• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Midwexican
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Work With Me!
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Work With Me!
×
  • churro dutch baby in a pie pan garnished with powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar mixture.
    Churro Dutch Baby
  • chipotle chicken quesadilla
    Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas
  • Smoky homemade quesadilla sauce in a ramekin on a plate next to a cheese quesadilla.
    Quesadilla Sauce
  • pistachio cookies piled on a plate.
    Pistachio Snowball Cookies
  • Frozen grapes with tajin in an orange bowl.
    Frozen Grapes with Tajin
  • turkey gravy in a saucepan with a whisk.
    The Best Turketta Gravy (Turkey Breast Gravy)
  • turketta sliced on a cutting board next to a ramekin with turkey gravy.
    The Best Turketta (Turkey Porchetta)
  • thick black bean soup in a bowl topped with avocado, feta, and tortilla strips in a white bowl.
    Black Bean Soup (with Canned Beans)
  • chipotle chicken salad freshly mixed with fresh veggies in a bowl.
    Chipotle Chicken Salad
  • Dill Cucumber Salad freshly stirred in a bowl with a spatula.
    Creamy Dill Pickle Cucumber Salad
  • watermelon water in a glass with a lime wedge for garnish.
    Watermelon Water (Agua Fresca)
  • fruit with Tajin
    Mexican Fruit Salad with Tajin
Home » Recipes » Dinner

Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy

Published: Oct 19, 2021 · Modified: Nov 11, 2024 by Christina Koncker · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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 cooks. Simply hit saute and you'll have a flavorful gravy ready in minutes without dirtying another pan!

Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot served up sliced on a plate with more on a platter and a gravy in a boat.
Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love Instant Pot Turkey & Gravy
  • Ingredients
  • How to Cook Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
  • Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy
  • New Recipes on Midwexican!

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 recipe 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, I turned up the flavor volume to 11 by dousing it with Iron Range Porchetta Seasoning. Which I also use on this Bacon Wrapped Turketta recipe. By the way, this is a great turkey gravy recipe that's perfect for using leftover turkey breast carcass.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast after cooking on a cutting board with a knife and some gravy to the side.

Why You Will Love Instant Pot Turkey & Gravy

  • So Easy! Make turkey this holiday season or any time really with a lot less effort and less cleanup than the traditional way! Set it and forget it when you use a pressure cooker.
  • Perfectly Juicy. Since the pressure cooks by using water to create the heat it keeps the turkey so moist and juicy. Really it's incredible. Moist, turkey, and pressure cooker aren't words that you'd think belong in a sentence together, but seriously, this turkey is moist!
  • Makes Gravy Too. After your turkey cooks we use just one ingredient plus a little water to make a tasty turkey gravy to serve on the side.

From main dishes to sides, the Instant Pot makes cooking so easy! Try this pulled pork, salsa chicken, and pinto bean soup too!

Ingredients

  • Bone-In & Skin-On Turkey Breast. I am using a 5-pound Kirkwood turkey breast that I picked up at Aldi. It came with two gravy packets that I am using along with 2 cups of water to cook the turkey in. You could also use a boneless, skinless turkey breast here, the cook time will be the same. The more important thing is to choose a turkey that is around 5 pounds (okay to go plus or minus 1 pound or so).
  • Porchetta Seasoning + Salt & Pepper Mix. My 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! Feel free to use whatever seasoning you like; I love using porchetta seasoning. A decent Porchetta substitute is to use an Italian Seasoning Blend.
    • Note: I don't find the need to brine the turkey in advance because cooking in the Instant Pot keeps things nice and moist.
  • Water. This will keep the turkey nice and moist as it cooks. It's also essential for cooking in an electric pressure cooker. You could also use vegetable stock or chicken stock. Or use a homemade beef broth (also made in the Instant Pot!).
  • Aromatics. Optional, as the porchetta seasoning (or Italian seasoning) brings the flavor, but you could absolutely add onions, garlic, and fresh herbs like basil and oregano to the Instant Pot for added flavor during cooking.

