The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe is just the easy Thanksgiving main dish that you’ve been searching for. The recipe will cost $18.69 to make and will serve 12 people.
For a complete guide to help you plan Thanksgiving, be sure to download our FREE Thanksgiving Dinner Planning Guide.
What are your favorite holiday traditions? One of the biggest traditions in every family is how you cook the turkey. We don’t know about you, but our family only likes white meat when we have a turkey for Thanksgiving. The dark meat is usually what’s leftover for recycling into recipes the next week, and honestly, we do not look forward to the week after Thanksgiving because of this!
What can we do to get around this food waste? Well, we can cook what we like! Who says we have to cook an entire turkey?
If your family is like ours, create a new tradition this year and make this turkey breast recipe instead of the whole bird!
There are several benefits to cooking just the turkey breast instead of the entire turkey. First, as we already mentioned, you get all white meat! Don’t you always end up throwing away some turkey the next week and feel bad doing it? Well, waste no more!
Yay for wasting less and saving money, as you are only buying what you need instead of literally throwing it in the trash.
Secondly, this recipe is an Instant Pot turkey breast. What?! Yes, you heard us right, turkey breast made in the instant pot. You can save time cooking the turkey in the instant pot and leave the oven open to make other delicious items like our One-hour dinner rolls!
Lastly, this turkey breast recipe is so juicy, unlike other recipes where the white meat comes out tasting dry. Dry turkey is the worst! So, what do you say? Ready for a new Thanksgiving turkey tradition? Let’s do this!
How do I know when my turkey is done?
A turkey needs to reach 170 degrees in the breast to be safe to eat. There are several ways to check if a turkey is done, but the best way is by using a thermometer.
How do you use the trivet in the Instant Pot?
When using the trivet in your Instant Pot, you simply place it in the pot’s bottom with the handles up. That’s it! The trivet basically keeps the food above the waterline, which then enables even steaming and cooking.
Ingredients and Cost
RECIPE COST: $18.69
PER SERVING COST: $1.56
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
- 7 lb bone-in skin-on turkey breast – $15.96
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter – $0.30
- 2 Tablespoons poultry seasoning – $0.42
- 1 teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.04
- 2 cups chicken or turkey broth – $0.96
- 2 large celery stalks – $0.18
- 1 medium yellow onion – $0.48
- 1 large carrot – $0.14
- 4 garlic cloves – $0.20
Instructions
STEP ONE: First, place the trivet in Instant Pot Insert. Put the celery, onions, carrots, garlic on top of the trivet, and pour in broth.
STEP TWO: Next, in a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set this mixture aside.
STEP THREE: Run the turkey breast under cold water as you remove the gravy packet. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
STEP FOUR: Then, use a pastry brush to brush turkey breast with butter mixture. Nestle the turkey breast, breast side up, onto the veggies.
STEP FIVE: Secure the Instant Pot lid and ensure that the valve is in the sealing position. Select MANUAL and set the pressure to HIGH and the timer to 35 minutes.
STEP SIX: Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 25 minutes.
STEP SEVEN: While the pressure releases, move the oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil; set aside.
STEP EIGHT: Once the instant pot has naturally released for 25 minutes, move the valve to “venting” to release any additional steam. Then, open the lid and use a large carving fork to remove the Instant Pot’s turkey.
STEP NINE: Finally, place the turkey breast on the prepared baking sheet and roast the turkey in the oven until the skin is crisp and golden in color. DON’T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE TURKEY DURING THIS STEP! Remove the breast from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before cutting into slices and serving. (While the turkey rests, it’s a good time to make our Instant Pot gravy from the pan drippings!)
***Make sure you check out the recipe video in the recipe card below!
Cook’s Tools:
- carving fork
- chef’s knife
- cutting board
- Instant Pot
- rimmed baking sheet
The Flavor and Recipe Variations:
- Roasting the turkey in the oven to get crispy, golden skin is optional, so feel free to skip this step.
- Make our Instant Pot Gravy to add even more flavor to the turkey breast. After all, what’s a turkey without the gravy anyway!?!
