So incredibly moist and tender, this Instant Pot Frozen Turkey Breast (and gravy!) is prepared in a fraction of the time than traditional baking.
The best part is that no thawing of the turkey breast is required in this recipe. All you’ll need to do is run warm water over the frozen turkey breast to loosen the gravy packet. Easy peasy!
I was skeptical at first about cooking this turkey FROZEN in the Instant Pot, but it turned out phenomenal. Whether you’re cooking dinner for your family on a weeknight or cooking for a small crowd on Thanksgiving, this is the way to go if you own a pressure cooker.
Every Thanksgiving I struggle with oven space because I’m doing so much baking… using your Instant Pot for this turkey frees up not only oven space but lots of time without sacrificing flavor.
How long does it really take this turkey breast to cook in the Instant Pot?
The actual “cook” time is 50 minutes, but that can be deceiving. I’ve figured prep time (15 minutes), the time it takes to sauté the vegetables (6 minutes), time it takes the pot to come to pressure (12 minutes for me), cook time (50 minutes), natural pressure release time (15 minutes for me) and rest time under aluminum foil (10 minutes) yields a grand total of 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Not bad for a frozen turkey breast from start to finish! 
Enjoy!
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Instant Pot Frozen Turkey Breast
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 77 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (3 pound) frozen boneless turkey breast roast (I used Butterball)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 small yellow onions, peeled and quartered
- 3 stalks celery, sliced into approximately 3/4-inch slices
- 2 1/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 (0.87-ounce) package turkey gravy mix
- 1 large bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1/2 cup cold water
Instructions
- Place frozen turkey breast under running warm water for 3 to 4 minutes to loosen gravy packet from turkey. Place gravy packet in a medium bowl of hot water to completely thaw while seasoning turkey and sauteing vegetables.
- In a small bowl, mix together sage, salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary and oregano.
- Drizzle olive oil over turkey breast and rub to coat breast. Rub spice mixture evenly over turkey breast and set aside.
- Turn Instant Pot to the saute function. Add butter and melt. Add onions and celery and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until onions are translucent, stirring frequently.
- Add chicken broth and stir to combine, scraping any bits off of the bottom of the pot. Add turkey gravy mix and gravy packet that came with turkey breast. Stir to combine. Add bay leaf. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Place trivet in bottom of pot and place seasoned turkey breast on top of trivet.
- Place the lid on pressure cooker and lock. Steam release knob should be set on “sealing”. Cook on manual setting (high pressure) for 50 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally.
- Remove turkey breast from pot and transfer to a cutting board. Cover completely with aluminum foil and let rest for 10 minutes while you’re preparing the gravy.
- Remove trivet. Using a large slotted spoon, remove vegetables and place in a bowl. Remove bay leaf and discard.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Turn Instant Pot to the saute function and allow broth to come to a boil. Slowly pour in cornstarch slurry (while stirring) until desired thickness is reached (gravy will thicken as it sits).
- Remove netting from turkey and slice. Serve with gravy.
Notes
- The USDA recommends an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast.
- Cook time includes time it takes for pot to come to pressure and natural release time.
- Altitude can affect pressure cooking times. This recipe was tested using an Instant Pot LUX80 8-quart at approximately 10 feet above sea level. Here is a helpful article regarding adjustments for pressure cooking times at different altitudes.
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pressure Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: instant pot frozen turkey breast, instant pot turkey breast, turkey breast instant pot, turkey instant pot, pressure cooker turkey
Alychap says
My frozen turkey breast was too big for my 6 qt pot – I didn’t measure ahead of time! I eventually sawed off enough shavings to make it fit. My gravy was no big deal – I’ll make my own with the drippings next time. it was quick and the turkey was moist and not tough. Also, I have enough leftovers for salads and soup. I will do this again.
Kathy Allison says
I am still amazed that yesterday at 3:30 pm I brought home a frozen turkey breast roast (3 pounds) and less than two hours later served up the juiciest, most succulent turkey I’ve ever cooked. Thank you!
