For many home cooks, roasting a whole turkey in the oven is a yearly tradition. However, the long oven time can be daunting. Enter the pressure cooker – with its quick cooking times, your perfectly cooked turkey is just a press of a button away! In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook turkey to juicy, tender perfection in a pressure cooker.
Benefits of Pressure Cooking Turkey
Using a pressure cooker to prepare your holiday bird offers several advantages:
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Speed – Pressure cooking slashes cooking time significantly compared to oven roasting. A 12 lb turkey cooks in under an hour!
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Moisture retention – The intense pressure seals in juices incredibly well. Say goodbye to dry turkey!
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Flavor infusion – Pressure extracts more flavor from herbs and spices layered on the turkey.
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Convenience – With little monitoring needed, the pressure cooker simplifies turkey cooking.
Sizing Up Your Turkey
An important factor in determining pressure cook times is the size of your turkey. Here are estimates based on weight:
- Small (8-12 lbs): 45-60 minutes
- Medium (12-16 lbs): 60-75 minutes
- Large (16-20 lbs): 75-90 minutes
- Extra Large (20+ lbs): 90-120 minutes
As a general rule of thumb, allot around 45-60 minutes for a 12 lb bird Always defer to your specific pressure cooker manual for accuracy
Helpful Pre-Cooking Tips
Proper prep before pressure cooking will ensure the best results:
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Thaw completely – Never cook frozen turkey in a pressure cooker. Thaw in the fridge 1-2 days before.
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Remove giblets – Take out the neck and bag of giblets from the cavities before cooking.
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Pat dry – Dry the turkey thoroughly inside and out with paper towels before seasoning.
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Season generously – Rub herb butter under and on top of the skin. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.
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Use a rack – Place turkey on a steamer rack in the cooker to elevate it off the bottom.
Adding Flavorful Liquid
Pressurized steam cooks the turkey, so adding liquid to the pressure cooker is a must. Use:
- Chicken or turkey stock
- Wine, beer or cider
- Water with seasoning
- Combination of broth and water
Aim for 1-2 cups of liquid for a 12 lb turkey. Too little liquid can lead to burning.
Releasing Pressure and Resting
Once the cook time completes, you can release pressure naturally or manually. Allow 10-15 minutes of rest before carving for juiciest meat.
Ensuring Proper Doneness
Always check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast and thigh using a meat thermometer. Turkey should reach 165°F for food safety. If undercooked, simmer conventionally with the cooker lid off until the proper temperature is reached.
Going Beyond Whole Turkey
While whole birds are common, you can cook turkey parts in an electric pressure cooker as well:
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Turkey breast – Cook bone-in or boneless breasts for easy sandwiches
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Drumsticks and thighs – Braise for pulled turkey or crisp under the broiler
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Ground turkey – Use in chili, bolognese sauce, meatloaf and more
Get creative with cooking turkey in new ways with your pressure cooker!
Handy Electric Pressure Cooker Tips
Electric models like the Instant Pot have revolutionized pressure cooking. Follow these tips for success:
- Use the auto “poultry” function if available on your model
- Add liquid to the inner pot, not exterior housing
- Select high pressure for best results
- Allow natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes upon finishing
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Having issues getting perfect pressure cooked turkey? Here are some handy tips to address common problems:
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Not enough liquid – If getting a “burn” error, immediately add more liquid to the pot
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Overcooked meat – Use natural release method and reduce cook time
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Undercooked meat – Check temperature sooner and cook longer if needed
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Rubbery skin – Crisp skin by broiling for a few minutes after cooking
Make Delicious Use of Leftovers
With your perfectly cooked pressure cooker turkey, you’ll have leftovers to enjoy in creative ways:
- Turkey noodle soup with veggies
- Pot pie with biscuit topping
- Casserole with stuffing and gravy
- Stacked sandwich with cranberry sauce
- Turkey salad wrapped in lettuce cups
Get the most out of your holiday bird by using leftovers for easy meals all week long. Give pressure cooking your turkey a try this year. Your family will be amazed at the time saved, convenience and unbeatably juicy meat.
