It can sometimes take days to completely thaw a turkey, but today we are sharing how you can cook a completely frozen turkey in your Instant Pot in less than two hours (depending on the size of your turkey).
We have already shared how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey, but maybe you don’t need a whole turkey or don’t need to feed a ton of people! This Instant Pot Whole Turkey recipe will be one of your all-time favorite instant pot recipes. The natural turkey drippings at the bottom of the pot mixed with fresh herbs will be the best part of your Thanksgiving. This is a great way to make a great recipe that will impress everyone who eats!
The pressure cooking makes the boneless turkey breast extremely tender and gives the turkey crispy skin. The turkey dinner will be an easy recipe for you to make for years to come. If you have leftover turkey breast you can easily store it in an airtight container or even throw it in the freezer, in freezer bags. When it’s time to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year, it’ll be so low-stress because you’ll have this recipe card saved. Serve it with cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, turkey gravy, and any other Thanksgiving food you love. Then you can eat turkey sandwiches for the next few days with the leftovers (if you have any)! This is one of the most delicious recipes you’ll make this Thanksgiving.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To cook frozen whole turkey in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 (4-10 pound) turkey breast (plan on about a pound per guest)
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 (15 ounce) can chicken broth
- Seasonings of Choice: salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, garlic powder
Equipment Needed
We use a Instant Pot LUX 6 Quart 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker. It is basically seven appliances in one. You can use it as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, saute, steamer, cake maker, and warmer.
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
Instructions for Cooking a Frozen Turkey in the Instant Pot
- Place trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Cut the netting and packaging off of the turkey.
- Remove the gravy packet (if there is one).
- If you are struggling to get the gravy packet out of the turkey because it’s frozen, you can run it under hot water to loosen it enough to pull it out. However, keep in mind that you will need to disinfect your sink after as a general rule of thumb.
- Place the frozen turkey in the Instant Pot.
- Rub (or brush) melted butter on all sides of the turkey.
- Seasoning the turkey with all the seasonings, trying to cover as much of the surface of the turkey as possible.
- Pour chicken broth in the bottom of the Instant Pot, being sure to not pour the chicken broth directly on top of the turkey and wash the seasonings off.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, push the MANUAL button, and set the timer depending on how big your turkey is. See instructions below for timing.
- Let the pressure naturally release for 20 minutes, then move the valve to VENTING and release any remaining pressure.
- Remove turkey and let rest for about 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
- Use drippings in pot to make a delicious homemade gravy.
Cooking Time
Here is a breakdown of how long to cook a frozen turkey in the Instant Pot:
| Turkey Weight | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| 3 – 4 pounds | 65 minutes |
| 4 – 5 pounds | 70 minutes |
| 5 – 6 pounds | 75 minutes |
| 6 – 7 pounds | 80 minutes |
| 7 – 8 pounds | 85 minutes |
| 8 – 9 pounds | 90 minutes |
| 9 – 10 pounds | 95 minutes |
| 10 – 11 pounds | 100 minutes |
How to Store Leftover Turkey
Leftover turkey should be cooled down as quickly as possible. The more surface area that is exposed to cold air, the faster your turkey will cool. A whole turkey in a large container will take too long to cool down to a safe temperature, which will give bacteria a chance to multiple.
- In the Refrigerator: Place in an airtight container and place in the the refrigerator. Leftover turkey can store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- In the Freezer: Once cooled, place your turkey flat in an airtight freezer bag. Label your bag with the date. Turkey stored in the freezer will last up 3 months. Thaw in a refrigerator, and use within 1 day of thawing.
- Reheating: Our favorite way to reheat leftover turkey is to warm it on a nonstick pen to give it some extra crispiness. You can also reheat in the oven at 350℉ for 12 to 15 minutes. When reheating in the microwave, heat for 1 to 2 minutes checking every 30 seconds. Try not to overheat your turkey, it can become dry and hard.
Enjoy More Delicious Turkey Recipes
Whether you want to cook your turkey in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or traditional oven roasting, we have got you covered. Check out our comprehensive collection of turkey recipes here.
- 5 Ways to Cook Turkey
- Convection Oven Whole Turkey
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Leftover Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole
- Marinated Turkey Breast
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Breast
- Slow Cooker Turkey and Stuffing
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Thanksgiving Turkey
How To Cook a Frozen Turkey in the Instant Pot Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 pound turkey breast, (anywhere from 3-11 pounds will work; plan on 1 pound per person)
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- seasonings, to taste, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder
- 15 ounces chicken broth
Instructions
- Place trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Cut the netting and packaging off of the turkey. Remove the gravy packet (if there is one).
