This Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe is the perfect way to make turkey and gravy in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Whether it’s bone-in or boneless, you can have a moist and delicious turkey breast in a fraction of the time.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
I know people generally go crazy over turkey around Thanksgiving but I can honestly eat turkey year-round. I love it fried for breakfast, sliced on a sandwich covered in mayo and tomato, or served with a side of stuffing. That being said, who has time to spend a few hours baking a turkey? Not I, not I at all.
So this Instant Pot method of making turkey breast is right up my ally.
Although most turkey breast is sold frozen, I thaw my breast first before cooking. Here's the proper protocol for defrosting a turkey.
If you want to cook from frozen, this recipe shows how to cook a turkey breast from frozen in the Instant Pot.
Why cook turkey in an Instant Pot?
As the turkey is cooked using the high pressure setting on the Instant Pot it cooks in half the time, and the results are great with turkey breast that is always tender and juicy. Also it saves valuable oven space, particularly during busy holiday celebrations where our ovens are often overloaded.
However, feel free to try my other methods, like my air fryer turkey breast or my slow cooker turkey breast.
How to make Bone-in Instant Pot Turkey Breast
First, make sure your turkey is clean and dried and has the inner gravy packets and giblets removed. Then rub mayonnaise all over your turkey. Then season your turkey breast with poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure to rub the mayonnaise and seasoning all over the breast and under the skin.
Place a chopped onion and a chopped celery stick into the cavity of the turkey breast.
This next part will depend on the size of the breast and the size of the Instant Pot:
For a 6 quart Instant Pot, a bone-in turkey breast that’s under 5 pounds will likely fit in the Pot on a trivet. If it does, use the trivet when cooking. For a bone-in breast over 5 pounds, I place the breast in the Instant Pot without the trivet so it fits.
Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into your Instant Pot. Add turkey breast into the pot, skin side facing down.
Cover and cook on high pressure. The amount of time needed to cook will depend on the size of your breast. The general guideline is 6 minutes per pound. So for my 7-pound bird, I cooked a total of 42 minutes since 6x7=42.
After the time is done, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Open the lid and remove the turkey breast.
To brown the breast, broil in the oven for about 5 minutes.
How to make turkey gravy
In order to make the gravy, you will remove the large pieces of onion and celery that remain in the pot. Place the Instant Pot on saute. Once the liquid starts to boil, make a thickening slurry with ¼ cup flour and 6 tablespoon water. Whisk in a bowl and then whisk it into the bubbling gravy. Stir until thickened. Salt and pepper to taste.
How to make a Boneless Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Boneless breasts are great in the Instant Pot as well. For a thawed Boneless breast, I use the trivet but use the same seasonings as a bone-in breast, just cut in half.
The 6lb per ounce rule has to be slightly adjusted for a typical boneless breast that is cooked with the netting on. For a 3 lb breast, I cook on high pressure for 23 minutes, then naturally release any remaining pressure. Since these breasts are rolled up tightly, they need a little more time to ensure that the center gets cooked.
Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the Instant Pot and place a 3lb breast onto the trivet. Cover and cook on high pressure for 23 minutes.
Once your breast is cooked, you can remove it and place under a broiler to brown it or you can use the awesome Mealthly Crisp Lid to get it nice and brown.
If you purchase the Mealthy Crisp Lid through my link, use the coupon code MYFORKINGLIFE to get $10's off.
For the Crisp Lid, I place it on the turkey on 500 degrees for about 5 minutes to brown the outside. I have a full and detailed review of the Mealthy Crisp Lid as well.
And there you have it, delicious Instant Pot Turkey Breast (Bone-in or boneless) made in less time.
Save the oven this Holiday season for baking pies and use the Instant Pot to get tender delicious turkey.
Expert tips
Here are my top tips for ensuring the best instant pot turkey breast every time.
- I like to use fresh or defrosted turkey breast so that the seasoning will stick to the meat.
- My spice blend includes poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and salt. However, if there are other spices you like to add, for example smoked paprika or dried thyme, then feel free to get creative.
- If using boneless breast, take care when removing the netting from around the joint as you don't want the meat stick to the net.
- I recommending using a probe thermometer when checking the turkey is done and cooked through.
- Once cooked, allow the turkey breast to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to be absorbed back into the turkey, leaving you moist and tender slices of meat.
How to serve turkey breast
Looking for other Pressure Cooker recipes that will go great with this recipe? Try these out:
Other yummy additions to this meal:
Watch this video tutorial and see how I make this turkey breast from start to finish.
How to store leftover turkey breast
To refrigerate: Keep any leftover turkey breast in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Leftovers make a great addition to salads, soups, pasta dishes and sandwiches the next day.
To freeze: Once cooked and cooled, place the turkey into an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator when you are ready to enjoy.
FAQs:
Yes, turkey breast is a really lean cut of meat, which makes a healthy option when choosing a roast.
No, I've never brined my turkey, as it's cooked in a delicious blend of spices that pack lots of flavor into the finished turkey breast. However, if you wish you can dry brine the turkey in the spices and leave it to rest in the fridge for a few hours before cooking.
Cook turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The length of cook depends on the size of the turkey breast and also whether it is a bone-in or boneless joint. So as an example, for a large 7 pound bone- in joint I would cook on high pressure for 42 minutes. Whereas a 3 pound boneless joint would be cooked on high pressure for 23 minutes.
If you have tried this turkey breast recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Clean and dry turkey breast. Rub mayonnaise all over breast. Season the outside of the breast with poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until fully covered. Stuff the inside of the bird with onion and celery.
