Want to impress with your turkey this Christmas then this easy instant pot turkey breast recipe is for you. It is delicious, moist and juicy to the bone.
This 2 in 1 recipe shows you not just how to make a turkey in your electric pressure cooker, it also shows you how to make the most delicious velvety best turkey gravy ever.
Are you one of those that still have their instant pot unboxed because you have no clue on using it or what to cook in it first? Fret no more, instant pot or any other electric pressure cooker is a lifesaver. I own 2 already! Instant pot duo 5.7ltr and pressure king pro 12 in 1 5.7 ltr and they are honestly making my pots and oven rusty.
The other day I made Nigerian jollof rice in my pressure king pro and had chicken thighs pressure cooking in my instant pot simultaneously. Both were ready under half an hour. A pressure cooker would save you half if not more of the time you would use to cook on the stovetop or your oven. Long story short, get that pressure cooker out of its box before it starts packing dust and put it to good use. I have few instant pot and pressure king pro recipes here to get you started but, in the meantime, let’s get back to the best instant pot turkey breast recipe ever.
Related post: Thanksgiving Turkey and homemade gravy
Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe
This holiday, the last thing you want to do is not being able to get your food out on the table on time. If you give your instant pot pressure cooker a chance this year, you can at least free your oven space for other side dishes. I use instant pot duo 5.7ltr and I reckon you can conveniently cook a turkey that’s up to 2kg (4 to 5lb) in it. Need a little more convincing on why you should try making this holiday turkey in your pressure cooker? Here is why…
Why This Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast Is The Best
- It is quick and fast and definitely faster than the oven; the whole point of pressure cooking, right? No more worries about the temperature to cook your oven-roasted turkey on, the pressure cooker got you covered with its high-pressure cooking.
- You are guaranteed a perfectly moist and delicious turkey that will be tasty to the bones.
- You would free up your oven space and get to cook those side dishes you missed out on last year.
- No going back and forth to baste this turkey or risk of turkey drying out. Once you lock your instant pot pressure cooker to safety, it finishes the job for you and even keeps it warm until you are ready for it.
- Just like you would with your oven-roasted turkey, this instant pot does not only deliver the perfect turkey, you also get delicious and flavourful gravy from the bird drippings.
- This recipe is great if you are looking to cook for 6 to 8 people this holiday.
- It doesn’t matter if you are using bone-in or boneless turkey breast, you would still achieve a delicious result and they both cook at almost the same time. With bone-in turkey breast, you could earn yourself a bonus recipe by making turkey stock in your instant pot and saving it to use in other dishes for later.
Ingredients for instant pot turkey breast recipe
Bone-in skin-on Turkey breast: It is also known as turkey crown
Salted butter: use unsalted butter if using salt
Vegetable oil: optional
Paprika: I used this for a bit of colour
Dried sage: substitute thyme and sage for Italian seasoning
Dried thyme
Salt to taste: omit this if using salted butter
Chicken broth
How to make a turkey breast in instant pot pressure cooker
Step 1: melt the butter in the microwave for 10 seconds just till it is about soft then mix with the olive oil. Add the sage, thyme, paprika to a bowl and mix to combine. Now combine the spice rub with the butter and oil and mix until combined.
Step 2: pat the turkey breast dry with a kitchen towel, don’t forget the cavity.
Step 3: rub the turkey with the marinade making sure it is well coated, spoon some of the marinade under the turkey skin.
Step 4: Place the trivet into the instant pot and add 2 cups chicken stock. Place the turkey on the trivet breast side up, cover the instant pot with its lid and set the valve to sealing. Using the High-Pressure button, set the timer and cook the turkey breast for 24 minutes and natural pressure release for another 15 minutes then carefully do a manual release.
Step 5: carefully take it out of the instant pot, cover the turkey with an aluminium foil and rest for 10 minutes before serving. Alternatively, if you would like crispy skin, place the turkey under a grill/broil for another 5 minutes for the skin to crisp up.
How to Make Turkey Gravy
This may be the best instant pot turkey gravy you will ever make, it is quick, easy and flavourful. Let me show you how to make it real quick.
