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Prepare a tender, succulent, and flavorful turkey breast in the Instant Pot in just about 30 minutes! This method delivers juicy and perfectly cooked turkey in a fraction of the usual time. Plus, use the delicious drippings from the cooking process to whip up an amazing gravy.
Serve with a side of smashed potatoes, apple stuffing, or check out all these other delicious Thanksgiving recipes! For an even juicier and more flavorful turkey, consider learning how to brine a turkey beforehand.
This Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe is super juicy with a perfectly crispy and seasoned exterior, it is hands down the go-to way to cook up a turkey breast, whether it’s for Sunday meals, Thanksgiving, or any occasion! If you’re looking to cook a turkey on a smaller scale, this is your recipe.
Why I Love This Turkey Breast Recipe
- Time-Saver: Juicy turkey in just a fraction of the traditional roasting time.
- Flavorful: The turkey is deliciously moist and perfectly seasoned.
- Good for Small Gatherings: Ideal for smaller groups who don’t want to cook an entire turkey.
- Gravy Perfection: Make an excellent gravy from the turkey’s own drippings.
- Holiday Ready: The best option for Thanksgiving, festive occasions, or just a standout meal.
- Oven Space: Great for Holiday cooking, saving the oven for all your sides and pies.
Instant Pot Turkey Breast Ingredients
- 4-pound boneless turkey breast: Make sure to thaw your turkey breast before cooking. And stick to boneless cuts, as bone-in ones require a longer cooking time.
- olive oil, divided
- chopped poultry fresh herb mix; rosemary, sage, and thyme
- seasonings: sweet or smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
- chicken broth: I recommend using low-sodium chicken broth.
- 1 whole garlic head, cut in half, crosswise
- fresh thyme, optional
- turkey drippings: for the gravy
- butter
How To Cook Turkey Breast In The Instant Pot
- Prep the Turkey: Rub the turkey breast with olive oil, then season with combined herbs and spices.
- Sear: Using the Instant Pot’s sauté mode, brown the turkey on all sides.
- Add Broth & Aromatics: Remove the turkey, pour in the chicken broth, and add garlic and thyme.
- Cook: Place the turkey on a trivet inside the Instant Pot, seal, and set it to manual for 24 minutes on High Pressure.
- Natural Release: Let the pot depressurize naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release it. Using an instant read meat thermometer, check the temperature of the turkey breast in its thickest part; it should read 155˚F to 160˚F.
- Broil: Transfer the turkey to a baking dish and broil for 6 to 8 minutes for a crispy skin.
- Rest & Slice: Remove it from the oven and allow the turkey to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Cook the seasoned turkey in the slow cooker on low for 5 to 6 hours, then broil in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until browned and the skin is crispy.
- Follow this Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe and make a perfectly cooked turkey in the crock pot.
Cooking Times For Instant Pot Turkey Breast
When cooking poultry in the Instant Pot, you’ll want to allot 6 minutes for every pound, followed by a 10-minute Natural Pressure Release (NPR). For a 4-pound turkey or turkey breast, you’ll want to cook it for 24 minutes + 10 minutes NPR. For an 8-pound turkey or turkey breast, you’ll have to cook it for 48 minutes + 10 minutes NPR.
Recipe Tips
- Thaw: Use a turkey breast that is completely thawed.
- Boneless: Stick to boneless cuts, as bone-in turkey requires a longer cooking time.
- Herb Freshness: Use fresh herbs when possible. They impart a more vibrant flavor.
- Searing: Don’t skip the searing step. Browning the turkey adds a depth of flavor.
- Natural Release: Allow for a natural pressure release after cooking to help the meat retain its juices.
- Crispy Finish: Use the oven’s broiler to get that crispy skin.
- Gravy: When making gravy, continuously whisk to avoid lumps. If you find your gravy too thick, add more broth; if it is too thin, let it simmer a bit longer.
- Size Matters: Make sure the turkey breast fits comfortably in your Instant Pot. Overcrowding can affect the cooking time and results. For larger turkey breasts, know the Instant Pot guidelines: 6 minutes per pound plus a 10-minute NPR.
- Check for Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey has reached a safe internal temperature of 155°F to 165˚F.
- Resting Time: Letting the turkey rest after cooking ensures the juices redistribute.
Serving Suggestions
Clearly, I’m ready! I’m ready for THE Bird, the cranberries and Brussels sprouts, and for a pitcher of Apple Cider Mimosas. This Turkey Breast recipe plus my Roast Turkey and the following side dishes, have me ready for all of it!
- Cranberry Sauce: A sweet-tart classic that complements the savory turkey beautifully.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and fluffy, they’re a must-have side for turkey dinners.
- Asparagus Almondine: Fresh green beans sautéed with almonds for a crunchy twist.
- Traditional Stuffing or Dressing: You can also choose from cornbread or wild rice variations.
- Sweet Potato Casserole: Topped with marshmallows or a pecan crumble for a sweet side dish.
- Roasted Root Vegetables: A medley of sweet potatoes and parsnips, and carrots roasted with herbs.
- Salad: A fresh mixed brussel sprouts salad with apples and candied walnuts tossed in a homemade vinaigrette.
More Turkey Recipes
- Garlic Lemon Butter Roast Turkey Breast
- Juicy Roast Turkey with Maple Gravy
- Perfect Roast Turkey
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Turkey Meatballs
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Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Tender, succulent, and flavorful turkey breast cooked in the Instant Pot and ready in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
For The Turkey Breast
- 4 pound boneless turkey breast, , completely thawed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, , divided
- 1 tablespoon chopped poultry fresh herb mix of rosemary, sage, and thyme
- 1 tablespoon sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder,, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 whole garlic head, , cut in half, crosswise (optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme,, optional
For The Gravy
- turkey drippings
- chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
For The Turkey Breast
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the turkey breast and rub it all around; set aside.
