How Long to Cook a Turkey in an Instant Pot?

Using an instant pot to cook a turkey is a unique way to enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving main course. The Instant Pot makes it easy to cook large cuts of meat, like a turkey, and infuse them with flavor without the hassle of roasting them in the oven. With the pressure-cooking power of the instant pot, you can enjoy a juicy, flavourful turkey in about an hour.

Instant pot is one of the fastest ways to cook a turkey. With the general rule being six minutes per pound, your 8-pound turkey would take about 48 minutes to cook, plus 10-20 minutes to naturally release the pressure. You have a juicy, delicious turkey for dinner in an hour.

Recipe for Instant Pot Turkey

There are many ways to prepare a delicious turkey dinner, but instant pot Turkey is one of the easiest and fastest methods. The instant pot is simple and does not require much prep. This delicious turkey could become a staple at the dinner table with a few simple steps.

Ingredients

• Turkey
• Paprika
• Dried oregano
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Sea salt
• Olive oil
• Lime or lemon
• Onion
• Butter
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh rosemary
• Celery, chopped into three pieces
• Carrots
• Dried bay leaf

Cooking Steps

• First, clean out the insides of your turkey and remove the giblets. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
• Rub some olive oil under the breast of the turkey.
• Mix the dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to make the dry rub for the turkey. Apply the dry rub to the outside of the turkey.
• Put the lime or lemon, whichever you prefer, into the inside cavity of the turkey, along with half of the onions, chopped.
• Add the celery, carrot, and dry bay leaf to the bottom of the instant pot. Place the trivet of the pot on top of the vegetables.
• Pour the chicken broth into the instant pot and place the turkey breast side up to ensure the turkey cooks evenly and its juices are distributed throughout the turkey. Tuck the remaining onions, rosemary, and thyme around and on top of the turkey.
• Lock the lid of the instant pot, pushing the steam valve into the sealing position, then set to High pressure for about 46 minutes if using an 8-pound turkey (6 minutes per pound). Be careful not to overcook the turkey.
• After the turkey is done, allow the turkey to release the pressure for about 10-20 minutes naturally, and then release the rest by turning the valve to the venting position.
• Preheat the oven broiler. To give the turkey that lovely golden brown look, the turkey must be broiled for a short while to crisp the skin up.
• Remove the lid of the instant pot and carefully transfer the turkey from the pot to a broiling pan.
• Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Rub softened butter or drippings from the instant pot all over the turkey and place it under the broiler, about 5 inches below the heat source.
• Broil the turkey for 5-10 minutes until the skin turns golden brown. Remember to rotate frequently to avoid the turkey burning.
• Let the turkey rest for about 5- 10 minutes to allow it to reabsorb its juices. Then, your turkey is ready for carving.

When your turkey is ready, it is time to enjoy it! Serve it with your favorite side dishes for a delicious holiday dinner. You can cook a delicious turkey in under an hour with an instant pot, making it the perfect cooking solution for a busy holiday season.

How Long Should I Cook A Turkey in an Instant Pot?

Cooking a turkey in an instant pot is a great way to prepare a delicious meal in a fraction of the time. The exact time to cook a turkey in an instant pot will depend on a few factors. Consider the size of the turkey, the amount of liquid in the pot, the type of turkey, and the desired level of doneness. A small turkey of 8-10 pounds can cook in an Instant Pot in approximately 48-56 minutes. For larger turkeys, up to 15-18 pounds, 90 minutes of cooking should be sufficient. For an extra-large bird of 22-24 pounds, around 2 hours of cooking should do the trick.

It is important to note that the more liquid you add to the pot, the longer it will take to cook. If the turkey is frozen, it will take an additional 30 minutes. Average cook times should also be adjusted based on how well done you want your turkey. Increase the cooking time by 10-20 minutes for a well-done turkey.

By understanding the size of the turkey, the amount of liquid in the pot, the type of turkey, and the desired level of doneness, you can accurately calculate the amount of time it will take to cook a turkey in an instant pot. You can enjoy a delicious, perfectly cooked turkey in no time with just a few adjustments and additions.

