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

Does cooking a turkey breast down make it juicier? ›

Cooking a turkey upside down allows the juices to trickle down during the roasting process for extra moist and juicy breast meat. Plus, since the dark meat is closer to the heat source, it cooks faster than it does with the traditional method. It's a win-win!

How do you make turkey not chewy? ›

On the other hand, if you overcook a turkey it's going to be too tough and chewy! The best way to avoid this is by taking out the turkey right before the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).

How to reheat turkey breast without drying it out? ›

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.

Why is my turkey not juicy? ›

Keep your turkey moist by cooking it evenly. Let the turkey sit out of the refrigerator for about an hour before roasting. If you put a cold turkey into the oven it will take longer to cook. The heat works its way from the outside in, and the longer oven time will mean that the exterior has more time to dry out.

What's the best way to cook a turkey breast side up or breast side down? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture advises to cook a whole turkey breast side up during the entire cooking time. Turning over a large, hot bird can be dangerous and it's very easy to tear the skin, making the finished product less attractive.

Should a turkey breast be cooked, covered or uncovered? ›

To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.

Why is my turkey not crispy? ›

If you brine your turkey and don't take the time to dry off the skin after, you risk disaster (read: soft, limp turkey skin). The drier the skin, the better; some cooks will make sure to leave the skin uncovered for several hours before roasting their Thanksgiving turkey to air-dry the skin after first blotting it dry.

How to keep a turkey moist when cooking? ›

Other top tips for roasting a turkey:
  1. Choose the right size turkey. ...
  2. Adjust the cooking time based on the size of your bird. ...
  3. Bring the turkey to room temperature. ...
  4. Use a roasting rack. ...
  5. Start with a super hot oven, then reduce the temperature. ...
  6. Use more butter than you feel comfortable with. ...
  7. Brine your turkey.
Nov 16, 2022

Does turkey get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

When the contracting muscle fibers reach 180° F they begin to break up. The bonds within the molecules begin to break down, causing proteins to unravel and the muscle meat becomes more tender. Of course the longer the turkey is cooked, the more the proteins are denatured and the meat gets tougher.

What are two ways to keep turkey from drying out? ›

5 Ways to Prevent Your Turkey from Drying Out
  1. Cook Pieces Instead of a Whole Turkey. ...
  2. If Cooking a Whole Turkey, Buy Frozen. ...
  3. Ditch the Plastic Pop-Up Timer; Use an Instant-Read Thermometer Instead. ...
  4. Elevate the Legs. ...
  5. Let the Turkey Rest.
Nov 1, 2022

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.

Can you cook the turkey the day before and reheat it on Thanksgiving? ›

Reheat Your Turkey the Next Day

You can bake it along with the stuffing (drizzle a little turkey broth over the stuffing before you bake it to add some turkey flavor) and side dishes, but watch the bird carefully, as you don't want to overcook it or dry out the meat by leaving it in the oven too long.

Why is my turkey breast always dry? ›

Another reason why turkey may be dry is due to its poor breast-to-leg ratio. By the time one gets the leg meat to cook to temperature so it's safe for consumption, the breast meat often has dried out. Seeing how many people dive for the breast meat initially, they could dish up some dry bird.

Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey? ›

Place roast, skin side up, on a flat roasting rack in 2-inch deep roasting pan. Do not add water to pan. Roast uncovered according to Cooking Schedule or until meat thermometer in center of breast roast reaches 170° F and in center of turkey roast reaches 175° F.

Why is my turkey breast tough? ›

Rubbery texture comes from cooking too long with too low a heat. Most land fowl like chicken, turkey, pigeon, guineafowl, peafowl, etc. are best when cooked hot and fast. The quicker you seal up the outside, the more moisture that will be retained inside.

Is it good to cook a turkey breast down? ›

Roasting a turkey upside down guarantees moist and tender white and dark meat every time. Simply flip the turkey upside down on the roasting rack, so that the thighs cook faster and baste the breast meat with their juices.

Does cooking a turkey longer make it softer? ›

When the contracting muscle fibers reach 180° F they begin to break up. The bonds within the molecules begin to break down, causing proteins to unravel and the muscle meat becomes more tender. Of course the longer the turkey is cooked, the more the proteins are denatured and the meat gets tougher.

How to get flavor into turkey breast? ›

A simple mixture of broth, butter, lemon, garlic, pepper, and salt delivers moisture and flavor to the white meat and enhances the texture and taste of the dark meat. If you're choosing to brine this bird and then inject it, do not add salt to the injection mixture because the turkey will end up being too salty.

Why does bringing a turkey make it juicier? ›

According to research published in the Journal of Food Science , the salt in the brine dissolves a bit of the protein in the muscle fibers, and allows the meat to absorb the brine and retain moisture during cooking. This makes the poultry juicier, more tender and improves the flavor.

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