How to roast a turkey in your pressure cooker or multi-pot! This easy and quick roast turkey recipe can be ready to eat in 30 minutes or less. It’s a winter meal or Thanksgiving recipe that is perfect for smaller crowds.
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle my friends! I’ve just learned how to roast a turkey breast and/or whole chicken in my electric pressure cooker and I’m sharing the easy recipe tutorial with you. I’ve seen those Instant Pot whole chicken recipes, so I knew I needed to try making a roast turkey in my new Mealthy Multipot. Sometimes, I just want a warm, juicy turkey for dinner, but I don’t want to do tons or prep or wait hours for it to cook in my oven. This recipe barely even heats up the house. And, I’ll even show you the amazing way to create a delicious roasted flavor in your Instant Pot or Multipot using the awesome Mealthy CrispLid.
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I’m telling you, this pressure cooker roast turkey is a game changer. I had no idea it was so dang easy!
Cooking turkey in a pressure cooker is a game-changer for home cooks. With the holidays coming up, many wonder if you can cook an entire turkey in a pressure cooker and if it will turn out as moist and flavorful as a roast turkey. I have tested this method extensively and am here to provide a complete guide on how to cook delicious turkey in a pressure cooker.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey in a Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooking offers several advantages when cooking turkey
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Saves time – Turkey cooks up to 70% faster in a pressure cooker compared to roasting. A 12 lb bird takes only 50-60 minutes!
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Retains moisture – The intense pressure forces steam into the meat, keeping it incredibly juicy and tender.
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Infuses flavor – Spices and aromatics permeate the turkey deeply under pressure. The meat soaks up all that delicious flavor.
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Convenient – No basting, tenting foil, or worrying about drying out. Just set it and forget it!
Tips for Delicious Pressure Cooked Turkey
Follow these tips and tricks for the best possible results:
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Use the right size cooker – Choose a model that fits your turkey snugly with 2-3 inches of clearance. Too much room can lead to uneven cooking.
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Partially freeze turkey – Chilling firms up the bird so it fits better and cooks faster. Defrost halfway before cooking.
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Truss turkey – Tie the legs together securely so they don’t overcook compared to the breast.
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Add liquid – 1-2 cups of broth or water in the pot creates steam to cook the meat. Chicken or turkey stock adds lots of flavor.
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Allow natural release – Don’t quick release pressure or turkey may be underdone. Let pressure come down naturally for 10-15 minutes first.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here is a simple walkthrough for cooking turkey in a pressure cooker:
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Prep turkey – Remove giblets, rinse cavity, pat dry, truss, and coat with oil, salt, pepper, and herbs. Partially freeze if desired.
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Add aromatics – Stuff cavity with onion, garlic, citrus, fresh herbs for extra flavor.
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Place turkey in pot – Add broth/water to pot and insert steamer rack. Lower turkey in breast-side up.
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Pressure cook – Lock lid, select High Pressure, and set time based on size. Cook 50-60 minutes for 12 lb turkey.
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Allow natural release – Let pressure come down naturally for 10-15 minutes before quick releasing remaining pressure.
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Finish and serve – Carefully remove turkey, tent with foil, and rest 15 minutes before carving. Enjoy your juicy and delicious meal!
Helpful Variations and Tips
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Brining the turkey first ensures superior moisture and flavor.
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For crispy skin, rub with oil and broil after pressure cooking.
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Add herbs, citrus, onions, or garlic to cavity or cooking liquid for more flavor.
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Cook bone-in turkey breast, drumsticks, wings, or thighs using the same method. Adjust time per size.
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Save bones to make nutritious bone broth in the pressure cooker after.
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Chill and slice leftover turkey for easy sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and salads all week long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook a stuffed turkey in a pressure cooker?
It’s not recommended, as stuffing may not cook properly and prevents heat circulation. Cook stuffing separately.
What size pressure cooker do you need for turkey?
Choose a cooker that fits the turkey snugly with 2-3 inches of clearance. Too much room can lead to uneven cooking.
How long should you pressure cook a whole turkey?
Whole turkeys take 45-60 minutes on high pressure depending on size, around 6 minutes per pound.
Is pressure cooked turkey safe to eat?
Yes, turkey is perfectly safe cooked properly in a pressure cooker. The high temperature kills harmful bacteria as long as you use the correct cook time.
The Verdict on Pressure Cooked Turkey
Cooking turkey in a pressure cooker is absolutely doable and can help you make a delicious, fuss-free holiday meal. With the right techniques, your turkey will turn out moist and bursting with flavor. Just be sure to use a properly sized cooker and the correct cook times. With a little practice, you’ll be able to whip up amazing pressure cooked turkey for your next special occasion. Give it a try this holiday season!
What is a MultiPot Pressure Cooker?
An electric pressure cooker is the big craze right now because it is one of the easiest and fastest ways to cook all kinds of everyday items. These cookers like the Instant Pot and the Multipot not only have a pressure cooker, but they also include a slow cooker, saute pan, rice cooker, and sometimes even a yogurt maker! My favorite things to make in my electric pressure cooker is dry beans into refried beans or chili (the beans go from dry to soft in 40 minutes or less–no soaking!). I also love making baked potatoes and chicken super fast on nights that I only have 30 minutes to make dinner. So many possibilities! Even though I am using my new Mealthy MultiPot in this recipe, I’m pretty sure this could also be a Instant Pot turkey recipe also. I also have an Instant Pot and have been using mine for about 3 years now and the MultiPot feels almost the exact same as the Instant Pot, with a few extras.
Read about the differences between a MultiPot and and Instant Pot here.
This recipe also shows you how to get a roasted rotisserie type feel and flavor to your turkey or chicken using the Mealthy Air Fryer CrispLid. This part is completely optional, but it’s worth looking into because the CrispLid turns ANY brand of electric pressure cooker into an AIR FRYER!!! It’s AMAZING and I LOVE MY CRISPLID! We’ve used it on our Instant Pot and our MultiPot and it makes foods crispy and cooked like frying, but without all the grease and unhealthy fat.
And if you are looking for some other turkey or chicken recipes, here’s a few to try:
Turkey Apple Bacon Wraps (great for leftover turkey!)