- Combine the herbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, chili powder, and onion powder in a small mixing bowl; generously season the turkey breast with the seasoning blend, rubbing it all around.
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the remaining olive oil to the Instant Pot and heat it up.
- Add the turkey breast to the Instant Pot and sear on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the turkey from IP and set aside.
- Add a cup of chicken broth to the Instant Pot and scrape up all the browned pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Add halved head of garlic to the chicken broth, as well as the sprigs of fresh thyme.
- Add the Instant Pot's trivet or wire rack to the IP, and place the turkey breast on top of it. Close the lid and follow the manufacturer's guide for instructions on how to seal it closed.
- Set your IP to the manual setting and set the timer for 24 minutes on High Pressure.
- Let pressure release naturally (NPR) for 10 minutes before releasing the rest of the pressure.
- Set your oven Broiler to HIGH.
- Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and transfer the turkey breast to a roasting pan or baking dish and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Then, put the roasting pan in the oven and Broil for 6 to 8 minutes or until browned on top. Watch it closely so it doesn't burn.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent with foil and let rest for 15 minutes before cutting. If there's butcher twine or net around the turkey breast, remove it before slicing.
For The Gravy
- In the meantime, take the turkey drippings from the Instant Pot and pour them into a measuring cup through a mesh sieve; discard all the large pieces and only keep the liquid. Add chicken broth to the turkey drippings to make 2 cups of liquid.
- Return the inner pot to the pressure cooker and set to Sauté.
- Add the butter and let it melt. Then whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute while constantly whisking.
- Whisk in the 2 cups of liquid; continue to whisk and cook until the gravy is thickened and smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.
- Transfer the gravy to a gravy boat and serve it with the turkey.
Notes
- Turkey Breast: Always start with a fully thawed turkey breast, and for this recipe, opt for a boneless turkey. Bone-in turkey breast will need to cook longer. For every pound of bone-in turkey breast, cook in the Instant Pot for 7 minutes with a 12-minute NPR. So for a 4-pound bone-in turkey breast, set the timer to 28 minutes and then do a 12-minute natural pressure release.
- Slow Cooker Method: Place the seasoned turkey breast in the slow cooker. Set to low and cook for 5 to 6 hours. Ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of at least 155˚F using a thermometer. Broil the turkey in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes. After removing from the oven, allow the turkey to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Rest After Cooking: Always allow the turkey to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Storage: Leftover turkey can be refrigerated for up to 5 days if sealed in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it before reheating.
Nutrition
Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 67g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 1057mg | Potassium: 818mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 875IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Did you make a recipe? Leave a rating
Easy and SUPER DELICIOUS!! Don’t need to wait for any special occasion to make this one!!
Thank you so much! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Used this recipe on Thanksgiving and my family was shocked I cooked turkey in less than an hour. It turned out so well, I figured why wait until next Thanksgiving and just made it again last night! So simple and the turkey ends up juicy, tender, and full of flavor. The ease will probably make this a normal meal in our home. Thank you!
That’s great to hear! I am very glad you and your family enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Novice turkey cook here. Your directions were so easy to follow and made a very perfect IP turkey breast. It really hit the spot! Thanks for sharing your expertise!
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Juiciest and best tasting turkey breast I’ve ever made!
Thank YOU! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Hi!!! This looks so yummy!!! I’ll attempt to do it for this Thanksgiving 🤞🏼☺️ I’m curious about one of the serving pictures where the turkey slices are on top of or surround by a salad or something with like a green sauce. Would you tell me what that is please ? It’s very appealing! 😋
Hi! 😊
That is roasted brussel sprouts and you can get the recipe for those right here: https://diethood.com/oven-roasted-brussels-sprouts/
The pomegranate arils are just something I added on top as garnish to add a festive color.
I am a newbie to the whole Instant Pot community, first off Your turkey looks AMAZING!!!! And secondly I’m new to the cooking a turkey type thing LOL Yeah I know, 😲🤔 My kids did not like turkey. Any how, back to my question, this year was my first time at cooking a turkey breast and I used my air fryer and it turned out good. Not Amazing just good, so I am excited for the next holiday to come so I am able to try your recipe but my question is Do remove the string net before cooking? I did when I used the air fryer, but when I saw your pic it looks to be still on? TYI.
Sincerely
J
Hi!
I leave the netting on, but you can take if off, if you like. I leave it on because it keeps things in place and, in my opinion, cooks the meat more evenly.
I’ve decided this will be the recipe I attempt this thanksgiving for my family of 5. I assumed the recipe called for a whole breast with skin and ribs attached but is this supposed to be boneless skinless? Thank you again. Can’t wait!
Hi,
Yes, this recipe is for boneless turkey breast. I have this other recipe for a bone-in turkey breast, but it’s not for the Instant Pot –> https://diethood.com/roast-turkey-breast-recipe/
If you want to make the bone-in breast in the IP, you’ll want to cook it on High Pressure for about 35 minutes and then do a natural pressure release.
I hope this helps. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Nope! From every recipe I saw this is the one that caught my eye. My tummy knows what it wants. Boneless skinless breast it is. Thank you again.
How long would I do mine if there is no skin ?
How long would I do mine if there is no skin and it’s only 3 lbs ?
Hi!
It stays the same.
Do we need to brine the turkey ahead of time?
You don’t have to, but you absolutely can.
This is how to brine a whole turkey: https://diethood.com/how-to-brine-turkey/
This is for chicken breasts – I’d use this one since the turkey breast is much smaller: https://diethood.com/oven-baked-chicken-breasts/