Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 6 servings

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This Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe is the best method for moist, tender, and flavorful turkey! Just 10 minutes to prep, 40 minutes in the instant pot, and you’ve got perfectly cooked turkey ready to go!

Serve this turkey breast with homemade gravy using the leftover cooking liquid!

Got leftover turkey? Try this Leftover Turkey Soup or this Turkey Noodle Soup!

instant pot turkey breast in baking dish in front of pressure cooker

There are plenty of ways to enjoy turkey every day, but we always crave it around the holidays!

Turkey pot pie, turkey chili mac and cheese, turkey burgers, and turkey noodle soup are some of our year-round favorites, but this Instant Pot Turkey Breast is one we have to have around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Sometimes the best way to enjoy turkey is just straight up turkey breast brushed with oil, loaded with seasonings, and cooked until fall-apart tender.

This instant pot turkey breast is one of my favorite instant pot recipes and one of my favorite ways to eat turkey! Not only is it so much faster than an oven-roasted turkey breast, but the result is the most tender, moist, and flavorful turkey breast imaginable.

Need help planning your holiday meal? Check out these 20+ Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas!

Instant pot turkey breast ingredients:

This pressure cooker turkey breast recipe is made up of just a few simple ingredients you probably already have around!

  • Turkey Breast: I use bone-in turkey breast, but boneless will work as well. There’s no need to change the cooking time.
  • Canola Oil: coats the outside of the turkey breast to help the seasonings stick.
  • Seasoning Salt, Garlic Powder, Dried Parsley, Dried Thyme, Paprika, and Black Pepper: a simple blend of herbs and seasonings that gives the turkey breast so much flavor.
  • Chicken Broth: used as the liquid in the instant pot to help it come to pressure but also to add even more flavor to the chicken breast. I use low sodium chicken broth. You can use regular chicken broth, but you may want to lessen the amount of salt you add yourself.
instant pot turkey breast ingredients on white background

To make gravy:

To make a super quick homemade gravy, you’ll use the cooking liquid from the turkey and three simple additional ingredients!

  • Chicken Broth: again, I use low sodium chicken broth, but regular will work as well.
  • Cornstarch: thickens the gravy. You can also use flour, but you will need more of it since it’s not as powerful of a thickener as cornstarch.
  • Salt and Pepper: added to taste.
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How to cook turkey breast in the instant pot

  1. Rub with oil and seasonings: Remove the turkey breast from its packaging, then coat with oil. Combine all of the seasonings in a small bowl and rub the mixture liberally over the turkey breast.
  2. Add broth and turkey to the instant pot: Pour the chicken broth into the instant pot and add the trivet. Place the turkey on top of the trivet, then close the lid and turn the valve to sealing.
  3. Cook: Select Manual or Pressure Cook and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. When the cook time is up, let the pressure release naturally, then open the valve and remove the lid. If desired, you can place the breast skin side up on a baking sheet to brown the top in the oven. Otherwise, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
  4. Make the gravy: After removing the turkey from the pot, strain the cooking liquid, then add it back into the pot. Hit Sauté on the instant pot. In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth and cornstarch, then stir that into the juices in the instant pot. Cook and stir until thickened, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
  5. Serve: Remove the skin from the turkey, slice, then serve topped with homemade gravy!

How long to cook turkey breast in the instant pot

For the 5 pounds of turkey I used in this recipe, 45 minutes yielded the perfect result!

Although many people cook turkey breast in the instant pot is 6 minutes per pound, I actually found that 8-9 minutes per pound worked best. Every time I cooked for just 6 minutes per pound, I ended up having to turn the instant pot back on and cook longer (and no one wants that hassle!).

Should you sear the turkey breast first?

There’s no real need. You can sear the turkey before you cook it in the instant pot, but the skin won’t really be crispy after pressure cooking.

If you want that crispy finish, the better option is the broil the turkey in the oven after pressure cooking until the skin is golden-brown!

overhead image of instant pot turkey breast on white platter

Should you brine the turkey?

It’s not totally necessary, but you definitely can! Brining the turkey allows it to absorb extra moisture and also breaks down the meat so it’s even more tender.

If you want to take the extra step to brine your turkey, check out my easy turkey brine recipe.

Can you use frozen turkey breast?

You can! To cook frozen turkey breast in the instant pot, simply increase the cooking time to 12 minutes per pound. That’s just 60 minutes for the 5 pounds in this recipe!

Tips, tricks, and notes for pressure cooker turkey breast

  • Broil after cooking. This is optional, but it’s the best way to give the turkey that golden-brown, slightly crispy finish.
  • Let it rest. After the turkey is done cooking, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing to give the juices time to redistribute throughout the meat. If you slice into it too soon, the moisture will just seep out and the turkey will be dry.
  • Check the temperature. Use a meat thermometer to check that the turkey is a minimum of 170ºF in the thickest part of the breast before serving.
  • Don’t discard the cooking liquid. You can use it to make the homemade gravy!
  • You can place the turkey breast in the instant pot skin up or skin down. This depends on what you prefer. Skin down results in juicier meat, but if you’re searing or browning after you may not want the skin sitting in the liquid. Either way, the instant pot makes the turkey breast super moist so both options work great.
  • I use an 8 quart instant pot, but a 6 quart will work as well if that’s what you have.
  • For other cooking methods, check out my crockpot turkey breast or my oven-baked roast turkey breast with cranberry marinade.
close up image of gravy being drizzled over instant pot turkey breast

Serving suggestions

Here are a few of my favorite side dishes to serve next to turkey breast:

How to store

Leftover cooked turkey will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

To enjoy again, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then use the following methods to reheat:

  • Oven: Preheat the oven to 300ºF, wrap the turkey in foil, or place in a covered casserole dish with a couple of spoonfuls of chicken broth or gravy to moisten, then cook for 30 minutes.
  • Stovetop: Place the turkey in a skillet with chicken broth or gravy, then bring to a simmer and cook until the turkey is warmed through.
  • Microwave: Cut the turkey into smaller pieces, add some gravy or chicken broth to keep it moist, and microwave until warmed.

