How to Cook Turkey Breast in Instant Pot

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INSTANT POT TURKEY BREAST – A delicious, moist turkey breast made in a fraction of time when cooked in the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. Seasoned just right, cooked to melt in your mouth perfection, and served with a gravy made right in the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Instant Pot Turkey is a wonderful alternative to making a big whole turkey!

Whether you are looking to scale down how much Turkey you are making for the holidays or looking to add more white meat to the menu, this Instant Pot Turkey Breast is the perfect solution!

In our family and extended family, many of us prefer the white meat, and it seems when the meal is over, we may could have used just a little more. Ya know, everyone wants a turkey sandwich the next day, right? So this became a wonderful addition to the table once I finally got this most wonderful thing called the Instant Pot.

It is also a great way to make turkey if you need to free up room in your oven or if you don’t have a big family to feed and need something smaller.

And hey, you may want to have turkey on a day other than Thanksgiving or Christmas! You don’t have to go to the deli counter for sliced turkey anymore!

What seasonings do you use on an Instant Pot turkey

I have a rub that I use on my turkey whether I bake, roast, or put in the pressure cook.

• Start by mixing together salt, seasoning salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, red or cayenne pepper, basil and parsley in a small bowl.

How to Roast Turkey Breast In Instant Pot

• Cut up a few aromatics into chunky pieces. I just use celery and sweet onion.
• Then take room temperature butter and rub on the outside and under the skin of thawed turkey breast (Using your fingers carefully loosen the skin from the turkey).
• Next sprinkle rub spices on the outside and under the skin. This really infuses the flavors in the meat and the skin.
• Next you will put the veggies inside the cavity and if the cavity is split or you are using a boneless breast, they can go underneath in the instant pot.
• Pour stock and wine into inner pot of the pressure cooker.
• Place the turkey in the pot breast side up.
• Close the lid and make sure it is sealed. Cook on high for 6 minutes per pound.
• Once cooking time has finished, let pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
• Test with a digital thermometer to be sure the meat is at least 160 degrees.
• Remove turkey and place on a baking tray or cutting board and tent with foil to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

What size Turkey will fit in an instant Pot

You need to be sure that your turkey will fit inside the instant pot. I always use a 6-quart instant pot. And it fits a really good-sized bone in the breast inside.

You can test it by placing it in to be sure it fits, and the lid will close, but here is a guide.

• For a 6 Quart: 5 to 6.5 pounds (I have even gotten a 7 lb one in mine)

It is okay if it goes past the max line. There is still room around the bird to allow it to come to pressure.

How to Brown the Turkey Breast

• Place on a baking sheet and place under broiler for 2 to 5 minutes to brown skin. Make sure to watch closely so it does not burn.
• You do not need to add any additional oil or butter because it was added in the beginning.

How to Cook Frozen Turkey Breast in Instant Pot

Yes, you can cook it from frozen. I know there always comes a time when we lose our minds and completely forget to thaw a turkey. You will not be able to get those seasonings under the skin, but alas, you will still have a delicious tender turkey.

1. Sprinkle the turkey with the seasonings and cover it as best as you can.
2. Pour stock and wine into Instant Pot.
3. Place vegetables in the instant pot.
4. Slice butter and place pats on top of turkey breast.
5. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes per pound.
6. Allow 10 minutes for natural release.

Instant Pot Turkey Gravy

Making gravy is easy and you can do it right in the instant pot. That means no more dirtying another dish.

1. Strain the cooking liquid from the instant pot and reserve.
2. Return the inner pot back into the instant pot.
3. Turn to saute and allow instant pot to heat.
4. Add in butter and melt.
5. Then add in flour and whisk to form a roux.
6. Cook flour for 1 minute to cook raw flour.
7. Slowly add in cooking liquid to desired thickness.
8. Add in heavy cream if desire.
9. Allow gravy to bubble and thicken, adding more liquid as desired to reach the consistency desired.
10. If you would like to darken the gravy you may add kitchen bouquet or a pinch of coffee grounds.

Can I cook a Turkey Breast in the Slow Cooker

Absolutely! Just season the turkey as instructed. Pour stock and wine in slow cooker. Place turkey with veggies in cavity or underneath the turkey in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Check the internal temperature to be sure it is 165 degrees. If not cook a little longer as slow cookers heat differently. Broil in oven if desired to get skin crispy.

Side Dishes to Serve with Instant Pot Turkey Breast

One of my favorite things about this Instant Pot Turkey Breast is how hands-off it is—giving you more time (and oven space!) to focus on the sides. Whether you’re keeping things simple or going all out, here are some Southern-approved sides that pair beautifully with tender turkey and rich gravy:

• Mashed Potatoes (Stovetop, Instant Pot, or Slow Cooker) – Whether you’re going traditional on the stove, saving time with the Instant Pot, or setting and forgetting with the slow cooker, these mashed potatoes come out creamy, buttery, and perfect for soaking up all that rich gravy.
• Southern Green Beans and Bacon – Cooked low and slow (or in the Instant Pot!) with smoky bacon for that flavor boost.
• Corn Casserole – Moist, sweet, and so comforting. It always disappears fast!
• Sweet Potato Casserole – A classic! Creamy sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy pecan streusel or gooey marshmallows—whichever way your family loves i
• Mac and Cheese – Rich and gooey with that cheesy goodness we all crave.
• Cranberry Sauce – Tangy and sweet, it cuts through the richness of the turkey perfectly.
• Dinner Rolls – Soft, golden, and ideal for making those leftover turkey sliders the next day.

