Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy Whole30 Paleo Friendly

This Whole30 Instant Pot turkey breast with gravy is the ultimate solution for a delicious, stress-free holiday meal. Incredibly quick to prepare and absolutely Whole30 compliant, this recipe features a succulent turkey breast brined to perfection with a rich garlic-herb butter infused under its skin. Both the turkey and its flavorful gravy are prepared right in your Instant Pot, simplifying your Thanksgiving (or any special occasion) significantly. You’ll be amazed by how tender the turkey meat becomes and how effortlessly the accompanying gravy comes together. It’s the ideal centerpiece for any Whole30 Thanksgiving or Paleo Thanksgiving table.

Embracing Kitchen Efficiency: My Instant Pot Journey

I confess, I’ve always been a bit resistant to trends, especially when it comes to kitchen gadgets. My initial reaction is often skeptical: “Another tool taking up counter space? No, thank you.” It’s a pattern that has repeated itself many times.

I remember the initial buzz around smoothie bowls. My thought was, “Why complicate a simple smoothie? Just drink it!” Six months later, however, I found myself artfully arranging berries and granola, thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Then came avocado toast. “Avocados belong on chips!” I declared. But, as with most culinary innovations, after a period of resistance, I conceded. And yes, it was indeed delicious.

The Instant Pot was no exception. For a long time, I viewed it as just another kitchen appliance destined to gather dust. “It’ll just overcook everything and make it soupy,” I’d grumble, observing the passionate “Instant Pot cult” from a distance. I thought it would just be a hard pass.

Yet, here I am today, an enthusiastic convert. I’m counting down the days until my Paleo Instant Pot cookbook is released, packed with 30 Whole30-compliant recipes designed to make clean eating easier and more delicious. These recipes are free from sugar, alcohol, and “paleo-ified” treats or breads, focusing purely on wholesome ingredients.

If you’ve followed my recent culinary adventures, you’ll know the Instant Pot has become my kitchen’s happy place. From my Instant Pot Whole30 cranberry sauce with apples and rosemary to Whole30 Instant Pot mashed potatoes with garlic and herbs, and even a rich Instant Pot caramel sauce, this multi-cooker has transformed my cooking. If you don’t already own one, I highly recommend grabbing an Instant Pot during an upcoming sale like Black Friday; it’s truly a game-changer for meal preparation.

Effortless Holiday Feasting: Whole30 Instant Pot Turkey Breast

With the holidays in mind, and the desire to make them less stressful and more enjoyable, creating a Whole30 Instant Pot turkey breast with gravy seemed like the most logical step. The goal was simplicity and maximum flavor. I adapted my beloved brined turkey breast recipe, famous for its garlic-herb butter generously tucked under the skin, for the Instant Pot. The result exceeded all expectations.

The turkey emerges incredibly moist and tender, complemented by a rich, savory gravy, both prepared with remarkable speed and ease. The true genius lies in making the gravy directly in the Instant Pot while the turkey cooks. This method ensures the gravy is deeply infused with the aromatic garlic-herb butter and the natural turkey juices, eliminating the last-minute scramble to whisk up gravy. Gone are the days of trying to make gravy as everyone impatiently waits at the table, perhaps attempting (and failing) to steer clear of contentious holiday topics. This recipe brings a new level of calm and efficiency to your holiday kitchen.

Whole30 Instant Pot Turkey Breast and Gravy (Paleo)

5 from 10 votes

Whole30 Instant Pot Turkey Breast and Gravy (Paleo)

Prep
8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Cook
45 minutes minutes

Total
8 hours hours 55 minutes minutes

This Whole30 Instant Pot turkey breast and gravy is quick, so delicious, and totally Whole30 compliant. Brined with a garlic-herb butter under the skin, this Whole30 turkey breast and the gravy are both made in the Instant Pot, making Thanksgiving easier! You’ll love this Whole30 Instant Pot turkey breast and gravy, because the meat is so tender, and the gravy is so easy. Perfect for any Whole30 Thanksgiving or paleo Thanksgiving table.

