Cooking turkey breast can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be with the right tools and techniques The Ninja Foodi is a versatile multi-cooker that allows you to pressure cook and crisp up turkey breast for juicy, flavorful results in minimal time.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook perfect turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi every time.
Why Choose the Ninja Foodi for Cooking Turkey Breast?
The Ninja Foodi is my go-to for cooking turkey breast for a few key reasons
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Tender and Juicy Meat: The pressure cooking function infuses moisture deep into the meat, so even lean turkey breast stays succulent and tender.
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Crispy Skin: Switch to air crisp mode at the end to make the skin deliciously crispy.
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Timesaving: Cooking turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi is way faster than roasting in the oven. You can have a complete meal ready in under an hour.
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Versatile: With pressure cooking, air frying, baking, broiling, and more functions, you can get creative with turkey breast recipes.
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Convenient: The Ninja Foodi doesn’t take up much counter space, and cleanup is easy with its nonstick pot and crisping lid.
Picking the Right Turkey Breast
For the best results, look for a boneless, skin-on turkey breast between 3-5 lbs. The skin helps the breast retain moisture and gets ultra crispy when air fried. Both fresh and frozen turkey breast work in the Ninja Foodi.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect turkey breast every time in your Ninja Foodi:
Prep the Turkey
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Thaw frozen turkey breast overnight in the fridge or run under cool water for 30 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.
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Loosen the skin from the breast and rub the meat evenly with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings.
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For extra flavor, consider stuffing fresh herb butter or pesto under the skin before cooking.
Pressure Cook
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Pour 1 cup of liquid (broth, wine, or water) into pot. This creates steam to keep turkey moist.
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Place seasoned turkey breast skin-side up on trivet or cooking rack. Make sure air can flow around it.
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Pressure cook on high for 10-15 minutes, depending on size. Allow 10 minute natural pressure release.
Air Crisp
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Remove lid. Pat turkey dry with paper towels and brush skin with oil.
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Return breast to pot skin-side up. Air crisp at 400°F for 8-12 minutes until skin is browned and crispy.
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Use a meat thermometer to check doneness – turkey is safe to eat at 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Serve and Enjoy!
Dig into your tender, juicy turkey breast with deliciously crisped skin. Pair it with your favorite sides for an easy, tasty meal.
Tips for the Best Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast
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Brine the turkey breast overnight for extra moist, seasoned meat.
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Pat the skin completely dry before air crisping to help it get super crispy.
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Use a meat thermometer to check doneness – don’t rely on time alone.
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Let turkey breast rest at least 5 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
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Add broth, wine or water to the pot before pressure cooking to keep meat moist.
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For crisper skin, finish on broil setting for 1-2 minutes after air crisping.
Common Turkey Breast Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to go wrong cooking turkey breast. Watch out for these common pitfalls:
- Not patting the skin dry before air crisping → soggy skin
- Skipping natural pressure release → moisture loss
- Overcrowding/incorrect rack → uneven cooking
- Checking temp too late → overcooked meat
- Cutting into breast before resting → dried out meat
Follow the step-by-step instructions and tips above to avoid these turkey breast mishaps.
Getting Creative with Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast
While the basic preparation above is foolproof, you can also get creative with different seasonings and ingredients:
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Herb-Butter Turkey Breast: Stuff fresh herb butter under the skin before cooking.
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BBQ Turkey Breast: Coat with smoky barbecue dry rub and sauce.
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Jerk Turkey Breast: Use Jamaican jerk spices for a kick.
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Maple-Bourbon Turkey Breast: Brush with a maple bourbon glaze during the air crisping stage.
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Citrus-Rosemary Turkey Breast: Season with lemon, lime, garlic, and rosemary.
The possibilities are endless for making unique turkey breast creations in the Ninja Foodi!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi?
Around 25-35 minutes total, with 10-15 minutes pressure cooking and 10-15 minutes air crisping, is usually sufficient. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
What temperature should the turkey breast reach?
Cook until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F for safe consumption. Juices will run clear when pierced.
Can you cook frozen turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi?
Yes, you can cook turkey breast directly from the frozen state. Just add 5 extra minutes to the pressure cooking time. Thawing first results in more even cooking though.
Do you need to flip the turkey breast halfway through?
No flipping is required! Keep the turkey breast skin-side up the entire time for best results.
What liquid should you use in the Ninja Foodi pot?
Chicken or turkey broth, wine, apple juice, and water all work well. The liquid creates steam to keep the turkey moist.
Take Your Turkey Breast to the Next Level
With the right techniques, cooking juicy, delicious turkey breast in the versatile Ninja Foodi couldn’t be easier. Follow the instructions in this guide for tender, flavorful meat with crispy browned skin every time.
Get creative with unique seasoning blends, glazes, and stuffings to take your Ninja Foodi turkey breast to the next culinary level. Impress your family and friends with your mastery of this kitchen appliance. Soon you’ll be the Ninja Foodi turkey pro!
5-Minute Gravy From Scratch
Gravy doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating! This quick, no-fuss recipe is my go-to when I want a rich, flavorful gravy that’s done in minutes. Whether you’re working with chicken stock, bouillon, or drippings from a roast, this method will have your family asking for seconds (and maybe thirds!).
- Butter: Butter makes everything better, especially gravy! Use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness—it’s a lifesaver since stocks and bouillons can vary a lot in salt content.
- Flour: Good ol’ all-purpose flour is all you need to make that velvety smooth roux that thickens the gravy perfectly.
- Chicken Stock or Broth: Use a flavorful stock—low-sodium is my favorite because you can season it just right. Bonus points if you’ve got drippings from a roast!
- Bouillon: This is my secret weapon for extra flavor when using just stock. Skip it if you’re using rich turkey or beef drippings, though—you’ve already got plenty of flavor!
- Spices: Keep it simple with your favorite herbs and a sprinkle of onion powder for that cozy, savory kick.
- Warm Up Your Stock: Heat your stock and bouillon (if using) in the microwave until hot. Stir to dissolve the bouillon—it should smell amazing already!
- Make Your Roux: In a saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and spices, and let it cook for about a minute. You want a golden, bubbly roux—not too dark!
- Add the Stock: Slowly pour the hot stock into the roux while whisking. Take your time here—whisk, whisk, whisk! This keeps your gravy lump-free and silky smooth.
- Thicken It Up: Keep stirring as the gravy comes to a boil and thickens to your desired consistency. This step is quick, so don’t walk away!
In just five minutes, you’ll have a luscious, homemade gravy that takes any meal to the next level. Serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted meats, or even just a spoon—no judgment here!
- Use high-quality stock: The better the stock, the better your gravy!
- Drippings are gold: If you’re roasting a turkey or chicken, don’t skip the drippings! Strain them, skim off the fat, and mix them with your stock for incredible flavor.
- Bouillon adds magic: If you’re using plain stock, bouillon is your best friend. If you’ve got drippings, feel free to skip it.
- Irish butter = no extra salt: If you’re lucky enough to have Irish butter, it’s already wonderfully salted—no need to add more.
That’s it—dinner is served! Pair this boneless turkey breast cooked in a Ninja Foodi with your favorite sides (hello, mashed potatoes and green beans!), and enjoy a meal the whole family will love. Let me know how it turned out in the comments!