I love gravy. It has always been my favorite part of any holiday meal and so I was thrilled that the gluten free gravy I created last year from the drippings of our Thanksgiving turkey was plate-licking delicious. Unfortunately, that gravy was the end result of a process that started 24 hours prior and I just don’t have that kind of time or energy more often than once or twice a year (or the refrigerator space for the leftovers!). This recipe for a much faster version of paleo turkey and gluten free gravy uses my new favorite kitchen toy – a pressure cooker – to create a juicy turkey breast and luscious gravy that comes very close in flavor and is on the table in under two hours.
Why a pressure cooker?
I am a big fan of reality TV cooking competitions, where pressure cookers appear any time the chef-testant has to prepare food that normally needs low and slow cooking in a very short amount of time. Pressure cooker fans point out that they also save money by using less energy and keep your house cooler and that they create a more concentrated flavor.
So pressure cookers have intrigued me for a while, but it wasn’t until I started hearing other paleo bloggers sign the praises of a certain electric pressure cooker that could also double as a slow cooker when I really got interested. My kitchen is overrun with gadgets and appliances, so I was very intrigued with the idea of something that could do double duty. Turns out, there are a number of models that do this but most have a non stick interior, which was something I definitely wanted to stay away from. I did a bit of research and eventually settled on the Instant Pot, which is stainless steel, and can also be used as a rice cooker and yogurt maker if you are the sort of paleo peep who is into that stuff!
I’ve been experimenting with the Instant Pot for a while now and have successfully made some incredible pulled pork from a pork shoulder roast, a “smoked” beef brisket, beef shanks with an Italian sauce, and braised chicken legs with potatoes. As I continue refining my technique, I will eventually share these recipes too so stay tuned! The single best use of the pressure cooker though is for making bone broth. My old method required simmering for 10-12 hours, which I usually did overnight. The problem is that our bedroom is directly above the kitchen and the lovely odor would travel right up and into my dreams, causing me to wake up hungry (not the worst problem in the world, but a little annoying… especially when that happened at 3AM!). In the pressure cooker, I can create the same nourishing and gut healing broth in just about 2 hours and sleep much more soundly.
Notes for healing diets:
- Paleo autoimmune protocol (AIP) / The Paleo Approach (TPA): Use coconut oil for the cooking fat and omit pepper. Since the alcohol content is significantly reduced in the cooking process, the wine is an acceptable ingredient but use your best judgment and omit if you are particularly sensitive.
- Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD): Do not use the optional tapioca starch. Make sure you use a dry white wine.
- Low-FODMAP: Omit the onion and garlic and double the amount of carrot and celery.

- 1 4-5 pound bone-in, skin-on turkey breast
- salt
- black pepper (omit for AIP)
- 2 tablespoons ghee or butter (use coconut oil for AIP)
- 1 medium onion, cut into medium dice
- 1 large carrot, cut into medium dice
- 1 celery rib, cut into medium dice
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and smashed
- 2 teaspoons dried sage
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 1½ cups bone broth (preferably from chicken or turkey bones)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon tapioca starch (optional)
- Pat turkey breast dry and generously season with salt and pepper. Melt cooking fat in pressure cooker bot over medium high heat. [If using an Instant Pot, use the "saute" function. If using another brand of electric pressure cooker, consult your user's manual.] Brown turkey breast, skin side down, about 5 minutes, and transfer to a plate, leaving fat in pot.
- Add onion, carrot, and celery to pot and cook over medium heat ["saute" function on Instant Pot] until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and sage and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in wine and cook until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Stir in broth and bay leaf. Using wooden spoon, scrape up all browned bits stuck on bottom of pot.
- Place turkey skin side up in post with any accumulated juices.
- Lock lid in place and set electric pressure cooker for 35 minutes on high pressure. If using a stovetop pressure cooker, adjust heat as necessary to maintain high pressure for 35 minutes.
