This Instant Pot Turkey Breast is perfect for those smaller Thanksgiving gatherings. It takes a fraction of the normal amount of time to cook and stays so tender and juicy!
We’ve decided to stay home this year to celebrate Thanksgiving. Since there’s just the three of us there’s no need to cook a giant turkey.
I’m going to be cooking a turkey breast the exact same way I cooked this one today… in my Instant Pot! This was actually an experiment since this was my first time cooking one in an Instant Pot.
It turned out so delicious, this is definitely my preferred method of cooking one now!
Recipe Ingredients
- 7 lb Turkey Breast bone in, skin on
- 2-3 Tbs Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Handful of Fresh Sage
- 1 small Sweet Onion chopped
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- Cornstarch for the gravy
How Long to Cook Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot
I have a 6 quart Instant Pot Duo (affiliate link), and a 7 pound bone in turkey breast fit perfectly in it. Don’t go any bigger than this though or it won’t fit.
Cook time is around 6 minutes per pound so 7 lb x 6 = 42 minutes, which mine cooked perfectly at.
How to Cook Turkey Breast in Instant Pot
To cook this bird start by rubbing the outside with Olive Oil. Sprinkle a generous amount of Sea Salt and Pepper on outside of the Turkey.
Place in Instant Pot breast side down so the cavity is facing up. Place Onion and Sage inside of breast cavity.
Add Chicken Broth to bottom of the Instant Pot. Seal the lid on the Instant Pot and set to high pressure for 42 minutes. (See notes in recipe card for different cooking time based on the size of your turkey).
Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing the rest of the pressure. Transfer Turkey to a cutting board and tent with foil, let rest 15 minutes before cutting.
How to get Crispy Skin when Cooking Turkey Breast in Instant Pot
Now if you want that nice crispy skin you’ll want to broil this at the end. Set your broiler in oven on high. Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and place the Turkey Breast on a roasting pan and let stand 5 minutes.
Place the roasting pan in the oven and broil 6-8 minutes, or until the skin is browned. Transfer Turkey to a cutting board and tent with foil, let rest 15 minutes before cutting.
How to Make Gravy in the Instant Pot?
- Let Turkey drippings cool in Instant Pot
- Remove any large chunks
- Add Cornstarch 1 Tbs at a time and whisk until smooth, you will need approximately 1 Tbs of Cornstarch per 1 cup of Gravy base in pot
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté mode and continue whisking while the Gravy heats up
- Whisk until thickened and smooth
- Serve over Turkey immediately
How Many People Does a Turkey Breast Serve?
If you’re having a small Thanksgiving for two, then a small boneless Turkey Breast is fine. Plan on about 1/2 lb – 1 lb per person.
Side Dishes to Serve with Turkey Breast:
I like to make my Green Bean Casserole which is Dairy Free and Gluten Free. If you’re lucky enough to have 2 Instant Pots then I recommend my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. They turn out perfect every time and honestly this is the only way I cook them now.
For dessert I like to make my Pumpkin Pie Coconut Pudding. It’s super easy to make and so yummy!
Oh and don’t through away the carcass, because you can make Turkey Stock with it! If you don’t want to make the stock right away you can place the carcass in a ziplock freezer bag and freeze it until you’re ready to make it.
How to use Leftover Turkey
I love making my Turkey Wild Rice Soup, Turkey Quinoa Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette, and Turkey Zoodle Soup.
Don’t have in Instant Pot? Check out my Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with White Wine Gravy!
If you try this recipe let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, rate it, share it on social media, or take a picture and tag it tastefulventure on Instagram!
I LOVE seeing what you guys cook up.
Cheers!
PrintInstant Pot Turkey Breast
This Instant Pot Turkey Breast is perfect for those smaller Thanksgiving gatherings. It takes a fraction of the normal amount of time to cook and stays so tender and juicy!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 42
- Total Time: 77
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 7 lb Turkey Breast bone in, skin on
- 2–3 Tbs Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Handful of Fresh Sage
- 1 small Sweet Onion chopped
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
For the Gravy
- Cornstarch
Instructions
- Remove any gravy packets or giblets from the inside of the Turkey
- Rub outside of Turkey with Olive Oil
- Sprinkle a generous amount of Sea Salt and Pepper on outside of Turkey
- Place in Instant Pot breast side down so the cavity is facing up
- Place Onion and Sage inside of breast cavity
- Add Chicken Broth to bottom of Instant Pot
- Seal the lid on the Instant Pot and set to high pressure for 42 minutes
- Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing the rest of the pressure
- Set your broiler in oven on high
- Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and place the Turkey Breast on a roasting pan and let stand 5 minutes
- Place the roasting pan in the oven and broil 6-8 minutes, or until the skin is browned
- Transfer Turkey to a cutting board and tent with foil, let rest 15 minutes before cutting
To make the Gravy
- Let Turkey drippings cool in Instant Pot
- Remove any large chunks
- Add Cornstarch 1 Tbs at a time and whisk until smooth, you will need approximately 1 Tbs of Cornstarch per 1 cup of Gravy base in pot
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté mode and continue whisking while the Gravy heats up
- Whisk until thickened and smooth
- Serve over Turkey immediately
Notes
I used a 6 qt Instant Pot Duo, the 7 lb Turkey fit perfectly but I would not go any bigger than this or it will not fit.
Cook time is around 6 minutes per pound so 7 lb x 6 = 42 minutes
It takes roughly 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before cook time starts.
Nutrition facts does not include the gravy since it depends on how much drippings you use to make it with.
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas
- Instant Pot Lentil and Black Bean Chili
- Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa Bowls
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Miso Ramen
- Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Stuffed Peppers
- Instant Pot Shrimp Boil
- Instant Pot Jambalaya
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