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Ingredients

Turkey Breast

• 5 tablespoons ghee divided
• 6 cloves garlic minced, divided
• 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 (3-pound) whole skin-on turkey breast thawed
• 1-2 pinch salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 onion diced
• 1 cup cauliflower florets fresh or frozen
• ¼ cup chicken broth

Brine

• 9 cups water
• ½ cup salt
• 2-3 few sprigs of fresh thyme
• 3 cloves garlic peeled and smashed

Gravy

• 4 tablespoons arrowroot powder
• 1-2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon coconut aminos to taste
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Make the brine: Stir together all brine ingredients until salt is totally dissolved. Pour brine into a large food storage container or Ziploc bag and place the turkey breast in the brine. Seal completely and refrigerate for about 4-8 hours, or up to 12 hours.
2. Drain the brine and let the turkey breast air dry until very dry, or pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
3. Mix 3 tablespoons ghee, minced garlic, and fresh thyme in a food processor until well combined. Keeping the elastic wrap on your turkey breast, carefully use your fingers to peel the skin away from the chicken breast and generously rub the butter mixture under the skin. You can also use a spoon to guide the ghee under the skin, then use your fingers on the outside to spread it evenly. Rub the outside of the skin with 1 tablespoon ghee and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Once hot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon ghee and sauté the diced onions and garlic, stirring constantly, until they are slightly softened and fragrant. Add the cauliflower florets and chicken broth, then stir to combine. Carefully place the prepared turkey breast on top of the onion-cauliflower mixture. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is in the Sealing position.
5. Cook on Manual High Pressure mode for 28 minutes. After cooking, allow for a natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
6. Carefully remove the turkey breast from the Instant Pot and cut off the elastic wrap. If desired, preheat your broiler and broil the turkey for a few minutes until the skin is beautifully browned and crispy. Let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
7. Make the gravy: Use an immersion blender directly in the Instant Pot cooking pot, or carefully transfer the remaining mixture to a regular blender, and process until completely smooth. Return the pureed mixture to the Instant Pot pot and cook on Sauté mode at Normal heat.
8. In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of arrowroot powder with 1-2 tablespoons of water, whisking until a completely smooth slurry forms. Add this arrowroot slurry to the simmering gravy in the Instant Pot, whisking vigorously to incorporate. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency. Add coconut aminos for a touch of color and saltiness, but use sparingly as it has a natural sweetness. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste.
9. Slice the rested turkey breast and serve generously with the warm, homemade gravy. This pairs perfectly with my Whole30 Instant Pot mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

Video

Notes: If you’re not on a Whole30 and need to make this recipe entirely dairy-free (not just lactose-free), you can substitute a high-quality dairy-free margarine for the ghee. If dairy is part of your diet and you’re not on Whole30, regular butter would also be an absolutely amazing choice here.

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 2g


Calories: 461cal


Protein: 3g


Fat: 38g


Saturated Fat: 23g


Cholesterol: 96mg


Sodium: 28685mg


Potassium: 371mg


Total Carbs: 31g


Fiber: 4g


Sugar: 3g


Net Carbs: 27g


Vitamin A: 546IU


Vitamin C: 53mg


Calcium: 146mg


Iron: 3mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Perfect Pairings and More Whole30 Holiday Recipes

Once you’ve mastered this incredibly easy and delicious Instant Pot turkey breast, you’ll be on your way to a completely stress-free Whole30 Thanksgiving or holiday meal. This recipe forms the perfect base for a variety of healthy, compliant sides. For an unforgettable feast, consider pairing your juicy turkey with some of my other favorite Whole30 and Paleo-friendly holiday dishes.

You’ll also like these recipes to complete your Whole30 holiday spread:

These mashed potatoes are a rich, creamy, and garlicky dream. Made in the Instant Pot, they are a must-have side that complements the turkey beautifully, suitable for both paleo and vegan guests.

For those who prefer a traditional oven method or want to explore another delicious turkey option, this recipe offers the same epic brining and herb-butter stuffing technique, ensuring a moist and flavorful result every time.

This sweet potato casserole is an absolute staple for any Whole30 Thanksgiving table. With no added sweeteners, its cinnamon pecan-date topping offers a delightful, natural sweetness that makes leftovers perfect even for breakfast!

Just like the beloved classic, this Whole30 green bean casserole features tender green beans in a rich cream of mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onion straws. It’s so good, you might find yourself preferring this paleo version over the original!

Sweet and tart with no added sweeteners, this Instant Pot Whole30 cranberry sauce is incredibly easy and quick to make, yet tastes gourmet. It’s an essential addition to any Whole30 Thanksgiving spread.

No holiday meal is complete without stuffing. This paleo and Whole30 compliant stuffing recipe is packed with savory flavors and the perfect texture, making it a crowd-pleaser for any Thanksgiving table.

By incorporating these recipes, you can enjoy a full, flavorful, and compliant holiday meal that everyone will love, without compromising on your healthy eating goals. The Instant Pot truly makes preparing these dishes a breeze, allowing you more time to spend with loved ones and less time stressing in the kitchen.