Turkey Gravy Ingredients

  • Leftover turkey cooking liquid: We will thicken and transform it into a tasty gravy for the turkey breast.
  • Cornstarch + Water: For thickening.

How to Cook Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot

Pull out your Instant Pot and grab all your ingredients to make this dish. I am using an 8-quart Instant Pot to cook a turkey.

Bone-in Turkey Breast in the instant pot after cooking.
  1. Place the gravy packets and 2 cups of water in your Instant Pot. 
  2. Coat the turkey breast inside and out with 3 tablespoons of porchetta seasoning, followed by a half tablespoon of porchetta salt and pepper mix. 
  3. Place the seasoned turkey breast to the Instant Pot. Cover with the lid and make sure the pressure valve is closed.
  4. 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. 
  5. 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!
  6. Open the lid carefully and remove the turkey breast. If you want crispy skin follow the instructions in step #7. If not, jump to #8 to slice your turkey.
  7. Broil the 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. This step is optional if you don't want or need the skin crisped up.
  8. Place the turkey on a cutting board. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. Carve your turkey breast and serve! Enjoy.
Instant Pot Bone-in Turkey Breast in juices ready to carve and eat.

How to Make Turkey Gravy

  1. Press the Sauté function on your Instant Pot and set it for 7 minutes.
  2. Combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a ¼ cup of cold water and whisk together. Add the cornstarch slurry to the Instant Pot.
  3. Whisking frequently as it cooks and until the gravy thickens. Adjust the seasoning to suit your tastes.
A broiled Instant Pot Bone-in Turkey Breast with crisped up skin on a cutting board.

Serving Suggestions

Moist, juicy, perfectly cooking Instant Pot Turkey deserves to be paired with a fantastic side dish, like one of these!

Jazz up your Thanksgiving dinner with this jalapeno creamed corn and mashed white sweet potatoes. I also really love this creamed kale with cream cheese and cheesy Ranch potatoes too!

Use the leftovers to make leftover turkey tacos or turkey lentil soup. But it's also good straight from the fridge cold on a fresh turkey sandwich.

Sliced Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Porchetta seasoning topped with some gravy on a plate.

Expert Tips

  • Crispy Turkey Skin. 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.
  • The Secret to Moist, Juicy Turkey in the Instant Pot. 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.
  • Store Leftover Turkey Breast. 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!

Recipe FAQs

How long to cook turkey breast in the instant pot?

Instant pot turkey breast cooking time will ultimately depend on the weight of the breast you are cooking. I find that a 5-pound bone-in turkey breast is best cooked on the “Pressure Cook” setting for 30 minutes on High Pressure.

Note: The Instant Pot will take around 25 or so minutes to pressurize before cooking. 

What is the secret to a moist turkey?

Want to know what the secret to a moist turkey is? Cooking it in the Instant Pot with a cooking liquid! Seriously it turns out moist and juicy every time - provided that you also let the pressure naturally release after cooking.

I want crispy skin... How can I get crispy skin from a turkey breast cooked in the Instant Pot?

The only real downside to cooking a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast in a pressure cooker is that the skin won't exactly be crisp when it finishes cooking. To get that crispy skin you'll have to broil it in your oven as a final finishing touch. I recommend broiler for 5 minutes, but check after 2-3 minutes. Broiler cook times can vary and I'd hate for you to burn the skin.

How do I know for sure that my turkey has finished cooking?

If you want to be super extra careful, take the temperature of your turkey after it cooks. To be considered safe, the recommended internal temperature turkey breast must reach is at least 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part to ensure it is fully cooked.

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

  • instant pot arm roast
    Instant Pot Arm Roast
  • Instant Pot Porketta Roast
    Porketta Roast (in the Instant Pot)
  • Shredded instant pot salsa chicken in a bowl.
    Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
  • dr. pepper carnitas in a slow cooker
    Dr. Pepper Carnitas (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

If you tried this Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe (or any other recipe on Midwexican), please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it turned out in the 📝 comments below!

