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Instant Pot frozen turkey breast is one of those recipes that can rescue dinner when the turkey never made it out of the freezer. It cooks up tender and juicy in the pressure cooker, with no thawing required and no need to tie up the oven.
When the Turkey Is Still Frozen
Pressure cooking handles the frozen start: The Instant Pot can cook the turkey all the way through without thawing first, which is what makes this method so useful when you forgot to move it to the refrigerator ahead of time.
The thermometer matters more than the clock: Turkey breasts vary in shape and thickness, so the cooking time gets you close, but I always check the thickest part before calling it done.
The broiler fixes the one drawback: Pressure cooking gives you juicy meat, but the skin will stay pale and soft. A few minutes under the broiler takes care of that.
The vegetables do double duty: Onion, carrot, celery, and garlic flavor the cooking liquid while the turkey cooks, and the broth and juices are there to spoon over the sliced meat afterward.
How Long to Cook a Frozen Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot
For a 4½-pound frozen, bone-in turkey breast, cook it on high pressure for 60 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for about 5 minutes before releasing the rest.
Check the temperature in the thickest part of the breast without touching the bone. It should reach 165°F. If it isn’t there yet, put the lid back on and pressure cook it for another 5 minutes, then check again.
High-Altitude Adjustments
Pressure cooking takes a little longer at higher elevations. Starting with the 60-minute cook time for this 4½-pound frozen turkey breast, increase the cooking time by about 5% for every 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet.
| Elevation | Cooking time |
|---|---|
| Up to 2,000 feet | 60 minutes |
| 3,000 feet | 63 minutes |
| 4,000 feet | 66 minutes |
| 5,000 feet | 69 minutes |
| 6,000 feet | 72 minutes |
| 7,000 feet | 75 minutes |
These times are a starting point. Check the thickest part of the breast and make sure it reaches 165°F before serving.
What Fits in a 6-Quart Instant Pot?
In my 6-quart Instant Pot, a 4½-pound frozen bone-in turkey breast was about as large as I could comfortably fit with the trivet and cooking liquid in place.
The shape matters as much as the weight, though. A wider or taller breast may fit differently, so make sure the lid closes easily and the turkey stays below the maximum-fill line.
Recipe Tips
Remove the gravy packet first: Some frozen turkey breasts have a gravy packet tucked inside the cavity. Run the turkey under cool water for a few minutes to loosen it enough to pull it out, then pat the turkey dry before seasoning.
Allow time for pressure buildup and release: The 60-minute cook time does not include the time the pot needs to come to pressure or release it, so build in some extra time before dinner.
Check the thickest part of the breast: Insert the thermometer into the thickest portion without touching the bone. The turkey is done when it reaches 165°F.
Broil only after the turkey is cooked through: Pressure cooking leaves the skin pale and soft, so finish it under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes after it reaches 165°F. Stay close because the skin can go from browned to burned pretty quickly.
If you like the convenience of cooking poultry straight from frozen, try our Instant Pot frozen chicken breast or Instant Pot frozen Cornish game hens next.
Serving Suggestions
Keep the rest of dinner simple with ricotta mashed potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, and green beans almondine. If you’re making this for Thanksgiving or another holiday meal, sourdough stuffing rounds things out nicely.
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Instant Pot Frozen Turkey Breast
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Ingredients
- 4 ½ pound frozen turkey breast, bone in
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 to 2 large carrots, sliced into large chunks
- 2 stalks celery, sliced into large chunks
- 5 to 6 garlic cloves
Instructions
- Rub the turkey breast with the butter, then season it with the salt and pepper. Place the trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot and add the chicken broth, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
- Place the turkey breast on the trivet over the vegetables. Lock the lid in place and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure.
- Transfer the turkey to a baking sheet and broil on high for 3 to 5 minutes, until the skin is browned and crisp. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
Notes
High-Altitude Cooking Times
These times are for a 4½-pound frozen, bone-in turkey breast:- Up to 2,000 feet: 60 minutes
- 3,000 feet: 63 minutes
- 4,000 feet: 66 minutes
- 5,000 feet: 69 minutes
- 6,000 feet: 72 minutes
- 7,000 feet: 75 minutes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
The recipe seems very precise on cooking times. It also references Sea level. So I googled what the sea level is where I live and it is 738 ft above sea level. What would a frozen turkey breast cook time be? TIA,I look forward to trying this!!
You don’t need to adjust the cooking time at your altitude. It only starts to make a difference when you live above 2000 feet. Thanks for the question.
Perfect! I was so skeptical but it worked great ? I have the bigger instant pot so was able to fit the seven lb frozen turkey, at elevation so adjusted to 1:40 min and then broiled for five. It was perfect! You saved thanksgiving.
That’s great to hear! Thanks for the comment and happy Thanksgiving!
How much time do you cook a boneless frozen turkey breast? I looked in the post but I didn’t see that mentioned. I hope I didn’t overlook that. I apologize if I did!
A boneless turkey breast will take about 11 minutes per pound if you cook it from frozen. Thanks for the question
If using an 8 qt Instapot, would the cooking time and liquid amount remain the same? I have an 8 qt and a 7 pound bone in frozen turkey breast.
Thank you sharing your wonderful recipes and any advice that you might lend.
Thanks for the question. The cooking time and liquid will be the same with an 8 quart Instant Pot.Since it is 7 pounds it should need 1 hour and 20 minutes at high pressure if it is frozen or about 42 minutes if it is thawed. Hope that helps
This is the second time I’ve made this now and it turned out wonderful both times! It took me almost an hour this time to sift through and find your recipe again, but it was so worth it!!! Now I’ve pinned it so I won’t have to search again next time. Your times are spot on…to the minute. This time, based on a recent incident with a meatloaf and my instapot, I went against your advice and added 2 minutes onto your time calculations for my turkey and it turned out a little bit dry. Not but just not as juicy and tender as the first time. So lesson learned…next time I’m following your times exactly! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, experience and a great recipe with everyone!!!
That is great to hear! Thanks for your comment
How did everyone get their frozen turkey to cook?! Mine was still frozen in the center after 40 minutes.
Hi Megan the recipe is for the turkey to cook for 60 minutes, not 40. You can still cook it though but only give it another 20 minutes.
How do you get frozen Turkey packet and neck out so you can cook it in the instant pot from frozen?
Anne, if your turkey breast has a packet stuck inside it then run it under water for a few minutes. That should loosen it enough for you to pry the packet out.
Thanks for the question.