Our Citrus Herb Butter Instant Pot Turkey Breast (+ gravy) is a quick and easy way to make the juiciest turkey for a family dinner or small crowd on Thanksgiving Day! Made with light and bright citrus flavors, fresh herbs, and the option to make a turkey gravy from the pot drippings. The whole family will love it!
The Best Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Here at The Wooden Skillet we are big turkey fans and we have cooked a turkey breast just about every way you can imagine! From a Juicy Roast Turkey Breast in the oven to a Grilled Turkey Breast, a Smoked Turkey Breast, a Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, and even a Deep Fried Turkey Breast. If you are hosting a small crowd for Thanksgiving dinner, this is a delicious and simple way to cook a tender turkey breast in your Instant Pot pressure cooker and free up oven space!
Wondering How Much Turkey You Will Need?
Simply check out our complete post to calculate How Much Turkey Breast per Person you will need!
What You Will Need
- fresh turkey breast – after you calculate the size of turkey breast that you will need, make sure it is fully thawed before prepping to cook.
- salt and pepper – simple seasonings that are always a must when cooking any type of meat.
- yellow onion – cut into large chunks and place in the pot for the best flavor!
- chicken stock, orange juice, & white wine – this perfect combination of liquids adds moisture and a touch of acidity and sweetness.
- fresh thyme & fresh rosemary – these fresh herbs bring great flavor to the herb butter and the drippings in the pot.
- unsalted butter – option to sub with a plant-based butter.
- lemon zest & orange zest – adding both of these bring acidity to amplify all the other flavors.
- all-purpose flour – thickening agent for making a homemade turkey gravy!
How To Make An Instant Pot Turkey Breast
The first steps to making this easy recipe is to put the herbed butter ingredients in a small bowl and then spread on the outside of your boneless breast. Season with salt and pepper.
Now put the chicken broth, orange juice, white wine, onion, and fresh thyme in the electric pressure cooker. Place the trivet on top of this mixture.
Next, bring a large skillet to a medium high heat and drizzle the bottom of the pan with olive oil. Sear the seasoned, skin-on turkey breast, skin-side down, for 2-3 minutes and then place on top of the trivet in the pressure cooker. Secure the lid on top, cook on the high setting or 15 minutes, and then allow the natural pressure release for 10 minutes.
Let the meat rest on a platter or cutting board for 5-10 minutes.
Finally, bring a large pan to a medium heat and add butter to melt. Whisk in the flour to create a paste or roux. Now, slowly pour in the turkey drippings from the bottom of the pot, while whisking continuously to create a creamy gravy. Add salt, whisk again, and simmer the delicious gravy to reach your desired thickness.
Best Ways To Serve Instant Pot Turkey Breast
In a matter of minutes, this juicy turkey breast will be ready to enjoy with all your favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes! Our favorite Thanksgiving recipes are Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Stove Top Stuffing, and a classic Cheesy Green Bean Casserole. Just be sure to mix up that super easy turkey gravy to pour of the top!
Recipe FAQs
- How long to cook turkey breast in pressure cooker? This 2 1/2 pound boneless turkey breast took 15 minutes of cooking time with a 10 minute natural release, then quick release after that. A bone-in turkey breast would take 35 minutes to cook with a 10 minute natural release.
- How to know turkey is fully cooked? At the thickest part of the meat, it should be 165 degrees F to be fully cooked. Use a meat thermometer to confirm it is fully cooked before enjoying at your holiday meal.
- What can I make with leftover turkey? Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. And then you can easily breathe new life into your leftover turkey by making a Turkey Noodle Soup or a Turkey Cranberry Wrap.
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Other Turkey Recipes You Might Like
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
Our amazing Citrus Herb Butter Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe is an easy way to serve Thanksgiving for a small crowd + drippings for gravy!
Ingredients
- 2.5 lb boneless turkey breast
- kosher salt
- ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, peeled & quartered
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme (or other fresh herbs)
Herbed Butter:
- 3 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
Turkey Gravy:
- 3 cups liquid and drippings from turkey
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Herbed Butter: Place the soft butter, fresh herbs, lemon zest, and orange zest in a small bowl; use a fork to combine.
- Prep Turkey: Put the turkey breast on a large plate and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the herbed butter over the top of the turkey breast. Season with salt and pepper.
- Sear: Bring a large cast iron skillet to a medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, place the turkey (skin-side down) in the hot pan and let sear for 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. (This can also be done in the Instant Pot using the Sear setting, up to you).
- Instant Pot: Add the chicken broth, orange juice, wine, and sprigs of fresh thyme to the Instant Pot. Place the trivet on top and then the seared turkey breast on top of the trivet. Seal the lid on top and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes and then let it naturally release for 10 minutes. (IP cook time is about 6 minutes per pound of turkey)
- Crispy Skin (optional): If you prefer a really crispy turkey skin, feel free to transfer the cooked turkey breast roast to a baking sheet and place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.
- Rest: Let the meat rest on a sheet pan or cutting board for 5-10 minutes.
- Homemade Gravy: While the meat rests, use the turkey drippings to make gravy. Bring a large cast iron skillet to a medium high heat and add butter to melt. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux. Then slowly add in the turkey drippings, whisking constantly. Continue slowly pouring in the turkey drippings, whisking until it is all added. Assess the consistency of the gravy – to thin, add a splash of chicken broth and to thicken, let it simmer (a soft boil) for a bit. Whisk in a pinch of salt, taste, and adjust as desired.
- Serve: Cut turkey breast, serve with a generous pour of gravy on top, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce!
Notes
- Turkey Breast: we used a boneless turkey breast that had the skin on. Feel free to use a boneless, skinless turkey breast or a bone-in turkey breast. If you use a bone-in turkey breast, the cook time would be 35 minutes in the Instant Pot.
- Cook Time does not include the amount of time it takes for the pressure cooker to come up to pressure.
- Dairy Free: simply use a plant-based butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 372
- Sugar: 1.1 g
- Sodium: 595.2 mg
- Fat: 16.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.2 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 143.9 mg
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