This Instant Pot Turkey Breast is the best way to get tender and juicy turkey, every single time. Cooking a whole turkey breast in the Instant Pot is not only fast and simple but it adds a ton of flavor!

If you want the moistest turkey breast for your Thanksgiving dinner or just want a simple and delicious weeknight meal, look no further than the Instant Pot. This turkey breast is cooked quickly using pressure cooking technology, resulting in tender meat with tons of flavor.

Contents

What Is Turkey Breast?

Turkey breast is the cut of meat from the chest region of a turkey. It is typically much leaner than other parts of the turkey and can be used in recipes ranging from traditional holiday roasts to fast and easy weeknight dinners.

Turkey breast is also known for its high protein content, making it a popular choice among health-conscious individuals.

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to cook turkey breast, look no further than the Instant Pot! This method will give you perfectly cooked, moist turkey breast every single time. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Is Turkey Poultry?

Yes, turkey is considered poultry. Poultry generally refers to birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. These types of birds are typically prized for their lean meat and high protein content, making them a popular choice for both cooking and nutrition purposes.

Is Chicken Or Turkey Healthier?

There is no clear-cut winner when it comes to chicken or turkey – both are healthy options and contain a variety of important nutrients. However, some studies have shown that because turkey contains slightly more protein and less fat than chicken, it may be the better option for those trying to achieve a balanced diet.

How Many Calories In Turkey?

Depending on the cut of turkey breast, there are typically around 180-200 calories per 3.5oz serving. This makes turkey breast a great option for those trying to watch their calorie intake or adhere to a low-carb diet. If you’re looking for a healthy, protein-packed dinner option that also happens to be delicious, the Instant Pot turkey breast is an excellent choice!

Instant Pot Turkey Breast V’s Instapot Turkey Breast

Now I’ve often seen people arguing over the terms instant pot and instapot. What is the difference? And which term should you use? The truth is, there is no difference. Both terms refer to the same device – a pressure cooker that cooks food fast and easy.

The correct name is Instant Pot and that’s the name of Instant Pot Brands, however many people call an electric pressure cooker an Insta pot because it cooks food so fast it’s almost instant.

So whether you’re looking for an instant pot turkey breast or instapot turkey breast recipe, you can be sure that either method will give you delicious results!

Why We Love Instant Pot Turkey Breast

You’ll find that the days are long gone spending hours cooking turkey breast. Now that we have this easy recipe for cooking turkey, you can believe that we’re eating delicious turkey in our house much more often!

It’s the easiest way to cook a turkey breast. Seriously – you can’t beat it!
There will be leftovers! Having leftover turkey means that you don’t have to cook the next day – that’s a win!
All you need are simple seasonings and pantry staples. That’s it! Easy peasy.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe Ingredients

Once you realize that the Instant Pot will have you covered in terms of cooking the boneless turkey breast perfectly, you’re going to be meal planning more and more and adding this as the star of the show. Here are the ingredients needed to make this juicy turkey breast recipe.

Olive Oil
Skin-On Turkey Breast
Butter, softened
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Poultry Seasoning
Chili Powder, optional
Chicken Broth or Water

How Long To Cook Turkey Breast In Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot turkey breast cooking time depends on the size of the Turkey. A 3 lb Turkey breast takes around 7 minutes to pressure cook on high pressure. Add an extra 7 minutes for every lb of Turkey.

Whether it’s a large turkey breast or a small bone in turkey breast stick to the same cooking time for every pound of weight.

boneless turkey breast in the instant pot

How To Cook Turkey Breast In An Instant Pot

Get your Instant Pot ready because it’s time to make this delicious Instant pot turkey recipe. You’ll be eating in no time at all – you just need to add in a few side dishes!

STEP 1: Turn on Saute Function

Place oil in your Instant Pot and set to saute mode.

STEP 2: Season The Turkey Breast

Rub the turkey breast all over with butter and then season to personal preference with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and chili powder.

STEP 3: Place Turkey In Instant Pot

Once the oil is hot, place the turkey breast skin side-down into the hot oil and brown completely for about 3-4 minutes.

STEP 4: Turn Turkey Breast And Brown

Flip and brown your turkey breast on the underside for 2 minutes before removing the Instant Pot turkey breast to a clean plate.

STEP 5: Add Chicken Broth To Instant Pot

Turn the saute setting off, deglaze the pot and add the chicken broth or water to the Instant Pot.

