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Today’s Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe allows you to serve juicy, succulent turkey with buttery, crispy skin and rich pan juices in less than 45 minutes. It’s perfect for enjoying turkey anytime the mood strikes, or for preparing just the right amount of turkey for your immediate family.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe

Whether you’re preparing dinner for a smaller group or (like my family) have family traditions that insist upon multiple filling mains, using a turkey breast for Thanksgiving or a special family meal is a great option that still gets you all of the flavor and tradition, without all of the leftovers!

Using your Instant Pot to cook a turkey breast is also a great way to enjoy all of the flavors (and festivity) of a roast turkey on even a busy weeknight or on a low-key weekend when you want to have a classic family roast dinner but don’t want to spend the whole afternoon in the kitchen.

(Tip: If you’re more of a fan of dark meat, check our our Copycat Disneyland Turkey Legs recipe instead.)

This easy roast turkey breast recipe comes out beautifully thanks to a quick sear in the Instant Pot to give it crispy, golden skin and then using our Instant Pot to steam cook the turkey in less than 30 minutes over a flavorful broth.

The result is tender, succulent turkey with crispy, buttery skin with a gentle herbed flavor profile – ready in less than 45 minutes!

Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe FAQs

Do I need to leave the skin on? The skin helps protect the meat from drying out during pressure cooking and browns beautifully during the sear. It is optional but recommended.

How do I know the turkey is done? Turkey breast should reach an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest point. Pressure cooking times are reliable, but a quick check with a thermometer is helpful. This is the meat thermometer I have been using for the past 6 years – I’ve never had to change a battery and it’s super sturdy and reliable. It was a bit pricey, but unlike the $15 models that you can buy, this one isn’t going to need replacement. It is waterproof and comes with a two-year warranty. (Thermoworks also has a $15 pocket-sized model if you want to try that out first before investing in the MK4.)

Can I use frozen turkey breast? The best flavor and texture will come from using thawed turkey, as frozen meat will not sear well and will need significantly longer pressure cooking time.

However, if you forgot to take your turkey breast out of the freezer, you can still successfully make this recipe with frozen turkey breast. Skip the searing step and increase the cooking time to 9-10 minutes per pound (so 27-30 minutes for a 3lb turkey breast, etc) and increase the natural release time to 15 minutes.

If you still want the crispy skin, you can sear the turkey breast in the Instant Pot (with broth removed) or in a skillet on the stove after fully cooking through in the Instant Pot.

What can I do with the cooking liquid? The liquid makes a nice base for a simple gravy or can be reduced slightly and spooned over the sliced meat. (Check out our method for making homemade gravy here.)

Ingredients for Instant Pot Turkey Breast

• Oil
• Skin-On Turkey Breast
• Butter, softened
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• Poultry Seasoning <– grab our homemade poultry seasoning recipe here
• Chili Powder, optional
• Chicken Broth or Water

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: swap out our suggested seasonings for your personal favorites, or check out our variations above.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Cutting Board
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Kitchen Tongs
• Instant Pot <– I’m so excited to upgrade to this one with air fryer capacities soon! (You can also just buy the lid which adds the air fryer capacity to your standard IP.)

How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Place oil in your instant pot and set to saute.

Rub the turkey breast all over with butter and then season to personal preference with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning and chili powder.

Once the oil is hot, place the turkey breast skin side-down into the hot oil and brown completely, about 3-4 minutes.

Flip and brown on the underside for 2 minutes before removing the turkey breast to a clean plate.

Turn the saute setting off and add the chicken broth or water to the instant pot.

Place the IP Trivet in the instant pot and then set the turkey breast overtop.

Secure the IP lid and set to poultry to cook for 6-7 minutes per pound, so 14 minutes for a 2lb turkey breast, 21 minutes for a 3lb turkey breast, etc.

Allow IP to natural release for 10 minutes.If desired, place the turkey breast under the broiler for 2 minutes to crisp up the skin a bit more.

Pin this Super Simple Recipe for Juicy and Tender Turkey Breast Cooked Completely in the Instant Pot:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our Instant Pot Turkey breast recipe:

I hope your family loves this easy Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe as much as mine does!

For more easy Instant Pot ideas, check out our full Instant Pot recipe collection here:

For more ways to enjoy turkey, check out our full turkey recipe collection here: