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Make the holidays or weeknight dinners stress-free with this foolproof Instant Pot Turkey Breast! 🦃 Quick, flavorful, and topped with rich homemade gravy.
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Making a turkey breast in the Instant Pot is the ultimate way to enjoy tender, juicy turkey without the hassle of the oven. This method locks in flavor and moisture, making it one of the best Instant Pot turkey breast recipes for both holidays and everyday meals.
Whether you’re cooking for Thanksgiving or just craving a hearty dinner, this recipe gives you that slow-roasted flavor in a fraction of the time.
The Instant Pot turkey breast recipe below is simple, flavorful, and foolproof. It’s ideal for smaller gatherings or weeknights when you don’t want to heat the whole kitchen. The combination of herbs, butter, and savory broth makes this the best turkey breast recipe for anyone who loves juicy meat and rich gravy.
If you’ve never tried an Instant Pot boneless turkey breast, you’ll be amazed at how perfectly it cooks. The pressure cooker ensures even cooking from edge to center, while the natural release keeps the turkey moist and tender. You can even use this same recipe as an Instant Pot turkey breast roast for a similar result with bone-in cuts.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick cooking with perfect, juicy results every time
- Frees up your oven for sides and desserts
- Simple ingredients and minimal prep time
- Great for holidays, family dinners, or meal prep
- Delicious homemade gravy made right in the pot
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- turkey breast – can use bone-in; increase cooking time to about 6 minutes per pound
- unsalted butter – substitute with salted butter or margarine if needed
- poultry seasoning – replace with equal parts rosemary, sage, and thyme
- chicken or turkey stock – substitute with vegetable broth if preferred
- cornstarch – substitute with all-purpose flour for a slightly thicker gravy
- celery – omit or replace with diced onion or carrots for a different flavor
✨ Variations
- Bone-in turkey breast: Use an Instant Pot turkey breast roast with bone-in meat and increase the cook time to 6 minutes per pound.
- Flavor twists: Add lemon slices, fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary, or a splash of white wine to the broth for an extra burst of flavor.
- Cajun-style: Rub the turkey with Cajun seasoning for a spicy kick.
- Garlic butter: Add more garlic to the butter mix for extra depth.
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🔥 Tips
- Pat the turkey breast dry before searing for better browning.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the turkey rest under foil for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
- Strain the drippings for smooth, flavorful gravy.
- For more flavor, cook celery, garlic, or onion in the broth.
❓ FAQs
Yes, just add about 10 extra minutes to the cook time and skip the searing step.
Absolutely! This recipe is simple, forgiving, and consistently produces tender, flavorful turkey every time.
If your Instant Pot can accommodate a larger breast, you can. Just ensure it’s not overfilled and adjust the broth as needed.
Yes, you can cook the turkey breast in advance, slice it, and store it, along with the gravy, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
A 3-to 4-pound boneless turkey breast fits well in a standard 6-quart Instant Pot. If you have an 8-quart model, you can go up to 6 pounds.
You can, but searing adds a nice golden color and rich flavor. If you skip it, the turkey will still be moist and tender, just not as browned.
You’ll need about 1 ½ cups of broth or stock. This is enough to create steam for pressure cooking and to form the base for the gravy.
If your gravy is thinner than you like, mix 1 additional tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and whisk it in while cooking until it reaches your desired consistency.
Let it rest for at least 10 minutes, then slice against the grain for tender, juicy pieces.
Yes! Add chunks of onion, carrot, or celery under the trivet for extra flavor. They’ll also enhance the drippings for the gravy.
Yes! Slice and portion the turkey with gravy for easy, reheatable meals throughout the week.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
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Instant Pot Turkey Breast
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Equipment
- wire rack or trivet
Ingredients
For the turkey:
- 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted, softened
- 3 teaspoons poultry seasoning , or 1 teaspoon each of rosemary, sage, and thyme
- 3-4 pound turkey breast, boneless
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups chicken or turkey stock
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup celery, cleaned and diced (about 2 stalks)
For the gravy:
- 2 cups turkey drippings from the pan, (add water or broth if necessary to reach 2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup chicken broth , or water
Instructions
For the turkey:
- In a small bowl, combine the butter and seasoning. Coat the turkey breast completely with the butter mixture. Season with salt and pepper.4 tablespoons butter, 3 teaspoons poultry seasoning, 3-4 pound turkey breast, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Turn the Instant Pot to the ‘saute’ setting. Add the turkey breast and sear on all sides for about 5-8 minutes total. Remove the turkey and place it on a cutting board.
- Pour the stock into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Add garlic and celery. Place a wire rack into the pot and set the turkey on top of the rack.1 ½ cups chicken or turkey stock, 2 cloves garlic, 1 cup celery
- Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to the ‘manual’ setting for 25 minutes on high pressure (time may vary depending on the size of the turkey breast). The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- When the cooking cycle is complete, turn off the Instant Pot and allow the pressure to naturally release for about 10-15 minutes. Follow your manufacturer’s guide for quick release.
- Remove the turkey breast and place it on a cutting board. Cover completely with foil and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
For the gravy:
- Strain the turkey drippings from the Instant Pot.2 cups turkey drippings from the pan
- Return the drippings to the inner pot and set to ‘saute.’
- In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch into the broth or water until smooth.2 tablespoons cornstarch, ¼ cup chicken broth
- Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the turkey drippings and cook until thickened.
- Serve the turkey breast with the gravy immediately. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Keep the gravy separate for the best texture when reheating.
♨️ REHEATING
- Microwave: Reheat turkey slices on a microwave-safe plate in 30-second intervals until warm.
- Oven: Place in a baking dish with a splash of broth, cover with foil, and warm at 325°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Air fryer: Heat at 350°F for 4-6 minutes for a lightly crisp edge.
- Stovetop: Warm gravy in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freeze sliced turkey and gravy separately in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Pat the turkey dry before searing for better browning.
- For an extra flavor boost, add a few sprigs of fresh herbs to the broth before pressure cooking.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Slow cooker: Cook on low for approximately 6 hours, or until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Oven: Roast at 350°F for 20 minutes per pound or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Air fryer: Not recommended for larger turkey breasts, but can be used for reheating slices.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Make turkey sandwiches or wraps.
- Chop and use in casseroles or soups.
- Add to salads for a protein boost.
- Serve with gravy over mashed potatoes for a quick and satisfying meal.
📝 NOTES
- This recipe works beautifully with bone-in turkey breasts by adjusting the cook time.
- Always let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
- The Instant Pot makes cleanup quick and easy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
