Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy

Whether you host a smaller Thanksgiving and don’t need a whole turkey, or you really just don’t have a ton of people who eat turkey, here’s a resolution to that… our recipe for Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy. Not only will it eliminate another item from using your oven, but it also simplifies the daunting part of actually cooking the turkey. There’s a little bonus with this too. By cooking the turkey in the Instant Pot, you’re less likely to end up with a dried out peace of breast. The Instant Pot ensures a nice, tender, and moist turkey breast every time. I also feel like it’s less mess. For some reason, I never fail to make a mess in my oven on Thanksgiving! Anyone else?

First things first, if you’ve purchased frozen, or froze your turkey breast while waiting for Thanksgiving, it’s important to put it in the refrigerator a few days in advance. By doing so, it’ll give it time to fully thaw (which it needs to be for this recipe). Learn from my mistake, be sure to put it in a dish or pan in the refrigerator while it thaws. Otherwise, you run the risk of it leaking turkey juice through your entire bottom shelf and under the glass. Ask me how I know. I guess it did teach me how to disassemble the glass shelves in our refrigerator! Trying to look at the bright side here.

You can use whichever Instant Pot you have at home, but I did find that my size worked just right for a 5.5lb bone-in turkey breast. You can click here to see the one I have. Not an affiliate link, just letting you know! Mine did fit the 5.5lb turkey breast, but didn’t have much room to spare in the 6qt pot. So, do keep this in mind if you plan to do a larger breast. You’ll probably need to opt for the larger Instant Pot.

HOW MUCH TURKEY DO SERVE PER PERSON?

Do you need help figuring out just how much turkey to serve at your meal? It really depends on a few things.

1. Do you want leftovers?
   If so, account for an extra 1/2lb per person.
2. Are you serving a whole bunch of sides plus ham?
   I would recommend allotting about 3/4lb per person if you are servings a lot of sides, adding in ham, or you don’t want any leftovers.

If you won’t be having any ham and will be serving a moderate amount of sides, I’d recommend allotting 1lb per person.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS RECIPE

• Bone-in turkey breast
• ground black pepper
• garlic salt
• rubbed sage
• dried thyme
• smoked paprika
• butter
• cornstarch
• chicken stock

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT TURKEY BREAST WITH GRAVY

(full recipe card below)

• Mix together all of your spices in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Remove your turkey breast from the packaging, and remove any and all gravy packets or items that came with the turkey.
• Rub your spice mixture all over the turkey breast, so that it is completely covered. Set aside.
• Turn your Instant Pot on to SAUTE.
• Add the butter to the Instant Pot.
• Place your turkey in the Instant Pot breast side down and sear for about 8 minutes.
• Remove the turkey from the Instant Pot and set aside.
• Pour 1 cup of chicken stock in the bottom of the Instant Pot and scrape the bits from the bottom of the pot to loosen them.
• Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot and place the chicken breast, breast side up in the Instant Pot.
• Secure the lid.
• Turn the valve to SEALING.
• Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 28 minutes.
• Press CANCEL.
• Naturally release the pressure, do not quick-release.
• Once pressure is released, remove the lid, turkey, and trivet.
• While the turkey is cooling, add the remaining chicken stock to the Instant Pot and press SAUTE.
• In a separate small bowl, make your cornstarch slurry using cornstarch and water.
• Add them to the Instant Pot and whisk until the gravy has thickened, about 3-5 minutes.

CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME?

The turkey can, but I’d recommend saving the drippings and making the gravy the day of serving. If you make the turkey ahead of time, I’d recommend pulling the meat from the bone and freezing in an air tight container, then reheating the day of serving.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR INSTANT POT TURKEY BREAST WITH GRAVY

• Something to keep in mind is the size of your turkey breast compared to the size of your Instant Pot. The recipe calls for using the trivet, so it will raise the turkey breast up slightly. You’ll need to still be able to secure the lid. I found that my 6qt Instant Pot fit a 5.5lb bone-in turkey breast perfectly. If you’re looking to do something larger, I’d recommend a larger Instant Pot than a 6qt.
• I opted to sear my turkey breast in butter, but you could always substitute avocado oil or any other high heat oil to your liking. I found that the butter added a great flavor to not only the breast, but to the gravy.
• The recipe calls for rubbed sage which can be found with the other seasonings in your local grocery store. McCormick makes one that I use. You can use powdered sage, I just prefer rubbed sage.
• I find that handling the large turkey breast is best done with two pairs of metal tongs that have serrated edges.

ALTERATIONS FOR PICKY EATERS

• I’d recommend peeling the skin for any picky eaters before plating it.
• Serve the turkey with mashed potatoes and another side they enjoy.
• Allow them to try the turkey before putting gravy on top. Some picky eaters don’t enjoy “extras” like gravy.
• Provide them with thinner slices.

LOOKING FOR RECIPES TO GO WITH YOUR INSTANT POT TURKEY BREAST WITH GRAVY? TRY ONE OF THESE:

• Honey Dinner Rolls
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Honey Roasted Vegetables with Cranberries & Pecans

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