★★★★★
Amy says
Thank you so much Kathy – I still get amazed every time I make it – love my Instant Pot! I’m so glad you enjoyed the turkey and thank you for the 5 star rating! 🙂
Amy says
I love this recipe, and have made it many times. Thank you for sharing!
Every time I make it, I wonder what I should do with the vegetables after they’re removed. What do you do with them?
Rachel says
I love this recipe but I am a little confused about the gravy! The recipe says to thaw the packet attached to the Turkey AND calls for a separate package of Turkey gravy mix. But when it comes time to make the gravy the recipe does not say to add either of those gravy mixtures – just cornstarch. Which do I use? Both?
Amy says
Hi Rachel, #5 in the instructions (second sentence) reads, “Add turkey gravy mix and gravy packet that came with the turkey breast”. Hope this helps and you enjoy the turkey breast!
John S. says
I’ve used this recipe several times but I don’t bother with the vegetables (the one time I did include them, they didn’t seem to add anything to enhance the recipe or the gravy). After the pressure cooking is done but BEFORE the thickening of the gravy I’ve been putting my IP air fryer lid on it for 5-10 minutes (Broil setting). There’s only two of us and I now make these small 3-lb packaged Butterball turkey breasts much more because of the ease of this recipe. Thank you!
★★★★★
Amy says
Hi John, thank you so much for sharing this – So glad to hear you have been enjoying it! 🙂
Annie says
Does the turkey have to be frozen – if not does he cook time change?
Amy says
Hi Annie, Yes this recipe is cooked from frozen. I have not tested this using a thawed turkey breast so I cannot say with 100% certainty how much the cook time will change (it definitely changes). I hope you enjoy it if you make it!
Angela K says
I had a frozen breast from Costco and needed to make it fast! This recipe worked out great! Fall apart turkey. Who knew that was even possible?! And great flavor!! Thank you for this recipe! I will definitely make it again!!
★★★★★
Andy Van Abs says
I followed the instructions exactly, and while the flavor was good it was SERIOUS:Y over cooked. Perhaps if I had not allowed the “natural pressure release” as instruc6ted, it might have been OK, or perhaps 10 minutes less cooking.
As it was, the turkey was edible but somewhat dry and tough.
★★
Christine says
did the butterball turkey breast have skin on? Or is it just the breast in a netting?
Amy says
Hi Christine – the breast in a netting. I hope you enjoy the turkey breast if you make it! 🙂
Brenda says
Is this for a turkey breast roast or Regular turkey breast? The pics and the reference to netting make me think turkey breast roast, but I’m not sure – it would make a big difference in cooking timing. Thank you, this sounds wonderful!
Amy says
Hi Brenda, it’s for a turkey breast roast – it’s written that way on the ingredients list. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Ann McDonald says
I have a 3 qt. Instant Pot and the turkey roast fit perfectly. The roast was partially submerged in the broth and veggies and it was cooked in the 50 minutes and natural pressure release. I have tried other recipes for a frozen turkey roast and nothing compares to this recipe. It is now my “go to” recipe.
★★★★★
Amy says
Thank you so much, Ann – So happy to hear you loved it!
Molly Flynn says
This has become a go-to recipe staple in my household! It’s simply delicious. I also cooked yellow or red potatoes with carrots in the pressure cooker for 10 minutes on high, after removing turkey first! Pick it all together, sooooo good and only takes about an hour total!
April Williams says
So simple! Turns out delicious, moist and flavorful! This is my go to Turkey recipe! Thanks!! YUMMY!
★★★★★
Fofi La says
Thank you for the recipe. This had terrific flavour. I set my IP @ 90 minutes high pressure. And it was still not @ 165. I stuck it under the broiler for about 5 minutes and that did the trick.
★★★★★
Teraisa says
This was great, thank you. I did have to cook the turkey an additional 40 minutes in pressure cooker (my weight was 2.90lbs), but now I know I can do it AND it tastes delicious. Thank you for sharing. ~Teraisa
★★★★★
Lisa says
I had a 2.5 pound split turkey breast – followed the recipe but only did 40 minutes in 8 quart pot. Came out great and temp was spot on for 165 (175 in places other than center.)
★★★★★