You can easily cook a bone-in turkey breast for a smaller crowd - and quickly! when you get your Instant Pot involved. The results are moist, juicy turkey that you don't have to fret over for hours.
And the lovely drippings that are leftover after the Instant Pot Turkey Breast cook? Simply hit saute and you'll have a flavorful gravy ready in minutes without dirtying another pan!
Turkey is a fickle bird. How many overcooked, painfully dry turkeys have you had to endure in the name of tradition? Even one is too many.
Don't get me wrong, turkey that is well cooked is.... okay, admittedly even when well cooked turkey is just so damn boring. I've never been a big fan of turkey because why put in the effort for a protein that's often lackluster at best?
This Instant Pot Turkey Breast has officially changed my mind. Not only is turkey cooked in the Instant Pot moist and juicy, it cooks quickly and you don't have to baby it - worry about wrapping it in a baking bag, turning it and basting during cooking, watching the timer like a hawk...
PLUS, turned up the flavor volume up to 11 by dousing it with Iron Range Porchetta Seasoning.
WHAT IS IRON RANGE PORCHETTA SEASONING?
Iron Range Porchetta Seasoning is this earthy, Italian herb bomb. It's got basil, rosemary, oregano, fennel, and more! It’s so incredibly amazing, a bevy of Italian seasonings brought together to create one seriously stellar seasoning mix. Traditionally it's used to season pork, but wouldn't you know it works amazingly well on turkey too!
The Secret to Moist, Juicy Turkey in the Instant Pot is....
To let the Instant Pot naturally release after the turkey breast has finished cooking. That's it, that's the secret! Rushing the pressure out too quickly results in drying out the protein. You definitely don't want that.
Flabby skin, your biggest reservation
Okay yeah, the skin on your turkey is gonna be flabby and pale when cooked solely in the Instant Pot. If you gotta have that golden brown and crisped-up skin (and I know you do!), you're gonna want to broil it before you carve it.
My Instant Pot
The Instant Pot I own and used to cook this bone-in turkey breast is an 8-quart model.
Specifically, this one:
The Bone-in Turkey Breast
I picked up a 5-pound Kirkwood turkey breast at Aldi. It came with two gravy packets that I used along with 2 cups of water to cook the turkey in.
Bone-in Turkey Breast in your Instant Pot. It's the move this holiday season, I'm telling you.
INGREDIENTS
- 5 pound bone-in skin-on turkey breast (Kirkwood brand with two included gravy packets)
- 3 tablespoons porchetta seasoning “the Grass”
- ½ tablespoon porchetta salt and pepper mix
- 2 gravy packets (included with turkey breast)
- 2 cups water
Turkey Gravy
- Leftover turkey cooking liquid
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- ¼ cup water
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add the included gravy packets and 2 cups of water to your Instant Pot.
- Coat the turkey breast inside and out with 3 tablespoons of porchetta seasoning, followed by ½ tablespoon porchetta salt and pepper mix. Alternatively, season however you would like.
- Add the seasoned turkey breast to the Instant Pot. Cover and make sure the pressure valve is closed.
- Select “Pressure Cook” and set the timer to 30 minutes on High Pressure. The Instant Pot will take around 25 or so minutes to pressurize before cooking.
- When the Instant Pot beeps (finishes cooking), press "Cancel” to turn it off. Let the pressure release naturally as this will keep the turkey moist and juicy. This will take upwards of an hour or so - be patient, it's worth it!
- Optional step: For crispy skin, broil cooked turkey breast in the oven until golden brown and crispy. You may have to rotate the pan during broiling to ensure even crisping, so keep a watchful eye during this step. Preheat your oven in advance so you can put the turkey in the oven as soon as the pressure has finished naturally releasing from the Instant Pot.
- Once the pressure has naturally released, open the lid carefully. Remove the turkey breast and place on a cutting board. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.
- Carve your turkey breast and serve with gravy (see steps below).
Turkey Gravy
- Make gravy with the turkey gravy and drippings leftover in the Instant Pot. Press the Sauté function on your Instant Pot and set for 7 minutes.
- Combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of cold water, whisking to combine. Add the cornstarch slurry to the Instant Pot.
- Sauté, whisking frequently, until the gravy thickens. Adjust seasoning to suit your tastes. Makes about 4 cups.
Leftovers
Store leftover turkey in a tightly sealed container and refrigerate for up to five days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months.
Try repurposing leftover turkey in a quesadilla!
If you like this, you should also try:
- Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms
- Mashed White Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Honey Butter
- Jalapeno Popper Creamed Kale
- Iron Range Porchetta Seasoning
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Equipment
- 8-quart instant pot
Ingredients
- 5 pound bone-in skin-on turkey breast (Kirkwood brand with two included gravy packets)
- 3 tablespoons porchetta seasoning “the Grass”
- ½ tablespoon porchetta salt and pepper mix
- 2 gravy packets (included with turkey breast)
- 2 cups water
Turkey Gravy
- Leftover turkey cooking liquid
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Add the included gravy packets and 2 cups of water to your Instant Pot.
- Coat the turkey breast inside and out with 3 tablespoons of porchetta seasoning, followed by ½ tablespoon porchetta salt and pepper mix. Alternatively, season however you would like.
- Add the seasoned turkey breast to the Instant Pot. Cover and make sure the pressure valve is closed.
- Select “Pressure Cook” and set the timer to 30 minutes on High Pressure. The Instant Pot will take around 25 or so minutes to pressurize before cooking.
- When the Instant Pot beeps (finishes cooking), press "Cancel” to turn it off. Let the pressure release naturally as this will keep the turkey moist and juicy. This will take upwards of an hour or so - be patient, it's worth it!
- Optional step: For crispy skin, broil cooked turkey breast in the oven until golden brown and crispy. You may have to rotate the pan during broiling to ensure even crisping, so keep a watchful eye during this step. Preheat your oven in advance so you can put the turkey in the oven as soon as the pressure has finished naturally releasing from the Instant Pot.
- Once the pressure has naturally released, open the lid carefully. Remove the turkey breast and place on a cutting board. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.
- Carve your turkey breast and serve with gravy (see steps below).
Turkey Gravy
- Make gravy with the turkey gravy and drippings leftover in the Instant Pot. Press the Sauté function on your Instant Pot and set for 7 minutes.
- Combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of cold water, whisking to combine. Add the cornstarch slurry to the Instant Pot.
- Sauté, whisking frequently, until the gravy thickens. Adjust seasoning to suit your tastes. Makes about 4 cups.
Holly Kalinowski says
Mmmm, getting my instant pot out!
Ronald Hamstad says
Perfect for sandwiches! You don't need crispy skin!