How to Cook a Turkey in the Instant Pot: A Deliciously Easy Thanksgiving Feast

When I was a child, Nanny would always make the Thanksgiving turkey, cooking it slowly over low heat until it was very dry.

She could make Nova Scotia chowder and Christmas cherry balls but turkey was not her thing.

This Thanksgiving, use your Instant Pot to cook a perfectly cooked and juicy turkey and wow your family and guests! Forget about overcooked or dry turkey! This recipe is so simple to follow and guarantees a juicy, flavorful bird that will have everyone requesting seconds.

Why Use an Instant Pot for Turkey?

The Instant Pot is a game-changer when it comes to cooking turkey. Its pressure-cooking technology locks in moisture and cooks the bird evenly, resulting in a tender and succulent result. Plus, it’s significantly faster than traditional oven methods, leaving you more time to focus on other Thanksgiving preparations.

What You’ll Need:

An Instant Pot (6-quart or larger)
A whole turkey (fresh or thawed, 8-10 pounds)
Salt and pepper
Optional: Onion, celery, carrots, garlic cloves, bay leaf, water

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare the Turkey: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. If desired, stuff the cavity with your favorite stuffing recipe.
Add Aromatics (Optional): Place half of an onion, one garlic clove, and a few celery and carrot sticks in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add a bay leaf for extra flavor.
Add Water: Pour 1/2 cup of water into the pot.
Place the Turkey: Put the trivet that came with your Instant Pot on top of the vegetables. Carefully place the seasoned turkey on the trivet.
Pressure Cook: Close the lid of the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to “sealing.” Select the “manual” or “pressure cook” setting and set the timer for 48 minutes (6 minutes per pound of turkey).
Natural Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
Crispy Skin (Optional): Carefully remove the turkey from the Instant Pot and place it on a baking sheet. Baste the skin with oil or drippings from the pot and broil for 5 minutes until golden brown.

Tips and Tricks:

For larger or smaller turkeys, simply adjust the cooking time using the 6 minutes per pound rule.
If you’re using a frozen turkey, increase the cooking time by 15-20 minutes.
Don’t overcook the turkey! Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
Save the drippings from the Instant Pot to make a delicious gravy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pressure cooker? Yes, any pressure cooker will work for this recipe. However, the cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the specific model.
Do I need to stuff the turkey? Stuffing is optional. If you do choose to stuff the turkey, make sure it is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Can I use a fresh or frozen turkey? Both fresh and frozen turkeys can be used. If using a frozen turkey, increase the cooking time by 15-20 minutes.
How do I know if the turkey is done? Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The turkey is done when the temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.

Cooking a turkey in the Instant Pot is a simple and efficient way to achieve a perfectly cooked, juicy bird for your Thanksgiving feast By following these easy steps and tips, you’ll be able to impress your guests with a delicious and stress-free meal So, ditch the oven and embrace the convenience of the Instant Pot for a Thanksgiving turkey that will leave everyone wanting more.

Instant Pot TurkeyYield:

Yes it’s possible! You can cook a Thanksgiving Instant Pot turkey with a crispy skin.

8 lb turkey, fresh or defrosted
1 medium onion, quartered
1 stalk celery, quartered
1 medium carrot, quartered
2 cloves garlic, cut in half
1 dried bay leaf
1/2 cup water
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Once the turkey has been patted dry with a paper towel, season it with kosher salt and black pepper.
Put half an onion and one clove of garlic inside the turkey’s cavity.
Place the turkey on a trivet and add the remaining ingredients to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
On manual, cook for 48 minutes (6 minutes for each pound of turkey). NPR for 10 minutes.
Carefully remove from Instant Pot. Turkey should be placed on a baking sheet and have its skin brushed with oil or Instant Pot drippings for crispy results. Broil until golden, about five minutes.

For larger or smaller turkey simply use the 6 minutes per pound rule.

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although BaconisMagic. ca attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

In Search of a Moist Turkey

I don’t think many people do it well, which is why gravy exists.

Towards the end of her life, I took up the responsibility of making Thanksgiving turkey, and I’ve tried a ton of different methods.

I’ve once injected butter under the skin, brined it for a few years, and last year I accidentally spatchcocked the turkey.

I usually follow Alton Brown’s method of high heat to begin and reduce to low.

But there’s just something about turkey that makes me want to have lobster at Thanksgiving instead.

Or at least a whole fish?

But my mother loves turkey and so that will never happen. So this year I tried an Instant Pot turkey.

I figured if the Instant Pot Peruvian chicken turned out so well then a turkey should as well.

Using this 8qt model of the Instant Pot., which can handle a 8-9lb turkey on a trivet.

Despite their apparent small size, I usually cook two turkeys because I prefer smaller ones to one gigantic one.

how to cook a turkey in the instant pot

My family doesn’t like turkey skin (travesty, I know) so I cooked it the simplest way possible. No browning.

After setting the turkey on the trivet, I filled the Instant Pot with half a cup of water and added half an onion, carrot, celery stalk, and bay leaf.

Using the Instant Pot chicken method of 6 minutes per pound with a 10 minute NPR.

So an 8lb turkey is 48 Minutes Cooking + 10 Minutes NPR

I simply pushed the white, unappealing skin aside and carved the meat onto a platter for everyone to enjoy. The turkey comes off the bone quite easily.

It was so moist and flavourful. No need for gravy – although we had it anyway.

I am hooked.