Preparing and cooking a turkey breast in the Instant Pot is so easy; it’s an effortlessly tender and juicy dish!
Use the broth left in the bottom to make a perfect gravy! Thanksgiving dinner has never been easier.
A Fast and Juicy Turkey Breast
If you’re short on time or a smaller holiday celebration is on the menu, skip the whole turkey and opt for a turkey breast.
- It’s easy to cook and less expensive than a whole turkey.
- This is perfect for a weeknight meal or to feed a smaller group.
- This turkey cooks in a fraction of the time in the pressure cooker.
- There are still drippings to make gravy (and you only need one pot).
Ingredients for Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Turkey Breast: This easy Instant Pot turkey breast recipe uses a turkey breast, sometimes referred to a turkey breast roast. You can use bone-in or boneless, check the notes for correct cooking times.
Seasoning: Seasoning on the skin paired with onions and herbs in the broth adds great flavor to this turkey breast. A handful of carrots, celery, and a few cloves of garlic can be added along with the broth if you’d like.
Broth: Chicken or turkey broth adds to the flavor and provides the liquid needed to build pressure in the Instant Pot and is a great base for gravy.
How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Sear: Brown the turkey breast, skin side down, for the best flavor and browning (per the recipe below).
- Add Broth: Remove the turkey breast, add the broth, and scrape the bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot to ensure you don’t get a burn notice.
- Cook: Add onion and herbs to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the turkey breast on a trivet and cook on high pressure according to the times below.
- Rest (& Make Gravy): Natural release pressure for 10 minutes and then open the valve and release the remaining pressure.
How Long to Cook Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Fresh boneless turkey breast: Cook a boneless breast for 7 to 9 minutes per pound and then naturally release for 10 minutes.
Holly’s Turkey Tips
Cooking Times: Cook times can vary slightly based on the shape of the turkey breast, a thicker shorter breast will take longer while a thinner flatter turkey breast will cook a bit quicker. If it is very cold from the fridge, it may need an extra minute or two.
Turkey Breast Temperature: Once the cooking time is over, let the turkey breast rest in the Instant Pot without releasing pressure for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, release any remaining pressure, open the lid, and check the temperature.
- If it has reached 160°F to 165°F, remove from the Instant Pot and rest on a plate for 10 minutes before slicing.
- If it is 152°F to 159°F, replace the lid and let it rest for an additional 5 to 10 minutes; the residual heat will finish the cooking process.
- If the turkey breast is less than 152°F, place the lid back on and cook it on high pressure for 2 to 3 minutes longer. It will reach pressure quickly as everything is already hot. Do a quick release and check the temperature again.
How to Check the Temperature: Test the internal temperature by inserting a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast (away from the bone if using a bone-in breast) and ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 162°F. The temperature will continue to rise as it rests.
How To Crisp The Skin
For crispier skin, place the turkey breast, skin-side up, 4-inches from the broiler for about 3 or 4 minutes after resting. Broiling after resting ensures the turkey breast doesn’t overcook.
Favorite Sides for Instant Pot Turkey Breast
I love cooking a turkey breast in the pressure cooker so my oven is free for all of the side dishes!
More Ways to Cook a Turkey Breast
One Pan Turkey Dinner
Did you make this Instant Pot Turkey Breast? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 turkey breast 3 pounds, boneless with skin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ onion sliced
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- few sprigs of fresh herbs parsley, rosemary, sage, and/or thyme
For Gravy (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning optional
Instructions
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Season the turkey breast with salt and pepper. Turn the Instant Pot on to SAUTE and add the oil.
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Once the oil is hot, add the turkey breast, skin side down for for 5 to 6 minutes or until browned.
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Remove the turkey and add the broth to the Instant Pot, scraping off any brown bits from the bottom.
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Place onion slices and fresh herbs in the broth, then add the trivet. Place the turkey breast, skin side up, on the trivet.
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Set the Instant Pot to MANUAL – HIGH PRESSURE and cook on high pressure for 22 minutes for a 3lb breast (see additional cooking times below for other sizes).
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After the cycle completes, let the turkey naturally release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
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Use a thermometer to ensure the turkey breast has reached an internal temperature of 160°F. Transfer to a plate and let rest 10 minutes, the temperature will continue to rise to 165°F.
To Make The Gravy
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While the turkey breast is resting, remove the broth from the Instant Pot, strain, and set aside.
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Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE and melt the butter. Add the flour and poultry seasoning, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring or until it begins to lightly brown.
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Add whisk in the strained broth, whisking after each addition, until smooth. Continue adding broth to reach the desired thickness.
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Taste and season the gravy with additional salt and pepper and stir in additional fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
5 lb turkey breast – 35-40 minutes
6 lb turkey breast – 42-48 minutes Cook times can vary slightly based on the shape of the turkey breast, a thicker shorter breast will take longer while a thinner flatter turkey breast will cook a bit quicker. If your turkey breast is thicker, use the longer cook time. If your turkey breast is very cold from the fridge, it may need an extra minute or two. Internal Temperature: Once the cooking time is over, let the turkey breast rest in the Instant Pot without releasing pressure for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, release any remaining pressure, open the lid, and check the internal temperature.
- If it has reached 160°F to 165°F, remove from the Instant Pot and rest on a plate for 10 minutes before slicing.
- If it is 152°F to 159°F, replace the lid and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes; the residual heat will finish the cooking process.
- If the turkey breast is less than 152°F, place the lid back on and cook it on high pressure for 2 to 3 minutes longer. It will reach pressure quickly as everything is already hot. Do a quick release and check the temperature again.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Turkey
Cuisine American
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Concise and helpful recipe, especially for the cooking time notes. I accidently bought a bone-in breast and would not have felt as confident cooking it if not for these notes. No poisoning the family at Christmas dinner! I love the ability to use the pressure cooker for a turkey.
Amazing! Made this for thanksgiving dinner last night and it was perfect! None left over and everyone loved it. Cooked to perfection! This is the new family dinner go to!
So happy to hear that, Gabrielle!
I did an herb rub prior to browning (using only sage, celery salt, black pepper & onion powder). The 4.5 lb. turkey breast just BARELY fit into my 3 qt. Instant Pot & because the turkey still had some ice crystals inside it, I gave the roast 30 min. Oh my goodness. Came out SO tender & tasty!! And the gravy!! I have been cooking for over 50 years. Never in my life have I made turkey gravy that yummy. Wonderful recipe. I will definitely be doing this again!! Thanks!!
Happy and educational recipe