Instant Pot Turkey Breast is a great and easy way to cook your Thanksgiving Turkey! You can cook this turkey in an instant pot in under an hour and be ready for the holidays! Cooking Turkey Breast in a pressure cooker takes off all the pressure of making the Thanksgiving or Christmas Turkey so you can just enjoy your holiday. Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast is quick, easy, and always juicy!
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Turkey Breast in Instant Pot is my favorite way to cook a holiday Turkey! This Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast recipe makes cooking turkey breast easy.
This Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe is about to change how you do Thanksgiving. I am so obsessed with my new Instant Pot. Like…so obsessed. It’s so easy to use, unbelievably quick (some might say…instant lol), and affordable. It just might be my new favorite kitchen appliance.
I’ve been practicing lots of recipes and how to adapt them into Instant Pot favorites, and learning how to cook turkey breast in a pressure cooker is just the tip of the iceberg. This recipe is a real game changer. It’s the best way to cook turkey breast with ease!
I never thought I’d be using a pressure cooker to make my holiday turkey (let’s be honest, I never thought I’d be using anything in the kitchen) but, I’m hooked. Have you tried it?
All the Tips and Tricks
How to Cook Thanksgiving Turkey!
Everything you need to know for Thanksgiving entertaining.
How to Cook Turkey in a Pressure Cooker
I’m the girl that always buys a turkey. In years past, we have tried turkeys here and there and they always ended up being more trouble than they were worth.
We would cook them too long and accidentally make them dry. Or we wouldn’t cook them long enough and I was so paranoid about poisoning my loved ones.
The time and effort was just overwhelming, and we would opt to head down to our local Honey Baked Ham instead.
Well now I have a new easy recipe for Turkey Day thanks to this pressure cooker turkey breast recipe. I don’t have to stress out over how long to cook a turkey breast, because it’s super simple now.
This Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe is virtually fool proof and in about an hour we had super tender, juicy, amazing turkey. You can choose to add stuffing or not, buy bone in or not…the options are all up to you. This recipe will be our go-to from now on!
Try ALL the Sides
60+ Holiday Side Dishes
This Thanksgiving we hope you enjoy as many sides as possible with this Roast Turkey Breast!
Best Herbs and Seasoning for Turkey Breast
Cooking turkey breast is all about the seasoning. No matter how moist you make it, Thanksgiving Turkey is nothing without the flavors added in by all of the herbs.
Here’s what we’re adding into our pressure cooker turkey breast recipe:
- Sage
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Salt & Pepper
- Onions
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chicken Broth
- Butter
How to Cook a Turkey Breast in an Instant Pot
Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast comes out in about an hour, is super tender and juicy, and will be a definite hit on your holiday table. Don’t mess with deep friers, ovens, or giant turkeys. Just make it easier for yourself by cooking turkey breast in an instant pot this year!
Here’s a quick overview of the recipe (see the recipe card for full details):
- Prepare your instant pot, and pat the turkey breast dry.
- Mix together all of the herbs and seasonings, then rub the mixture over the turkey breast.
- Place the turkey breast (cavity side up) into the instant pot, then pour the chicken broth inside and around it, and scatter the vegetables around they turkey.
- Put the lid on, seal it in place, and close the vent.
- Cook the turkey breast on high for 1 hour.
- When it’s done, remove the turkey from the pressure cooker and place it in a large bowl to cool.
- Once it has cooled enough for handling, slice up the turkey breast.
You can either use our Make Ahead Turkey Gravy, or you can make gravy according the instructions in the recipe card.
How long does it take to cook turkey breast?
How long to cook turkey breast is an important question. Turkey can be quite fickle, so you want to cook it long enough to be safe for eating, but you don’t want to overcook it–that will dry it out!
You need the perfect time to make it moist and delicious. Cooking turkey breast in an instant pot will take about 1 hour (set to high). Add on another 15 minutes for prep.
Can you cook a turkey breast frozen?
It’s always best to let your turkey thaw completely before cooking. It takes about 24 hours per 5 lbs. of turkey to thaw in the fridge. It’s so important to keep thawing times in mind when prepping for the holidays!
Side dishes to Serve
We have so many holiday side dishes we love to serve alongside this Turkey Breast Recipe. Here are some favorites.
- Sausage Stuffing
- Cauliflower Gratin
- Sheet Pan Scalloped Potatoes
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
How to use Leftover Turkey?
