Instant Pot Turkey Thighs
If you’re craving some turkey, the good news is that you don’t have to wait for a holiday. These instant pot turkey thighs are so tender and juicy, and this meal comes together without any hassle!
This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or a delicious Thanksgiving dinner dish. With your electric pressure cooker and a few simple ingredients, you can have delicious turkey thighs in no time.
❤️ Why you’ll love it
Making this easy recipe takes less than an hour and is very simple. You will be able to have a batch of juicy and delicious turkey thighs on the table in no time after a busy day.
Plus, the Instant Pot keeps the turkey moist, and the seasonings add tons of flavor.
🥘 Equipment Used
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I use a 6-quart instant pot pressure cooker for this recipe because the turkey cooks in its own juice under high pressure and comes out incredibly flavorful.
🧾 Ingredients Used
- Turkey thighs. You can find quality turkey thighs at your local grocery store or butcher.
- Olive oil. I prefer olive oil for this recipe, but you could also use avocado oil or your favorite cooking oil.
- Spices. I use a blend of homemade chicken seasoning, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt for this recipe.
- Onions. I like to use yellow onions for this recipe, but you could also use white or sweet onions.
- Garlic. I prefer to use fresh garlic for this recipe, but you could also use garlic powder.
- Chicken broth. The chicken broth gives this recipe an amazing flavor. You could also use chicken stock or turkey broth as well.
🔪 How To Make This Recipe
- Wash and pat dry the turkey thighs with a paper towel. Then, mix the spices together and rub them all over the turkey.
- Chop the onions and mince the garlic.
- Turn the instant pot to sauté mode and add olive oil. Also, add the turkey thighs and brown them on both sides. Do it in batches if you need to.
- Take out the turkey when done.
- Add the chopped onions and garlic and saute for a few minutes. Pour in the chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to deglaze the browned turkey bits.
- Add the turkey in a single layer to the inner pot, close the instant pot, and seal the pressure cooker lid. Make sure that the steam release knob is locked.
- Press the pressure cook button to set it to high pressure and cook for 30 minutes.
- Let it do a natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure by turning the valve to the venting position.
- Set the instant pot to sauté mode and let the liquid simmer for a few minutes to thicken. Taste for salt and add more if you need to.
- Pour the turkey gravy over the turkey thighs and serve.
🥫 Storing and Reheating
You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Then, to reheat, simply microwave until heated through.
Freezing your leftover turkey legs is also an option. I like to freeze them in individual portions so that I can thaw and reheat them as needed.
To freeze, simply place the turkey legs in freezer bags and store them for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
💭 Tips and Variations
- If you cannot find chicken broth, you can use turkey broth or stock, or bouillon. Or you could try my Turkey Bone Broth recipe.
- Add more vegetables to this recipe if you like. For example, you could add carrots or celery.
- If your store is out of turkey thighs, you can make this turkey legs or turkey wings recipe instead.
- For crispy skin, be sure to place the turkey thigh skin side down in the Instant Pot.
- If you would like to cook a whole turkey, try my Keto Roasted Turkey recipe.
🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
You can pair these delicious instant pot turkey thighs with some yummy low-carb side dishes like mashed cauliflower, green beans, or a simple salad.
Here are some other fantastic side dishes to pair with your turkey thighs:
- Instant Pot Broccoli
- Air Fryer Frozen Okra
- Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
- Instant Pot Cabbage
- Keto Cauliflower “Potato” Salad
You can also shred the turkey meat and use it in some amazing keto-friendly recipes like this Keto Turkey Soup or this Nigerian Turkey Stew!
👩🍳 Frequently asked questions
Can you cook frozen turkey thighs?
Yes, you can cook frozen turkey thighs in an instant pot. Simply add a bit more time to the cook time (about 10 minutes per pound) and make sure the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.
How do I defrost turkey thighs quickly?
Use the defrost button or the low power setting on the microwave. To guarantee no turkey juices spill, put the frozen turkey thigh in a Ziploc bag and set it in a microwave-safe container. Give a frozen turkey thigh about 6 minutes per pound to defrost.
Can you leave turkey out overnight to thaw?
You should never leave the turkey out overnight to thaw. Raw poultry can reach a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 2 hours and can start to harbor bacteria growth. It is best to thaw your turkey in the fridge, in cold water, or in the microwave.
📚 Related Recipes
Check out these turkey and chicken recipes!
Instant Pot Turkey Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 turkey thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chicken seasoning
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the turkey thighs with a paper towel.
- Then, mix the spices together and rub them all over the turkey.
- Turn the instant pot to sauté mode and add olive oil.
- Add the turkey thighs and brown them for 5mins on both sides. Do it in batches if you have a small instant pot.
- Take out the turkey when done.
- Add the chopped onions and garlic and saute for a few minutes.
- Pour in the chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to deglaze the browned turkey bits.
- Add the turkey in a single layer to the inner pot, close the instant pot, and seal the pressure cooker lid. Make sure that the steam release knob is locked.
- Press the pressure cook button to set it to high pressure and cook for 30 minutes.
- Let it do a natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure by turning the valve to the venting position.
- Set the instant pot to sauté mode and let the liquid simmer for a few minutes to thicken. Taste for salt and add more if you need to.
- Pour the turkey gravy over the turkey thighs and serve.
Notes
- If you cannot find chicken broth, you can use turkey broth, stock, or bouillon. Or you could try my Turkey Bone Broth recipe.
- Add more vegetables to this recipe if you like. For example, you could add carrots or celery.
- If your store is out of turkey thighs, you can make this turkey drumsticks or turkey wings recipe instead.
- For crispy skin, be sure to place the turkey thigh skin side down in the Instant Pot.
- If you want to cook a whole turkey, try my Keto Roasted Turkey recipe.
