Even if you didn't thaw your turkey, you can still cook a turkey from frozen in the high pressure Instant Pot and get a perfectly juicy turkey with an extremely fast cooking time.
It can sometimes take days to completely thaw a turkey, but today we are sharing how you can cook a completely frozen turkey in your Instant Pot in 1-2 hours (depending on the size of your turkey!).
We have already shared how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey, but maybe you don’t need a whole turkey or don’t need to feed a ton of people! This instant pot turkey breast recipe will be one of your all-time favorite instant pot recipes. The natural turkey drippings at the bottom of the pot mixed with fresh herbs will be the best part of your Thanksgiving. This is a great way to make a great recipe that will impress everyone who eats!
There are so many different ways to cook turkey but my favorite way is using an instant pot pressure cooker. I use my instant pot for easy recipes all the time and this is the easiest way for me to make a delicious meal fit for Thanksgiving. This is especially helpful if this is your first time or second time cooking a delicious turkey. This will satisfy a small crowd and leave you smiling!
The pressure cooking makes the boneless turkey breast extremely tender and gives the turkey crispy skin. The turkey dinner will be an easy recipe for you to make for years to come. If you have leftover turkey breast you can easily store it in an airtight container or even throw it in the freezer, in freezer bags. When it’s time to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year, it’ll be so low-stress because you’ll have this recipe card saved. Serve it with cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, turkey gravy, and any other Thanksgiving food you love. Then you can eat turkey sandwiches for the next few days with the leftovers (if you have any)! This is one of the most delicious recipes you’ll make this Thanksgiving.
Ingredients needed to cook a frozen turkey in the Instant Pot:
- 1 (4-10 pound) turkey breast (plan on about a pound per guest)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (15 ounce) can chicken broth
- seasonings of choice: salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, garlic powder
How to cook a frozen turkey in the Instant Pot:
Place trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Cut the netting and packaging off of the turkey.
Remove the gravy packet (if there is one).
If you are struggling to get the gravy packet out of the turkey because it’s frozen, you can run it under hot water to loosen it enough to pull it out. However, keep in mind that you will need to disinfect your sink after as a general rule of thumb.
Place the frozen turkey in the Instant Pot.
Rub (or brush) melted butter on all sides of the turkey.
Seasoning the turkey with all the seasonings, trying to cover as much of the surface of the turkey as possible.
Pour chicken broth in the bottom of the Instant Pot, being sure to not pour the chicken broth directly on top of the turkey and wash the seasonings off.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot, push the MANUAL button, and set the timer depending on how big your turkey is.
Here is a breakdown of how long to cook a frozen turkey in the Instant Pot:
- 3-4 lbs: 65 mins
- 4-5 lbs: 70 min
- 5-6 lbs: 75 mins
- 6-7 lbs: 80 mins
- 7-8 lbs: 85 mins
- 8-9 lbs: 90 mins
- 9-10 lbs: 95 mins
- 10-11 lbs: 100 mins
Let the pressure naturally release for 20 minutes, then move the valve to VENTING and release any remaining pressure.
Remove turkey and let rest for about 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
Use drippings in pot to make a delicious homemade gravy (get our recipe here!).
Looking for more freezer meals just like this? Click here for our top100 Instant Pot Freezer Meals!
Watch How We Cook a Frozen Turkey HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJdIu1APmO4
Need more ideas on how to cook your turkey?
- Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Turkey
- Easy Marinated Turkey Breast
- How to cook a turkey in a Convection Oven
- Slow Cooker Turkey and Stuffing
Be sure to check out all the other ways that we cook our Thanksgiving turkey, including the Air Fryer!
If you are planning Thanksgiving dinner, be sure to check out all of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes:
- 30 Minute Dinner Rolls
- Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Green Bean Casserole
- Slow Cooker Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- How To Make Turkey Gravy From Scratch
- Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
- Strawberry Jello Fluff Salad
- Easy Sweet Cornbread
- Simple Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Fluffy Cranberry Salad
- Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- The BEST Candied Yams without Corn Syrup
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
- EASY Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
If you have leftover turkey, be sure to try our Turkey Cranberry Wraps and Turkey Corn Chowder!
Serves: 7
How To Cook a Frozen Turkey in the Instant Pot Recipe
4.60 from 5 votes
Even if your turkey is still frozen, you can cook it in the Instant Pot and have it turn out perfectly!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
Pressurize time & natural release 40 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
PrintPin
Ingredients
- 6 pound turkey breast (anywhere from 3-11 pounds will work; plan on 1 pound per person)
- ¼ cup butter melted
- seasonings, to taste salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder
- 15 ounces chicken broth
Instructions
Place trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Cut the netting and packaging off of the turkey. Remove the gravy packet (if there is one).
Place the frozen turkey in the Instant Pot.
Rub (or brush) melted butter on all sides of the turkey.
Top the turkey with all the seasonings, trying to cover as much of the surface of the turkey as possible.
Pour chicken broth in the bottom of the Instant Pot, being careful to not pour it directly on the turkey and wash all the seasonings off (you could also pour the chicken broth in before you place the turkey inside the Instant Pot).
Place the lid on the Instant Pot, push the MANUAL button, and set the timer for 1 hour and 25 minutes (more or less depending on how big your turkey is – see notes for details).
When cooking is finished, allow for a natural release for 20 minutes. Move valve to VENTING and release any remaining pressure.
Remove turkey and let rest for about 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
If desired, use drippings to make a gravy (see notes below).
