What Size Turkey Breast Fits In An Instant Pot
That all depends on the size of your instant pot. Obviously, a larger instant pot will hold a larger turkey breast. I have this 6-quart Instant Pot. The inner diameter of the pot is 8.5 inches across and it is 6 inches tall.
The absolute largest frozen turkey breast that would fit in my 6-quart Instant Pot was a 4-1/2 pound turkey breast.
Now, I suppose a larger turkey breast would fit in the pot if the turkey breast had a different shape but I doubt you could get too much larger than 4-1/2 pounds in a 6-quart pot.
How To Cook A Turkey Breast In An Instant Pot
First, get out a small bowl. Add the butter , garlic, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper and combine well.
Second, put the trivet that came with the Instant Pot in the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. Once the trivet is in place, put the turkey breast on top of the trivet in the instant pot. Make sure it is breast side up.
Next, pour the butter mixture all over the top of the turkey. Use a basting brush to spread the ingredients all over the turkey. This makes the turkey delicious so you dont want to miss a spot.
Finally, put the lid on the pressure cooker and set the valve to the sealing position on the lid. Let this cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.
Once the cooking time has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes. Next, do a quick release to release all the pressure from the instant pot.
Now, remove the turkey breast from the instant pot. Let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing. This will help to keep all the delicious juices inside that make the turkey so moist and flavor packed. So dont skip this step!
Removing The Plastic Netting & Gravy Bag
Most store-bought turkey breasts come sealed in a plastic wrap. It is easy to remove, if it isnt frozen in cracks and crevices of the turkey breast.
Place half of the gravy packet on top of the turkey breast before cooking.
Simply cut across the top and down the sides of the plastic. Be careful not to cut into the flesh of the turkey.
Peel the plastic wrap off and discard.
On some bands you will also find a netting that encases the meat. This removal task is a little more challenging.
The fibers of the net are actually frozen into the skin. You must carefully pull the netting away from the skin without removing any of the meat.
I used a small pair of scissors to snip several sections of the netting and carefully pulled it off.
Once the turkey breast has been sliced, you will see how moist the turkey breast is.
One final step was necessary before I could lower it in the Instant Pot removing the gravy packet.
This seems like such an easy thing, however, once again, the gravy packet was intertwined into the folds of the bird.
With a little bit of prying, the gravy packet popped off. Yes, it had a little hole in it, but that didnt matter. I was going to use it anyway.
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How To Make Bone
First, make sure your turkey is clean and dried and has the inner gravy packets and giblets removed. Then rub mayonnaise all over your turkey. Then season your turkey breast with poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure to rub the mayonnaise and seasoning all over the breast and under the skin.
Place a chopped onion and a chopped celery stick into the cavity of the turkey breast.
This next part will depend on the size of the breast and the size of the Instant Pot:
For a 6 quart Instant Pot, a bone-in turkey breast thats under 5 pounds will likely fit in the Pot on a trivet. If it does, use the trivet when cooking. For a bone-in breast over 5 pounds, I place the breast in the Instant Pot without the trivet so it fits.
Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into your Instant Pot. Add turkey breast into the pot, skin side facing down.
Cover and cook on high pressure. The amount of time needed to cook will depend on the size of your breast. The general guideline is 6 minutes per pound. So for my 7-pound bird, I cooked a total of 42 minutes since 6×7=42.
After the time is done, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Open the lid and remove the turkey breast.
To brown the breast, broil in the oven for about 5 minutes.
Instant Pot Turkey Roast
Making an Instant Pot Turkey Roast couldn’t be easier! In a very short time, you’ll have a juicy and delicious turkey that is super flavorful and tender. Plus, you’ll make your delicious gravy in the same pot you cooked the turkey. It’s so easy to make, you don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving or Christmas to enjoy turkey!
With the holidays around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate to share my delicious recipe for Instant Pot Turkey Roast. Youll love how easy and quick it is to enjoy a deliciously tender and juicy turkey right from the Instant Pot. Its so easy, youll want to enjoy turkey all year long!
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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 dont want to overcook itthat 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 . Add on another 15 minutes for prep.
Which Is Better Bone
You can cook bone-in or boneless turkey breast in your Instant Pot but I highly recommend boneless for 2 reasons.
1) Youll get more meat. Since you are restricted to the size of the turkey breast you can fit in the pot a 4 pound boneless breast is going to give you 4 pounds of meat whereas a bone-in breast includes the weight of the bones so you get a little less meat.
2) It just fits better. Bone-in turkey breast has a slightly awkward shape for fitting in the Instant Pot whereas a boneless turkey breast is usually tied up into a nice little cylindrical shape that fits perfectly!
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Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloin
After one bite, you are going to agree this Instant Pot turkey tenderloin comes out tasting phenomenal! Its amazing how easy it is to cook turkey tenderloin in the Instant Pot, and it comes out perfect every single time.
This Instapot turkey breast tenderloin recipe tastes delicious whether you use frozen turkey tenderloin or fresh one.
If you arent into turkey, you can make other meats in the Instant Pot too.
This Instant Pot beef brisket tastes even better than the roasted version.
In the mood for seafood? Make some Instant Pot shrimp fajitas! They are so quick and easy that you can even make them on really busy weeknights.
Can I Cook Frozen Turkey Breast In The Instant Pot
We definitely dont recommend placing a frozen turkey in the Instant Pot. When the meat is frozen, you have to add a significant amount of cook time. It can also lead to cooking the outside of the turkey while the center gets up to a safe temperature. We recommend letting your turkey breast thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.
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How To Cook Instant Pot Turkey Breast
The Instant Pot makes cooking a full holiday meal as easy as 1, 2, 3!