After taking out the turkey from the instant pot, set the pressure cooker to saute, to the turkey dripping, add 2 tablespoons of butter and leave to melt in the dripping stirring continuously. Whisk in the cornflour slurry and continue to whisk constantly until the gravy starts to thicken up, check for seasoning and add salt and pepper to suit your preference.
Pour in a gravy boat and serve warm.
Can I Use Frozen Turkey Breast
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it, turkey is a larger bird and meatier than chicken. It might be safe to cook frozen chicken in an instant pot, but I wouldn’t with a frozen turkey. For this recipe, ensure your turkey is completely thawed before pressure cooking. Defrost your turkey quicker by leaving it on a countertop overnight rather than in the refrigerator.
If you would be using frozen turkey for this recipe, allow 10 minutes per lb then natural release.
how long to cook turkey breast in a pressure cooker
The general rule is to allow 6 minutes per pound, for example, my bone-in skin-on turkey breast weighed 1.7kg which is about 3.7lb. I pressure cooked it for 24 minutes.
3lb turkey cooking time will be 18 minutes
5lb turkey cooking time will be 30 minutes
How to use leftover turkey
This is the bit I love, having leftover turkey or chicken is one of the best things that can happen to your mid-week dinner or even lunch. If by any luck, you have any leftovers, use it to make some cheesy turkey sandwich, turkey noodles, add to tomato sauce and stir in some cooked pasta of choice. Add shredded turkey to this hearty vegetable soup or swap shrimps for turkey in this broccoli pasta.
Perfect Potato Side To This Turkey Breast
Don’t Forget Your Veggies
Tips
Check the size of your instant pot or other pressure cookers before buying your turkey. This 1.7kg (3.7lb) turkey fitted well in my instant pot Duo 5.7ltr and pressure king pro 5.7ltr.
Brine your turkey for more infused flavour. Remember not to brine for more than necessary especially since you would be pressure cooking it. Anything between 6 and 9 hours should be fine.
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Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- Bone-in skin-on Turkey breast: It is also known as turkey crown
- 100 g salted butter: use unsalted butter if using salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika: I used this for a bit of colour
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt to taste: omit this if using salted butter
- 2 cups of chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: melt the butter in the microwave for 10 seconds just till it is about soft then mix with the olive oil. Add the sage, thyme, paprika to a bowl and mix to combine. Now combine the spice rub with the butter and oil and mix until combined.
- Step 2: pat the turkey breast dry with a kitchen towel, don’t forget the cavity.
- Step 3: rub the turkey with the marinade making sure it is well coated, spoon some of the marinade under the turkey skin.
- Step 4: Place the trivet into the instant pot and add the chicken stock. Place the turkey on the trivet breast side up, cover the instant pot with its lid and set the valve to sealing. Using the High-Pressure button, set the timer to 24 minutes and natural pressure release for another 15 minutes then carefully do a manual release.
- Step 5: carefully take it out of the instant pot, cover the turkey with an aluminium foil and rest for 10 minutes before serving. Alternatively, if you would like crispy skin, place the turkey under a grill/broil for another 5 minutes for the skin to crisp up.
How to Make Turkey Gravy
- This may be the best instant pot turkey gravy you will ever make, it is quick, easy and flavourful. Let me show you how to make it real quick.
- After taking out the turkey from the instant pot, set the pressure cooker to saute, to the turkey dripping, add 2 tablespoons of butter and leave to melt in the dripping stirring continuously. Whisk in the cornflour slurry and continue to whisk constantly until the gravy starts to thicken up, check for seasoning and add salt and pepper to suit your preference.
- Pour in a gravy boat and serve warm.
Notes
- Check the size of your instant pot or other pressure cookers before buying your turkey. This 1.7kg (3.7lb) turkey fitted well in my instant pot Duo 5.7ltr and pressure king pro 5.7ltr.
- Brine your turkey for more infused flavour. Remember not to bine for more than necessary especially since you would be pressure cooking it. Anything between 6 and 9 hours should be fine.
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
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