How Long to Pressure Cook a Frozen Turkey

Cooking a frozen turkey in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker is a fast and convenient way to prepare a juicy and delicious turkey dinner. With pressure cooking, you can cook a turkey straight from frozen in a fraction of the time it would take to roast it in the oven. But how long exactly should you pressure cook a frozen turkey to ensure it turns out perfectly cooked and safe to eat?

Factors That Affect Cook Time

There are a few factors that will determine the cook time needed for a frozen turkey in a pressure cooker

• Size of the Turkey – A smaller turkey breast or turkey parts will cook faster than a larger whole turkey Cook time increases with turkey weight
• Bone-In vs Boneless – A boneless turkey breast will cook faster than a bone-in breast since the bones help insulate and slow heat penetration.
• Type of Pressure Cooker – The time may need to be adjusted based on if you’re using an electric pressure cooker like Instant Pot vs a stovetop pressure cooker
• Altitude – Higher altitudes will require longer cook times. The air pressure is lower so it takes longer for steam to build up and cook the turkey.

Recommended Cook Times

Here are some general pressure cook time guidelines for frozen turkey:

• Boneless turkey breast (3-5 lbs): 50-60 minutes
• Bone-in turkey breast (5-7 lbs): 60-75 minutes
• Boneless turkey roast (3-4 lbs): 60-70 minutes
• Whole turkey (10-15 lbs): 90-120 minutes

The size ranges account for the fact that cook time increases by about 10 minutes per pound as the turkey weight goes up. These times are for an electric pressure cooker like Instant Pot at sea level. For a stovetop pressure cooker or higher altitudes, you may need to increase the time by 5-15 minutes.

Always check that the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F after pressure cooking before serving. The thighs and breasts should not have any pink color. If needed, you can quickly broil or roast the turkey after pressure cooking to brown the skin and bring the temperature up.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for perfectly pressure cooked frozen turkey:

1. Remove packaging: Take the frozen turkey out of the packaging. Rinse if necessary. Pat dry with paper towels.
2. Season: Generously season the turkey all over with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, thyme, rosemary, etc. Rub the seasoning into the skin and meat.
3. Add liquids: Place 1 cup chicken broth or water in the bottom of the Instant Pot pressure cooker. This will create steam to cook the turkey.
4. Insert turkey: Place a trivet or steamer basket in the pot if needed. Put the seasoned frozen turkey in breast or back side up.
5. Pressure cook: Lock the lid and pressure cook on high pressure for the recommended time based on size. Allow for 10-15 minutes natural pressure release before opening lid.
6. Check doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature reached 165°F. If not, pressure cook for 5-10 minutes more.
7. Rest and serve: Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before carving. Slice and serve with your favorite Thanksgiving sides!

Helpful Tips

• For best results, use a trivet or steamer basket so the turkey isn’t sitting directly in the juices. This allows it to steam cook evenly.
• Letting the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes before quick releasing prevents overcooking.
• Brining or thawing the turkey before cooking helps keep it extra moist but is not required.
• For crispy skin, broil the cooked turkey for a few minutes before serving.
• Use the flavorful turkey juices left in pot to make gravy!

With the right cook time, pressure cooking is a safe and fast hands-off way to cook a delicious frozen turkey for your holiday meal or Sunday dinner. Give it a try and enjoy hassle-free turkey with your family!