Marianne Martinez
Cooking a turkey breast in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to prepare a juicy, tender, and tasty meal. It is an ideal option for a holiday feast or a quick weeknight dinner. The pressure cooker helps to seal in moisture and flavour, and the entire process, from preparation to serving, can be completed in under an hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Ingredients | Turkey breast, onion, celery, chicken broth, cornstarch, water, oil, salt, pepper, garlic, carrots, onion soup mix, poultry seasoning, paprika, herbs de Provence, garlic powder, chilli powder, smoked paprika |
| Equipment | Instant Pot, electric pressure cooker, baking sheet, skillet, slow cooker, digital thermometer |
| Benefits | Quick, easy, juicy, moist, frees up oven space, easy clean-up |
| Tips | Thaw in the refrigerator for 3 days, pat dry, loosen skin, sear before pressure cooking, natural pressure release, broil for crispy skin, make gravy with drippings |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey breast prep
Turkey breast cooked in an Instant Pot is a quick, easy, and tasty meal. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a holiday feast, and it's sure to impress your family and friends. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing and cooking juicy and tender turkey breast in an Instant Pot.
Thawing and Prepping the Turkey:
First, ensure your turkey breast is properly thawed. If it's frozen, place it in the refrigerator for 3 days, still in its original wrapping. Once thawed, remove any giblets or gravy mix from the cavity. Rinse the turkey breast and pat it dry with paper towels.
Seasoning and Searing:
Drizzle olive oil over the turkey skin and rub it in. You can also sprinkle salt, pepper, and other seasonings like garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, or poultry seasoning. Place the seasoned turkey breast in the Instant Pot and sear it for 4-5 minutes on each side until all sides are browned.
Cooking the Turkey:
Add 2 cups of broth or water to the pot, being careful to not pour it directly on the turkey. You can also add sliced onion, garlic, and celery to the bottom of the pot for extra flavor. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and lock it. Set the valve to the sealing position and select the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" setting. Cook for 30-35 minutes.
Natural Pressure Release:
After cooking, let the pressure release naturally. This can take about 20 minutes. Do not touch the sealing valve during this process. Once the pressure is released, carefully open the lid away from your face.
Checking Doneness and Broiling:
Check the temperature of the thickest part of the turkey breast with a meat thermometer. It should reach a minimum of 165°F. If you desire crispy skin, place the cooked turkey breast on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes, about 3-5 inches from the broiler, until the skin is golden brown.
Making the Gravy:
Remove the turkey to a plate and keep it warm. For the gravy, measure 2 cups of the drippings from the Instant Pot and discard any remaining liquid and vegetables. Whisk together cornstarch and cold water, then pour this mixture into the drippings. Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting and cook, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens, about 3-to-8 minutes.
Your juicy and flavorful Instant Pot turkey breast is now ready to serve! Enjoy it with your favorite sides and don't forget to save those leftovers for sandwiches or future meals.
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Cooking the turkey breast
Cooking a turkey breast in an Instant Pot is a great way to save time and oven space, and it can be done in just about an hour. It's perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a stress-free holiday feast, like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Preparation:
Firstly, if your turkey breast is frozen, it's best to let it thaw in the refrigerator for up to three days before cooking. This will ensure that the meat cooks evenly. Once thawed, remove any giblets or gravy mix from the cavity, rinse the turkey breast, and pat it dry.
Seasoning:
You can season your turkey breast with a variety of spices. Some common options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, and herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. You can also use an onion soup mix or poultry seasoning. Rub the spices all over the turkey breast, gently massaging them into the meat. Additionally, you can rub the skin with olive oil to promote browning and crispness.
Cooking:
Set your Instant Pot to 'Sear' or 'Sauté' and add some oil to the pot. Once the oil is hot, place the turkey breast in the pot, skin-side down, and sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side, rotating as needed to brown all sides evenly.
After searing, you can add some water, broth, or stock to the pot, along with aromatics like sliced onion, garlic, and celery. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is in the sealing position. Set the pot to 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' on high pressure for 30-35 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for about 20 minutes. Do not touch the sealing valve during this time. After the pressure is released, carefully open the lid, ensuring it is facing away from your face.
Checking Doneness:
Use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey breast. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, ensuring it does not touch the bone. The minimum safe temperature for turkey is 165°F.
Crisping the Skin:
If you prefer crispy skin, place the cooked turkey breast on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil it for 3-5 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown.
Making Gravy:
To make gravy, measure about 2 cups of the liquid (turkey drippings) from the Instant Pot and place it back into the pot. Create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and cold water, then whisk this into the drippings. Turn on the Instant Pot's 'Sauté' function and cook, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens, which should take about 8-10 minutes. Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Your Instant Pot turkey breast is now ready to be enjoyed! Don't forget to make use of the leftover juices and aromatics for a tasty soup later on.