Is there anything better than holiday leftovers? We love to turn our leftover turkey breast into meals such as Thanksgiving Leftovers Quesadillas, Turkey Noodle Soup, Turkey Wild Rice Soup, or Cozy Turkey Rice Casserole.
Simple Thanksgiving Dinner
This recipe for Instant Pot Turkey Breast is part of our super simple holiday dinner. Complete the meal with the rest of the classic recipes you’ll need.
- Classic Turkey Stuffing
- Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Oatmeal Rolls
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- Homemade Pumpkin Pie
If you want a huge list of all the best things to eat with turkey, check out our guide to EASY Thanksgiving Side Dishes.
More Turkey Recipes to Try
- Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe
- Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast
- Juicy Smoked Turkey Breast
- Garlic Butter Roast Turkey Breast
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Instant Pot Garlic Herb Turkey Breast
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.
Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 7½-8 pound whole turkey breast, thawed. I use Butterball, all white
- 6 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley minced
- *Note: If fresh herbs are unavailable, use dried herbs: 1 teaspoon each of sage & thyme, 1 teaspoon rosemary and 2 teaspoons parsley
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium or unsalted chicken broth
- 1 large onion peeled and quartered
- 3 medium carrots washed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 medium celery stalks cut into 2-inch pieces
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot insert.
- Remove the turkey breast from the packaging and set the gravy packet aside.
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix together butter, sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, salt and pepper. Rub the butter mixture all over the outside of the turkey, under the skin and inside the rib cavity.
- Place the turkey, large cavity side up. Pour the chicken broth inside and around the outside of the turkey. Scatter the chopped onion, carrots and celery around the turkey. (*Note: the turkey can be stuffed with stuffing/dressing, but if not doing so, place some of the vegetables inside the cavity, too.)
- Set the Instant Pot lid in place and seal/lock the lid. Close the vent.
- Cook on manual HIGH for 1 hour. Allow pressure to release naturally and wait for the pressure pin to drop before opening. This will take approximately 10 minutes.
- Once the pressure pin has dropped, it is safe to open the Instant Pot.
- Remove the turkey by lifting the Instant Pot trivet, set the turkey in a large bowl, and allow it to cool enough to handle. Reserve the turkey juices/drippings for making gravy *see note. When turkey has cooled enough, set the turkey on a cutting board, remove the meat from the bones and slice. Transfer sliced turkey to a serving platter. Serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
- *Note: If not using Make Ahead Gravy, the cooking liquid/turkey drippings can be used for the gravy. Strain the cooking liquid and vegetables over a large bowl to reserve the liquid. Set the Instant Pot to sauté and pour the turkey gravy back into the pot. Add the gravy packet and whisk until smooth. Bring to a low boil and cook, stirring until thickened, 5-10 minutes. Season to taste.
- **Note: If not using the turkey drippings/liquid for gravy, strain it over a large bowl to reserve the liquid. Season to taste. It is essentially turkey broth, so freeze it to use in other recipes.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Nutrition Information
How do you put stuffing in there?
This is just turkey breast, not a whole turkey, so it doesn’t get stuffed. I made stuffing to go on the side!
I have a 6qt instapot and used a 3 lb butterball boneless turkey breast. I used half the spices and could not taste them.
Sorry this recipe didn’t work for you, Mary.
Do you brine this turkey? I noticed you bribed your Crock Pot Turkey.
I did not brine it for the Instant Pot!
When you say cook for one hour, does that include the time it takes for the instant pot to warm up? I set mine on manual for 60 minutes, but the “countdown” hasn’t started yet–it’s been 20 min and still warming up!
What size instant pot did you use?
Do you need to cook it longer if you stuff it?
Yes, I would make sure that the turkey is cooked thoroughly!
I have a 4 lb bone-in breast so I’m thinking it should cook for about 35 mins – would you agree?
I have tried several recipes and wasn’t happy with any of them, this one is Awesome! Just what I was looking for. Thanks!
Yay! I’m so happy this one worked for you, Pat. Thanks for stopping by! :)
Can I do this in the crock pot instead??
I don’t have a recipe for that at this time, but hope to soon! I’m sure there is a way I just don’t know the exact instructions.
I have a 6 qt Lux instant pot. Bought a 5.3lb turkey breast. It’s not completely thawed yet, but I couldn’t put the lid on when I tested to see if breast would fit. Once thawed will I be able to fit breast in and close lid?? I really want to cook in the instant pot. And would I still cook for about 55 minutes?
I’m not sure…without seeing it I’m not sure it will fit. it might once thawed, depending on how you can squeeze it in there lol. I hope it works out for you!