Will you host the Thanksgiving meal this year with your loved ones? Although it can be enjoyable to plan your menu and prepare delicious dishes for Thanksgiving it can be stressful to roast a whole turkey for your family. We asked sarma recept kulinarika Jasmine Shea (Nutrition Consultant for Bubs Naturals, founder of Your Dinner Is Planned) to learn about the most common mistakes cooks make while cooking. There are many tricks and tips to help make this year’s Thanksgiving even better.

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, these turkey mistakes can be avoided easily.

For more information, read these 15 Classic American Desserts that Deserve a Resurrection.

1. Don’t make a mistake. Don’t ever wash your turkey before cooking it

It is believed that washing turkey in water will kill any bacteria that could cause food poisoning. The bacteria can spread to the kitchen area if you wash the bird. Everyone must wash their hands at least 20 seconds after handling turkeys. To eliminate bacteria from the turkey, it is essential to cook it to the proper temperature for the internal temperature.

2. Be careful not to make a mistake! Thaw the turkey on the top

Don’t let your turkey melt on the counter. This will guarantee its safety. Your guests and you can be ill if bacteria is present in a room temperature environment.

3. Do not make the error of thawing your turkey in water

You can thaw turkey in a bowl of water, instead of the refrigerator. But, it is important to change the water every 30 minutes. The CDC suggests this to ensure that the turkey is safe and prevent harmful bacteria from developing.

4. Make a mistake: Don’t keep the turkey in the fridge for more than two hours

This is by far the most grave Thanksgiving-related mistake you could make this Thanksgiving. 2 hours is the time when the CDC states that you’ve exceeded the safety limit. It’s better to buy an alternative turkey if your turkey is left on the counter or in the car for more than two hours.

5. Don’t commit an error.

You should ensure that the time you purchase fresh turkeys at your local butcher shop, meat distributor or grocery store is compatible with your plans for Thanksgiving dinner. You’ll need to cook the turkey immediately when it is fresh. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service the length of amount of time that you can allow fresh turkeys to chill in the refrigerator for a period of 1-2 days.