- Pour 1 cup of chicken broth inside Instant Pot. Place turkey beast inside Instant Pot, skin side down. Cover and cook on high pressure for 42 minutes.
- After the timer goes off, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release for 15 minutes. Quick-release any remaining pressure.
- Remove cooked turkey breast from the pressure cooker. If you want to brown it, place it in the oven and broil it for about 5 minutes until golden.
- Remove any large chunks of onion or celery that may be left behind in the Instant Pot. Press Sauté on the Instant Pot. Create a flour thickener by pouring flour and water in a bowl. Stir with a fork until the thickener is smooth and has no lumps. Once the liquid in the Instant Pot begins to simmer, whisk in the flour thickener until it’s thoroughly combined. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes until thickened.
- Season outside of turkey breast with mayonnaise, poultry seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot and place turkey breast on top of the trivet. Cover Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 23 minutes. Once Instant Pot is done the cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes, quick release any remaining pressure.
- Open lid. Brown the breast by placing in a preheated oven set to broil for about 5 minutes or use the Mealthy Crisp Lid and brown the top of turkey breast.
- If making gravy, follow the same directions as indicated for the bone-in breast.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Turkey should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- I keep the netting on for bone in turkey breast.
- Nutrition information calculated is for the bone-in chicken breast.
Hilary says
I have two boneless turkey breasts, each approximatley 2 lbs.
Can I cook them together in my instant pot?
if so, how long and on a trivet or not?
Thank you!
Tanya says
Hi Hilary, I've never done two at the same time so I can't say for certain it will come out right. I always stick to one, and use a trivet.
John Buckmaster says
My wife is not a big fan of turkey--or at least she wasn't until I made this recipe! Excellent flavor, moist, and delicious. Thank you for this great recipe.
Tanya says
Thank you John, so glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Teresa says
I am confused. Do you cook a 3 pound turkey breast boneless for 23 minutes or 42 minutes as the recipe says?
Tanya says
I cook the 3lb boneless breast for 23 minutes. I cook bone-in breast for 6 minutes per pound. The bone-in chicken breast used in this blog post is 7lbs. I calculated the cook time by multiplyin 6x7=42.
Ann says
Great post! I appreciated your insight about giving the turkey breast extra time. I am trying this method for the first time for dinner tonight. Wish me luck!
Lyn Miller says
How long do I cook the turkey breast if it is frozen
Tanya says
Hi Lyn, I actually thraw my frozen breast first. Here's a recipe cooking it from frozen.https://savorthebest.com/instant-pot-frozen-turkey-breast/
Karen says
Did you remove the net in the boneless breast to get under the skin of the turkey with the mayo? Did you put the jet back in?
Tanya says
Hi Karen, I didn’t remove the net. I just rubbed the mayo over and around it.
Amber says
Can we use water if we don’t have broth?
Tanya says
yes, water would work fine. I use chicken broth since I make gravy out of the remaining liquid after pressure cooking.
Dennis Wells says
I'm getting ready to cook a 4.5 lb bone-in turkey breast. Can i cook potatoes and carrots in the liquid (chicken broth) at the same time as the breast?
Tanya says
Hi Dennis, the potatoes and carrots will overcook if you put them in at the same time.
Dennis Wells says
Thanks, that's what I thought.
Kevin says
Do you use the trivet for the bone-in?
Tanya says
Hi Kevin, I don't. The bone-in is usually too large to fit in my 6qt with the trivet.
Delinda Benedict says
Made this yesterday and it was delicious! Got a 7 lb Jennie O Fresh bone-in breast and made it exactly per the recipe. Put it in the IP at 1:15 PM and we were eating before 4. It was so juicy, tender, flavorful and so easy to make. Made a sandwich today and the meat is still oh so good! Thank you for this wonderful, easy recipe.
Tanya says
Awesome! So glad you liked it. I agree, amazing on a sandwich too.
Mary S says
To crisp the skin using the airfrier lid do I need to drain the juices first
Tanya says
Great question. I don't drain it first.
JD says
This was so good. Thank you!
Debra says
Can't wait to try this!!
But why mayonnaise over butter?
Sorry if I missed the explanation if it was there.
Tanya says
Hi Debra, I forgot to mention it lol. I found that mayo browns better during the broiling phase. I also think it taste a little better and it's easier to spread over the turkey breast and easier to get under the skin.
Amber says
I usually make 2 boneless turkey breasts, should I add more time?
Tanya says
Hi Amber, I've never made 2 turkey breast at the same time, however, based off my previous experience with cooking meats in the Instant Pot, I'd keep the time the same if they are similiar in size.
Charlie says
I made this using a 7 1/2 pound bone-in turkey breast. It was fantastic!
Jackie says
How long did you cook it for and did it fit in 6qt instantpot
Patsy Zmedley says
I’m cooking a8.39 lb turkey breast in an 8 qt. Instant pit. Should I use the trivet?
Tanya says
If it fits in the IP with the trivet, I would use it. But if you find that the turkey Breast won’t fit with the trivet, then you can place it in the Instant Pot without it. The trivet just makes it easier to take out.
wilhelmina says
Every time I make turkey in the instant pot I am amazed at how juicy and tender it turns out. No more dried out birds at our house! Delciious!
Tanya says
I agree. Much faster than the oven too.
Nellie Tracy says
Using the Instant Pot is my new favorite way to make turkey breast! So delicious!!