Description
This Instant Pot Whole Turkey recipe offers a convenient and flavorful way to prepare a juicy turkey with classic herb seasoning. Using an Instant Pot allows you to cook the turkey quickly under pressure while keeping it moist and tender. A final broil crisps the skin to golden perfection, making it an ideal dish for a holiday feast or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Seasonings
- 7-8 lb turkey, fresh or fully thawed, rinsed & patted dry with insides removed
- Coarse sea salt or Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, sliced into quarters
- 3 cloves garlic, cut into halves
- 2 stalks celery, cut into thirds
- 2 medium carrots, cut into large chunks
- 1 dried bay leaf
Liquids
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Season the Turkey. Season the outside and inside of the turkey generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Rub the dried sage, rosemary, and thyme evenly on the outside skin of the turkey to infuse classic herb flavors.
- Prepare the Cavity. Place half of the sliced onion and one clove of garlic inside the turkey cavity to add additional aromatic flavor during cooking.
- Arrange Vegetables and Broth. Add the remaining onion, garlic, celery, carrots, and the bay leaf to the bottom of the inner pot of your 8-quart Instant Pot. Pour in the chicken broth, which will create steam and flavor while the turkey cooks.
- Place Turkey on Trivet. Position the trivet on top of the vegetables. Tuck the turkey wings underneath the bird, then carefully set the turkey on the trivet to keep it elevated above the cooking liquid.
- Cook Under Pressure. Lock the Instant Pot lid in place and move the steam valve to the sealing position. Select the High Pressure or Manual cooking setting and set the time for 46 minutes, estimating about 6 minutes per pound of turkey to ensure thorough cooking.
- Release Pressure. Once cooking completes, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Afterward, carefully switch the steam valve to venting to release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
- Rest and Broil. Remove the turkey from the pot and place it on a large baking sheet. Let it cool for about 5 minutes. Then baste the skin with oil or drippings from the Instant Pot and sprinkle additional dried herbs if desired. Broil the turkey in your oven for approximately 5 minutes or until the skin is golden and crispy. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Notes
- You can cook a juicy and delicious Thanksgiving turkey in your pressure cooker, saving time and cleanup.
- The final broil step crisps the turkey skin beautifully, enhancing the flavor and appearance.
- Herb seasoning can be substituted with your preferred mix if desired.
- Using an 8-quart Instant Pot is recommended to accommodate the whole turkey comfortably.
- Natural pressure release is important for maintaining the turkey’s moisture and tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 276 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