- If you need to make more than 6 servings of turkey, then you can cook in batches or ask a friend or family member if you could borrow their Instant Pot!
How long is this good for:
- Serve: Turkey should not sit at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
- Store: Leftover turkey will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Place cooked and cooled turkey in freezer-safe Ziploc bags and squeeze out any air before sealing and placing it in the freezer. Frozen this way, the turkey will keep for up to 3 months.
How to get the kids involved with this recipe:
- Ages 2-3: Let your little one place the trivet in the pot and pour in the broth.
- Ages 4-5: Let your kiddo arrange the vegetables in an even layer on top of the trivet. You can also have them mix the butter and seasonings. Also, have them help you keep a watch on the turkey while it gets it golden, crispy skin in the oven.
- Ages 6-8: Let them wash the turkey and brush on the oil mixture before placing it in the Instant Pot.
- Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
- Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.
What to Serve with a Turkey Breast:
- French-Bread Stuffing Recipe
- Easy Orange Cranberry Sauce
- 1-Hour Dinner Rolls
- Green Beans Almondine
- Jenna’s Naughty Mashed Potatoes
- 1 Hour French Bread
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Corn Muffins
- Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
- Easy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Fresh Green Beans Almondine
- Orange Cranberry Sauce
More +$15 recipes:
- BBQ Chicken Salad
- Beef Chuck Roast
- Easy Oven Baked Salmon
- Easy Taco Pizza
- Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
- Machaca Burritos
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Equipment
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- Instant Pot
- rimmed baking sheet
- carving fork
Ingredients
- 7-9 lb bone-in skin-on turkey breast
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter melted
- 2 Tablespoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups chicken or turkey broth
- 2 large celery stalks cut into large chunks
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped into large chunks
- 1 large carrot cut into large chunks
- 4 large garlic cloves
Instructions
- Place trivet in Instant Pot Insert. Put the celery, onions, carrots, and garlic on top of the trivet, and pour in broth.
- In a small bowl whisk together melted butter, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Run the turkey breast under cold water, remove gravy pocket, and pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
- Use a pastry brush to brush turkey breast with butter mixture. Nestle the turkey breast, breast side up, onto the veggies.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, and make sure that the valve is in the sealing position. Select MANUAL and set the pressure to HIGH and the timer to 35 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 25 minutes.
- While the pressure releases, move the oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat the oven to 450 degrees Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil; set aside.
- Once the instant pot has naturally released for 25 minutes, move the valve to venting to release any additional steam. Then, open the lid and use a large carving fork to remove the turkey from the Instant Pot.
- Place the turkey breast on the prepared baking sheet and roast the turkey in the oven until the skin is crisp and golden in color. DON’T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE TURKEY DURING THIS STEP! Remove the breast from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before cutting into slices and serving. (While the turkey rests, it’s a good time to make our Instant Pot gravy from the pan drippings!)
Ashley says
I made this for dinner this week and it was so good. We will definitely make it again.
Jess Jankowski says
Awesome! So glad you liked it. Thank you for the review!
Chrysa says
I love that this cooks right in the Instant Pot. I don’t have the patience for the oven!
Jess Jankowski says
Who has time for the oven?!??
Aimee Mars says
This may sound crazy but I’ve never make turkey breast before but have been wanting to try it out. This looks like a delicious and easy recipe to start with and I love how you included the age-appropriate options for kids to help.
Jess Jankowski says
I actually think you are not alone in that but here is your perfect opportunity to try it!
Pam Greer says
We are only having a few people over this year and I was thinking about doing a turkey breast in the Instant Pot and trying to figure out how to do it! So thank you so much for this!
Jess Jankowski says
It’s the perfect solution! Enjoy!
Anita says
This will be perfect for our Thanksgivings this year. There won’t be a lot of us gathering, and a 7 lb. is just the right amount of turkey. Plus, this is less work and less hassle with an Instant Pot. 🙂
Jess Jankowski says
Right?! Way easier!
Jennifer says
I tested this for Thanksgiving and it was delicious! THANK YOU!
Jess Jankowski says
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it!
