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

Author: Anna

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

How long to cook a butterball 3 pound turkey breast? ›

Convection Oven 325°
WeightCook Time (Unstuffed)Cook Time (Stuffed)
3-5½ lbs.1½ -2 hrs.1¾-2½ hrs.
5½-9 lbs.2-2½ hrs.2½-3¼ hrs.
18-22 lbs.2½-3 hrs.3¼-3¾ hrs.
22-24 lbs.3-3½ hrs.3¾-4¼ hrs.

Why is my turkey breast meat tough? ›

If a turkey is cooked too long, the muscle proteins coagulate within the meat and cause dryness. In all of our research, we learned that moisture is the most important piece behind cooking the perfect turkey. It's also the most challenging.

What tenderizes turkey? ›

Applying salt to an uncooked turkey, either by soaking in a water solution (wet brine) or by sprinkling salt directly on the bird (dry brine) causes the protein strands in the meat to break down over time so the meat tenderizes, absorbs flavors, and retains moisture.

Can you cook a frozen boneless turkey breast? ›

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 long to cook a butterball 4 lb turkey breast? ›

3/4 - 1.5 hours. Check temperature with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 140° F.

How many people does a 3 lb Butterball turkey breast feed? ›

Butterball Turkey Breast Roast Boneless Savory Herb Frozen - 3 Lb
Servings Per Container10
Amount Per Serving
Calories150
Calories from Fat(-)
% Daily Value*
30 more rows

Does cooking a turkey breast down make it more moist? ›

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!

What temp is turkey the most tender? ›

But despite what they all say, you absolutely should NOT cook your turkey breast meat to 165°F (74°C) or to—heaven forbid—180°F (82°C)! Our answer? Cook the breast meat to 157°F (69°C) for moist, juicy turkey.

What does vinegar do to a turkey? ›

When Top Chef winner Kristen Kish took over the responsibility of cooking Thanksgiving dinner, she gave her brother the job of roasting the turkey. This recipe, which she taught him, uses cider vinegar as the brine, which tenderizes it and yields flavorful drippings perfect for pan jus.

What adds flavor to turkey? ›

Stick with salt and pepper, put herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to work, or take spicy Cajun seasoning for a spin for some kick. Whatever blend you choose, spread it all over the turkey—on top, underneath, between the body and wings and legs, under the skin, and even in the cavity of the bird.

Why do you put baking soda on turkey? ›

Using an overnight dry brine and pairing it with ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda—applied directly to the turkey before roasting—is a good way to tenderize your turkey and create a crispy, brown exterior.

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

“Actually, from a food safety standpoint it's safer to cook the turkey when it's still frozen. A frozen turkey will not spread raw juices around the kitchen, will not waste water as you try to thaw it and will produce an excellent and juicy cooked product.”

How to cook a 3 lb Butterball boneless 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 cook a 4 lb frozen turkey breast? ›

If you're looking to cook a frozen turkey breast in the oven, there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind. First, you'll need to allow for enough time to cook the turkey breast through. A good rule of thumb is to allow for about 30 minutes per pound of turkey.

Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350? ›

2- to 2½-pound bone-in turkey breast half: Roast at 325°F for 60 to 70 minutes. 2½- to 3-pound boneless turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 40 to 60 minutes. 4- to 6-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 1½ to 2¼ hours. 6- to 8-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 2¼ to 3¼ hours.

What temperature should a Butterball 3 lb turkey breast be? ›

At what temperature is a turkey breast done? Roast turkey breast uncovered according to package directions or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reaches 170°F. If your turkey breast has stuffing inside, the center of the stuffing should be 165°F.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350? ›

It's better to cook a turkey at 350°F after preheating the oven to 450°F. This makes the skin crispier and ensures the turkey will get cooked evenly.

How do you cook a 3 pound frozen Butterball turkey breast? ›

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Cook from Frozen. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Remove plastic bag. Do not remove inside netting.
  3. Place breast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Brush with oil to prevent drying.
  4. Do not cover. ...
  5. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before removing the netting and slicing.

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