Sliced turkey breast in the instant pot on a plate.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy

Christina Koncker
This Instant Pot Bone-in Turkey Breast is perfect for serving a smaller crowd - and quickly! when you get your pressure cooker involved. The results are moist, juicy turkey that you don't have to fret over for hours. Plus you can make an easy gravy from the leftover cooking liquid.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 529 kcal

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” (or use an Italian Seasoning Blend)
  • 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. 
    2 gravy packets, 2 cups water
  • 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.
    5 pound bone-in skin-on turkey breast, 3 tablespoons porchetta seasoning “the Grass”, ½ tablespoon porchetta salt and pepper mix
  • Add the seasoned turkey breast to the Instant Pot. Cover and make sure the pressure valve is closed.
    5 pound bone-in skin-on turkey breast
  • 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.
    Leftover turkey cooking liquid, 2 tablespoons corn starch, ¼ cup water
  • Sauté, whisking frequently, until the gravy thickens. Adjust seasoning to suit your tastes. Makes about 4 cups.

Notes

*Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using an online nutrition calculator.
To get that crispy skin you'll have to broil it in your oven as a final finishing touch. I recommend broiling for 5 minutes, but check after 2-3 minutes. Broiler cook times can vary and I'd hate for you to burn the skin
Let the Instant Pot naturally release after the turkey breast has finished cooking. Rushing the pressure out too quickly results in drying out the protein.
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

Nutrition

Calories: 529kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 76gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 202mgSodium: 1631mgPotassium: 93mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 126IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 3mg
Save this Recipe!Saved!
Tried this recipe?Tag #midwexican and tell us how it was!

New Recipes on Midwexican!

These are my newest recipes, check 'em out!

  • Dill pickle spears treated elote style, covered in crema, cotija, and tajin seasoning.
    Elote-Style Dill Pickle Spears
  • creamy salsa dressing.
    Creamy Salsa Dressing
  • Topo Chico Sabores Sparkling Water Review
    Topo Chico Sparkling Water Review
  • A mini naan pizza topped with prosciutto and jalapenos fresh from the air fryer.
    Mini Naan Pizzas in the Air Fryer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

More Mexican & Tex-Mex Dinner Recipes

  • chicken fajita tacos
    Chicken Fajita Tacos
  • venison soup
    Venison Soup
  • ground chicken picadillo
    Ground Chicken Picadillo
  • walleye tacos
    Walleye Fish Tacos
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Ronald Hamstad

    October 26, 2021 at 6:53 pm

    Perfect for sandwiches! You don't need crispy skin!

    Reply
  2. Holly Kalinowski

    October 19, 2021 at 6:07 pm

    5 stars
    Mmmm, getting my instant pot out!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Christina from Midwexican

About Christina

I'm a Minnesota native who can't get enough of south-of-the-border flavors. My recipes combine comforting Midwestern eats with bold Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors. If you love comforting food, bold flavors, and - most importantly - tacos! then you'll love what I'm cooking!

Learn more about me

Summer Fare

  • A bowl of top ramen noodle salad.
    Spicy Top Ramen Noodle Salad
  • watermelon water in a glass with a lime wedge for garnish.
    Watermelon Water (Agua Fresca)
  • fruit with Tajin
    Mexican Fruit Salad with Tajin
  • Dill pickle pasta salad without mayo in a bowl.
    Dill Pickle Pasta Salad (without Mayo)
  • Dill Cucumber Salad freshly stirred in a bowl with a spatula.
    Creamy Dill Pickle Cucumber Salad
  • Creamy lemon mustard dressing in a jar in front of a plate of lemon slices.
    Creamy Lemon Dijon Dressing

Popular Recipes

  • Instant Pot Pork Butt
    Instant Pot Pork Butt (Pulled Pork)
  • air fryer walleye
    Air Fryer Walleye
  • honey chipotle sauce
    Easy Honey Chipotle Sauce
  • creamy sour cream enchilada sauce
    Creamy Sour Cream Enchilada Sauce
  • instant pot arm roast
    Instant Pot Arm Roast
  • restaurant style refried beans from a can
    Restaurant Style Refried Beans from a Can

Footer

↑ back to top

About Me

  • Learn More!

Work With Me!

  • Let's Collaborate!

Contact

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Midwexican - Powered by Feast+

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.