Instant Pot Quick and Easy Turkey Breast is a pressure cooker recipe perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, holidays, or weeknight dinners. You can use bone-in or boneless turkey, fresh or frozen! Drizzle it in homemade gravy and serve the turkey leftovers as sandwiches the next day!

This post was originally published in 2018. It has since been updated.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.

What Kind of Turkey Can You Use?

You can use boneless or bone-in and I find the cook time to be the same. I love to grab the breasts from Trader Joe’s I love the size and they are so easy to cook due to the shape.

Can You Cook Frozen Turkey?

Yes. Frozen turkey breasts will need 50-60 minutes to cook on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking. Allow the steam to release naturally for 20-25 minutes.

How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Rub down your turkey with olive oil and then season it.
2. Add the turkey breast to the Instant Pot with onion, garlic, and chicken broth.
3. Pressure cook.

Do You Have to Sear the Turkey First?

No, it is optional. If you prefer your turkey to have a deep brown exterior, then it is recommended.

Cook Times Based on Size

I typically use a 3 pound breast and 30 minutes pressure cooking + 15 minutes natural release of steam works well.

For an 8 pound breast, 45 minutes pressure cooking + 15 minutes natural release of steam.

You can estimate about 5-6 minutes per pound and always do a natural release of steam for meat in the Instant Pot.

How to Tell if Turkey Has Finished Cooking/How Long to Cook It

You will need to use a meat thermometer. Ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Test the thickest part of the breast. I often test multiple areas to be sure.

How to Make Gravy

This is my favorite part about using this pot. It makes the gravy process so much easier. Once you have removed the turkey, leave the turkey drippings and broth in the pot. Add in a tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour. Whisk until thick.

Does the Instant Pot Produce Crispy Skin?

The results of my recipe testing say no. Even with searing the turkey breast, it did not make the skin crispy. Pressure cooking makes the turkey breast incredibly tender and juicy, but it doesn’t make it crispy.

If you want crispy skin place the turkey breast in the oven on broil or in the air fryer for a few minutes after pressure cooking. You don’t want it to cook too long because you will lose the juicy texture (if using the oven).

How to Carve a Turkey Breast

1. Run your knife along the breast bone. Press the knife all of the way down.
2. Use the knife to cut down the ribs. Cut the breast bone in havles.
3. Pull and cut away meat as you need to.
4. Slice the turkey into small pieces, skin side up. Slice against the grain of the meat to preserve the juicy texture.

Here are really good tips on how to slice an Instant Pot Turkey Breast.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Instant Pot Cabbage
Instant Pot Southern Green Beans
Southern Soul Food Cornbread
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Instant Pot Green Bean Casserole
Soul Food Southern Style Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Stuffed Turkey Legs
Slow Cooker Turkey Legs
Slow Cooker Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast

Get a complete list of Instant Pot Recipes here.

Pair your turkey with these side dishes!

Instant Pot Quick and Easy Turkey Breast

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Natural Release of Steam: 15 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Instant Pot Quick and Easy Turkey Breast is a pressure cooker recipe perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, holidays, or weeknight dinners. You can use bone-in or boneless turkey, fresh or frozen! Drizzle it in homemade gravy and serve the turkey leftovers as sandwiches the next day!

Print

Ingredients

Turkey

• Bone-in or boneless turkey breast, mine was 3 pounds
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 medium onion or 3/4 of a large onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Chicken Flavor

Gravy

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablepoons flour

Instructions

1. Remove the gravy packet from inside the turkey breast (if applicable).
2. Apply the olive oil to the outside of the turkey breast.
3. Season the turkey with the poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add the chicken broth, garlic, and Better Than Bouillon Chicken Flavor to the pot.
5. Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot. This comes with the Instant Pot.
6. Add the turkey and the onion to the pot. You can choose to slice up the onion or place it in whole. I chose whole.
7. Seal the pot and cook on High > Manual Pressure Cooking for 30 minutes.
8. When the pot indicates it has finished allow the steam to release naturally for 15 minutes. Ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
9. Remove the turkey and allow it to rest at least 15 minutes prior to slicing.

Turkey Gravy

1. Leave the turkey drippings and broth in the Instant Pot.
2. Turn the Instant Pot on the saute function. Use the High option, if available with your model.
3. Add the tablespoon of butter. When the butter has melted add the flour. Whisk until the gravy becomes thick. For thicker gravy add additional flour.

Notes

Frozen turkey breasts will need 50-60 minutes to cook on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking. Allow the steam to release naturally for 20-25 minutes.

The Better Than Bouillon is optional and can be omitted if you wish.

How to Carve a Turkey Breast

1. Run your knife along the breast bone. Press the knife all of the way down.
2. Use the knife to cut down the ribs. Cut the breast bone in havles.
3. Pull and cut away meat as you need to.
4. Slice the turkey into small pieces, skin side up. Slice against the grain of the meat to preserve the juicy texture.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Better Than Bouillon Organic Chicken Base, Reduced Sodium - 16 oz
• 
  Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
• 
  Steamer Rack Trivet with Handles Compatible for Instant Pot 6 & 8 qt Accessories - Great for Lifting out Springform Pan / Cheesecake Pan
• 
  12-Piece Accessories for Instant Pot 6, 8 Qt, Steamer Basket, Egg Rack, Springform Pan, Egg Bites Mold, 4 Magnetic Cheat Sheets, Oven Mitts, Food Tong, Bonus Free Recipes eBook by Fopurs
• 
  Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container, Clear, 10-Piece Set 1976520

Nutrition Information

Yield 6
Amount Per Serving Calories 488Total Fat 20gCarbohydrates 4 netgProtein 45g