Cooking for a smaller crowd this Thanksgiving? Try this super juicy Instant Pot turkey breast instead of cooking a whole turkey. It’s so easy and quick to make and turns out so perfect! Definitely, the easiest and quickest way to cook a turkey breast!
If you’re cooking for a small group of people this year, then cooking a turkey breast or crown is a great idea. And cooking a turkey breast in the Instant Pot can save you a lot of time (mine was ready in just 30 minutes!), this cooking method also ensures that you get juicy and tender meat and the drippings are used to make a delicious gravy.
My favorite part? No basting or watching the bird/meat is required!
This recipe is also great if you need some extra white meat! Ready in no time, and honestly, SO easy! Plus, you will be freeing up some oven space this way, and can get more done.
If you’re cooking for a larger group of people and would like to cook a whole bird, then check out my Roast Turkey recipe (it’s simply amazing! Super easy, no brining or basting is needed). And for everything that you need to know about cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving, I have written a complete Thanksgiving Turkey guide for you.
How to Cook a Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot
Tip!
When buying a turkey breast that you want to cook in the Instant Pot, make sure that it can fit in your Instant Pot. How would you know? Simple! Take your Instant Pot insert with you when you go shopping 😉 I’ve done it!
- Take the turkey breast out of the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for an hour. Pat dry the turkey breast, and season well with the seasonings that you’re using from all sides. I like to use poultry seasoning as it’s the traditional turkey seasoning; it has sage and all of the great herbs that I usually use for Thanksgiving, plus, it makes your gravy taste AMAZING. It’s usually sold out around the Holidays, so I make my own. Find my Poultry Seasoning recipe here. I also season with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken stock to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. If you’re going to make gravy with the drippings and would like more flavor, you can throw in a quartered onion, and some fresh herbs to the stock if you like.
- Insert the trivet and place the turkey breast/crown on the top of the trivet breast side up. Using the trivet is important, as it will prevent the turkey meat from boiling in liquid.
- Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and set the valve on SEALING position.
- Press on PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL on high for 20-40 minutes (more accurate timings below). Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure, and cook.
- Once the cooking has finished, allow it to naturally release the steam for 10 minutes.
- Remove the turkey from the Instant Pot. If you wish to brown and crisp up the skin, place it under the broiler for a few minutes, otherwise, I recommend that you discard the skin as it won’t be crispy and nice.
- If you wish, you can make gravy using the drippings (more on this below).
- Allow the turkey to rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Use The Drippings to Make Gravy
- Remove the trivet and press on SAUTE on the Instant Pot.
- Add a piece of butter (2 tablespoons), followed by cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water), and let the mixture boil and thicken.
Tip!
You might need to strain the liquid that you will use to make the gravy prior to adding butter if you find any bits to get a smooth gravy.
Cooking Times for Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Cook for 6 minutes on high pressure per pound of turkey with natural release for 10 minutes, then quickly release the rest of the steam.
- 3 pounds – 18 minutes.
- 3.5 pounds – 21 minutes.
- 4 pounds – 24 minutes.
- 4.5 pounds – 27 minutes.
- 5 pounds – 30 minutes
Checking the Doneness of the Meat
The best way to check if your turkey is properly cooked and safe to eat is by using an instant-read kitchen thermometer. This rule applies to all poultry and the only way I cook turkey, chicken, etc.
Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat you’re cooking, and it should register at least 165°F (74°C).
You have to be careful and do your math correctly depending on the weight of the turkey you’re cooking, as there’s nothing worse than an overcooked and dry turkey.
How Much Turkey Breast Do I Need per Person?
Generally, if you’re cooking a turkey breast, you will need about half to 3/4 of a pound of turkey meat per person. So a 2-3 pound of turkey will feed 4-6 people. If you’re feeding 8 people, look for a bigger turkey breast that weighs around 4 pounds.
For more information on portion sizes, check out my turkey guide.
What to serve with this Instant Pot turkey breast?
- The best ever cranberry sauce
- The best ever stuffing recipe!
- Roasted frozen Brussels sprouts
- Instant Pot glazed carrots or brown sugar glazed carrots
- Instant pot mashed sweet potatoes
- Instant pot cheesy scalloped potatoes
- Instant pot buttered potatoes
- Instant pot brussels sprouts
- Roasted brussels sprouts with potatoes and cranberries
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds turkey breast boneless and skinless
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 2 cups chicken stock low-sodium
For the gravy:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water
Instructions
- Take the turkey breast out of the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for an hour. Pat dry the turkey breast, and season well with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.
- Add chicken stock to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert.
- Insert the trivet and place the turkey breast/crown on the top of the trivet breast side up.
- Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and set the valve on SEALING position. Press on PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL on high for 20-40 minutes (more accurate timings are in the notes section below).
- Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure, and cook. Once the cooking has finished, allow it to naturally release the steam for 10 minutes then quickly release the rest of the steam.
- Remove the turkey from the Instant Pot. If you wish to brown and crisp up the skin, place it under the broiler for a few minutes, otherwise, I recommend that you discard the skin as it won't be crispy and nice.
- Allow the turkey breast to rest for 15 minutes before carving and slicing.
To make the gravy:
- Remove the trivet and press on SAUTE on the Instant Pot.
- Add butter, and let it melt. Then thicken with a cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water), and let the mixture boil and thicken. You might need to strain the liquid that you will use to make the gravy prior to adding butter if you find any bits to get a smooth gravy.
Notes:
- 3 pounds – 18 minutes.
- 3.5 pounds – 21 minutes.
- 4 pounds – 24 minutes.
- 4.5 pounds – 27 minutes.
- 5 pounds – 30 minutes.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
This recipe first appeared on Little Sunny Kitchen in November, 2019.
Maureen Bruno says
This recipe was a smash with the fam. Super easy. The recipe was delicious and easy to follow with length of times to cook the breasts for. It was tender and juicy. Loved that we could use the drippings to make the gravy. This recipe like all of her others did not disappoint. Will never go back to traditional in the oven Turkey.