How to Cook Juicy, Tender Turkey Breast in an Instant Pot

Cooking turkey breast in an Instant Pot is a game changer for getting tender juicy meat with minimal effort. As an avid home cook and Instant Pot enthusiast, I’ve perfected the method for cooking foolproof turkey breast in my multi-cooker. In this article I’ll walk through my tips and process for cooking turkey breast in an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker.

Benefits of Cooking Turkey Breast in an Instant Pot

There are several advantages to using the Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker to prepare turkey breast:

• Super fast cooking times – Turkey breast can cook in 30-50 minutes in the Instant Pot, versus over 2 hours in the oven This saves you time on busy weeknights or holidays

• Juicy and tender meat – The pressurized environment helps turkey breast stay incredibly moist. No more dry, stringy turkey!

• Better flavor – Browning the turkey first, then pressure cooking immerses it in aromatic broth for more seasoning.

• Hands-free – Once the lid is locked, the Instant Pot does the work for you with no monitoring needed.

• Makes amazing gravy – The flavorful cooking liquid converts into the best gravy ever

Tips for Cooking Turkey Breast in an Instant Pot

Follow these tips for foolproof results every time you make Instant Pot turkey breast:

• Select the right size breast – Aim for a 2-6 pound turkey breast, ideally boneless and skin-on. Bone-in is fine too.

• Brown the skin – This helps render fat and makes the skin crispy. Do it in the Instant Pot on sauté mode or in a skillet.

• Season generously – For the best flavor, coat the breast with oil and rub on herbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder and other spices.

• Use broth for moisture – Chicken or turkey broth provides liquid for pressure cooking and the base for gravy.

• Add aromatics – Onion, celery, carrots, herbs boost flavor.

• Get the right cook time – For a boneless breast, cook 7-9 minutes per pound then natural release 10 minutes. For bone-in, cook 18-22 minutes per pound.

• Quick release at end – After 10 minute natural release, quick release to be able to check done-ness.

• Check internal temp – Turkey is safe at 165oF. If under, you can simmer a few more minutes.

• Let it rest – Resting is key for a moist turkey breast! Rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Step-by-Step Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe

Follow these simple steps for foolproof Instant Pot turkey breast every time.

Ingredients:

• 2-6 pound skin-on turkey breast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons dried herbs like thyme, sage, rosemary
• 1 teaspoon each salt, pepper, garlic powder
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup chicken or turkey broth

Instructions:

1. Pat turkey breast dry and season all over with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried herbs.

2. Select Sauté on Instant Pot. Brown turkey skin-side down 5 minutes until golden.

3. Remove turkey breast and add broth to pot. Scrape browned bits from pot bottom.

4. Add sliced onion to pot and insert steamer basket. Place seasoned turkey breast inside.

5. Lock lid and pressure cook on High for 7 minutes per pound for boneless or 18 minutes per pound for bone-in.

6. Allow pressure to natural release 10 minutes. Quick release remaining pressure.

7. Check internal temperature, then tent turkey with foil and rest 15 minutes if done.

8. Make gravy with juices. Carve turkey and serve!

I recommend using a meat thermometer to check doneness rather than relying just on cook time. Every breast varies a bit.

For golden crispy skin, you can broil the breast for a few minutes after cooking and resting.

The broth left in the pot after cooking turkey is liquid gold for making gravy. Simply thicken it on the stovetop while turkey rests.

Tips for Juicy Turkey Breast

Beyond using the Instant Pot, there are some additional pointers for keeping turkey breast super moist and delicious:

• Brine if time allows – Soaking in a saltwater brine infuses flavor and moisture.

• Pat dry – Remove excess moisture from the skin so it can get crispy when seared.

• Avoid overcooking – Pull from heat at 165oF to prevent drying out.

• Rest before slicing – Letting it rest allows juices to redistribute.

• Slice against the grain – Cutting against the muscle fiber makes turkey more tender.

• Make pan gravy – Use the flavorful drippings for rich, silky gravy.

Common Turkey Breast Mistakes

It’s easy to mess up turkey breast if you aren’t careful. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Skipping searing/browning – It won’t get nicely browned and crispy skin.

• Not seasoning enough – Under-seasoning leads to bland, boring turkey.

• Overcrowding pot – Needs room for even cooking. Don’t pack too tightly.

• Quick releasing too soon – Natural release is needed to finish cooking gently.

• Cutting too soon – Letting it rest is critical for juicy meat.

• Overcooking – Use a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked turkey.

• Making gravy too early – Make gravy after fully resting turkey.

Turkey Breast Pairings and Serving Ideas

Juicy Instant Pot turkey breast is extremely versatile. Here are some serving ideas:

• Serve with gravy and cranberry sauce for an easy holiday meal.

• Slice for sandwiches layered with mayo, lettuce and avocado.

• Dice for salad topping, tacos, soup, casseroles or wraps.

• Pair with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, squash.

• Make tasty leftovers like turkey pot pie, turkey tetrazzini or turkey noodle soup.