Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloin

If you want an easy, quick, and delicious way to make a smaller turkey dinner, this Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloin is the answer! It’s simple to make, never dry, and full of flavor. Pair it with your favorite holiday sides.

Turkey breast tenderloin is one of my favorite proteins to cook this time of year. It’s a great alternative to chicken and it can be baked in the oven, air-fried, or slow cooked. It’s perfect for a small holiday meal (like Thanksgiving) instead of a whole turkey.

Today I wanted to show you another way to prepare it - in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker.

The thing I love about making a turkey in the Instant Pot is that it seals in moisture, basically guaranteeing the juiciest turkey breast.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Turkey Breast Tenderloin

• Guaranteed moist and tender: Cooking lean protein in the instant pot seals in the moisture and ensures a juicy, perfectly cooked turkey breast every time.
• Quick and easy: While a traditional turkey takes hours (plus lots of prep time), this tenderloin is ready in just 20 minutes.
• Great for a small crowd: If you want a turkey dinner for a small gathering, this is a great way to prepare a small turkey with gravy for a special occasion.

Looking for more ways to cook turkey? Try this Crockpot Turkey Breast, Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin, or Baked Turkey Tenderloin.

Ingredients

Here is everything you need to make this juicy turkey breast tenderloin recipe.

• Turkey breast tenderloin: Turkey breast tenderloin is the most tender part of the turkey breast. It normally comes packaged with 2 tenderloins (similar to pork tenderloin) and can be brined or plain.
• Butter and olive oil: Using a combination of butter and olive oil adds richness and flavor to the lean turkey. Use all butter or olive oil if you prefer. If you plan on making gravy, it is best to use at least some butter.
• Spices: You can use almost any combination of spices, herbs, and seasonings on the turkey. For a traditional flavor, use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, sage, kosher salt, and black pepper. You can also add rosemary, poultry seasoning, or marjoram.
• Chicken stock: To help ensure a super moist turkey, add some chicken or turkey stock to the Instant Pot. You could also use water or a combination of stock and white wine if you prefer.
• Aromatics: Adding carrots, celery, and onion to the Instant Pot helps infuse the turkey breast with flavor. Throw in some garlic as well if you like.
• Gravy: If you want to make gravy, you will also need cornstarch to thicken the cooking liquid. Since this is a lean turkey breast, there won’t be a lot of drippings or fat, but you can still make a really tasty gravy.

How to Cook Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot

This turkey couldn’t be easier to make! In just a few simple steps, dinner is done.

1. Prep the turkey breast tenderloins

Make sure to always dry the turkey with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then make the spice rub in a small bowl. Cover the turkey on all sides.

Note: If you buy brined turkey tenderloin, reduce the amount of salt in the rub since the brine contains salt.

2. Sear until golden brown

Warm the butter and olive oil in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add the turkey and sear on both sides until golden brown. It should take a couple of minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

3. Add aromatics and cook

Place the carrots, celery, and onion in the bottom of the Instant Pot and place the turkey breast on top. This helps prevent burning and sticking.

Add the broth to the Instant Pot. Seal the lid and cook the turkey for 8 minutes. Then let the Instant Pot naturally release for 10 minutes. The turkey will continue to cook during this time, so don’t open it sooner.

Remove the turkey and tent it with foil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Turkey should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

4. Make gravy

If you want to make them gracy, start by removing the aromatics from the pot. Then turn to Saute mode. Mix together the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Slowly whisk it into the broth and drippings.

Cook for a few minutes, stirring often so it doesn’t burn, until the gravy is thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

How to Cook Frozen Turkey Tenderloin

If you are making this recipe with frozen tenderloins, add 10 minutes of cooking time to ensure it is fully cooked.

Note: If possible, it is always better to cook turkey and other proteins thawed. When cooked from frozen, it is more likely to cook unevenly resulting in some areas that are dry or overcooked.

To thaw the turkey breast tenderloin, simply place it in the fridge the night before.

Side Dish Ideas

There are so many side dish options for turkey from traditional Thanksgiving sides to quick roasted veggies and salads. Here are some of our favorites.

• Holiday sides: Pair this with a healthy green bean casserole, sausage cornbread stuffing, apple cranberry sauce, broccoli casserole, or sweet potato casserole.
• Roasted veggies: Serve this with balsamic brussels sprouts, whole butternut squash, roasted green beans, or roasted mushrooms.
• Potatoes: Make delicious easy roasted potatoes, fingerling potatoes, potato cauliflower mash, or honey roasted sweet potatoes.
• Salads: Add some greens with a shaved Brussels salad, spinach salad, or arugula salad.

Flavor Variations

Change up the flavor of this turkey by switching out the spice rub!

• Blackened: Make a smoky and spicy turkey with this blackening seasoning.
• Cajun: Pack in tons of flavor with a sweet and spicy Cajun rub.
• Lemon pepper: Add citrus and spice with zesty lemon pepper.
• White wine: Use white wine in place of some of the chicken broth. Then make a white wine sauce with butter instead of traditional gravy.

Make Ahead, Storage, and Leftovers

This turkey can be made ahead of time, but it will lose some moisture. For best results, make sure to let it cool completely and store it with the cooking liquid.

Then reheat individual slices in a saute pan with some of the cooking liquid. If reheating the whole turkey tenderloin, reheat slowly in a pan with the cooking liquid.

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in the fridge for 4-5 days. Then use the leftovers to make:

• Turkey sandwiches or wraps
• Turkey soup
• Salads or grain bowls
• Turkey casserole

Trouble Shooting: 4 Common Problems and Solutions

1. Problem: Dry Meat

Solution: To prevent dryness, be cautious with cooking time. For turkey breast tenderloins, shorter cooking times (about 8 minutes) are often better. Consider using a natural pressure release, which allows the meat to retain more moisture. Additionally, adding liquid helps the turkey stay moist.

2. Problem: Lack of Flavor

Solution: Ensure you season the turkey breast tenderloins well before cooking. You can marinate them in your favorite spices and herbs for added flavor. Consider using a flavorful liquid like broth, white wine, or a marinade before adding it to the Instant Pot. Searing the meat before pressure cooking also enhances the flavor by creating a delicious crust.

3. Problem: Uneven Cooking

Solution: Make sure the tenderloins are of similar size to ensure even cooking. If using frozen tenderloins, thaw them before cooking. Arrange the pieces evenly in the Instant Pot to promote uniform cooking. This helps prevent some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked.

4. Problem: Sticking to the Bottom

Solution: Create a bed of aromatics on the bottom of the Instant Pot so that the turkey doesn’t stick. If you prefer not to use the aromatics, then use the Instant Pot insert so that the turkey isn’t sitting on the bottom of the pot.