Chris Collins says
I never thought of cooking turkey breast in the IP, but I’ll definitely be giving it a go!!
Jess Jankowski says
It’s so easy you will love it!
TIsha says
This is a great way to prepare turkey instead of waiting all day for it cook in the oven!
Jess Jankowski says
It’s life changing!
Matt Freund says
This looks so good and its easy too. I am going to try it.
Jess Jankowski says
Tell us how it goes!
Jenny says
Jess, How big is your Instant Pot? I just got my first one and it is an 8 quart. This recipe looks delicious and a possibility for Christmas dinner. However, I’m wondering how much turkey breast I can cook in it. Thank you!
Jess Jankowski says
Mine is the 8qt. You are going to LOVE your instant pot!
Rikki says
Do you put the turkey breast in frozen or thaw it out?
Jess Jankowski says
Hello! The turkey breast should be thawed first. Thank you!
Stacy says
Hello! I’m making this today for Easter! My turkey breast is about 5.5 pounds, however. I always struggle with cooking times. Would the cooking time and pressure release time be the same with a turkey breast that is a little smaller? Thanks!
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Stacy, you can cook it for 30-32 minutes with a smaller bird, but if you did 35 minutes that should be ok.
Andréa Janssen says
I love instant pot recipes, because you can make this in advance. Your turkey breast sounds so delicious.
Jess Jankowski says
Isn’t the Instant Pot the best? Love that you can have something cooking in it and still have room on the stove for something else!
Amy Chung says
I’m Australian so we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but when the time does roll around, I love checking out all the amazing recipes and man, you guys really know how to feast! Love this turkey recipe and can’t believe how cost effective it is to feed 12 people!
Jess Jankowski says
The price is the best part, next to the taste of course!
Sula says
Wonderful! I can almost taste the turkey sandwiches!
Jess Jankowski says
Turkey sandwiches on a homemade roll are the best!
Sanna says
I’m vegetarian but I’ll share the recipe with my son.
Jess Jankowski says
Thanks so much for sharing our recipe!
Saif says
I love turkey breast. It is nice to eat it with mash potato and vegetable salads. Definitely going to make one
Jess Jankowski says
And I love to make a gravy to go with it too!
Calvin says
Nice and lean turkey recipe. Easy to make!
Jess Jankowski says
It makes any meal a breeze!
Jessica says
Can I use turkey thighs instead? How long would it need to cook if I use 7-9 lbs? Thanks!
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Jessica. We actually have not tried it with turkey thighs before so we wouldn’t be able to say for sure what to do. Go for it though and let us know how it turns out. We would love to know!
Gloria SOMMERS says
i have a 6qt how big for a turkey breast for that size
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Gloria, the max size that will fit in a 6qt Instant Pot is a 9lb turkey breast.
Liz Walter says
Can I use a pressure cooker instead? I don’t have an Instant Pot.
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Liz, we have not ever made this in anything other than the Instant Pot. We would love to hear how it goes if you give it a try!
Patti says
Holy moly, this was wonderful! It was just myself and my husband this year for a COVID Thanksgiving. We had a 5 pound boneless turkey breast and it was so juicy and flavorful! Would definitely do this again!
Jess Jankowski says
That’s amazing! Thank you for letting us know…so happy you enjoyed it!
Denise Parlett says
I will never make turkey any other way now! This was so easy and delicious. We don’t eat the skin so I skipped the broiler browning. The broth was perfectly delicious.
Jess Jankowski says
So happy you enjoyed it as much as we do!
Karen says
I look forward to trying this…quick question, what do you do with the carrots, celery and onions? What is their purpose for the recipe?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Karen, we are excited for you to try it! The veggies are to add flavor to the gravy that you make using the drippings from the turkey breast in this recipe. Let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
Sondra says
Did this last year and loved it and plan to do again this year. Question though. I’m only cooking a 3.5 pound turkey breast. What is the cooking time?
Jess Jankowski says
Yay, we are so glad you love it as much as we do! We haven’t tested this recipe with a 3.5-pound turkey but we would guess about 21 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.