- Place the frozen turkey in the Instant Pot.
- Rub (or brush) melted butter on all sides of the turkey.
- Top the turkey with all the seasonings, trying to cover as much of the surface of the turkey as possible.
- Pour chicken broth in the bottom of the Instant Pot, being careful to not pour it directly on the turkey and wash all the seasonings off (you could also pour the chicken broth in before you place the turkey inside the Instant Pot).
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, push the MANUAL button, and set the timer for 1 hour and 25 minutes (more or less depending on how big your turkey is – see notes for details).
- When cooking is finished, allow for a natural release for 20 minutes. Move valve to VENTING and release any remaining pressure.
- Remove turkey and let rest for about 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
- If desired, use drippings to make a gravy (see notes below).
- If you want a crispier skin, place the turkey in an oven-safe pan and broil in the oven for 1-3 minutes until it reaches the crisp you desire.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
I can’t wait to try this recipe for Thanksgiving Thursday. Got my new instapot/air fryer 2wks ago. Quick question: how do you adjust the time for a thawed turkey?
Thank you for your videos. Love them!!
Hi Beth! This recipe works great for a thawed turkey as well. Close the lid and push MANUAL (or PRESSURE COOK) and set the timer to 25 minutes.
Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, let the pot do a natural release cycle (should take about 10 to 15 minutes – you will hear the pin drop when the pressure has naturally released).
Carefully unlock and remove the lid from the Instant Pot.
Transfer the turkey breast to a cutting board, cover completely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting into it.
If crispier skin is desired, broil it in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Cut turkey into slices and serve.
Here are some turkey cooking times for the Instant Pot.
25 minutes for 6 pounds
30 minutes for 7 pounds
35 minutes for 8 pounds
40 minutes for 9 pounds
Thanks for recipe! Love any helpful tips I can get!
My turkey breast was 5.7 lbs, frozen. I cooked it for 75 min. It was dry. I was hoping for a better turnout. Guess I should be glad COVID-19 prevented me from hosting my normal group. I’ll have to experiment. Thanks for motivating me to use the IP. I never would have thought of it for turkey.
I tried this recipe w a 8lb frozen breast w bone and cooked it for 85 mins w a natural release for 20 mins. It was dry. I think I didn’t let it rest for the 10 min at the end, do you think that’s why it was dry?…or maybe just brine it next time?
I love you podcast. Got my instant Pot for Black Friday.
You girl have help me cook up some good stuff.
Thanks.
I was just gifted an IP today. I am going to use this recipe right away!! I watched the video and it looks pretty easy to do this. Can I cook the turkey on a trivet or balls of foil so as not to have my turkey swimming around in the liquid?
We just set the turkey in the Instant Pot, but you can place it on the trivet if you want.
I got me a turkey like yours pictured in post but it is close to 12 lbs because I couldn’t find a 10lb or less. I am so eager to make a turkey in my instant pot. But not sure if it will fit. Fill have to try in the package frozen before I open it. Does cooking a thawed turkey change the cooking time? I like rubbing in butter under the skin and put rosemary springs inside and under skin along with thyme. I have always done that for my oven turkeys. Boy do they come out with a wonderful aroma!!
So glad I found this recipe! We forgot to begin thawing the turkey. Question, do I put the Instapot on Hi or Lo?
Just push the Manual/Pressure cook button. It will be High.
I’m eager to try this recipe! But I wonder about the instructions to add the chicken broth after you put the turkey in the IP. If you don’t want to wash off the seasonings, wouldn’t it make sense to put the broth in first?
This might not help you with a turkey you’ve already bought, but I’ve heard some people take their IP inner pots to the store to make sure they buy a food item that fits.
Yes, we have done that before! Thanks Kathleen!!
Yes, right in the post it says – Pour chicken broth in the bottom of the Instant Pot, being sure to not pour the chicken broth directly on top of the turkey and wash the seasonings off.
This recipe looks so good and delicious
You ladies are a gift from above. Thanks so much for all your advice and time for sharing you knowledge and helping out a busy mom!!
Given that it’s starting out frozen, you may want to verify with a thermometer that the meat reached a safe cooking time & temperature.