What Size Turkey Fits in a 6-Quart Instant Pot? A Complete Guide

Growing up, my grandmother always made Thanksgiving turkey. She cooked it slowly and low until it was so dry.

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

As Thanksgiving approaches many home cooks start pondering an important question what size turkey will actually fit in my 6-quart Instant Pot?

The versatile Instant Pot has become extremely popular for cooking juicy tender turkey in a fraction of the traditional roasting time. But its compact interior does limit the size bird you can cook.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll provide everything you need to know about fitting a whole turkey in a 6-qt Instant Pot.

Key Factors That Determine Turkey Size Capacity

Several important factors impact how large of a turkey your 6-quart Instant Pot can accommodate:

The total internal capacity of your model. Most 6-qt IPs have around 5-6 quarts of usable space when accounting for the max fill line.
The shape and dimensions of your turkey. Compact, rounded turkeys fit better than tall or broad ones.
Whether you stuff it or cook unstuffed. An unstuffed turkey takes up less space.
Accessories used like a trivet, rack or roasting sling. These can add more usable room.

With those factors in mind, here are the size guidelines for 6-qt Instant Pot turkey capacity:

An unstuffed turkey up to 6 lbs will fit comfortably.
A stuffed turkey should be no more than 5 lbs for safe fitting.
The shape and actual size dimensions matter just as much as the weight.

Tips for Selecting the Right Size Turkey

Follow these handy tips when shopping for a 6-quart Instant Pot turkey:

Stick with a size between 5-6 lbs for whole turkey.
Opt for a compact, rounded shape rather than a very broad or tall bird.
Allow 1 lb of turkey per person when estimating your quantity needs.
Purchase an unstuffed turkey to maximize interior capacity.
If stuffing, reduce turkey size to 5 lbs maximum.
Inspect dimensions and measure the turkey if unsure about fit.
Check for a pop-up timer, thawed weight, and expiration date.

Choosing a turkey in the right size range prevents overfilling issues. Carefully inspecting dimensions guarantees your bird will fit perfectly in the multi-cooker.

Proper Preparation is Key

Proper prep is crucial for delicious Instant Pot turkey with tender, juicy meat:

Always thaw frozen turkey completely first.
Remove giblets and neck from interior cavities.
Do a dry brine in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking.
Generously season all over with salt, pepper and aromatic herbs.
Rub butter or oil under and on top of the skin.
Place sliced onions, garlic, broth in pot.
Use a trivet or rack below turkey if very large.

Proper prep unlocks maximum flavor and moisture. A dry brine infuses the meat while aromatic rubs and broth provide delicious seasoning.

Cook Times and Pressure Settings

Cooking duration can vary a bit based on size and shape, but here are general guidelines:

5 lb. unstuffed turkey: Cook for 30 minutes
6 lb. unstuffed turkey: Cook for 35 minutes
5 lb. stuffed turkey: Cook for 40 minutes
Use high pressure manual setting for all sizes.
Allow 10 minute natural pressure release after cooking.
Check internal temp, cook longer if under 165°F.

The natural pressure release time allows the turkey to gently finish cooking without overdoing the outer parts.

Always use a meat thermometer to verify 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh. Cook longer if needed to reach food safe temp.

Handy Accessories to Try

Certain accessories can make fitting a turkey in the 6-qt Instant Pot much easier:

Turkey lifters help easily maneuver the bird in and out.
A trivet or steam rack adds more vertical capacity.
Roasting slings hold the turkey compressed.
Temperature probes monitor doneness.
Springform pans can hold stuffing mixtures instead of stuffing the cavity.

The right accessories can enable fitting a larger turkey or just make the process simpler. A springform pan frees up interior space while a sling compresses the bird for a better fit.

Storing and Reusing Leftovers

One benefit of Instant Pot turkey is having leftovers:

Allow cooked turkey to rest for 1 hour before refrigerating.
Separate white and dark meat into shallow containers for quick cooling.
Use leftovers within 3-4 days for food safety.
Refrigerate gravy, stuffing and sides separately.
Slice, dice or shred turkey to repurpose.
Use in soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and casseroles.

Proper storage and handling prevents spoilage and illness. Shredding or chopping turkey makes it easy to reuse in versatile recipes.