STEP 6: Add Trivet To Instant Pot

Place the Instant Pot Trivet in the inner pot and then set the turkey breast on top of the trivet.

STEP 7: Close Instant Pot Lid

Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the manual button to pressure cook for 6-7 minutes per pound. So 14 minutes for a 2lb turkey breast, 21 minutes for a 3lb turkey breast and 28 minutes for a 4lb turkey breast and 36 minutes for a 5 lb turkey breast.

STEP 8: Natural Release Instant Pot

Once your juicy turkey breast has cooked, pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. A natural pressure release will give the meat time to rest without running the risk of overcooking it.

STEP 9: Optional Cooking Method

If you have an Instant Pot Air Fryer lid or are using the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, air fry the turkey breast for 3 minutes to crisp up the skin a little.

You can also place cooked turkey breast under the broiler for 2 minutes to crisp up the skin a bit more. This is of course an optional extra but we love crispy skin on our turkey!

Step 10: Garnish And Serve Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Pat your turkey breast dry and place garnish with fresh herbs and perhaps some cranberry sauce.

Let your thanksgiving turkey rest on a cutting board before slicing the turkey breast.

Serve your sliced turkey breast on a serving platter alongside side dishes such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, stuffing and delicious turkey gravy.

How Much Turkey Breast Per Person?

So how much Instant Pot turkey breast do you need to serve per person? A general guideline is about 1 lb of bone-in turkey breast per person. So plan accordingly for your next holiday dinner!

How Do You Know When Turkey Is Cooked?

The best way to check the doneness of turkey is to use a digital meat thermometer. For a turkey to be considered cooked and safe to eat, you’re needing to have an internal reading temperature of at least 165 degrees.

Make sure that you’re using the thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey breast when you’re trying to get an accurate reading.

How To Make Your Turkey Skin Brown?

This is why I put the boneless turkey breast into the broiler at the end. It crisps up the top of the turkey perfectly to get it that lovely golden-brown crisp skin look.

Can You Cook Frozen Turkey Breast Without Thawing?

With your Instant Pot, you can cook frozen turkey breast. Just be sure that you check the internal temperature once it’s done cooking so that you can make sure that it’s cooked all the way. Add an extra 10 minutes of cooking time if you’re using frozen turkey breast.

How To Season Turkey: What Seasonings Should I Use?

There is no right or wrong answer to this – it really depends on your personal preference. Some people like to use salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning while others prefer a mix of chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.

Experiment with different seasonings and see what you like best!

I like to use a garlic powder and butter mixture on my turkey breast. This adds a nice, rich flavour to the meat.

You can also add a mixture of olive oil and dried herbs or fresh herbs such as fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage to your turkey breast before cooking.

Whatever you choose though, I’m sure that your Instant Pot turkey breasts will turn out delicious! So what are you waiting for? Get cooking today!

Can I Use The Leftover Broth For Turkey Gravy?

Absolutely! Once the turkey has finished cooking in your Instant Pot, you can use some of the leftover broth, cooking liquid (turkey drippings) to make a delicious, rich turkey gravy.

Simply whisk together about 1/4 cup of flour with 1-2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Slowly add this mixture to your remaining broth as it cooks, whisking constantly.

You can also add a small amount of butter for extra flavour. When the gravy has reached your desired thickness, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot over your cooked turkey breast!

How To Cook Whole Turkey In Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot makes it so easy to cook a turkey! Whether you’re cooking a juicy whole turkey or a delicious boneless turkey breast, just follow these simple steps for the perfect meal.

If you have a 6 qrt small Instant Pot then you’ll need a small turkey in Instant Pot. However, you can fit a much larger whole turkey in the 8 qrt or 10 qrt Instant pot models.

1. Start by adding your oil to the Instant Pot and setting it to saute mode.

2. Season your turkey with butter, salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.

3. Carefully place your turkey in the Instant Pot so that it fits snuggly without touching the lid.

4. Cook the turkey under high pressure for 7 minutes per pound (for a whole turkey)

Can I Cook Turkey Breast On The Instant Pot Slow Cooker Setting?

Yes, you can! To cook a turkey breast using the Instant Pot slow cooker setting, simply follow these simple steps:

1. Place your turkey breast in the Instant Pot and cover it with water or broth.

2. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and turn on the slow cooker setting for 4-6 hours, depending on the size of your turkey breast.

