This instant pot turkey tenderloin recipe is a healthy and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion! It’s quick and easy to prepare (only 6 ingredients!) and tastes delicious, making it the perfect meal to serve for a special occasion or to enjoy as a weeknight dinner.
Why you’ll love this recipe
For a delicious meal that is easy to whip up this Thanksgiving, try pressure cooking a turkey tenderloin in your Instant Pot!
This recipe only takes about 40 minutes from start to finish, and includes 6 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Cooking turkey has never been so easy!
Scroll down for the printable card for this Instant Pot turkey tenderloin recipe, or read on for all the details.
What do you need?
Turkey tenderloins
I use Butterball all-natural turkey breast tenderloins, which have 2 tenderloins per pack. This is a good amount to serve 4 or 5, with leftovers.
You could also use boneless turkey breast slices.
Chicken stock
Substitute chicken broth if you prefer (or turkey broth if you have it). You can also use water if you don’t have any stock or broth on hand (though the tenderloins won’t have quite as much flavor).
Lemon
This recipe uses lemon slices and lemon zest. Zest the lemon first, and then cut it into slices.
Rosemary
You can use fresh or dried rosemary for this recipe. If you are using fresh rosemary, strip the leaves off the stem and chop finely before using. Add some fresh rosemary sprigs on top for extra flavor.
Salt and pepper
This recipe uses simple salt and pepper to season the tenderloin. For extra flavor, you can use garlic salt if you prefer.
You’ll also need an Instant Pot or another electric pressure cooker. The instructions below are for an Instant Pot but they should convert for any type of electric pressure cooker.
How to cook turkey tenderloins in an Instant Pot
I promised you easy – and easy it is! There are just a few simple steps to getting this recipe just right:
- Add chicken stock to the pressure cooker bowl.
- Place turkey tenderloins in the pressure cooker on a bed of lemon slices (these keep the tenderloins elevated out of the liquid during cooking and flavors the juices that come out of the turkey that can be used to make gravy if you are so inclined)
- Pressure cook for 18 minutes
- Briefly, broil/grill if you like to brown the outside.
Once the tenderloins have finished cooking (while they are under the broiler), you can use the cooking liquid in the pressure cooker to make a simple gravy:
- Mix ½ tablespoon of corn starch with ½ tablespoon of cold water to make a slurry.
- Switch the Instant Pot to “Saute,” and slowly add the corn starch slurry to the liquid in the Instant Pot and stir.
- Allow it to simmer, stirring frequently for around 5 minutes until the gravy has thickened to your liking.
Or try this recipe for making gravy from stock.
Serving ideas
Serve turkey tenderloin slathered with homemade gravy or topped with garlic butter, with a bit of cranberry sauce on the side.
For some great side dishes to go with this recipe, try:
- Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
- Air Fryer Stuffing Balls
- Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Parsnips
- Microwave Steamed Carrots
- Microwave Green Beans
Storage and reheating
Store any leftover turkey tenderloin in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, and use it within 3 days.
You can reheat leftover tenderloins in the microwave – 2-3 minutes on high, and check that the temperature reaches 165°F/ 74°C in the center.
Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
- 1 lemon zested and sliced
- 1½ lb turkey breast tenderloins
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary / dried rosemary
Directions
- Pour the cup of chicken stock into the Instant Pot stainless steel pot, and add the lemon slices to the bottom of the pot.
- Place the turkey tenderloins into the bottom of the pot on top of the lemon slices.
- Sprinkle the tenderloins with salt, pepper, rosemary and lemon zest.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, with the value to 'sealing'.
- Set the pressure cooker to 'manual' or 'pressure cook', and cook on 'high' for 18 minutes. When the cooking time is complete, let the pressure cooker naturally release.
- Check the internal temperature of the tenderloin using an instant-read meat thermometer. The target temperature is 165°F/ 74°C.
- Optional: brown the tenderloin under the broiler for 5-10 minutes (while you make gravy)
Nutrition
Recommended equipment
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
Welcome to Love Food Not Cooking!
I’m Eliza, busy mom, home cook, and blogger. My goal is to help everyone cook good food. Whether you are short on time, skills, or motivation, there is something here for you! We have dozens of quick and easy recipes for dinner, lunch, side dishes, and more. Our recipes use everyday ingredients, for quick delicious meals your family will love! Read more…