BROWNING TIP If youd prefer, the turkey breast can be browned in a non-stick pan. Depending on the shape/size it can be easier to handle this way.
If browning in a separate pan, be sure to scrape up the bits in the pan with a bit of broth and add them into the Instant Pot.
What To Do With Turkey Leftovers
My favorite way to use up leftover turkey is this Ultimate Turkey Panini:
Take 2 slices of Crusty Bread . On one side spread mashed avocado, on the other, leftover Cranberry Sauce. Pile pieces of turkey on the cranberry side and top with slices of brie cheese. Cook in a panini press until hot and melty. Open the bread to add slices of crispy bacon, spinach leaves, and a thick slather of my favorite Sir Kensington Avocado Oil Mayo. PERFECTION!
Swap out the shredded chicken for turkey in all your favorite recipes. Might I suggest
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Should You Brine The Turkey
Although its not totally necessary, I do recommend it. Brining the turkey allows it to absorb extra moisture so its less likely to dry out during the cooking process. The salt also breaks down the meat so that its extra tender.
To brine your turkey, simply dissolve ¾ cup of salt into enough water to cover the turkey. Let that soak overnight. When youre ready to cook it, take the turkey out of the brine, rinse it off, then proceed with the recipe directions.
GIRL CARNIVORE PRO TIP: If youre going to brine your own turkey, make sure the turkey breasts you buy are not already salted or stored in a brine solution.
Tips For The Most Tender Turkey
- Dont Overcook: Its better to cook your turkey for less time and then check it, because you can always cook it a little bit more if need be. The internal temperature should register at around 163°F when done, because it will rise a couple degrees as the turkey rests.
- Use Coarse Salt: Avoid using regular table salt for your turkey. You want to use either coarse sea salt or Kosher salt, because the salt particles are larger and will better lock the moisture into your turkey.
- Release Pressure from Instant Pot: You have to do a natural release for 10 minutes before you move the steam valve to the venting position. Release all of the pressure from your Instant Pot before taking out your turkey. This is super important because you dont want your instant pot exploding.
- Baste Skin Before Broiling: Before you broil your cooked turkey in the oven, drizzle it with olive oil or the leftover liquid from your instant pot. This will keep your turkey nice and juicy while the skin gets crisp.
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How To Make Turkey Gravy In Instant Pot
To make the gravy, drain the pan drippings through a sieve to catch the onions and garlic. You can also press them through it to get all the flavor into the gravy. Measure out two cups of the liquid and place back in the Instant Pot insert. Add a mixture of 2 tablespoons or cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water and whisk well. Saute until thickens. You can use the rest of the liquid from cooking the turkey for soups later. I simply place it in ziploc bag once it completely cools. Its a very flavorful broth and perfect for making soups during winter.
How To Make Gravy In The Instant Pot
So. Im ready! Im ready for THE Bird, for the cranberries and brussels sprouts, and for a pitcher of Apple Cider Mimosas. Im also ready to eat all of that, and then some.
This Instant Pot Turkey Breast PLUS my Roast Turkey were having like 20 people this year has me totally ready for all of it, including teenage cousins, in-laws, AND toddlers. Perhaps I didnt think this through?
Buuuut, we are having mashed potatoes and turkey all is well with the world.
If youre looking to cook turkey on a smaller scale, this is your recipe. Print it, pocket it and make it! I had no idea it could be this easy with the pressure cooker!
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Instant Pot Boneless Turkey Breast
If youre looking for a quick and easy way to cook turkey, then try this Instant Pot Boneless Turkey Breast recipe. Cooked turkey is a healthy lean protein that can be sliced or shredded to use in a variety of ways.
I dont know about you, but I like to eat turkey all year round, and not just at the holidays. Its a very versatile lean protein that can be used for sandwiches, shredded for salads and Mexican dishes, cut into chunks for soups, and more. See my Leftover Turkey Vegetable Soup recipe.
This recipe in particular:
- only takes 20 minutes cooking time,
- is a one-pot dish,
- can be cooked from fresh or frozen,
- can be served for the holidays or a special dinner,
- and is perfect for meal prepping!
How To Make Instant Pot Turkey
*I have found that larger pieces of meat do not sear well in the sauté mode of the Instant Pot, which is why I prefer a pan. If you do try it in your pressure cooker, be sure to wait until the sauté function reads HOT on the display.
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How To Carve A Turkey Breast
Carving a turkey is a piece of cake, IF you have good knives.
Funny story: My mom gifted me a large set of Cutco Knives when I graduated from High School. Kind of a weird gift, right?
I had a good friend that decided he was going to make a living selling Cutco Knives, and my mom graciously agreed to be his first potential buyer. He was so nervous during his presentation to her that she cut him off halfway through and agreed to buy the largest package, haha! I don’t think he sold a single knife after that day, but he sure came and went with a bang!
My mom didn’t allow me to use them until I was married so they sat in a box for a solid 5 years. They have been one of my favorite kitchen tools ever since. Cutco will sharpen and replace damaged knives for free, so I’m set for life!
Back to carving.
Once the turkey has rested, either remove the skin and discard or place turkey under the oven broiler for 3-5 minutes to brown. Grab your favorite knife and let’s get carving!
Now go own that turkey! Enjoy!
How Do You Make Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Start by mixing together butter, garlic, herbs and spices. Coat a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast with the butter mixture. Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the pot, then add carrots, onion and celery. Place the turkey breast on a trivet inside the pot, then seal and pressure cook until turkey is cooked through. Let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes, then manually release the pressure. If you prefer turkey with crispy skin, place the turkey under the broiler until the skin is browned and crisp. Slice the turkey, then serve and enjoy.
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