Instant Pot Turkey Breast is so quick and gives you a juicy turkey breast each time! This is really a game changer for the holidays, freeing up your oven for other delicious food. Brining the turkey first makes the flavor stand out so be sure not to skip this step!
1herb bouquetthyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, chives, and basil
½gallonapple cidercan substitute with apple juice
½ cup kosher salt
½cupdark brown sugar
1handfulgingersliced
10garlic clovessmashed
2naval orangesquartered
2tablespoonapple cider vinegar
1tablespoonhot red pepper flakes
icefor brining bucket or pot if brining outside of the refrigerator
Cooking Ingredients
1cupchicken broth
½onionsliced
1celery stalksliced
1carrotpeeled and sliced
Gravy Ingredients
3tablespooncornstarch
3tbsp water
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Brining solution and brining the turkey
Combine apple cider, kosher salt, and dark brown sugar in the Instant Pot. Set to saute and cook just long enough to melt sugar and dissolve salt. Turn off and remove inner pot from heat. Cool for 15 minutes.
Stuff cavity of thawed turkey breast or turkey with some of the fresh herbs, and some orange quarters. Add turkey to large pot or brining bucket.
Add the remaining brining ingredients to large pot or brining bucket.
Cooking the turkey breast or turkey
Add the sliced onion, celery, and carrot along with the chicken broth to the Instant Pot. Add rack on top. Place turkey in Instant Pot and seal lid.
Cook on high (normal) pressure for 30 minutes then follow with a 10 minute natural pressure release. Allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes prior to slicing and deboning.
If desired, brown in oven on broil for 5-10 minutes. Or brown with air fryer at 400-degrees for a few minutes.
To make a gravy combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Turn the pressure cooker on to saute. Add the cornstarch slurry, and stir until thickened. You can add additional cornstarch slurry if you like. Salt and pepper the gravy to taste.
Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one week.
Notes
Thaw in refrigerator, and cook from cold for best results per the USDA recommendations for thawing turkey.Double the brining solution for a whole turkey. Brine a minimum of 8-hours and up to 18-hours. Do not rinse the turkey after brining.If you would like to brown your turkey breast remove from the pressure cooker once it has finished cooking to a baking sheet with the rack. Cook on broil for 5-10 minutes until the turkey is browned to your liking. Or, use your air fryer at 400-degrees for a few minutes to do the browning.Note: Nutritional values exclude brining solution as this is not consumed, only the turkey and gravy is eaten in this recipe. Also, you can use as large of a turkey breast that will fit in your pressure cooker as there is plenty of brining solution. If dramatically larger you may want to increase the cook times slightly.