Description

This Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe delivers a tender, juicy, and flavorful turkey perfect for a quick and convenient meal. The turkey is seasoned with a blend of spices, seared to lock in flavor, then pressure cooked to perfection in an Instant Pot. Served with a rich, creamy homemade gravy, this dish is ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions, providing all the comfort of a traditional roast turkey in a fraction of the time.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 medium turkey breast (about 3–4 pounds)
1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup water

For the Gravy

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)

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Instructions

Prepare the Turkey: Use a paper towel to completely pat dry the turkey breast. Rub vegetable oil, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and garlic evenly over the turkey. Set aside on a plate for at least 15 minutes to marinate, preferably bringing it to room temperature for juicier meat.
Sear the Turkey: Turn on the Instant Pot to the Sauté function on high. Add butter and let it melt until bubbling, about 1 minute. Sear the turkey breast for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. The turkey does not need to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove and set aside.
Set Up for Pressure Cooking: Place a wire rack inside the Instant Pot. Pour in 1/2 cup water into the pot to catch turkey drippings and prevent smoking. Place the seared turkey breast back onto the wire rack inside the pot.
Pressure Cook the Turkey: Close and seal the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the steam release knob is in the sealed position. Set to manual pressure cook for 30 minutes. After cooking, either allow natural pressure release for about 20 minutes or perform a quick release by turning the valve to venting.
Rest the Turkey: Transfer the cooked turkey to a plate and tent with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
Make the Gravy: Keep the turkey drippings inside the Instant Pot. Turn the Sauté function back on high. Whisk in flour, chicken broth, and heavy cream until smooth. Cook for 2-3 minutes until gravy thickens to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve: Slice the rested turkey breast and serve with the creamy homemade gravy.

Notes

Bringing the turkey to room temperature before cooking helps ensure even cooking and better juiciness.
Searing the turkey before pressure cooking locks in flavor and gives a nice browned appearance.
Use a wire rack inside the Instant Pot to avoid the turkey sitting in water, ensuring better texture.
Allowing natural pressure release enhances tenderness, but quick release can be used if short on time.
Resting the turkey after cooking lets the juices redistribute, preventing dryness.
The gravy can be thickened to your preferred consistency; adjust flour quantity accordingly.
Leftover turkey and gravy are great for sandwiches or reheated meals.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 3.5 oz cooked turkey and gravy)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 520 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 32 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg