Name: Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 (6 to 7) pound bone-in turkey breast; 5 Tbsp salt; 6 Tbsp paprika; 6 Tbsp garlic powder; 5 Tbsp brown sugar; 3 Tbsp dried thyme; 2 Tbsp black pepper; 3 Tbsp onion powder; 3 Tbsp dried basil; 1½ tsp cayenne; 1 gallon water; ½ cup salt; 1 cup chicken broth

Instant Pot Turkey Breast – the most tender and juicy turkey ever!!! Brine the turkey in a mixture of salt, paprika, garlic, brown sugar, thyme, pepper, onion powder, basil and a little cayenne then cook in the Instant Pot. Ready to eat in about an hour! SO easy and SOOO delicious!!! Stress-free Thanksgiving and Christmas meal!!

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Juicy Instant Pot Turkey Breast

It’s November and I’ve got Thanksgiving recipes on my mind. We usually bake our turkey, but this year we are going to cook it in the Instant Pot! I love instant pot recipes! They cook food a fraction of the time. I personally think this recipe is the best way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey.

Since you can’t fit a whole bird in the pressure cooker, this recipe is designed for a bone-in whole turkey breast. You should be able to fit a 6 or 7-pound breast inside a 6-quart Instant Pot. That is plenty of turkey for 4 to 6 people. This recipe is great when you have a smaller crowd and don’t need a whole turkey. Now, this recipe isn’t just for a special occasion like a holiday meal. It is easy enough for a weeknight or just when you get a hankering for a yummy turkey sandwich!

How to Make a Turkey Brine

Our favorite way to make turkey is to brine it before cooking. Brining the turkey makes infuses it with tons of great flavor and it is so tender and juicy. To make the brine, in a small bowl, combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, thyme, pepper, onion powder, basil, and a little cayenne. In a large pot, bring water, the seasoning mixture, and salt to a boil and cook until the salt has dissolved. Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Place the turkey breast in a large ziplock bag or bucket and pour the cooled brine over the turkey. Place the turkey in the refrigerator and chill for up to 12 hours. Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse it off with cold water. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Season the turkey with more of the seasoning blend.

Place the trivet/rack in the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. Place turkey breast side up on top of the trivet. Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the insert. Set the Instant Pot lid in place and seal/lock the lid. Close the vent. Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes. Do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes and then quick release any remaining pressure. Remove turkey from Instant Pot and place on baking sheet. Place under the oven broiler for a few minutes to crisp up the turkey skin, if desired. Let the turkey rest on a cutting board 10 minutes before carving with a sharp knife.

Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

You can use the recipe for the brine on any turkey and any cooking method.
Use a digital instant-read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 170ºF in the thickest part of the breast.
I used a 6 to 7-pound turkey breast and it was ready in about 40 minutes.
If you use a larger turkey breast, just add about 5 minutes of cook time per pound.
Do I have to make the brine? No. You can season the turkey any way you like and use the same cooking times to cook the turkey.
- You can use any seasoning combination that you enjoy. Fresh herbs, poultry seasoning, cajun seasoning, BBQ seasoning, garlic butter, or a packet of onion soup mix are both delicious.
Is the turkey brine gluten-free? Yes! The brine for the turkey is gluten-free.
For extra flavor, add some fresh onion and garlic in the bottom of the pressure cooker. Use the turkey drippings to make a delicious gravy.
Can I cook a frozen turkey breast? Yes! Cooking a turkey breast from frozen or partially thawed is perfectly safe. It will just take longer to cook from frozen, so make sure to plan accordingly.
This turkey breast is low-carb/keto-friendly and gluten-free.
Store leftover turkey meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator or in a resealable freezer bag and freeze to eat later.
Leftover turkey is great in soups, casseroles, and of course, turkey sandwiches!

What to Serve with Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast

This cooking process is virtually foolproof. No more dry turkey The turkey turns out perfectly every time. Even if this is your first time making a turkey, this is sure to turn out perfectly for your turkey dinner. We loved everything about this yummy turkey. It makes GREAT leftover turkey sandwiches!! I am counting down the days until we make this again!!

The best thing about using this instant pot recipe is that it frees up oven space for all those delicious side dishes. Green beans, mashed potatoes, squash casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, and pecan pie are all a must! Here are a few of our go-to recipes from the blog that do great with this easy recipe!

Vegetables