Instant Pot Turkey Breast - Real Life Dinner

What’s your favorite way to cook a turkey? I happen to think my way is perfect because it is soooo much easier than doing a brine or other fancy methods, but you still get incredible flavor and a perfectly cooked turkey. I’ve been making it the same way for years and years. I’m excited to tell you that my favorite method also works in the Instant Pot. A whole turkey won’t fit, but the turkey breasts in the freezer section of the grocery store fit perfectly. With this Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe, you will have a delicious, moist turkey breast in an hour. Now, that’s a win in my book.

I guess, I should clarify that this turkey will be extra juicy and practically falling off the bone…just want to make sure you are cool with that. I should also clarify that this isn’t the recipe for you if you want a beautiful crisp-topped turkey. This is for you if you like a really moist, flavorful turkey breast. If you’ve got a turkey breast, an orange, a lemon, garlic, salt and pepper, you are all set! Let me show you how to do it!

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

Step-by-Step Photos for How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Tips for How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Breast

The cooking time is for a bone-in turkey breast.
To thaw the turkey breast, I place mine in the fridge for a day or two before I plan to cook it.
Remove any giblets or gravy packets that come in your turkey breast.
After placing a couple of peeled garlic cloves inside the breast, you can make slits in the breast and push the reaming cloves into the meat instead of just throwing them into the pot.
Make sure to place the turkey breast in the Instant Pot breast-side down. This will yield a juicier turkey breast.
You need 1 cup of liquid. So depending on how juicy your orange and lemon are, you will need to add anywhere from 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of water to equal 1 cup.
When the turkey breast is done cooking, you can either let it naturally release or do a quick release.
After removing the turkey breast from the Instant Pot, you can turn the pot setting to saute and make gravy out of the drippings.

Chef’s Tools:

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

50 mins

Total time

55 mins

A fast way to make a delicious Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving or any time of the year! Couldn't be easier.

Author: Maria

Recipe type: Turkey

Cuisine: Thanksgiving

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

1 turkey breast (bone-in)
1 orange
1 lemon
4-6 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
3 tbsp butter
½-3/4 cup water (This depends on how juicy your orange and lemon are.)

Instructions

Thaw your turkey breast. I leave mine in the fridge for a day or two before I plan to cook it.
Remove any giblets or gravy packets that come in your turkey breast.
Place the turkey breast in the Instant Pot breast-side down.
Next, squeeze the juice from the orange and lemon over the turkey breast.
Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper.
Peel the garlic cloves and add a couple into the cavity of the turkey and throw the rest in anywhere, or if you want to, you can make slits in the breast and push them into the meat.
You need 1 cup of liquid. So depending on how juicy your orange and lemon are, you will need to add anywhere from ½ cup to ¾ cup of water to equal 1 cup.
Next, place the butter in the Instant Pot.
Put the lid on and set to high pressure for 50 minutes if totally thawed or 60 minutes if still slightly frozen.
When it's done cooking, you can either let it naturally release or do a quick release.
Remove the turkey breast, and then you can turn the pot setting to saute and make gravy out of the drippings.