How to Use Turkey Breast Instant Pot Leftovers

Let’s talk leftovers, y’all! Because if you’re anything like me, you might secretly be making extra turkey just to have some the next day. Here are some soul-satisfying ways to use up what’s left:

• Turkey Sandwiches – Layered on soft bread with mayo, a little cranberry sauce, and maybe a slice of cheese—simple and perfect. Try these Turkey Sliders!
• Turkey Pot Pie – Mix chopped turkey with leftover veggies and gravy, pop it in a pie crust or top with biscuits, and bake until bubbly. Take my Veg All Chicken Pot Pie or my Puff Pastry Pot Pie and use turkey instead of chicken.
• Turkey and Rice Soup – Use the drippings and any leftover turkey to make a nourishing soup with rice or noodles.
• Turkey Quesadillas – A little Southern flair meets Tex-Mex with shredded turkey, cheese, and your favorite salsa grilled inside tortillas.
• Turkey Cobb Salad – A fresh spin! Top greens with turkey, bacon, boiled eggs, avocado, and a creamy dressing for a filling lunch.

More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

• Mashed Potatoes made in Instant Pot
• Southern Green Beans and Bacon in Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Corn on the Cob cooked in Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Beef Tips

Recipe

4.87 from 22 votes

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Turkey Breast In The Instant Pot

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Nikki Lee

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INSTANT POT TURKEY BREAST – A delicious, moist turkey breast made in a fraction of time when cooked in the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. Seasoned just right, cooked to melt in your mouth perfection, and served with a gravy made right in the Instant Pot.

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Ingredients 

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Turkey Breast Ingredients

• ▢ 6 to 6.5 pound Turkey Breast, defrosted, (I used Butterball whole bone in breast)
• ▢ 1 ½ cups Chicken or Turkey Stock
• ▢ ½ cup white wine, (Optional)
• ▢ 1 sweet onion, roughly cut
• ▢ 4 stalks celery, roughly cut, (4 sticks of celery)
• ▢ 1 stick butter, softened
• ▢ ½ tbsp salt
• ▢ 1 tsp seasoning salt
• ▢ ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ▢ ½ tsp poultry seasoning
• ▢ ½ tsp garlic powder
• ▢ ½ tsp paprika
• ▢ ¼ to ½ tsp ground red pepper
• ▢ ½ tsp dried basil
• ▢ ½ tsp dried parsley

Instant Pot Turkey Gravy Ingredients

• ▢ 3 tbsp butter
• ▢ 3 tbsp all purpose flour
• ▢ 1 ½ cups turkey drippings, or more to taste
• ▢ ½ cup heavy cream

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Instructions

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

• Remove the gravy packet or anything from inside the turkey cavity. Rinse and Pat dry with paper towels.
• Add stock and wine into Instant Pot {6 Quart}. You may use trivet to easily remove if desired and if it will fit.
• In a bowl mix Spices. Take 1/2 of butter and rub on top of turkey skin. Using fingers carefully  loosen skin from the turkey. Rub remaining butter and half of spices under skin. Sprinkle remaining spices onto top of buttered skin.
• Put vegetables inside the cavity or underneath the turkey if there isn't a cavity, and carefully place the turkey in the Instant Pot breast side up.
• Close lid, make sure pressure valve is closed and set pressure cooker to manual high pressure for 30 minutes or 6 minutes per pound. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Then turn the valve to open and let pressure quick release.  
• Remove from the instant pot, and serve as desired.

Instant Pot Turkey Gravy

• Strain cooking liquid from instant pot and reserve.
• Return inner pot back to Instant Pot. Turn to Saute function and allow instant pot to heat. 
• Once pressure cooker is heated, add in butter and melt. Add in flour to melted butter and whisk well to form a roux. Cook for 1 minute. 
• Slowly add 1 1/2 cups reserved cooking liquid to instant pot whisk well. Add in heavy cream if desired. Allow gravy to bubble and thicken, adding more cooking liquid as needed to reach desired consistency. Serve with turkey. 

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Notes

I have found that 30 minutes is enough cooking time for a 6 to 6.5 pound turkey.

Check turkey when cook time is complete to be sure it has reached 160 degrees. If not done, place back in a few minutes. 

Tent and let turkey rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

Place under broiler for 2 to 5 minutes to crisp skin if desired.

For frozen turkey breast cook for 10 minutes per pound.

Slow Cooker Instructions: Season the turkey as instructed. Pour stock and wine in slow cooker. Place turkey with veggies in cavity or underneath the turkey in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Check the internal temperature to be sure it is 165 degrees. If not cook a little longer as slow cookers heat differently. Broil in oven if desired to get skin crispy.

 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 251kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 1g Protein: 1g (2%) Fat: 10g (15%) Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) Cholesterol: 42mg (14%) Sodium: 1028mg (45%) Potassium: 29mg (1%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 583IU (12%) Calcium: 18mg (2%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

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