Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Name: Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 5 lbs fresh or frozen turkey breast; 1 tbsp oil; 1 large garlic clove (grated); 2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tbsp dried rosemary; 1 3/4 tsp salt; Ground black pepper (to taste); 3 tbsp cornstarch

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Instant Pot Turkey Breast is super juicy, ready in under an hour, and is complete with gravy all in one pot. It’s perfect for saving time, money and it produces less waste when you’re feeding a smaller crowd!

Don’t have Instant Pot? Make my boneless turkey breast roast or roasted turkey breast. All are delicious, juicy, and easy as well!

Instant Pot Turkey Breast sliced and plated with cranberry garnish and herbs

Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast
Why Make Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot?
Ingredients for Turkey in Instant Pot
- Types of Turkey Breast You Can Use
How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Breast Roast
How Long to Cook Turkey Breast in Instant Pot
Optional Add-In’s and Variations
Tips for Best Results
FAQs
Servings Recommendations
Making This Recipe in Advance
More Instant Pot Recipes to Try

Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast

Instant Pot turkey is the perfect alternative to cooking a whole turkey in a fraction of the time, whether you’re serving a smaller crowd for the holidays or enjoying Sunday dinner. The pressure cooker makes turkey moist, succulent and super flavourful in just 40 minutes!

Use fresh or frozen turkey, a handful of mouthwatering seasonings and not only does the pressure cooker do all the work, it also provides a way for you to make a rich gravy right in the pot! Finish it under the broiler for a nice crispy skin and even dark meat lovers won’t miss a thing!

Why Make Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot?

So easy: Plump turkey breast results with little effort. If hosting, a little less time in the kitchen and a little more time with your guests is always a good thing.
Delicious and juicy: Turkey, especially white meat is generally drier. Pressure cooking in the Instant Pot retains moisture resulting in meat that is juicy and tender.
Fast: A turkey dinner ready in 40 minutes. Who would have thought?!
Saves space: Save oven room for your healthy sides – or maybe you don’t need to turn the oven on at all!
Small crowd: Only cook what you need for a smaller gathering- without worrying you will be eating leftover turkey for days on end!

Ingredients for Turkey in Instant Pot

Turkey: Fresh or frozen turkey breast. There are a few different types you can use bone-in or boneless turkey breast Instant Pot, see below for a detailed guide.
Oil: Used to coat the turkey to not only help it cook and stay moist but it also helps the spices and seasonings to stick to the bird.
Seasoning: Fresh grated garlic, smoked paprika, dried rosemary, and salt & pepper.
Cornstarch: Once your turkey is cooked, thicken up the juices to make a delicious gravy!

Turkey breast roast, rosemary, garlic clove, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.

Types of Turkey Breast You Can Use

There are 3 types of turkey breast you can use. Choose any one for this Instant Pot turkey breast recipe!

Bone-in turkey breasts removed straight from a turkey. The ingredients photo above shows my 5 lb turkey breast I got at Costco. White meat is still attached to the bone for additional flavor.
Turkey breast meat in a mesh pouch. It is simply boneless meat rolled into a turkey tenderloin that is held together by a mesh. It can be sold in a plastic tray covered with plastic or in a box. Do not remove the mesh or twine when you cook boneless turkey breast Instant Pot.
Frozen turkey breast is an option, too. I have tested it and you just have to make sure to rinse meat to remove frost for the oil and spices to stick. Cooking time will be longer as will the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.

sliced Instant Pot Turkey Breast on a platter garnished with cranberries and parsley

How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Breast Roast

Prep: Add 1 cup water and trivet to 6 quarts or 8 quart Instant Pot. Mesh roast can fit into a 3-quart pot. Trim the fat, rub the turkey breast with oil and sprinkle it with spices.

Add turkey: To the Instant Pot, place the turkey breast side up onto the trivet. Close the lid, and set the valve to the Sealing position.
Cooking: Cook on High pressure, then allow the pressure to come down on its own until the pin drops. This is called a natural release.

Cook time. For a fresh turkey breast you’ll cook it for 6 minutes per pound. If it’s frozen, you’ll cook it for 10 minutes per pound.

Instant Pot turkey breast in pressure cooker pot.

Broil: Remove the turkey onto a foil-lined baking sheet and broil until the skin is brown and crispy.

turkey removed from instant pot and on baking sheet

Make the gravy: Press Sauté, whisk in cold water and cornstarch (a slurry) right into the Instant Pot with the delicious cooking liquid infused with flavor from the drippings and cook until thickened.

Pouring cornstarch mixture into Instant Pot.

How Long to Cook Turkey Breast in Instant Pot

Fresh – 6 minutes per lb with Natural Release (takes about 10-15 minutes):

2 lbs = 12 mins
3 lbs = 18 mins
4 lbs = 24 mins
5 lbs = 30 mins
6 lbs = 36 mins
7 lbs = 42 mins
8 lbs = 50 mins

Frozen – 10 minutes per lb with Natural Release.

