Here’s how to make tender and juicy Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloins. Easily slice and serve your boneless turkey for Thanksgiving or any other occasion. Turkey tenderloins cooked in the pressure cooker are tender and flavorful!

Sliced instant pot turkey tenderloin on a plate with green salad.

Turkey is classic for Thanksgiving and winter holidays, but it can be enjoyed at any time of year.

The whole turkey is usually what people look forward to the most during the holiday season, and this recipe allows you to have an easy-to-slice main dish without dealing with skin, bones, or a large cooking vessel. The flavor is mild enough to work with any of your favorite side dishes (see all of my healthy Thanksgiving sides).

Turkey tenderloins are cut from the turkey breast meat, and they are a smaller cut which makes them perfect for smaller gatherings or for cooking at other times of the year than the holidays. Lean white meat is always really popular during any good turkey dinner.

You can also make this Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloin recipe for an easy meal prep dish and not just for a special occasion like Thanksgiving. You can serve the turkey tenderloin sliced, or shred it for tacos, salads, or enchiladas (see my recipe for Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Tacos). Boneless turkey breast is just so versatile.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • You only need 40 minutes from prepping to serving! This main dish is ready in no time.
  • Using the Instant Pot for the main portion of the meal allows you to use the oven to bake side dishes.
  • Turkey is a lean protein we don’t always think to use outside of the holiday season. This easy recipe will help you make it at any time of year.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for Instant Pot turkey tenderloin in white bowls on a white surface.
  • Turkey breast tenderloin or boneless turkey breasts, are a lean source of protein. Pressure cooking them helps retain moisture and results in the juiciest turkey. Look for turkey tenderloins (or boneless turkey breasts) in the meat section of your local grocery store. You may need to ask the butcher for this specific cut that is boneless and cut from the turkey breast.
  • Olive oil allows the seasonings to stick to the turkey and adds healthy fat.
  • Italian seasoning adds just a bit more flavor with salt and pepper and will complement many side dishes. Feel free to use your favorite seasonings, such as fresh rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, or just salt and black pepper. See my related article on the best substitutes for Italian seasoning.

And, don’t miss the full recipe in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Recipe Steps

Process collage of preparing and cooking Instant Pot turkey tenderloins.

Step One

Dry the turkey breasts or tenderloins with a paper towel, then coat them in olive oil.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Sprinkled combined seasoning on top of turkey tenderloins.

Step Three

Add water to bottom of the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker with the trivet in place.

Place the turkey tenderloins on the trivet.

Step Four

Lock the lid and pressure cook on high pressure for 10 minutes cook time.

Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes (using the natural pressure release) before releasing any remaining pressure (using the quick release).

Carefully remove your Instant Pot turkey breast to a cutting board. Slice and serve! Or, cover with aluminum foil until you are ready for your delicious meal.

I hope your family agrees that this is an excellent and easy turkey tenderloin recipe that is perfect for a small holiday gathering or a smaller crowd. Top it with my Dairy-Free Gravy recipe.

If this is your Thanksgiving turkey, don’t forget to serve it with sides like Instant Pot Baby Potatoes, Instant Pot Candied Yams, Instant Pot Cranberry Relish, or Instant Pot Pumpkin Custard.

Sliced turkey tenderloin on a wooden cutting board.

Recipe Tips

  • You can cut this recipe in half if you prefer to cook just one turkey tenderloin at a time. The cook time remains the same.
  • The total cook time for this recipe includes 10 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure, plus 10 minutes of natural release time.
  • Store leftover cooked turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Serve cold or re-heated. Or, use it up in this recipe for Instant Pot Turkey Vegetable Soup.
  • Feel free to get creative with your seasonings? Use your favorite fresh or dried herbs. Or, see my list of substitutes for Italian seasoning.
Sliced turkey tenderloin on a plate with green salad.

Recipe FAQs

Can I cook the turkey ahead of time?

Yes! You can make your holiday (or any day!) easier by cooking this turkey tenderloin ahead of time. Simply gently reheat in the oven with some broth, in a covered dish.

What is the difference between turkey breasts and turkey tenderloins?

A turkey breast usually has the bone-in. The turkey tenderloin is a section of the turkey breast that is boneless. If you want to cook a turkey breast in the Instant Pot, you will need to increase the cooking time to ensure it gets cooked through.

What can you do with cooked turkey?

Outside of serving it as a main dish for a Thanksgiving dinner, turkey is an excellent lean protein that can be served like cooked chicken. Use it in this clean eating chicken salad, or shred it and put it into tacos or a leftover turkey vegetable soup. The possibilities are endless.

Can I cook the turkey with chicken broth?

Yes, but you won’t get much flavor benefit since the turkey will not be touching the liquid on the bottom of the pot.

How do I know that my turkey is cooked through?

You can always use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat to ensure that the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.

More Healthy Turkey Recipes You Might Like

Don’t Miss These Instant Pot Resources

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25+ Healthy Instant Pot Side Dishes

How to Use the Instant Pot Duo (For Beginners)

Instant Pot Meal Prep Gift Guide (Plus Recipes)

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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Sliced turkey tenderloin on a plate with green salad.

Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloins (Boneless Turkey Breast)

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5 from 3 reviews

Print Recipe

Here’s how to make tender and juicy Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloins. Easily slice and serve your boneless turkey for Thanksgiving or any other occasion. This is a great meal prep recipe since you can use the leftovers for sandwiches or salads.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 12–ounce turkey tenderloins (or boneless turkey breasts or boneless chicken breasts)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup water (for cooking)

Instructions

  1. Pat both sides of the turkey tenderloin dry with a clean paper towel.
  2. Then, use your hands or a pastry brush to coat both sides of the turkey with the olive oil.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the dried oregano, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and then sprinkle on top of the turkey.
  4. Place the trivet in a 6-quart Instant Pot and add a cup of water.
  5. Place the turkey tenderloins on top of the trivet.
  6. Lock on the lid and set the time to 10 minutes at high pressure.
  7. When the cooking time is complete, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes. Then, use the quick release to get rid of any remaining pressure.
  8. Remove the lid and use tongs to transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Slice and serve hot.

Notes

  1. You can cut this recipe in half if you prefer to cook just one turkey tenderloin at a time. The cook time remains the same.
  2. The total cook time for this recipe includes 10 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure, plus 10 minutes of natural release time.
  3. Store leftover cooked turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Serve cold or re-heated.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 189
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 259.7 mg
  • Fat: 11.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0.2 g
  • Fiber: 0.1 g
  • Protein: 22.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 78.2 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest is the author of the best-selling Instant Pot-authorized cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot Cookbook. She has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and receives over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.