Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe

Name: Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 (1 ounce) package onion soup mix; 1 (6 pound) turkey breast, thawed; 2 ribs celery, cut into large chunks; 1 onion, cut into large chunks; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 tablespoons water; 1 tablespoon cornstarch, or more as needed

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings:

1 (1 ounce) package onion soup mix
1 (6 pound) turkey breast, thawed
2 ribs celery, cut into large chunks
1 onion, cut into large chunks
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch, or more as needed

Directions

Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the turkey breast and place it into the pot of an electric pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot).
Arrange the celery and onion around and over the turkey.
Pour the chicken broth over the turkey.
Seal and lock the lid of the pressure cooker. Select high/low pressure on the Poultry setting or according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cook until the juices run clear, approximately 30 minutes.
Release the pressure using the natural-release method according to the manufacturer's instructions, about 20 minutes.
Transfer the turkey to a plate and slice it. Cover to keep warm.
Switch the pressure cooker to the Saut setting. In a small bowl, mix together the water and cornstarch. Stir in a small amount of hot liquid from the pot until well combined.
Pour the cornstarch mixture back into the pot and whisk until the gravy thickens, about 3 minutes.
Serve the gravy alongside the sliced turkey.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 584
Total Fat: 22g (28% DV)
Saturated Fat: 6g (31% DV)
Cholesterol: 220mg (73% DV)
Sodium: 655mg (28% DV)
Total Carbohydrate: 5g (2% DV)
Dietary Fiber: 1g (3% DV)
Total Sugars: 1g
Protein: 86g (171% DV)
Vitamin C: 2mg (2% DV)
Calcium: 79mg (6% DV)
Iron: 4mg (24% DV)
Potassium: 915mg (19% DV)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

History of the Turkey Breast Dish

Turkey has been a staple in American cuisine for centuries, commonly featured during festive occasions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, the method of cooking turkey has evolved significantly over time. Traditionally, roasting was the primary method of cooking turkey, often requiring hours of preparation. The advent of the Instant Pot has revolutionized how we cook turkey breast. The Instant Pot, introduced in 2009, is a multifunctional pressure cooker that has gained immense popularity for its time-saving capabilities. The Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe harnesses the power of this appliance, providing a quick yet flavorful alternative to traditional roasting methods, offering a juicy turkey breast in under an hour.

Regional Features of Turkey Dishes

Turkey dishes are celebrated across various regions of the United States, especially during major holidays. The Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe, however, is most commonly found in American households looking for a fast, hassle-free meal. This method of cooking ensures that turkey breast remains moist and tender, making it a favorite for busy families. While this recipe may be particularly popular in suburban and urban areas where time is of the essence, it is equally appreciated in rural regions, where slow-roasted turkey has traditionally been the go-to method for family gatherings.

Differences from Similar Dishes

While turkey breast is commonly served at holiday dinners, the Instant Pot method distinguishes itself from other traditional methods in several ways. A typical roast turkey can take several hours to prepare, often requiring a long preheating period and basting every 30 minutes. In contrast, the Instant Pot version reduces the cooking time significantlyallowing for a turkey breast to be cooked in just 30 minutes under high pressure. Additionally, the pressure cooker method locks in moisture, making the turkey more tender and juicy compared to oven-roasted versions. Furthermore, this recipe includes a simple yet flavorful onion soup mix for seasoning, a shortcut thats absent in many traditional turkey recipes which often rely on homemade seasoning blends or brines.

Where to Serve Instant Pot Turkey Breast

The Instant Pot Turkey Breast is a versatile dish that can be served at any family dinner, holiday gathering, or even as a weeknight meal. It pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. Due to its quick preparation time, its particularly suitable for casual family meals or small gatherings, such as a Sunday dinner or Thanksgiving dinner when you're looking to save time. The ease of cooking and the flavor-packed results also make it an excellent choice for meal prepping, as the leftovers can be used in soups, sandwiches, or salads.

