This is the JUICIEST Instant Pot Turkey Breast, and you can make gravy from the drippings right in the same pot within 30 minutes.
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Ingredients you need
You basically just need a turkey breast and some spices to make this Instant Pot recipe.
Here’s what you need:
- 1 (2lb) bone-in turkey breast
- olive oil
- paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt & pepper
- chicken broth (to bring the pot to pressure and for the gravy afterward)
- butter
- flour
How to cook turkey breast in the Instant Pot
- Rub olive oil over turkey, then spices.
- Turn Instant Pot to saute mode, then saute turkey breast for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Turn off saute mode, remove turkey breast, then add trivet. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth then place turkey breast on top of trivet.
- Pressure cook for 12 minutes, then let the Instant Pot do a natural release of the pressure for 10 minutes.
- Remove turkey breast and add to broiler for 1-2 minutes, then turn Instant Pot back to saute mode. Whisk in butter until melted, then whisk in flour. Pour in remaining cup of chicken broth and whisk to combine, bringing to a boil.
- Serve gravy overtop of turkey breast, and serve with desired sides. Enjoy!
Making gravy from the drippings
The juices left in the Instant Pot after the turkey breast is fully cooked makes an amazing gravy that is quick to put together. Here’s how to make gravy from the drippings:
- Once the turkey breast is finished cooking, remove it and the trivet from the inner pot.
- Be sure to turn the Instant Pot back on to the sauté setting, leaving the drippings and remaining liquid left over from the pressure cooking cycle in the pot. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the Instant Pot and then whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour until combined.
- Add 1 cup of chicken broth and continue to stir. Bring to a boil and cook until it is smooth and thickens, about 3 minutes.
- Turn off the Instant Pot and remove the inner pot with gravy to keep it from thickening too much. Season the gravy with salt and pepper if necessary.
Cooking frozen turkey breast
Cooking the turkey breast from frozen is just as easy as cooking it from fresh – it just takes a little more time.
For a 2-pound frozen turkey breast, increase the cook time to 50 minutes and allow pressure to release naturally.
Side dish ideas
If you’re looking for some easy side dish ideas, I’ve got you covered! Here are my fave ideas:
- Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Dinner rolls or breadsticks
- Stuffing/dressing
- Instant Pot Asparagus
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
Ingredient substitutions
- olive oil – Any neutral flavor of cooking oil will work to coat the turkey breast.
- chicken broth – You can substitute chicken or vegetable stock for the liquid in the pot.
- butter – This combines with the flour to make the gravy. You can substitute any other cooking fat, such as coconut oil or any other cooking oil.
- spices for the rub – To save even more time, you can use 4 teaspoons of your favorite seasoning, like Mrs. Dash.
- herbs for the rub – Use 3 teaspoons of Italian seasoning or poultry seasoning as a substitute. You can also use fresh herbs. Remember that one teaspoon of dried herbs equals about 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs.
Storing and reheating
Any leftover turkey breast will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days after it is cooked. Be sure to cover it completely.
If you want to make sandwiches or any recipes using leftover turkey, it is easiest to remove the bones before storing it. Reheating the turkey in the microwave with gravy or some chicken broth will keep it from drying out – be sure to cover it before and sprinkle a little bit of water overtop to help it retain moisture.
Store any remaining gravy in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezing leftover turkey
To keep this cooked turkey breast longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
Once it is cooked and cool enough to handle, remove all the meat from the bones and dice or shred it.
Put the meat in a freezer-safe storage bag or airtight container to avoid freezer burn.
You can also freeze it with any leftover gravy to use in soups or chili. Pour gravy over the diced or shredded turkey and be sure to leave at least a half inch of space to let the gravy expand when it freezes.
More Instant Pot comfort food
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on storing the leftovers
- Get a meat thermometer to make sure your turkey is cooked through, especially if you’re cooking frozen turkey breast
5-Day Instant Pot Challenge!
Learn how to use your Instant Pot to meal prep by subscribing to our newsletter!
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 1 (2lb) bone-in turkey breast
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp sage
- Salt & pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth, divided
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp flour
To serve
- Brussels sprouts
- Cranberries or cranberry sauce
- Mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Rub olive oil over chicken breast, then rub with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, rosemary, thyme and sage, then season generously with salt & pepper.
- Turn Instant Pot to saute mode, then saute turkey breast for 2-3 minutes per side. Turn off saute mode, remove turkey breast, then add trivet. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth then place turkey breast on top of trivet.
- Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 12 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 5-10 minutes to come to pressure, then notify you it's done by beeping.
- Press the Cancel button then let the Instant Pot do a natural release of the pressure for 10 minutes. Follow by doing a quick release. Open the lid when pressure gauge has dropped and the lid opens easily.
- Remove turkey breast and trivet, then turn Instant Pot back to saute mode. Meanwhile, broil turkey breast for 2-3 minutes until skin crisps up, watching closely so it doesn't burn.
- Whisk in butter until melted, then whisk in flour. Pour in remaining cup of chicken broth and whisk to combine, bringing to a boil. Stir until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve gravy overtop of turkey breast, and serve with desired sides. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