Cooking Time and Techniques
The main question is how long to cook a 10 lb turkey in a pressure cooker? The general rule of thumb is to cook the turkey for about 6 minutes per pound. For a 10 lb turkey, this translates to approximately 60 minutes. However, several factors can affect this, such as the type of pressure cooker youre using and the altitude at which youre cooking.
Why Cook a Turkey in a Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooking is a great technique for speeding up the cooking process. Whether youre short on time or want to free up your oven for other dishes, a pressure cooker is your best friend. Plus, it locks in moisture, ensuring your turkey is tender and juicy.
A Whole Turkey in a Pressure Cooker
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a turkey in a pressure cooker?
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Check the internal temperature:Regardless of cooking time, always use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
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Consider the cut:Cooking time may vary depending on whether you’re cooking a whole turkey or just turkey breast.
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Resting is key:After pressure cooking, let the turkey rest for a few minutes before carving to retain juices.
How many minutes per pound to pressure cook?
| Meat | Cooking Time (minutes) |
|---|---|
| Beef (pot roast, steak, rump, round, chuck, blade or brisket) Small Chunks | 15-20 per 450 g / 1 lb |
| Beef (pot roast, steak, rump, round, chuck, blade or brisket) Large Chunks | 20-25 per 450 g / 1 lb |
| Beef, ribs | 20 – 25 per 450 g / 1 lb |
| Beef, shanks | 25 – 30 per 450 g / 1 lb |
How long do you cook 2 lb of meat in a pressure cooker?
Cooking time: When cooking a pot roast in an Instant Pot, allow 20 minutes for every pound of meat. For example, cook a 2-pound pot roast at high pressure for 40 minutes and a 3-pound pot roast for 60 minutes.
How long does it take to cook turkey per pound?
Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12-to-14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey in a pressure cooker?
The cooking time for a turkey in a pressure cooker depends on the size of the turkey. As a general guideline, for a 12-pound turkey, it can take approximately 30 minutes of cooking time per pound. Do I need to thaw the turkey before cooking it in a pressure cooker?
How do you cook a Turkey skin in a pressure cooker?
Do a natural release for 10 minutes, then release rest of pressure. Serve or if you’d like the skin to crisp up a bit put your pressure cooker turkey on a baking sheet. Spray top with olive oil, sprinkle with seasonings and put under your broiler for about 4 minutes until skin crisps to your liking.
Can a pressure cooker Cook a 12 lb Turkey?
There are several advantages to choosing a pressure cooker over a traditional oven when cooking turkey Speed – Pressure cooked turkey cooks in about 1/3 of the time as oven roasting. A 12 lb turkey takes only about 1 hour to fully cook in a pressure cooker, compared to 3-4 hours in the oven.
How long do you cook a Turkey in an Instant Pot?
The general rule for cooking a turkey in your Instant Pot is to cook it for about 6 minutes per pound so this one was set for 48 minutes, 45 probably would’ve been fine too. To gauge how long meat takes to cook or how long it takes to cook an Instant Pot turkey breast use this printable chart.
How long does it take to cook a 12 lb Turkey?
A 12 lb turkey takes only about 1 hour to fully cook in a pressure cooker, compared to 3-4 hours in the oven. This frees up your oven and saves time on Thanksgiving or Christmas day. Moisture – The pressurized environment locks in moisture extremely well. Turkey cooked in a pressure cooker turns out very tender and juicy.
How much liquid do you put in a pressure cooker?
When pressure cooking a turkey, it’s crucial to add liquid to the cooker. This provides the necessary steam and moisture to cook the turkey properly. You can use chicken broth, turkey stock, or even water. Aim for approximately 1 to 2 cups of liquid, depending on the size of your pressure cooker. Natural Release or Quick Release?