigerator for 1½ to 2 days, or until thawed. To thaw faster, place unopened roast in cold tap water for 3 to 5 hours. Change water every 30 minutes to keep turkey cold. When thawed, keep in refrigerator until ready to cook.

What is the secret to a moist turkey? ›

HOW TO COOK A PERFECTLY MOIST AND JUICY TURKEY. Start by “brining” the turkey. This means soaking it in salt water overnight in the fridge (generally using a brining bag). You can also add a few flavors to the brine if you so desire.

Can I cook a turkey breast the day before Thanksgiving? ›

Roasting your turkey ahead will save you the time spent testing and carving, allowing you to spend more time with your guests. It's easy: Simply cook it a day or two in advance, let it cool completely, then carve the bird into large pieces—breasts, wings, thighs and drumsticks.

How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

How to reheat turkey
  1. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
  2. Carve the turkey breast meat into thin slices and carve the leg meat off the bone. Lay in a roasting tin or gratin dish. ...
  3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and roast for 30 mins until the turkey is very hot – at least 75C on a cooking thermometer.

How do you keep turkey breast moist when reheating? ›

We also recommend covering turkey as it reheats. Use an aluminum foil pouch in the oven or a microwave-safe dish in the microwave. If the juices stay in the turkey instead of evaporating off into your kitchen, the leftovers will taste so much better!

Can you cook a turkey breast the day before and reheat? ›

When serving your turkey the next day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline advises that cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated. To reheat your turkey, USDA gives the following recommendations: In the Oven: Set the oven temperature no lower than 325°F.

What's the best way to cook a precooked turkey breast? ›

Conventional Oven:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Remove turkey breast from the wrapper. ...
  3. Place turkey breast, skin side up, on a flat roasting rack in 2-inch open roasting pan. ...
  4. Brush or spray skin with vegetable oil.
  5. Place turkey breast in 350° oven and heat until warm. ...
  6. Check temperature with a meat thermometer.

Is it OK to bake a frozen turkey breast? ›

“Here's the general rule of thumb on frozen: You can do it, but it takes about 50 percent longer.” This is the official USDA guidance on cooking any frozen protein, in fact: It's perfectly safe as long as you cook it at a temperature no lower than 325 degrees.

How long to cook frozen boneless turkey? ›

Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 4-6 hours, depending on the size of the turkey breast. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).

How to quickly defrost boneless turkey breast? ›

Thaw turkey breast side down, in an unopened wrapper, with enough cold water to cover your turkey completely. Change water every 30 minutes and if turkey cannot be completely covered, rotate every 30 minutes to keep the turkey chilled. You can expect 30 minutes of thawing per pound of turkey.

How long to thaw a 4 lb boneless turkey breast? ›

Thawing Your Turkey
Thawing in the refrigeratorTime to thaw (allow 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds)
4 to 12 pounds1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pounds3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds5 to 6 days
Oct 20, 2022

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