The Right Temperature for Instant Pot Turkey

The right temperature to cook a turkey in an Instant Pot is 165°F. A 10-12 pound turkey will take roughly 50 minutes of cooking in a high-pressure setting.

Check the turkey’s internal temperature with a thermometer before eating to ensure it is cooked thoroughly. When done, carefully release the pressure before removing the turkey from the pot.

Doneness for Instant Pot Turkey

An Instant Pot turkey must reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The level of doneness is determined by how long the turkey is cooked: Cook for 30 minutes per pound for a juicy, soft turkey or up to 45 minutes per pound for a firmer, well-done turkey.

How do you calculate instant pot cooking time?

To calculate the cooking time for most recipes in an instant pot, you’ll want to take the typical cooking time for that recipe and multiply it by 0.7. For example, if a recipe usually takes 15 minutes to cook on the stovetop, it will take 10.5 minutes in an instant pot.

Does the amount of meat in an instant pot affect cooking time? 

Yes, the amount of meat will affect the cooking time in an instant pot. The more meat you add, the longer it will take to cook.

Can you reheat turkey in an instant pot?

Yes, you can reheat turkey in an instant pot. Make sure to use the “Steam” setting and adjust the time to the size of your turkey.

Place the turkey in the pot with about half a cup of water and cook on high pressure for about 8-10 minutes. You can also use the “Saute” setting to heat the turkey evenly.

What Do Natural Pressure Release and Quick Pressure Release Mean?

Natural Pressure Release (NPR) is the process of naturally releasing the built-up pressure in the pot without manually releasing it. This is done by turning off the heat and allowing the cooker to cool down slowly.

Quick Pressure Release (QPR), on the other hand, involves manually releasing the pressure from the pot. This is done by turning off the heat and using the pressure release valve or button to vent the steam quickly.

Recipe for Instant Pot Turkey

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• Turkey
• Paprika
• Dried oregano
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Sea salt
• Olive oil
• Lime or lemon
• Onion
• Butter
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh rosemary
• Celery, chopped into three pieces
• Carrots
• Dried bay leaf

Instructions

 

• First, clean out the insides of your turkey and remove the giblets. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
• Rub some olive oil under the breast of the turkey.
• Mix the dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to make the dry rub for the turkey. Apply the dry rub to the outside of the turkey.
• Put the lime or lemon, whichever you prefer, into the inside cavity of the turkey, along with half of the onions, chopped.
• Add the celery, carrot, and dry bay leaf to the bottom of the instant pot. Place the trivet of the pot on top of the vegetables.
• Pour the chicken broth into the instant pot and place the turkey breast side up to ensure the turkey cooks evenly and its juices are distributed throughout the turkey. Tuck the remaining onions, rosemary, and thyme around and on top of the turkey.
• Lock the lid of the instant pot, pushing the steam valve into the sealing position, then set to High pressure for about 46 minutes if using an 8-pound turkey (6 minutes per pound). Be careful not to overcook the turkey.
• After the turkey is done, allow the turkey to release the pressure for about 10-20 minutes naturally, and then release the rest by turning the valve to the venting position.
• Preheat the oven broiler. To give the turkey that lovely golden brown look, the turkey must be broiled for a short while to crisp the skin up.
• Remove the lid of the instant pot and carefully transfer the turkey from the pot to a broiling pan.
• Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Rub softened butter or drippings from the instant pot all over the turkey and place it under the broiler, about 5 inches below the heat source.
• Broil the turkey for 5-10 minutes until the skin turns golden brown. Remember to rotate frequently to avoid the turkey burning.
• Let the turkey rest for about 5- 10 minutes to allow it to reabsorb its juices. Then, your turkey is ready for carving.

Video

Keyword holiday dinner, internal temperature

Conclusion

Cooking a turkey in an instant pot can be a great way to enjoy a perfectly cooked bird with minimal effort. Depending on the size of the turkey and the desired doneness, the cooking time can vary from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The instant pot will deliver a flavourful and juicy main course regardless of the cooking time.