Make this easy, juicy turkey breast in your instant pot for a stress free Thanksgiving meal. A perfect staple for any small gathering, or even for a simple week night dinner. This recipe makes cooking turkey a much less daunting task!
Why make a turkey breast in the instant pot?
When it comes time to make Thanksgiving lunch or dinner, the oven is always in high demand. Trying to time everything perfectly so that all the things will be cooked and have the right amount of time in the oven…and ALL come out hot at the same time! It’s a scheduling nightmare and near impossible to accomplish!
When I learned how to make this amazing turkey breast in the instant pot, it was a game changer! Not only is it tasty, but it frees up my oven for other side dishes that need to be baked!
Hands off and allows me to use my oven? That’s a win-win!
How long will it take to cook a turkey breast in the instant pot?
Cook with high pressure for 5 minutes per pound, which is about 35 minutes for a standard 7 pound turkey breast.
This does not count the time that it will take for the Instant Pot to pressure or the additional time that it will take for it to naturally release the pressure at the end. Allow for approximately an hour and twenty minutes total time when planning when you need your turkey to be done.
Equipment
Instant pot (8 quart is the perfect size for making a turkey breast)
Measuring cups and spoons
Small bowl
Rubber spatula
What do you need to make your instant pot turkey breast?
Gather your ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 5 tablespoons softened butter
- One large onion (optional but adds flavor)
- 4 Garlic Cloves (optional but adds flavor)
- 5-6 pound turkey breast (bone in adds more flavor and will prevent it from drying out as much)
- 2 cups of chicken or turkey broth
How to prepare your turkey breast
Remove your turkey from the package and discard any extra packaging or gravy packets. Rinse the turkey and pat dry.
Cut up your onion and smash your garlic. Stuff the cavity of the turkey breast and carefully place opening down onto the metal rack, not letting the onion or garlic fall out. Place the rack on a plate or cutting board while you prepare the rub.
If you have extra carrots or celery you can add that into the cavity as well.
Turkey brest rub
Soften your butter in a small bowl and add all of the spices. mix together until you have a paste that will easily spread onto the turkey.
Using a rubber spatula, spread the rub paste under the skin, on top of the skin, and on the rest of the turkey until all of its surface is covered.
How to cook your turkey breast in the instant pot
Place two cups of chicken broth into the instant pot then carefully lower your turkey into the instant pot using the metal rack.
Place the lid on the instant pot.
Set the valve to sealing.
Press “manual” on High Pressure and set the timer according to your turkey breast size (5 minutes per pound) 25-30 minutes for a 5-6 pound turkey suggested in this recipe.
When the instant pot is done cooking, be sure to let the pressure release naturally. Do not manually release pressure. Allowing it release naturally will ensure that the turkey finishes cooking.
When the pressure has been released, carefully open the lid and remove the turkey from the instant pot using the metal rack. The metal rack will be the perfect place for the turkey breast to rest. Allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting.
Slice the turkey breasts off of the bone as well as any other meat on the bone.
For a delicious turkey bone broth, save the bones and any vegetables you stuffed inside the cavity.
Pour any juices from the instant pot through a strainer and into a glass container to save for making a delicious turkey gravy.
After removing the juices, place the turkey bones and vegetables back into the instant pot to make a turkey bone broth.
Not sure what else to make along with your turkey? Make these delicious rolls for your thanksgiving feast! They can be made ahead of time and heated up right before you eat!
Pin for later
Easy Instant pot turkey breast
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 5 tablespoons softened butter
- One large onion optional but adds flavor
- 4 Garlic Cloves optional but adds flavor
- 5-6 pound turkey breast bone in adds more flavor and will prevent it from drying out as much
- 2 cups of chicken or turkey broth
Instructions
- Remove your turkey from the package and discard any extra packaging or gravy packets. Rinse the turkey and pat dry.
- Cut up your onion and smash your garlic. Stuff the cavity of the turkey breast and carefully place opening down onto the metal rack, not letting the onion or garlic fall out. Place the rack on a plate or cutting board while you prepare the rub.
- Soften your butter in a small bowl and add all of the spices. mix together until you have a paste that will easily spread onto the turkey.
- Using a rubber spatula, spread the rub paste under the skin, on top of the skin, and on the rest of the turkey until all of its surface is covered.
- Place two cups of chicken broth into the instant pot then carefully lower your turkey into the instant pot using the metal rack.
- Place the lid on the instant pot.
- Set the valve to sealing.
- Press “manual” on High Pressure and set the timer according to your turkey breast size (5 minutes per pound) 25-30 minutes for a 5-6 pound turkey suggested in this recipe.
- When the instant pot is done cooking, be sure to let the pressure release naturally. Do not manually release pressure. Allowing it release naturally will ensure that the turkey finishes cooking.
- When the pressure has been released, carefully open the lid and remove the turkey from the instant pot using the metal rack. The metal rack will be the perfect place for the turkey breast to rest. Allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting.
- Slice the turkey breasts off of the bone as well as any other meat on the bone.
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