Did you know that you can cook a juicy and delicious Thanksgiving turkey in your pressure cooker? This Instant Pot Whole Turkey recipe is perfect for busy families! You get all the amazing flavors of a Thanksgiving turkey with half the work.
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Cooking turkey in a pressure cooker is a quick and convenient way to get tender, juicy meat in a fraction of the time it takes to roast it in the oven With the holidays coming up, using a pressure cooker can free up valuable oven space and allow you to cook multiple dishes at once But is it really possible to cook a whole turkey in a pressure cooker? And will it come out just as delicious? Below, I’ll explain everything you need to know about cooking turkey in a pressure cooker.
The Benefits of Pressure Cooking Turkey
There are several advantages to choosing a pressure cooker over a traditional oven when cooking turkey
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Speed – Pressure cooked turkey cooks in about 1/3 of the time as oven roasting. A 12 lb turkey takes only about 1 hour to fully cook in a pressure cooker, compared to 3-4 hours in the oven. This frees up your oven and saves time on Thanksgiving or Christmas day.
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Moisture – The pressurized environment locks in moisture extremely well. Turkey cooked in a pressure cooker turns out very tender and juicy.
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Flavor – Cooking at high pressure forces seasonings and aromatic ingredients to infuse deeply into the meat. Your turkey will be bursting with flavor.
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Convenience – You don’t have to worry about basting or tenting the turkey to prevent drying out. Just lock the lid and walk away while the pressure cooker does the work.
Tips for Cooking Turkey in a Pressure Cooker
Cooking turkey in a pressure cooker takes a little finesse. Follow these tips for the best results:
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Use the right size cooker – Choose a pressure cooker that fits your turkey snugly with 2-3 inches of clearance on top. Having too much extra room can lead to uneven cooking.
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Partially freeze the turkey – Chilling the turkey makes it easier to fit into the pot evenly and cook more quickly. Defrosting halfway works perfectly.
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Truss and tie legs – Trussing brings the legs close to the body so they don’t overcook compared to the breast. Use cooking twine to tie drumsticks together.
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Add liquid – Put 1-2 cups of broth or water in the bottom of the pot. This creates steam which cooks and tenderizes the meat.
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Use natural release – Don’t quick release the pressure or the turkey may come out undercooked. Allow the pressure to come down naturally for 10-15 minutes before venting.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked pressure cooker turkey:
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Prepare the turkey – Remove giblets, rinse cavity, pat dry with paper towels, truss, and rub skin with oil and seasonings. Partially freeze the turkey if possible.
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Add aromatics – Place 2 bay leaves, 1 onion quartered, 2 crushed garlic cloves, and other herbs into the cavity.
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Put turkey in pot – Place trivet or steamer rack in bottom of pressure cooker pot. Add 1-2 cups broth/water. Lower turkey onto trivet breast side up.
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Pressure cook – Lock lid, select high pressure setting, and set cook time. Cook 12 lb turkey for 50-60 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10-15 minutes.
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Finish and serve – Carefully remove turkey, tent with foil and let rest 15 minutes before carving. Roast wings/legs further in oven if needed. Enjoy your moist and flavorful holiday turkey!
Helpful Tips and Variations
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Brining the turkey before pressure cooking helps keep it super juicy and seasoned throughout.
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For crispy skin, rub turkey with oil/butter before pressure cooking. Then broil skin side up after releasing pressure.
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Try adding citrus, onions, garlic, fresh herbs, or spice rubs to the cavity or broth for extra flavor.
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Cook turkey breast or other parts using the same method. Just adjust time based on size.
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Make bone broth with the leftovers! Cook bones, scraps, and veggies in the pressure cooker to extract nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook a stuffed turkey in a pressure cooker?
It’s not recommended. The stuffing may not cook through properly and can prevent heat from circulating. Cook stuffing separately.
What size pressure cooker do you need?
Choose a cooker that’s just large enough to fit the turkey with 2-3 inches of clearance. Having too much extra room can lead to uneven cooking.
How long should you pressure cook a turkey?
Whole turkeys take 45-60 minutes on high pressure depending on size, around 6 minutes per pound. Breasts and other parts take less time.
Is pressure cooked turkey safe to eat?
Yes, turkey is perfectly safe when cooked properly in a pressure cooker. The high temperature kills any harmful bacteria. Just be sure to use the correct cook time.
The Takeaway
Cooking turkey in a pressure cooker is absolutely doable and can help you whip up a delicious, moist holiday meal with minimal fuss. Just be sure to use a properly sized cooker, partially freeze the bird, and use the right cook times. With a little practice, you’ll be able to pressure cook turkey like a pro!
How to Make Instant Pot Whole Turkey
Cooking a whole turkey in the Instant Pot couldn’t be easier. You just have to stuff and season your turkey, toss it in the Instant Pot with your veggies and broil it in the oven for 5 minutes to get that beautiful golden-brown glow.
- Season: Season the outside and inside of the turkey with kosher salt and black pepper. Rub preferred spices on the outside skin of the turkey.
- Stuff: Put half of the onion and one clove of garlic inside the cavity of the turkey.
- Add Veggies to Instant Pot: Add the remaining vegetables to the bottom of the inner pot of an 8-quart Instant Pot. Place the trivet on top of the vegetables.
- Add Turkey: Tuck the wings under the turkey, then set the turkey on top of the trivet.
- Cook: Lock the lid and push the steam valve to the sealing position. Then, press the High Pressure or Manual button and set the time for 46 minutes (about 6 minutes per pound of turkey). Allow the turkey to naturally release for 10 minutes, then release the rest of the pressure by pushing the steam valve to venting.
- Let Cool: Carefully open the lid and allow to cool for 5 minutes before carefully transferring the turkey to a large baking sheet. Baste the skin with oil or drippings from the Instant Pot and top with more dried herbs, if desired.
- Broil: Broil the turkey for about 5 minutes, or until golden, watching closely to make sure the skin does not burn.
How Long to Cook the Turkey
We recommend cooking your turkey for about 6 minutes per pound. So, if your turkey is 7 pounds, pressure cook it for no more than 42 minutes. When you broil your turkey, it shouldn’t need any more than 5 minutes to turn golden brown. Keep a very close eye on it throughout the 5 minutes, as the skin can burn pretty quickly.