If you want a crispier skin, place the turkey in an oven-safe pan and broil in the oven for 1-3 minutes until it reaches the crisp you desire.
Video
Notes
Cook time will depend on the size of your turkey:
3-4 lbs: 65 mins
4-5 lbs: 70 min
5-6 lbs: 75 mins
6-7 lbs: 80 mins
7-8 lbs: 85 mins
8-9 lbs: 90 mins
9-10 lbs: 95 mins
10-11 lbs: 100 mins
You can cook up to a 7 lb turkey in a 6 quart Instant Pot and up to a 10 lb turkey in an 8 quart Instant Pot.
Here is our recipe for homemade turkey gravy: https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/how-to-make-turkey-gravy-from-scratch/
Nutrition
Calories: 454 kcal · Carbohydrates: 1 g · Protein: 84 g · Fat: 13 g · Saturated Fat: 5 g · Cholesterol: 227 mg · Sodium: 1081 mg · Potassium: 989 mg · Sugar: 1 g · Vitamin A: 280 IU · Vitamin C: 4 mg · Calcium: 60 mg · Iron: 2 mg
Equipment
Instant Pot (or Pressure Cooker)
basting brush (optional)
Recipe Details
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
This post was included in our 4 EASY Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes video – for more inexpensive and delicious recipes like this one, click here to check it out!
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If you made our recipe be sure to tag us on Instagram so we can see your hard work using #sixsistersstuff.
Join The Discussion
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Beth Lucatorta says:
I can't wait to try this recipe for Thanksgiving Thursday. Got my new instapot/air fryer 2wks ago. Quick question: how do you adjust the time for a thawed turkey?Thank you for your videos. Love them!!
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Camille Beckstrand says:
Hi Beth! This recipe works great for a thawed turkey as well. Close the lid and push MANUAL (or PRESSURE COOK) and set the timer to 25 minutes.Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, let the pot do a natural release cycle (should take about 10 to 15 minutes – you will hear the pin drop when the pressure has naturally released).Carefully unlock and remove the lid from the Instant Pot.Transfer the turkey breast to a cutting board, cover completely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting into it.If crispier skin is desired, broil it in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.Cut turkey into slices and serve.
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Momma Cyd says:
Here are some turkey cooking times for the Instant Pot.25 minutes for 6 pounds30 minutes for 7 pounds35 minutes for 8 pounds40 minutes for 9 pounds
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Suzy Hackney says:
Thanks for recipe! Love any helpful tips I can get!
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Lara B says:
My turkey breast was 5.7 lbs, frozen. I cooked it for 75 min. It was dry. I was hoping for a better turnout. Guess I should be glad COVID-19 prevented me from hosting my normal group. I'll have to experiment. Thanks for motivating me to use the IP. I never would have thought of it for turkey.
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amc says:
I tried this recipe w a 8lb frozen breast w bone and cooked it for 85 mins w a natural release for 20 mins. It was dry. I think I didn't let it rest for the 10 min at the end, do you think that's why it was dry?...or maybe just brine it next time?
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Jerry Pardue says:
I love you podcast. Got my instant Pot for Black Friday.You girl have help me cook up some good stuff.Thanks.
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Sherry says:
I was just gifted an IP today. I am going to use this recipe right away!! I watched the video and it looks pretty easy to do this. Can I cook the turkey on a trivet or balls of foil so as not to have my turkey swimming around in the liquid?
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Momma Cyd says:
We just set the turkey in the Instant Pot, but you can place it on the trivet if you want.
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Amy Pletcher says:
I got me a turkey like yours pictured in post but it is close to 12 lbs because I couldn't find a 10lb or less. I am so eager to make a turkey in my instant pot. But not sure if it will fit. Fill have to try in the package frozen before I open it. Does cooking a thawed turkey change the cooking time? I like rubbing in butter under the skin and put rosemary springs inside and under skin along with thyme. I have always done that for my oven turkeys. Boy do they come out with a wonderful aroma!!
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Liz Cole says:
So glad I found this recipe! We forgot to begin thawing the turkey. Question, do I put the Instapot on Hi or Lo?
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Momma Cyd says:
Just push the Manual/Pressure cook button. It will be High.
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Kathleen Benbow-Reis says:
I’m eager to try this recipe! But I wonder about the instructions to add the chicken broth after you put the turkey in the IP. If you don’t want to wash off the seasonings, wouldn’t it make sense to put the broth in first?
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Kathleen Benbow-Reis says:
This might not help you with a turkey you’ve already bought, but I’ve heard some people take their IP inner pots to the store to make sure they buy a food item that fits.
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Momma Cyd says:
Yes, we have done that before! Thanks Kathleen!!
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Momma Cyd says:
Yes, right in the post it says - Pour chicken broth in the bottom of the Instant Pot, being sure to not pour the chicken broth directly on top of the turkey and wash the seasonings off.
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Alan Boske says:
This recipe looks so good and delicious
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Madelyn Rogers says:
You ladies are a gift from above. Thanks so much for all your advice and time for sharing you knowledge and helping out a busy mom!!
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Alan B. Erickson says:
Given that it's starting out frozen, you may want to verify with a thermometer that the meat reached a safe cooking time & temperature.
About The Author:
Camille Beckstrand
Camille Beckstrand is married to Jared and they have 4 kids. She loves a good true crime podcast, a big plate of cheesy loaded nachos, and going on adventures with her family.
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