PSA: The Thanksgiving Turkey Mistake To Avoid, According to Ina Garten

Not using enough butter in your mashed potatoes? Forgetting that sometimes “store bought is fine?” Nope, nope—those aren’t the biggest potential Thanksgiving pitfalls.

In a recent discussion at the 92nd Street Y about her new cookbook Cook Like a Pro, Ina Garten recounted her own worst Thanksgiving experience.

The first year after she was married, Jeffrey’s parents came over to Thanksgiving dinner (dun, dun, dunnnn)…

“His mom was like, the turkey looks like it’s done, but it’s not. No, it really was done. People don’t need to keep cooking and cooking the thing,” Ina said.

To avoid this very common Thanksgiving turkey mistake: Just take your turkey’s temperature, and trust your instant-read meat thermometer—or else you’ll overcook your turkey like everyone else.

Some final parting wisdom from Ina: “People are terrified of salt and pepper, I don’t know why. Seasoning your turkey makes all the difference.” Duly noted.