Instant Pot Cajun Turkey Breast
So I find that most people are on one of two teams when it comes to Turkey. You either LOVE IT, or you feel more like “ugh, Turkey…do we have to?” Well if you fall into the second group then this recipe is for you. My Instant Pot Cajun Turkey Breast pushes back against all of the things most people hate about turkey. It is packed with flavor, moisture, and it doesn’t take hours to cook!
The key to all the flavor in my Instant Pot Cajun Turkey Breast is the Cajun Compound Butter. Now this simple little concoction packs a flavor punch. And when we are talking an entire Turkey Breast that is exactly what we need. And once you make this lovely butter blend you will start trying to find other ways to use it in your kitchen.
The recipe is quite simple. You use softened butter, my Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend, some fresh garlic, and some fresh thyme. Mix these ingredients together, rub the spiced butter under the skin of your turkey breast and you are almost ready for cooking. Chop a few vegetables in smaller pieces so they will fit inside the pot with your turkey breast, add some water and you are ready.
Instant Pot Cajun Turkey Breast
anyone that thinks turkey is boring!
Ingredients
- 5-6 lb bone in skin on Turkey Breast, thawed
- Cajun Compound Butter
- 8 oz Butter softened
- 2 TBSP Cajun Seasoning recipe in separate post
- 6 + cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp fresh Thyme chopped
- 1 tsp red pepper flake
- 3 large carrots cut in 3rds
- 3 ribs celery cut in 3rds
- 1 large onion quartered
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- Browning Oil
- 3-4 TBSP olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Make sure your turkey breast is completely thawed. Rinse and pat dry your turkey breast. Place it on a sheet tray.
- Mix softened butter with next 4 ingredients.
- Using your hands separate skin from the turkey breast. Make sure to leave it intact near the neck. Using your hand or a silicone spatula, place 1/3 of compound butter under skin on each breast. Press it evenly under the skin with your fingertips. Place the remaining butter inside the cavity of the breast.
- Cut your carrots and celery in 3rds. Quarter your onion.
- Load your Instant Pot. Place your trivet or basket in your 6-8 quart Instant Pot. Pour your chicken stock (or other flavorful liquid) in the pot. Place a few of your vegetables in the pot to help prop up the turkey breast. Place your turkey breast in your Instant Pot Breast side up and finish adding the vegetables and bay leaves.
- Set your Instant Pot to cook on High Pressure 5 minutes per pound of Turkey Plus 5 minutes. Then natural release for 20 minutes. Example 5 pound turkey breast would cook for 30 minutes. And natural release for 20 minutes.
- When your cook time is finished remove your turkey breast to a sheet tray with tongs and large fork. Brush with your Browning Oil. Set your oven to High Broil. Roll up an 18′ piece of aluminum foil into a ball. Use this to prop up the low end of your turkey breast. This will help even out the browning of the skin. Place turkey breast in oven and broil for 3 1/2 minutes. Keep an eye on it. It could take less time. So watch it so it does not burn.
- Remove turkey breast from the oven. Allow to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
- Make your gravy. Recipe in separate post.
I have really enjoyed the versatility of my 8 quart Instant Pot. And the size enables it to accomidate a large Turkey Breast, a large beef roast, and several layers of ramekins if I am making desserts. Amazon has one very similar to mine made by Instant Pot. It has the yogurt button, which mine does not. However, I wish it did. I would use it for sure!
Once your Turkey Breast is finished cooking I do recommend you brown it in the oven like the recipe says. It makes the skin nice and crisp. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family did!