How To Store Leftover Turkey Breast

Let the leftovers from this Instant Pot turkey breast recipe cool and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. This juiciest turkey breast should be good to eat again for 2-3 days when stored correctly.

How To Freeze Turkey Leftovers

If you want to freeze cooked turkey breast, add the leftovers to a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer. They should keep for 3-4 months. Just be sure to defrost any turkey breast frozen slices fully before reheating and serving.

Whether you’re enjoying this Instant Pot turkey breast as leftovers or making it for the first time, it’s a simple and delicious recipe that is sure to be a crowd favourite! So why wait? Get your Instant Pot.

Can You Refreeze Cooked Turkey That Was Previously Frozen?

Yes, you can refreeze cooked turkey that has already been frozen. However, it’s important to make sure that the cooked turkey is fully defrosted before re-freezing it again. To do this, simply place the cooked turkey in the fridge overnight or use a microwave or slow cooker to thaw it out more quickly.

How Long Does It Take To Thaw A Turkey?

If you’re working with a whole turkey, it typically takes about 24 hours to thaw in the fridge. So how do you thaw a turkey? There are a few different options, including using the microwave or slow cooker. You can also place the turkey in its original packaging in a large bowl filled with cold water.

Can You Eat Turkey While Pregnant?

Yes, you can eat turkey while pregnant. In fact, eating foods like turkey that are rich in protein and nutrients is a great way to support your pregnancy health. However, it’s important to avoid raw or undercooked turkey since this can increase your risk of foodborne illness during pregnancy.

How To Tell If Turkey Is Bad?

If your turkey has a funny smell or looks slimy, discoloured, or mouldy, it may be bad and should not be eaten. To avoid accidentally eating bad turkey, always check for these signs before consuming any leftovers or cooked turkey. If in doubt, throw it out!

What Goes With Turkey Breast?

There are many delicious side dishes that you can serve alongside your Thanksgiving turkey breast. Some of our favourites include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy.

No matter what you choose to pair with your turkey, I’m sure it will be a hit! Here are some great vegetable side dishes you may want to cook in your Instant Pot:

What Wine Goes With Turkey Breast?

For wine pairings, you can choose from a variety of dry reds or whites depending on your personal preference. Some great options include cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and sauvignon blanc.

So whether you’re looking for a dry, fruity wine to pair with your turkey breast or a bold, full-bodied red to complement the savoury flavours of your dish, there is sure to be a wine out there that will compliment this delicious recipe!

What Cheese Goes With Turkey Breast?

Wondering what cheese goes good with turkey? There are a variety of delicious options, including cheddar, parmesan, and gouda.

Can Dogs Have Turkey At Thanksgiving?

Is Turkey bad for dogs or is turkey good for dogs? The answer is good!

Dogs can have turkey at Thanksgiving, as long as it is cooked and served in moderation. Turkey is a nutritious source of protein that can help to keep your dog feeling full and satisfied. However, be sure to avoid feeding your dog any foods with added salts or spices, as these may cause digestive issues or discomfort.

Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?

Yes, dogs can eat turkey bones as long as they are fully cooked and removed from the meat. Turkey bones tend to be soft and easy for dogs to chew on, making them a popular choice for dog owners looking for healthy treats to give their pooches. However, it’s important to always supervise your dog when giving them any kind of bones, as they can sometimes cause choking or damage to the digestive system if swallowed.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

This simple turkey breast recipe is the best! Fast an easy recipe!

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Oil
2lb to 3lb Skin-On Turkey Breast
2-3 Tablespoons Butter, softened
Salt and Pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons Poultry Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder, optional
1 cup Chicken Broth or Water

Instructions

Place oil in your instant pot and set to saute.

Rub the turkey breast all over with butter and then season to personal preference with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning and chili powder.

Once the oil is hot, place the turkey breast skin side-down into the hot oil and brown completely, about 3-4 minutes.

Flip and brown on the underside for 2 minutes before removing the turkey breast to a clean plate.

Turn the saute setting off and add the chicken broth or water to the instant pot.

Place the IP Trivet in the instant pot and then set the turkey breast overtop.

Secure the IP lid and set to poultry to cook for 6-7 minutes per pound, so 14 minutes for a 2lb turkey breast, 21 minutes for a 3lb turkey breast, etc.

Allow IP to natural release for 10 minutes.

If desired, place the turkey breast under the broiler for 2 minutes to crisp up the skin a bit more.

More Instant Pot Recipes

Here are some more wonderful recipe ideas using the Instant Pot pressure cooker.