Name: Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Creamy Gravy Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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, divided); 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided); 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted); 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; ½ cup chicken broth (low sodium or no sodium added); ½ cup half and half

If you’re looking for a delicious and foolproof way to get juicy turkey breast with rich, luscious gravy, you’ve got to try my Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Creamy Gravy Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe turns out every single time—perfectly tender turkey, a gravy that feels like a warm hug, and all done quickly without sweating over the oven. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a holiday treat, you’ll find this method just makes life easier and dinner more memorable. Let me walk you through how I make this happen in my kitchen!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy: You’ll have a flavorful turkey breast done in under an hour, freeing up your day.
Juicy & Tender: The Instant Pot locks in moisture so your turkey won’t dry out like oven roasting can sometimes do.
Incredible Creamy Gravy: Made from the drippings right there in the pot, it’s smooth and full of savory goodness.
Versatile & Adaptable: Easy to change up seasoning, pair with your favorite sides, or even make ahead.

The image shows a wooden board with several slices of cooked, white meat layered closely in a line, each slice featuring a light brown edge and tender, juicy texture inside. At the front, a single piece of golden-brown meat with a crispy, herb-covered skin rests, contrasting with the smooth, pale slices behind it. The wooden board has a warm tone that highlights the meat’s color and texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic here relies on simple pantry ingredients that work in perfect harmony to season and tenderize the turkey while building a rich gravy. I always grab fresh garlic and quality butter—it truly makes a difference!

Turkey breast: Boneless and thawed works best for even cooking; you can usually find these prepped with butcher’s twine for shape.
Olive oil: Helps the spices cling to the meat and adds a mild fruity flavor when searing.
Smoked paprika: Brings a subtle smokiness and lovely color to the turkey.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds a classic herby character your family will love.
Tarragon: Gives a slightly sweet, sophisticated note that elevates the flavor.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning; I like to use coarse pepper for texture.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds that aromatic punch that packs a punch.
Butter: Unsalted, used both for cooking the turkey and for the creamy gravy finish.
All-purpose flour: To thicken the gravy perfectly and give it that classic silky texture.
Chicken broth: Low-sodium is my go-to; keeps control of salt and lets the turkey drippings shine.
Half and half: Makes the gravy rich and creamy—optional, but I highly recommend it for that extra indulgence.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to keep things simple, but sometimes I shake up the herbs or add more flavor layers depending on the season or what’s in my cabinet. Feel free to customize this Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Creamy Gravy Recipe to your taste—it’s pretty forgiving and great for making it your own.

Herb swaps: When I have fresh rosemary or thyme, I toss those in instead of Italian seasoning for a piney, bright flavor.
Dairy-free gravy: I’ve swapped half and half with coconut milk in a pinch for a creamy, dairy-free version that my family surprisingly enjoyed.
Bone-in turkey breast: I’ve used a bone-in piece and just added 5 extra minutes to the pressure cooking time for extra-meaty flavor.
Slow cooker option: When I’m not in a rush, I set it on low for 5-6 hours—the meat falls off the bone beautifully.

How to Make Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Creamy Gravy Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear the Turkey Breast

Drizzle olive oil all over your turkey breast and rub it nicely to help seasonings stick. Then coat the turkey generously with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, tarragon, salt, pepper, and finally the minced garlic. Heating the Instant Pot on the high sauté setting allows you to sear the breast in butter and olive oil until it’s golden brown on all sides, about 5 to 8 minutes. This step isn’t technically mandatory but trust me, it amps up the flavor and gives you that beautiful color you’ll love.

Step 2: Pressure Cook the Turkey Breast

Place the Instant Pot’s metal rack (the trivet) inside, then set your seared turkey breast on top. Seal the lid properly, then set the Instant Pot to Manual/Pressure Cook on High for 25 minutes. I used to overcook turkey in pressure cookers before I tweaked the timing, but this timing nails it perfectly every time. Once done, let it release pressure naturally for 10 to 15 minutes to keep the meat juicy and tender—if you’re rushed, a quick release is okay but I highly recommend natural release.