Key Takeaways

A 6-quart Instant Pot can fit a 5-6 lb. unstuffed or 5 lb. stuffed turkey.
Carefully inspect dimensions and shape before purchasing.
Allow 1 lb. turkey per person when estimating quantity.
Cook 30-40 minutes on high pressure depending on size.
Use accessories to maximize capacity and fitting.
Store leftovers safely and repurpose in creative ways.

With proper selection, preparation and cooking technique, you can easily make delicious, moist turkey in your 6-qt Instant Pot. Just be sure to stay within size limits for successful results!

what size turkey fits in 6qt instant pot

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

Use a paper towel to dry the turkey, then season it with black pepper and kosher salt.
Put a half-onion and a garlic clove inside the turkey.
Place the trivet with the turkey on top of the rest of the ingredients in the Instant Pot.
Place the turkey in the oven and set the timer for 48 minutes. NPR for 10 minutes.
Carefully remove from Instant Pot. To get crispy skin, put the turkey on a baking sheet and baste it with oil or Instant Pot juices. 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.

Should You Stuff Turkey?

I used to think that dressing (or stuffing) HAD to be in the turkey because that’s where all the flavor is, right?

Wrong.

A few years ago I tested two kinds of stuffing.

One was in the turkey, and the other was in a casserole dish I made and then poured turkey juices over before baking. No one could tell the difference.

Fat from the turkey is what everyone loves, so we just pour it over the stuffing and cook it while the turkey rests.

This method changed the way I cook because turkey dries out quickly and stuffing makes the cooking time longer.

Remove the stuffing and cook a better bird.

what size turkey fits in 6qt instant pot

Instant Pot Duo 3, 6, & 8 qt UNBOXING – WHICH INSTANT POT TO BUY

FAQ

What size turkey fits in a 6 qt Instant Pot?

A 6 lb turkey or turkey breast should fit into a 6 qt Instant Pot. For 7 lb turkey or breasts, use an 8 qt. Instant Pot (paid link). You don’t have to brine but it makes the turkey taste so much better.

What size roast fits in a 6 quart Instant Pot?

For a 6 quart you could probably fit a 4-5 lb roast easily inside, if you like a lot of potatoes and carrots to go with your roast or want to cook a larger size Instant Pot, I recommend buying the 8-quart size.

What size bowl fits in a 6 quart Instant Pot?

For a long time I used the medium sized bowl that came in this Anchor 3-Piece Set of Glass Mixing Bowl which worked well. I now prefer the 7-Cup Round Pyrex Dish. It easily fits inside a 6-Quart Instant Pot and (my favorite part) it comes with a lid.

Can you cook a 7 lb Turkey in an Instant Pot?

Choose a turkey that will fit in your Instant Pot. A 6 lb turkey or turkey breast should fit into a 6 qt Instant Pot. For 7 lb turkey or breasts, use an 8 qt. Instant Pot (paid link). You don’t have to brine but it makes the turkey taste so much better. Brining is easy! Just add garlic, kosher salt (paid link) and water to a large container.

How do you cook a Turkey in an Instant Pot?

Stuff: Put half of the onion and one clove of garlic inside the cavity of the turkey. Add Veggies to Instant Pot: Add the remaining vegetables to the bottom of the inner pot of an 8-quart Instant Pot. Place the trivet on top of the vegetables. Add Turkey: Tuck the wings under the turkey, then set the turkey on top of the trivet.

How do you brine a Turkey in an Instant Pot?

To brine the turkey, place water, kosher salt in large container. Stir well, add turkey, cover with water and allow to brine at least 5 hours or overnight. Press Saute on Instant Pot. Add oil. When hot, add chopped onions cook for about 3 minutes. Add garlic, celery, carrots and herbs, cook for another 3 minutes.

Is Instant Pot turkey breast good?

The moist heat from the instant pot perfectly cooks the turkey, without drying out the meat, while the homemade herb butter infuses the turkey with flavor. Finished with a rich gravy, Instant Pot Turkey Breast is not only easy to make but also delivers delicious, juicy turkey. Time-Saver.

How do you Pressure Cook a turkey breast in the Instant Pot?

Step Three: Pressure Cook. There are four key things to remember when pressure cooking a turkey breast in the Instant Pot. Place the turkey breast meat side down on the inner rack. That is so the juices flow into the meat, keeping the turkey breast super juicy. Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes per pound.

How to make turkey gravy in Instant Pot?

Directions are included for how to make turkey gravy right in the instant pot as well. In a small bowl, combine the butter with Mix together the butter with rosemary, thyme, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper until well combined. Loosen the skin on the turkey breast using your hand.