- Use quick release method (see manufacturer directions) and carefully remove lid.
- Transfer turkey breast to carving board or plate and tent loosely with foil, allowing it to rest while you prepare the gravy.
- Use an immersion blender or carefully transfer cooking liquid and vegetables to blender and puree until smooth. Return to medium high heat and cook until thickened and reduced to about 2 cups. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- OPTIONAL: If you prefer a thicker gravy. Combine a tablespoon of tapioca starch with a tablespoon of warm water and whisk into the gravy at the very end of your cooking time.
- Slice turkey breast and serve with hot gravy.
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Shared on Paleo AIP Recipe Roundtable.
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Where do you buy your turkey breast? Thanks
Trader Joe’s is a good option… it’s not organic unfortunately. If you have a Wegman’s near you (one just opened up by us), they carry organic turkey breasts.
I have an instant pot and do not understand step 4, “in post.” Also, do I use manual or poultry setting on IP? Thanks
I think, @mary garcia, that “in post” is supposed to be “in pot”. I don’t have an answer on the poultry setting though… but that’s what I’d try first.
The gravy was perfect! I didn’t bother with the thickener, just boiled in Instantpot until it was thickened.
I made this recipe last night! It was fabulous! I used duck fat instead of coconut oil (same ratio) and added an AIP house spice blend to the rub. This dish will be a keeper in my recipe book! Thanks so much!!!
Thanks so much for the positive feedback. Duck fat sounds amazing! Great idea!
So the carrot and celery are blended in to create the gravy? Thank you!
Yes! It makes an incredibly delicious gravy and if you use a yellow carrot rather than the typical orange, it has a more “natural” color.
Would the cook time change for a smaller turkey breast, such as a 2.5 lb breast? If so, by how much?
I’d like to know approx cooking time for a 2.5lbs breast as well 🙂
I would try reducing the time to 20 minutes. Check the temperature and then cook for another 5-10 minutes if it isn’t at least 165 F.
Would this work with turkey thighs? Would the timing be different, or is that just dependent on size?
I haven’t tried it, but I think it would work just fine (and be delicious – I prefer dark meat anyway!). The timing should be the same… maybe just a little bit longer for thighs since they generally need to cook to a higher temperature. Please report back if you try it!
Typo in step 4, should be “pot”
Recipe looks great and excited to try it!
I just had to come and tell you how delicious this recipe turned out! I just got an Instant pot 2 weeks ago and have been enjoying how quick and easy it is to use. I was in the grocery store tonight and turkey breasts were on sale and I had pinned your recipe on Pinterest. The turkey turned out perfect and the gravy was a treat. I can’t stop walking by and eating a piece each time I pass. Thank you for a great recipe. I’ve already printed it out to make again 🙂
I am on a low-FODMAP eating plan and was thrilled to find this easy, quick recipe for “Thanksgiving” turkey and gravy! Am trying it out tonight.
***Just an FYI for other low-FODMAPers: celery is not low-FODMAP (unfortunately), so leave it out or reduce (don’t increase!) as you can tolerate it.***
Thanks again!
When I first found this recipe, I thought it said to buy a frozen turkey breast, which I did. Now I re-read it and don’t see that… I just took it out of the freezer. Please advise how long I should cook a partially frozen turkey beast w bone. And it’s 6.86 pounds because that’s the smallest one they had.
You don’t need to adjust anything. It should still cook completely in 35 minutes under pressure, but it will take longer to get up to pressure than it would if the meat was not frozen.
It came out great! Because I cooked it before I got your message, I let it go 40 minutes just to be sure it got done. It was falling off the bone as I cut it. Happy early Thanksgiving to us! And you for the awesome recipe!
Hello,
I would love to make this in the crockpot or oven. Any recommendations on what to do?
I am having trouble finding a turkey breast that is compliant. Any help would be appreciated.
You should be able to find it at your grocery store, packaged just like ftesh chicken breasts and thighs. Ask the butcher.