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Making the gravy
The great thing about cooking a turkey breast in an Instant Pot is that you can use the cooking liquid to make a flavoursome gravy. You can also use the leftover juices from the cooked turkey to make gravy on a stovetop.
To make the gravy in the Instant Pot, you can follow these steps:
- Use the leftover juices from the cooked turkey, also known as pan drippings, and whisk them in when reheating the gravy.
- If the gravy is too thick, thin it out with some additional turkey stock.
- Combine water and cornstarch in a bowl and stir until mixed.
- Pour the cornstarch mixture into the Instant Pot with the leftover juices.
- Turn on the Instant Pot's Saute function and cook the gravy for around 8 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens.
You can also make the gravy more flavoursome by adding sautéed onions and garlic as a base. You can also add aromatics like garlic cloves, onion, carrots, and celery to bring sweet and salty flavours to the gravy.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for an Instapot turkey breast depend on the weight of the meat and the desired doneness. A general rule of thumb is to cook the turkey breast for 30-40 minutes on high pressure and then let it release pressure naturally for 20 minutes.
For a 7-pound turkey breast, cook for 35 minutes on high pressure, then let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes. This will result in a juicy and tender turkey breast. If you prefer your turkey breast well done, you can quick-release the pressure and let it cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
It is recommended that you check the temperature of the turkey breast with a digital thermometer after it is done cooking. The minimum safe temperature for turkey is 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the breast. If the temperature is below this, cook the turkey breast for an additional 5-10 minutes until it reaches the safe temperature.
Some recipes recommend searing the turkey breast before cooking it in the Instapot. To do this, rub the turkey breast with oil and season with salt and pepper. Set the Instapot to high saute function and when it reaches the proper temperature, sear the turkey breast for 4-5 minutes on each side until browned.
The Instapot method for cooking turkey breast is a quick and easy way to prepare a juicy and tender holiday meal. It frees up oven space and reduces the stress of meal prep.
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Serving suggestions
Instant Pot turkey breast is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:
Sliced Turkey with Gravy
This is a classic way to serve turkey breast. Use a sharp knife to carve the meat into slices. If you're using a bone-in turkey breast, start by carving the meat off the rib bones. You can slice the meat against the grain to ensure tenderness. Serve the sliced turkey with a generous ladle of gravy on top or on the side. The gravy can be made using the cooking liquid from the Instant Pot, thickened with cornstarch or flour. Don't forget to season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
Holiday Meal
Instant Pot turkey breast is perfect for a holiday meal, whether it's Thanksgiving or any other special occasion. Serve the sliced turkey with traditional holiday sides such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, and steamed vegetables like broccoli. Don't forget the cranberry sauce!
Cold Cuts and Sandwiches
The leftover turkey breast can be used to make delicious cold cuts for sandwiches. This is a healthier and more economical alternative to store-bought lunch meat, as you can control the amount of sodium and other ingredients. Make your favourite sandwich with the cold cuts, or roll them up with some lettuce and tomato for a quick and healthy lunch.
Soups and Stews
Don't discard the leftover cooking liquid and vegetables from the Instant Pot! You can use them as a base for a delicious soup or stew. Simply add some extra vegetables, beans, or meat, and season to taste. This is a great way to make the most of your Instant Pot turkey breast and reduce food waste.
Customizable Sides
The beauty of Instant Pot turkey breast is that it can be paired with a variety of sides to suit your taste and occasion. If you're serving it for a casual weeknight dinner, boiled potatoes and steamed vegetables make a quick and healthy option. For a more indulgent meal, you can serve it with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, or even fried side dishes like onion rings or zucchini fries.
Remember, these are just a few suggestions, and the versatility of Instant Pot turkey breast means you can get creative with your serving options!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 30-40 minutes to cook a turkey breast in an Instant Pot, with an additional 20 minutes to release pressure.
First, set the Instant Pot to 'Sear' and rub the turkey breast with oil. Next, add seasonings such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and chilli powder, and rub them onto the turkey breast. Sear the turkey for 4-5 minutes, rotating to brown all sides. Add water to the pot, place the lid on and lock it. Set the pot to 'Pressure Cook' on 'High' or 'Manual' for 30 minutes. Once done, release the pressure and carefully open the lid.
To make the gravy, strain the onions and garlic from the broth and drippings from the Instant Pot. Add the strained liquid back into the pot and whisk in a mixture of cornstarch and water. Turn on the 'Saute' setting and cook until the gravy thickens.
Ensure that the turkey breast is fully thawed before cooking to prevent it from drying out. You can also rub the turkey skin with olive oil and sprinkle on seasonings and salt before cooking. Additionally, always release the pressure naturally to retain the juices in the meat.
Some side dishes that go well with Instant Pot turkey breast include mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and sweet corn casserole.
