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.
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❤️ 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.
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🥘 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
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.
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.
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!
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Turkey Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 turkey thighs
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tablespoon 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.
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