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Instant Pot Turkey Breast

5 from 9 votes
This Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe is the best method for moist, tender, and flavorful turkey! Just 10 minutes to prep, 40 minutes in the instant pot, and you've got perfectly cooked turkey ready to go!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Time to build and release pressure 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Cuisine American, canadian
Course Instant Pot, Main Course
Servings 6 servings
Calories 507cal

Ingredients

  • 5 lb bone-in turkey breast (see notes in post for cooking a smaller or larger size)
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • cups low sodium chicken broth

To make gravy:

  • ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Remove turkey breast from packaging and rub with oil (this is just to get the seasoning to stick).
  • Combine seasoning salt, garlic powder, parsley, thyme, paprika and pepper in a small bowl and rub all over the turkey breast.
  • Pour 1½ cups chicken broth into the Instant Pot and add the trivet. Place the turkey breast on the trivet (you can do breast up or breast down – see additional tips in post).
  • Put the lid on, turn the valve to sealing and select Manual or Pressure Cook, high pressure, for 45 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and begin counting down the cook time.
  • When the cook time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally (simply turn off the Instant Pot and wait for the pin to drop). Open the valve and remove the lid.
  • Check the internal temperature to ensure a minimum of 170 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast. If it is not at temperature, put the lid back on and pressure cook for 5-10 more minutes. (You can also finish in the oven if you desire a golden skin.)
  • If desired, place turkey breast skin side up on a baking sheet to brown the top (you may want to brush with an additional tablespoon of oil), or let rest for 10 minutes, remove the skin and slice to serve.

To make the gravy:

  • After removing the turkey breast from the Instant Pot, strain the cooking liquid (if desired). Pour back into the pot.
  • Turn the Instant Pot to saute.
  • Whisk together the ½ cup chicken broth and corn starch and stir into the juices.
  • Cook and stir often until gravy is thickened, then season with salt and pepper (you can add additional herbs as well if you desire) to taste. Serve.

Notes

  • Broil after cooking. This is optional, but it’s the best way to give the turkey that golden-brown, slightly crispy finish.
  • Let it rest. After the turkey is done cooking, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing to give the juices time to redistribute throughout the meat. If you slice into it too soon, the moisture will just seep out and the turkey will be dry.
  • Check the temperature. Use a meat thermometer to check that the turkey is a minimum of 170ºF in the thickest part of the breast before serving.
  • Don’t discard the cooking liquid. You can use it to make the homemade gravy!
  • You can place the turkey breast in the instant pot skin up or skin down. This depends on what you prefer. Skin down results in juicier meat, but if you’re searing or browning after you may not want the skin sitting in the liquid. Either way, the instant pot makes the turkey breast super moist so both options work great.
 
Storage:
Leftover cooked turkey will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
To enjoy again, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then use the following methods to reheat:
  • Oven: Preheat the oven to 300ºF, wrap the turkey in foil, or place in a covered casserole dish with a couple of spoonfuls of chicken broth or gravy to moisten, then cook for 30 minutes.
  • Stovetop: Place the turkey in a skillet with chicken broth or gravy, then bring to a simmer and cook until the turkey is warmed through.
  • Microwave: Cut the turkey into smaller pieces, add some gravy or chicken broth to keep it moist, and microwave until warmed.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 507cal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 76g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 202mg | Sodium: 1095mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 86IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords instant pot turkey breast, pressure cooker turkey breast

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Corrie says

    Thank you so much! We used this recipe for our 2021 Thanksgiving, and it was the simplest–and best–turkey we’ve had yet!

    Note 1: we didn’t measure the spices; we just added what “felt like” the right amounts.

    Note 2: After the turkey was done, we added more water to the Instant Pot liner and made bone broth with the carcass (cooking for 2 hours on high pressure). The broth was great!

  2. Laura says

    I always trust anything that Ashley puts out. A lot of her recipes are in my monthly rotation!

    We decided to stay home for thanksgiving & Iโ€™ve never made a Turkey before. When I saw her post this I was sold. And after making it- oh my gosh it was AMAZING!

    I even had a 6 pound Turkey breast and it didnโ€™t fit in my instant pot all the way- and I had to smush it down a little- but it still turned out great!

    Highly recommend!!

  3. Rebecca Chisenhall says

    The turkey breast turned out great! I did as you suggested and browned the skin under the broiler and it’s crispy and beautiful. I think I’ll do this every year from now on! Makes lovely broth for dressing and/or gravy, too! Thanks, Ashley!

    • Ashley Fehr says

      You can cook it without the trivet, the bottom will just sit in some liquid. As long as the skin is out (breast up) it will work fine (if you are not crisping the skin, you can put it breast down)

  4. Lily says

    I would have never thought to make to make turkey breast in an instant pot, but it turns out so good and juicy, such a simple recipe for the fall!

5 from 9 votes (1 rating without comment)

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