Instant Pot Thanksgiving Turkey Breast & Gravy

 

For a small-scale Thanksgiving dinner (or an easy turkey dinner anytime), cook a split turkey breast in the Instant Pot. It’s easier and faster than roasting a whole bird in the oven and making gravy on the stove top. This method works with turkey wings, thighs, or drumsticks. Just increase the cooking time by 5 minutes for dark meat, and don’t overload the pot (no more than 4 pounds).

 

1 bone-in, skin-on split turkey breast, 2V2 to 3V2 pounds

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

1   tablespoon avocado oil or other neutral oil with high smoke point

2  yellow onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic

1   teaspoon poultry seasoning

2  cups low-sodium chicken broth (this page) or turkey broth

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

 

Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels, then season on both sides with the salt, pepper, and paprika. Put the Instant Pot trivet on a plate. Select the Sauté, setting on the Instant Pot and heat the oil. Place the turkey breast, skin side down, in the pot and sear for 5 minutes, until well browned. Using the tongs, transfer the turkey breast, skin side up, to the trivet. Add the onions and garlic to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes, until the onions have softened. Add the poultry’ seasoning and broth and stir, nudging any browned bits from the pot bottom. Wearing heat-resistant mitts, lower the trivet with the turkey breast into the Instant Pot, resting it on top of the onions. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Press the Cancel button to reset the cooking program, then select the Poultry setting and set the cooking time for 25 minutes at high pressure. Perform a quick release by moving the Pressure Release to Venting. Open the pot and insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the breast away from the bone. The thermometer should register at leasti6o°F (if lower than 16o°F, cook the turkey on the Manual setting for a few more minutes) .Wearing the heat-resistant mitts, lift the trivet with the turkey breast out of the pot. Transfer the turkey breast to a carving board and tent it with aluminum foil. Sprinkle the flour into the pot, then use an immersion blender to blend the onion mixture until smooth. Press the Cancel button to reset the cooking program, select the Sauté setting, and simmer the gravy for 1 to 2 minutes, until thickened. Press the Cancel button, and season with salt and pepper if needed. Carve the turkey, arrange on a platter, and serve with the gravy.