Interesting Facts About the Recipe

One of the most interesting aspects of this recipe is how it takes a traditionally lengthy cooking process and compresses it into a fraction of the time, all while maintaining the turkeys moistness. The pressure cooker method is an effective way to ensure that even the most challenging cuts of meat, like turkey breast, stay juicy and tender. Furthermore, the combination of onion soup mix and chicken broth creates a rich and flavorful gravy that elevates the dish without requiring any additional preparation steps. In addition to being time-efficient, this recipe is also perfect for those who may be new to cooking or simply want a hassle-free method of preparing turkey for any occasion. Lastly, with its balanced nutritional profile, this turkey breast recipe is a healthy choice, providing a generous serving of protein with fewer carbs compared to other meat preparations.

FAQ about Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe

Leftover turkey breast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Make sure to store the turkey and gravy separately to maintain their best texture when reheating.

Yes, you can cook a frozen turkey breast in the Instant Pot, but it will require an extra 10-15 minutes of cooking time. Ensure the turkey is properly thawed if you're looking to follow the recipe's suggested cooking times.

You can check if the turkey is done by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If you notice that the turkey is slightly undercooked after the suggested time, you can cook it for an additional 5-10 minutes, checking the temperature again.

If your gravy is too thin, you can thicken it by mixing a little more cornstarch with water and adding it to the pot. Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté mode and stir the gravy until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Yes, you can make the gravy ahead of time. Simply refrigerate the gravy in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. When ready to serve, reheat it on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.

To reheat leftover turkey, slice it and place it in a baking dish with a little bit of broth or water to keep it moist. Cover with foil and heat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on the quantity.

Yes, you can customize the recipe by adding other vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or potatoes. Just make sure to cut them into large chunks so they cook evenly and don't become too mushy.

If you don't have onion soup mix, you can make a homemade substitute by combining dried onion flakes, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a bit of sugar. Adjust the proportions to taste. Alternatively, you can use another seasoning blend that complements turkey, such as poultry seasoning or a combination of thyme, rosemary, and sage.

Yes, you can adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the turkey breast. For a smaller turkey (around 3-4 lbs), reduce the cooking time to about 20-25 minutes. For larger turkeys (over 6 lbs), you may need to increase the cooking time to 40-45 minutes. Always check the internal temperature to ensure it's fully cooked.

Yes, you can substitute the chicken broth with turkey broth, vegetable broth, or even water if you prefer. Using a flavorful broth will enhance the overall taste of the turkey and gravy.

Comments

Kristen Tesar

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

This is my first recipe review ever, but I just had to share how great this recipe went! Two important notes: I doubled the onions and celery, and I also cooked it for 40 minutes in the cooker after realizing that the turkey was slightly pink inside at 30 minutes. I also added 3 cloves of garlic because we love garlic. What a wonderful recipe!! Can’t wait to trot this out at Thanksgiving again next year.

Judy

11/28/2019 09:46:40 PM

Followed the directions exactly! Then took the breast out, poured some melted butter with sage over it and crisped up the skin in the oven for about 30 minutes. Family LOVED it!

GreenUdon5909

11/19/2022 02:29:08 PM

My recommendation (and what I did): pour the broth over the breast, then sprinkle the soup mix, THEN add the veggies. If you pour the broth over the soup mix, you're washing most of the soup mix off of the breast because you didn't do anything to prep the breast to make the soup mix stick.

brad

12/03/2019 07:17:04 AM

The easiest and best turkey we’ve ever made! We have an 8 qt. Ninja Foodie and cooked a 7.5 lb. bone in breast. Since it was a bigger bird we cooked it for 40 minutes and it came out perfect

Diana Lomonte

12/03/2020 09:35:20 AM

This recipe was perfect! The Turkey was literally falling off the bone and juicy. I’m usually a dark meat fan because white meat can be dry, depending on where you get it. I’m never eating dry white meat again! I added extra celery & onion, and cooked an 8 lb Turkey for 45 minutes on high pressure. It seemed almost too easy to make a whole Turkey breast! Thanks for the recipe!

