Insta Pot Turkey Breast: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

how to cook turkey breast in insta pot

Cooking turkey breast in an Instapot is a quick and easy way to prepare a juicy, tender, and tasty meal. The pressure cooker method is perfect for a stress-free holiday feast or a quick weeknight meal. The Instapot can cook a turkey breast in under an hour, and the results are moist and delicious. With a few simple ingredients and a short prep time, the pressure cooker does all the work, leaving you with a tasty meal and more time to spare.

Characteristics Values
Time 30-40 minutes
Turkey weight 2-7 lbs
Temperature 165 degrees F
Ingredients Turkey, broth, onion, garlic, celery, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, poultry herb mix (thyme, rosemary, sage), cornstarch, water
Method Sear, pressure cook, natural release, broil
Equipment Instant Pot, colander, paper towels, digital thermometer, baking pan, sieve, blender
Benefits Juicy, tender, easy, quick, stress-free, frees up oven space

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Preparing the turkey breast

Once thawed, remove any giblets or gravy mix from the turkey's cavity, then rinse the breast and let it drain in a colander. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Next, rub the breast with oil and sprinkle with seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, chilli powder, smoked paprika, and herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage. You can also sprinkle onion soup mix over the breast.

Place the turkey breast in the pot, and add vegetables such as onion, celery, and carrots, and pour in chicken broth. If you wish to brown the meat first, you can use the sauté function on the Instant Pot, adding butter to the pot and browning for around 10 minutes.

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Cooking the turkey breast

Firstly, if your turkey breast is frozen, it's best to let it thaw in the refrigerator for three days before cooking. If you're short on time, you can cook it from frozen, but the results won't be as good, as the outside will cook faster than the inside.

Once your turkey is thawed, remove any giblets or gravy mix from the cavity, then rinse and pat it dry. You can then season the turkey breast. One option is to rub it with oil and a mixture of seasonings like Herbs de Provence, garlic powder, chilli powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Another option is to use onion soup mix, sprinkling it all over the turkey breast.

Next, you'll want to sear the turkey breast. Set your Instapot to 'Sear' or 'Saute' and, if using oil, add some to the pot. Place the turkey breast in the pot and sear for around 4-5 minutes on each side, rotating to brown all sides. You can then add water or broth/stock to the pot—being careful not to pour it over the turkey—and place the lid on the Instapot, ensuring the vent valve is in the 'sealed' position.

Now it's time to cook the turkey breast. You can either use the ''Poultry' setting or the ''Pressure Cook' setting on 'High' or 'Manual' for around 30 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey breast; for a 5-pound breast, it's recommended to cook for 35 minutes, adding two minutes for each additional pound. You can also cook it for less time if it's a smaller breast—a 2-pound breast can be cooked in 20 minutes.

Once the cooking time is up, release the pressure by turning the valve to 'Release' and let the steam out. Then, carefully open the lid and check the temperature of the turkey in the thickest part, ensuring it's at least 165 degrees F. If you like crispy skin, you can place the cooked turkey breast under the broiler for a few minutes.

Finally, you can make gravy using the leftover juices in the pot. Simply strain the juices to remove any onion or garlic, then whisk in a mixture of cornstarch and water, stirring constantly until it thickens. You can also add a splash of cream for extra richness.

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Making the gravy

First, strain the onions and garlic from the broth and drippings from the Instant Pot. You can save the vegetables for soup later. Next, measure 2 cups of the turkey drippings and put them back into the Instant Pot. Discard any excess liquid.

Now, you can start to thicken the gravy. Combine 1 tablespoon of water with cornstarch in a separate bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour this mixture into the turkey drippings and turn on the Instant Pot's Saute function. Keep whisking the gravy as it simmers for around 8 minutes, or until it reaches your desired thickness. You can add more cornstarch if needed. For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream. Season the gravy generously with salt and pepper to taste.

You can make this gravy up to three days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. To serve, place in a slow cooker with extra broth and reheat slowly over an hour or two.

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Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time for a turkey breast in an Insta Pot varies depending on the weight of the meat. For example, a 5-pound turkey breast will take 35 minutes to cook in the pressure cooker, and for each additional pound, you should add 2 minutes to the cooking time. A 2-pound turkey breast will take 20 minutes to cook, while a 7-pound turkey breast will take 40 minutes.

To ensure the turkey is cooked, it should be a minimum temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the breast. It is recommended to use a digital thermometer to check this.

If you want a crispy skin, you can place the cooked turkey breast under the broiler for a few minutes.

If your turkey breast is frozen, it is recommended to thaw it in the refrigerator for 3 days before cooking. This will ensure the turkey cooks evenly.

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Serving suggestions

There are numerous serving suggestions for an Instapot turkey breast. The most popular side dish is gravy, which can be made using the juices from the cooked turkey. You can thicken the gravy by adding a cornstarch slurry, flour, or a mixture of water and cornstarch. Other suggested sides include mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, steamed broccoli, boiled potatoes, stuffing, and vegetables. For a weeknight meal, you can serve the turkey breast with homemade cranberry sauce and sweet corn casserole. If you're looking for a more substantial meal, you can use the leftovers to make Turkey Tetrazzini.

If you prefer a crispier skin, you can place the turkey breast under the broiler for a few minutes before serving. It is also suggested to let the turkey rest for a few minutes after removing it from the Instapot before carving and serving. This will help keep the juices in the meat and result in a juicier, more tender turkey breast.

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