2 lbs = 20 mins
3 lbs = 30 mins
4 lbs = 40 mins
5 lbs = 50 mins
6 lbs = 60 mins
7 lbs = 70 mins
8 lbs = 80 mins

Check for doneness. The most efficient way of knowing whether your breast is fully cooked is to use a thermometer. It should be at 165 degrees F when checking the thickest part of the breast.

Optional Add-In’s and Variations

Use chicken broth or turkey broth instead of water for even more flavor for the gravy and infused in the meat as well.
Switch up the seasoning from rosemary to thyme, tarragon, or sage, or a simple blend of Italian seasoning.
If you like a bit of smoky flavour to your turkey, try smoked paprika.
Poultry seasoning is another popular blend used around the holidays, especially for stuffing. Use it on the turkey breast too!
Vegetables: Before turning on the Instant Pot, add onions, celery, and carrots, to the liquid and remove just before making the gravy. So good!

Tips for Best Results

Roast and Instant Pot size: I fit a 5 lb roast into my 6 quart Instant Pot Lux but truthfully it could fit up to 7 lbs. If you have an 8-quart size, it can hold up to a 9 lb turkey breast or a whole mini turkey.
Don’t do quick release: The meat won’t be fully cooked.
Digital thermometer: Although we’re not cooking an entire turkey, and my instructions are pretty much foolproof, it’s never a bad idea to use a thermometer to check the internal temperature, just in case!
Pat dry: There’s no need to rinse your turkey breast before cooking, although I know some people will anyway. If you do, be sure to pat it dry before doing anything else.
Always sear after: I tried to sear turkey breast before cooking on Saute mode and prefer broiling after. Turkey skin comes out more roasted instead of poached.
Frozen turkey: Yes, it’s possible to cook Instant Pot frozen turkey. BUT, whenever possible thaw first.

FAQs

Should I brine turkey breast?

You absolutely can if you want to but it’s not a must. The brine is meant to add flavor and moisture to the meat, but the Instant Pot does that all on its own. It’s up to you!

Can I use Instant Pot frozen turkey breast?

Definitely. Although, if there’s a choice between using frozen or thawed from frozen, I would recommend thawing it first, if you have the time. The seasoning will adhere better and the cooking time will be faster.

Can I make Instant Pot bone in turkey breast?

You bet! The Costco turkey breast as pictured has a bone that gives it great flavour and is just as easy to cook as any boneless turkey breast Instant Pot.

How do I keep turkey breast moist?

The Instant Pot captures the moisture by using steam to cook the breast under pressure. You want to make sure to do everything you can to maintain those results before serving! The first thing is to allow it to rest before slicing. Let the juices settle so they don’t run out leaving the turkey breast dry. For added assurance, you could use brine (although not necessary). Serving it with a luscious thick gravy is another surefire way to keep it nice and moist.

How do I defrost a turkey breast quickly?

Submerge it in cold water. Seems counterintuitive right? It works! Use this method to defrost any meat. Not necessarily because it’s faster than using warm water, but it is safer. Keep meat in cold water for up to 5 hours, changing the water as needed to keep it cold.

Is turkey tenderloin the same as boneless turkey breast?

Not exactly. The tenderloin is just a part of the whole breast. So, it’s skinless and boneless whereas the whole breast will contain the skin and the bone. Either one can be used in this recipe.

Could I cook this turkey breast in the slow cooker?

You bet. Season it the same way, and cook on low for 6 hours. You won’t get the same amount of liquid in the end, but that’s ok, you can make gravy on the side! Place it under the broiler to get a crispy golden finish.

Can I use this recipe for boneless turkey breast (rolled in the elastic mesh net)?

Yes, and there’s no need to remove the net to do it!

Servings Recommendations

Here are classics made healthy so you can enjoy the holidays and not feel “blah” the day after. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll still need your stretchy pants! 😉

Mashed potatoes or cauliflower mashed potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes or healthy sweet potato casserole
Healthy green bean casserole or garlic green beans
Gravy and cranberry sauce
Instant Pot mashed potatoes (if you have 2 or 3 Instant Pots like me haha) or baked potatoes
Steamed vegetables or roasted Brussels.

Alternately, browse through more than 50 healthy Thanksgiving recipes!

Making This Recipe in Advance

Storing: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a pot with a lid. Add a splash of broth and drippings and simmer on low. It will create a bit of steam for moisture. Do not bake as it will dry out the meat.
Freezing: Cooked turkey leftovers freeze very well. Freeze cubed turkey meat in measured-out portions in glass containers for casseroles and salad. I freeze the carcass in a giant Ziploc bag for soups.

Leftover meat and bones? Make Instant Pot bone broth with carcass and turkey tetrazzini with leftover meat!

More Instant Pot Recipes to Try

Browse through all my healthy Instant Pot recipes!

Instant Pot Turkey Breast served with mashed potatoes and gravy

Welcome!

My name is Olena Osipov and I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission for you to cook quick and easy healthy meals for your family. I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with real food. Now I combine her recipes with a sprinkle of my nutrition education and budget and time-saving skills (as a mom of 2), to help you eat healthy while living a busy life!

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