Bren

06/11/2019 10:08:07 PM

Hmmm, not sure why my review isn't showing. I had a small, 2 pound, turkey breast that was partially frozen so I cooked it for 20 minutes, I wasn't sure what the submitter meant by "Poultry" hight/low setting so I used manual pressure. The turkey was incredibly tender and moist, even the family member that doesn't usually like white meat loved it! I did find the gravy very salty, probably the turkey breast and not the recipe! This will be a repeat at our home, easy, moist and tender. Thanks for sharing Tammy Lynn.

Beth H

12/03/2019 02:22:03 AM

Very good and very simple. I cooked on high for 30 minutes (manual) with 20 minute NPR, and the turkey button 'popped' so I knew it was done. It was a 5 lb. bone-in defrosted turkey breast. I don't usually like white meat, but this was pretty moist and tasty. I thought the onion soup mix might make it too salty, but it really didn't. I did use about 1/2 cup extra broth just in case, so needed more cornstarch in order to thicken the gravy.

Jan D

11/06/2020 03:49:28 AM

This came out juicy and delicious. I made a 3 lb Butterball boneless breast. Used Poultry setting on Instant Pot and adjusted cook time to 20 minutes. Did full natural release which took about 14 more minutes. Perfect!

Isobel Walls

01/12/2019 12:23:10 AM

What a great recipe! I set the time on the instant pot to 40 minutes & did a natural release for 10 minutes. I did not use poultry button —I hit pressure cook button insead! When I thickened the gravy I scooped out the celery & then turned on the saute button to thicken gravy! Served boiled potatoes & steamed broccol!!This is a keeper!

kcf

10/21/2018 12:21:47 AM

This was so easy and good! I did extend the cook time to 40 minutes because I had a 9-pound turkey breast. But I didn’t even turn the juice into gravy. After we had made a couple of meals from the whole turkey breast, I cubed the leftover turkey and tossed it together with the juice as is. I’m going to make turkey-vegetable-barley soup for cheap work lunches. Very practical recipe for a family!

Jeepdog

02/14/2019 12:04:20 AM

My turkey breast was 7 1/2 lbs. Cooked of for 38 mins, depressurize for ten mins, and than manual to complete. I used stock and one tablespoon of homemade onion soup mix from this site. Turned out very tender and juicy. There were three eating and we all enjoyed. But for me personally I just love roasted turkey. This didn't do it for me. I gave it four stars as it was easy, good and everyone liked it. Just me personally, I would roast in the future. This would be great for me in the future if I was going for turkey sandwiches or soup. But for me, I just can't give up on my roasted turkey. Still a great recipe.

Ruth Miller

05/14/2025 05:08:36 PM

Totally worth making, trust me.

Joli

04/17/2025 11:55:17 AM

Just wanted to know how long to cook my 8# breast. So much better than 3.5hrs in the oven for a weekday meal! Taste was good.

Gregory Hill

12/27/2024 10:53:04 PM

Made it on a whim — turned out perfect.

Cate

11/27/2023 03:43:14 PM

I cooked a 6 pound turkey breast and followed the recipe, cooking it for 30 minutes. It was perfect! Nice and moist with subtle flavor from the onions and celery. Delish!

Jennifer Sheehan Finamore

08/23/2022 11:27:53 PM

8# 40 minutes and perfect! Great flavor Very excited for Turkey Sammy’s with garden tomatoes! Thank you

Irishgirl

04/17/2022 10:33:23 PM

I made this twice. It is so easy, and the turkey comes out tender and flavorful in less than an hour! Quick, easy and delicious with gravy recipe included. Make holiday dinners less stressful because you can concentrate on preparing side dishes while the turkey cooks.

Kathy

01/24/2021 05:22:33 AM

Followed the recipe exactly, but had to increase it for a 8.25 lb turkey breast. Everyone loved it. Gravy was easy & tasted wonderful with home made mashed potatoes. Will definitely make again.

Betsy B

12/13/2020 01:02:56 PM

Easy and tasty. I skipped the gravy - just looking for a quick way to cook ahead. A keeper!

Sherry A

12/07/2020 11:13:08 AM

The turkey was moist and the gravy was magnificent. So easy and quick. Will def be a staple from now on.

Cook Time: 50 minutes