This Instant Pot Turkey Breast comes out perfectly moist and delicious in just 35 minutes. It’s the fastest and easiest way to cook a turkey breast for your holiday meal or even for a weekend.
>> Make it a meal by adding Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes and Instant Pot Asparagus.
Why spend time fussing with a roasting pan in the oven to make turkey breast when you can do it so easily in the Instant Pot? Because the turkey breast is so much smaller than a regular turkey, it just make sense to cook it in the Instant Pot.
This saves a ton of time and the mess of cleaning up the roasting pan. All you have to do is set it inside the inner pot and press the pressure cook button. Then you’ll have perfectly cooked turkey that you can use for so many meals, like a turkey sandwich or sliced turkey with gravy.
You can also make the gravy right in the Instant Pot when the turkey is done. It takes just a few extra minutes to make a silky smooth gravy from the turkey drippings.
» Learn How to Make Thanksgiving Dinner in the Instant Pot.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Turkey breast – It’s best to cook the turkey breast from thawed and fresh, right when you bring it home from the store, but you can cook it from frozen in the Instant Pot. Directions are below.
- Olive oil
- Seasonings – Paprika, salt, garlic salt, rosemary, sage, thyme, black pepper
- Chicken broth – The turkey doesn’t set in the chicken broth but above it on the trivet. If you don’t plan to make gravy from the drippings, you can use water instead of broth.
Remember that the size of the turkey breast will impact how much time it takes to cook through. A 4-pound turkey breast (no bone) will cook to the proper temperature in 25 minutes. It will take less time for a smaller breast and more time for a larger one, or one that’s frozen.
Also different altitudes can affect the cook time. It’s best to have a meat thermometer on hand to test the internal temperature of the meat when it’s done cooking to be sure it has reached the proper temp of 165° F.
How to Cook an Instant Pot Turkey Breast
In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, paprika, salt, rosemary, sage, thyme, and ground black pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture over the turkey breast until completely coated.
Press the saute button on the Instant Pot (set to high, if you have an option). Add the remaining olive oil to the pot. When hot, add the turkey breast. Sear the turkey breast on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Remove the turkey from the pot.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Insert the trivet into the pot. Place the turkey on the trivet.
Close the lid and set the vent to sealing (if necessary on your model). Press the pressure cook button and set the timer to 25 minutes on high pressure.
When the time is up, allow for a natural release of pressure. Unlock and remove the lid. Check that the internal temperature of the turkey has reached 165° F. Transfer the breast to a plate to rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
Meanwhile, you can make gravy from the drippings in the inner pot. Turn on saute mode to heat up the liquid. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and whisk until it’s dissolved. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and whisk rapidly until it’s incorporated. If you don’t whisk quickly it will form clumps.
Cook on saute mode until thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Turn off saute mode and remove the inner pot so the gravy doesn’t continue to boil.
Why Use An Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.
If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot for more information.
- Don’t Have an Instant Pot Yet? This guide can help you choose the right one.
- See reviews and prices for Instant Pots on Amazon.
- Learn some great Instant Pot Tips & Tricks.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Instant Pot.
Additional Notes for Cooking
If cooking from frozen, set the time to 55 minutes. This should bring a 4 pound turkey up to 165° F, but always check the internal temperature of the meat before calling it done.
It’s not necessary to saute the turkey before cooking it, but it does add a lot of extra flavor from the browning and Mallaird affect. I wouldn’t skip it unless you’re cooking the turkey from frozen.
You can crisp up the turkey skin (if your turkey has skin) under the broiler for 5 minutes, if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook from start to finish?
While it takes just 25 minutes to cook the turkey breast under pressure, there is pre and post pressurizing, plus some saute time and rest time to consider.
All told, it takes about 1 hour 30 minutes from start to finish for thawed turkey. If it’s frozen, add 20 more minutes.
How do I keep the turkey from getting dry?
If the turkey overcooks, it will become dry. You want to make sure not to leave it in the Instant Pot longer than necessary. After the pressure release, be sure to remove the turkey to a place to rest.
You might find that 25 minutes was too long and has overcooked the turkey. This can happen at different altitudes and different Instant Pots. Unfortunately you can’t uncook it, but you can note for next time that this is too long for you.
Also be sure not to slice the turkey breast before it has rested for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute so it’s nice and juicy.
Instant Pot Pro Plus
Now you can control your pot wirelessly through an app. Cool-touch handles on the pot itself, and an automatic locking pressure release valve for greater safety. This one does it all.
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Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 pound turkey breast boneless and thawed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon sage
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, paprika, salt, rosemary, sage, thyme, and ground black pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture over the turkey breast until completely coated.
- Press the saute button on the Instant Pot (set to high, if you have an option). Add the remaining olive oil to the pot. When hot, add the turkey breast. Sear the turkey breast on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Remove the turkey from the pot.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Insert the trivet into the pot. Place the turkey on the trivet.
- Close the lid and set the vent to sealing (if necessary on your model). Press the pressure cook button and set the timer to 25 minutes on high pressure.
- When the time is up, allow for a natural release of pressure. Unlock and remove the lid. Check that the internal temperature of the turkey has reached 165° F. Transfer the breast to a plate to rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
Notes
- If cooking from frozen, set the time to 55 minutes. This should bring a 4 pound turkey up to 165° F, but always check the internal temperature of the meat before calling it done.
- It’s not necessary to saute the turkey before cooking it, but it does add a lot of extra flavor from the browning and Mallaird affect. I wouldn’t skip it unless you’re cooking the turkey from frozen.
- You can crisp up the turkey skin (if your turkey has skin) under the broiler for 5 minutes, if desired.
Nutrition
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Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.