Instant Pot turkey breast is the perfect solution for the most tender, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone turkey breast you’ve ever served. And even better, creating this delicious main course for the holidays takes less than an hour. Tasty and super fast for the win!
Have you ever had to eat dry turkey for Thanksgiving or Sunday dinner? You bake the turkey breast, but no matter how many lemon wedges you stuff in, it still comes out dry. Now, you can say goodbye to dry turkey, thanks to your Instant Pot!
The first time I served this dish, my whole family was shocked. This is turkey breast? Plus, it only took 35 minutes. How is this possible? The Instant Pot method is a time-saver that locks in flavor and moisture. Pressure-cooking turkey breast gives it melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that people don’t usually get with a baked turkey.
Why a Pressure Cooker is a Game Changer
Whether it’s Sunday dinner, a family gathering, or a holiday, spending all day in the kitchen is a given. I’m sure you’d rather spend time relaxing with your family. Cooking turkey breast in an Instant Pot gives you all the flavor and presentation you desire in a fraction of your time and effort. Win-win!
How to Make Turkey Breast in an Instant Pot
- Herb Butter – Combine the butter, garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme, paprika, and parsley well. Let the herbed butter rest in the fridge until you’re ready to prep the turkey. You can make the herb mix a day or so in advance if desired. (Photo 1)
- Season the turkey breast with salt, slipping it under the skin where possible. Loosen up the skin by running your fingers carefully between the skin and the meat. If you cook a skinless turkey breast, just season it and proceed. (Photo 2)
- Rub the turkey breast generously with the herb butter and seasoning under the skin of the turkey breast. You can do this step the day before. (Photo 3)
- Saute – In a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot, press the saute function. Once hot, add oil and saute the chopped onion and celery. (Photo 4)
- Deglaze – Pour in chicken stock and stir, scraping the bottom of your pot with a spoon to remove any stuck pieces.
- Cook – Place the turkey breast on the trivet and close the lid with the vent set to seal. Cook on manual high pressure for about 20 minutes (or 6 minutes per pound) until your instant-read thermometer reads 165℉ (74℃) when inserted into the thickest part of the turkey. Start the time when it comes up to pressure (about 10 minutes). (Photo 6)
- Release – When the cooking time is up, let the Instant Pot pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then turn the knob to vent to release any remaining pressure.
- Rest – Let the turkey breast sit for 10 minutes before carving so the juices settle back into the meat.
- Serve – Remove the netting if applicable and serve your juicy turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- If you can’t get enough of this holiday classic, transform it into a summer BBQ legend. Cook it in the Instant Pot and then finish it on the grill for some beautiful grill marks and smoky flavor.
- You can also adjust the seasonings to create a scrumptious turkey breast that is spicy, sweet, and tangy. Teriyaki is awesome, and so is Creole seasoning. With this cooking method, you have endless customization options.
- Brine it the day before for maximum flavor and extra juicy meat.
- Save the drippings or pan sauces for an incredible gravy. You can use it now, freeze it for later, or add it to your homemade stock.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
You can do most of the prep ahead of time. The herb butter actually tastes better if you make it a day or two before (keep it in the fridge). Whether you are brining your turkey breast or using a dry rub, you can season it the day before, and it will be ready to pressure cook.
Pre-chopping your veggies will save you a ton of time. Then you will have more time for those show-stealing sides.
To reheat your turkey, you could zap it in the microwave, reheat it in the oven, on the stovetop, or in an Instant Pot. Bake it covered with foil in a 350℉ (180℃) oven for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you could cut it into 1-inch cubes, add a cup or so of gravy, and heat it in a saucepan large enough to hold what you want to serve.
FAQs
You can totally use a slow cooker to make turkey breast. A bone-in turkey breast takes about six hours on low, and a boneless turkey breast takes about three hours on low.
First, avoid overcooking. That said, a pressure cooker (Instant Pot) is perfect for a tender, moist turkey. Brining is another way to guarantee a moist turkey. Oh, and adjust the cooking time to the size of the turkey breast.
Yes! You can even cook a whole turkey in a pressure cooker as long as the turkey is small enough and the cooker is large enough.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Mashed potatoes with homemade gravy, green bean casserole, and fresh-from-the-oven biscuits are traditional. Then finish it off with a pumpkin or sweet potato pie.
More Incredible Holiday Recipes to Try
By Imma
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was originally published in October 2021 and has been updated with additional tips, gorgeous photos, and a video.