Step 3: Rest and Optional Broil

Transfer your turkey breast to a cutting board and cover it tightly with foil. Resting for 10 to 15 minutes lets the juices redistribute so every slice is moist and flavorful. If you want crispier skin, pop the turkey under the broiler for 5 to 10 minutes—this step turns out a perfect golden crust that everyone raves about.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Gravy

Don’t toss those flavorful drippings! Switch your Instant Pot back to the sauté setting, add butter, and melt it before whisking in flour. Stir constantly until the raw flour smell disappears, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and half and half, simmering until thick and silky, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. I love how creamy it is with the half and half, but if you want it lighter, swapping for extra broth works too. The gravy brings the whole dish to the next level—so smooth and comforting.

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Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Creamy Gravy Recipe

Don’t Skip Searing: I discovered this trick when I started searing the turkey—it adds complexity and a beautiful crust you just can’t beat.
Natural Pressure Release Is Key: Waiting for the natural release prevents drying out; patience really pays off here!
Use the Trivet: Keeping the turkey off the bottom avoids the dreaded burn notice many experience in the Instant Pot.
Gravy Consistency: If your gravy gets too thick, whisk in a little more broth or half and half until perfection.

How to Serve Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Creamy Gravy Recipe

A white plate holds a serving of creamy mashed potatoes as the bottom layer, smooth and pale in color with some green herb sprinkles on top. On this sits two slices of cooked turkey, light brown with a slight sear on the edges, arranged neatly side by side. A thick brown gravy sauce is poured over the turkey slices, slightly dripping onto the mashed potatoes. On top of the turkey and gravy is a bright red cranberry sauce, chunky with whole cranberries and a few orange zest strips adding color. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred white bowl of extra cranberry sauce in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

When plating, I like to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the turkey and gravy for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, a few dried cranberries on the side add a lovely tart contrast that brightens the plate beautifully. It’s simple but elevates the look and taste.

Side Dishes

This turkey breast is a dream alongside creamy mashed potatoes (bonus if cheesy!), roasted green beans, and a tangy homemade cranberry sauce. When I make this for holidays, my family goes crazy for this combo every time—guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to slice the turkey breast thin and layer it on a large serving platter with gravy drizzled artistically over the top. Adding a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme around the edges gives a festive touch. Another idea I tried was serving the turkey breast sliced with warmed dinner rolls and all the fixings for a casual yet elegant buffet.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your feast, I recommend slicing leftover turkey breast and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for 3 to 4 days. I usually add a little gravy to the container to keep the meat moist and flavorful while chilling.

Freezing

I’ve frozen slices of cooked turkey wrapped tightly in foil and then placed in freezer bags. It reheats surprisingly well—just thaw overnight in the fridge, and it’s ready to warm up for a quick meal later. The gravy freezes nicely too when stored separately.

Reheating

For reheating, I pop slices into a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of gravy or broth to keep them moist, covering the pan to gently warm through. Oven reheating at 300°F wrapped in foil also works great for bigger portions. Avoid microwave reheating if you want to preserve that juicy texture.

FAQs

Can I use frozen turkey breast for this Instant Pot recipe?

Yes! You can cook turkey breast from frozen in the Instant Pot; just increase the pressure cooking time to about 40 minutes and still allow for natural pressure release. It’s a convenient shortcut, but make sure your turkey breast is relatively even in thickness for the best results.
Do I have to sear the turkey breast before pressure cooking?

Searing is optional but highly recommended. It develops deeper flavor and gives the meat an appetizing golden color. If you’re short on time, you can skip it, but the taste will not be quite as rich or visually appealing.
How do I know when the turkey breast is cooked perfectly?

The internal temperature of the turkey breast should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to check doneness without overcooking.
Can I make the gravy thicker or thinner?

Absolutely. For thicker gravy, add a teaspoon of flour and cook a bit longer while whisking. For thinner gravy, simply add a splash of broth or half and half to loosen the texture.
Is this recipe suitable for holiday meals?

Definitely! This Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Creamy Gravy Recipe is perfect for holidays when you want juicy meat and rich gravy without the fuss of the oven. Plus, it frees up oven space for other dishes.

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you how many times this Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Creamy Gravy Recipe has saved me when I wanted a comforting dinner that impresses but doesn’t stress me out. It’s my go-to when I want a cozy meal that feels special yet comes together simply. I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try—you’ll love the juicy turkey and that luscious gravy that makes every bite melt in your mouth. So, next time you want a winner without hours in the kitchen, this recipe has your back!