Tiffany Haney
Cooking a turkey breast in an instant pot is a great way to save time and effort, especially for Thanksgiving or other special occasions. The pressure cooker seals in the juices, resulting in tender and juicy meat in just around 30 minutes. This method also ensures easy cleanup and the drippings can be used to make gravy. However, the turkey breast may not have the classic golden-brown skin straight out of the pot, but you can achieve this by using an air fryer attachment or broiling it in the oven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | Saves time, with some recipes taking only 30 minutes |
| Taste | Juicy, moist, tender, and flavorful |
| Clean-up | Easy, with minimal mess |
| Preparation | Thaw frozen turkey breast in the refrigerator for 3 days; remove giblets and gravy mix; rinse and drain |
| Seasoning | Smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, tarragon, salt, pepper, and minced garlic |
| Cooking method | Pressure cook on high for 20-40 minutes; natural release for 10 minutes |
| Serving | Brown the skin after cooking for a crispier texture |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare the turkey breast for cooking
Firstly, if the turkey breast is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator for three days, still wrapped. Remove any gravy mix and giblets from the cavity. Rinse the turkey breast and let it drain in a colander.
Next, rub the turkey breast with oil and your choice of seasonings. Suggested seasonings include smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, tarragon, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chilli powder, and herbs de Provence. You can also place onion and celery under the breast, or in the Instant Pot pan, if there is no cavity.
Now, place the trivet in the Instant Pot pan and pour in chicken broth. Place the turkey breast on the trivet, breast side up, and close the lid. Set the valve to the sealed position.
Finally, set the Instant Pot to the manual setting and set the timer. The suggested cooking time is between 25 and 40 minutes on high pressure. When the timer goes off, do a quick release by turning the valve to release to let the steam out.
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The cooking process
Cooking a turkey breast in an instant pot is a great way to save time and effort, especially for a small group of people. The cooking process is fairly simple and straightforward, and it results in juicy and tender meat with delicious gravy. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking a turkey breast in an instant pot:
Thawing and Preparation:
Firstly, if your turkey breast is frozen, it is important to thaw it properly. Place the wrapped turkey breast in the refrigerator for about 3 days to ensure it thaws completely. Once thawed, remove the wrapping and check the cavity for any gravy mix or giblets. Rinse the turkey breast and let it drain in a colander.
Seasoning and Marinade:
Pat the turkey breast dry and season it generously with your choice of spices and herbs. A common combination includes smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, tarragon, salt, and pepper. You can also rub the turkey with minced garlic to add extra flavour. After seasoning, use your fingertips to gently lift the skin and spread about 2 tablespoons of the seasoning mixture under the skin, directly onto the meat. Pull the skin back over the mixture and spread the remaining seasoning on top of the skin.
Cooking Setup:
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to your instant pot. Turn the instant pot on to its high sauté setting. While the pot is heating up, prepare the trivet by placing it at the bottom of the pot. The trivet is crucial as it prevents the turkey meat from boiling in the liquid. Place the seasoned turkey breast on top of the trivet, ensuring the breast side is facing up. If your turkey breast has a cavity, place an onion and celery under the breast. If not, simply arrange the onion and celery around the turkey in the pot.
Pressure Cooking:
Secure the lid on the instant pot and ensure the valve is set to the sealing position. Depending on the size of your turkey breast, set the timer for 20 to 40 minutes on high pressure. The larger the turkey breast, the longer the cooking time. Some sources recommend setting the timer for 30 minutes or even 32 minutes for a thorough cook. Once the timer goes off, allow the instant pot to naturally release steam for about 10 minutes, then release any remaining steam.
Browning the Skin (Optional):
If you prefer your turkey with crispy, golden-brown skin, you can achieve this after pressure cooking. Remove the turkey breast from the instant pot and place it under a broiler for a few minutes until the skin is browned and crisped to your liking.
Making Gravy:
To make delicious gravy using the drippings from the cooked turkey, first, discard any remaining liquid, onion, and celery (or save them for soup). Combine 1 tablespoon of water with cornstarch in a custard dish, then pour this mixture into the drippings in the instant pot. Turn on the instant pot's sauté function and cook the gravy, stirring constantly, for about 8 minutes or until it slightly thickens. Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Resting and Serving:
Allow the cooked turkey breast to rest for at least 15 minutes before carving and slicing. This ensures the juices redistribute, resulting in moist and tender meat. Serve the sliced turkey breast with the gravy, and enjoy!
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Making the gravy
Yes, you can cook a turkey breast in an Instant Pot. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the gravy for your turkey breast:
Firstly, if you have any leftover liquid, onion, or celery, you can discard them or save them for soup later. Then, turn the Instant Pot off. Place the trivet in the Instant Pot pan and pour in the chicken broth. If you prefer, you can use beef bone broth for a richer, more luxurious gravy. Add the turkey breast to the pot, ensuring that it is breast-side up.
Now, it is time to make the gravy. Combine 1 tablespoon of water with cornstarch in a small bowl and mix them together thoroughly to create a slurry. You can also add butter and flour to thicken the gravy and make it glossy. For extra flavour, add some mixed dried herbs, thyme, or rosemary. Pour the slurry into the turkey drippings in the Instant Pot.
Turn the Instant Pot's sauté function on and cook the gravy, stirring constantly for about 8 minutes or until it has slightly thickened. Season the gravy generously with salt and pepper, and serve over your sliced turkey.
You can refrigerate the gravy for up to 5 days or freeze leftover gravy in a silicone ice cube mold.
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Browning the skin
- After pressure cooking the turkey breast in the Instant Pot, remove it carefully from the pot.
- If you wish to brown the skin, it is recommended to use an additional appliance, such as an air fryer attachment, an oven, or a broiler.
- If using an air fryer attachment, follow the manufacturer's instructions to adjust the temperature and timing for browning the turkey skin.
- If using an oven or a broiler, preheat the oven to a high temperature, such as broil or a similar setting.
- Place the cooked turkey breast in the oven or under the broiler.
- Cook the turkey breast for a few minutes, keeping a close eye on it to avoid overcooking or burning.
- Remove the turkey breast from the oven or broiler once the skin has reached the desired level of browning and crispness.
It is important to note that the browning process should be brief to avoid overcooking the turkey breast, as it has already been cooked in the Instant Pot. Additionally, always exercise caution when handling hot appliances and cookware.
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Clean-up
Turn on the Instant Pot's Saute function and cook the gravy by stirring constantly for about 8 minutes or until it slightly thickens. If you used a baking sheet, clean-up is simple: just remove the foil and discard it, leaving you with minimal mess. Overall, the Instant Pot method for cooking turkey breast is praised for its ease of clean-up, requiring only one pot to be washed.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 20 and 40 minutes to cook a turkey breast in an Instapot.
The turkey breast turns out moist, tender, and juicy after being cooked in an Instapot.
Cooking a turkey breast in an Instapot saves time and ensures that you get juicy and tender meat. It is also great for an easy clean-up as you only have one pot to clean.
First, season the turkey breast with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, tarragon, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Then, add olive oil and butter to the Instapot and turn it on to the high saute setting. Once the Instapot reaches the desired temperature, add the turkey breast and sear it on all sides. Close the lid and set the valve to the sealed position. Set the timer to 20-40 minutes on high pressure. Once the cooking is done, let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes and then release the rest of the steam quickly. Remove the turkey from the Instapot and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving and slicing.
