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Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Creamy Gravy Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 140 reviews
  • Author: Bertha
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe features a juicy, flavorful boneless turkey breast seasoned with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and tarragon, then perfectly cooked under high pressure for tender results. The turkey is seared before pressure cooking to develop rich flavor and a beautiful golden crust. A creamy homemade gravy made from the turkey drippings complements the dish perfectly. This recipe offers a quick and easy way to prepare a classic holiday or family dinner turkey breast using the Instant Pot, with optional slow cooker and broiling steps for finishing.

Ingredients

Scale

Turkey Breast

  • 4 pounds turkey breast (boneless, thawed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon tarragon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Gravy

  • 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup chicken broth (low sodium or no sodium added)
  • ½ cup half and half

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Season the Turkey: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the turkey breast and rub it in thoroughly so the spices will stick well. Then, rub the turkey evenly with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, tarragon, salt, pepper, and finish with the minced garlic for deep flavor infusion.
  2. Sear the Turkey in the Instant Pot: Turn the Instant Pot to the high sauté setting. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil, and once hot, sear the turkey breast on all sides. This should take about 5 to 8 minutes, creating a golden brown crust. After searing, transfer the turkey breast to a plate and set aside.
  3. Pressure Cook the Turkey: Insert the Instant Pot’s wire rack (trivet), place the turkey breast on top, then close the lid securely. Set the Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 25 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 10 to 15 minutes before carefully opening the lid.
  4. Rest the Turkey: Transfer the cooked turkey breast to a cutting board and cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy, tender meat. Remove butcher’s twine before slicing. For crispier skin, optionally broil the turkey in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
  5. Make the Gravy: Without discarding the drippings, switch the Instant Pot back to high sauté. Add 2 tablespoons butter and melt. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for a couple of minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in ½ cup chicken broth and ½ cup half and half, cooking for about 3 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a lighter gravy, omit half and half and use 1 cup broth instead.

Notes

  • This recipe uses a boneless turkey breast often sold with butcher twine, which should be removed before slicing. Bone-in turkey breast can also be used, placing meat side down.
  • No additional liquid is needed in the Instant Pot for pressure cooking since the turkey provides moisture, but if your Instant Pot has trouble reaching high pressure or triggers a burn notice, adding 1 cup of water or chicken broth is an option.
  • Do not use the poultry preset on the Instant Pot; use manual high pressure for best results.
  • Alternative herbs that complement turkey are thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, or marjoram and can be used instead of or in addition to the listed seasonings.
  • Searing the turkey before pressure cooking is optional but highly recommended for enhanced flavor and browning.
  • As a slow cooker alternative, season the turkey and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours until internal temperature reaches 165°F; then optionally broil for crisp skin.
  • This turkey pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, cheesy mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Find it online: https://grannyeats.com/instant-pot-turkey-breast-with-creamy-gravy-recipe/