These Are the Biggest Thanksgiving Mistakes to Avoid

Mishaps are common (even expected) when prepping and hosting a Thanksgiving gathering. There’s so much going on with the cooking, setting the table, making sure guests are happy and well-fed, et cetera. Obviously the best tip is to plan ahead, but sometimes you can plan the whole day to the exact minute and still have some problems.

To keep the fiascos to a minimum this holiday, we asked chefs about the most common mistakes people make when prepping and cooking their Thanksgiving meal and what to do instead. They shared some extremely helpful tips that can help make the day not exactly stress-free, because we don’t live in a perfect world, but at least a little less stressful and more enjoyable. Read on and take notes.

1. Overcomplicating the Menu

Forget about the fancy or complicated dishes and make it easier on yourself. “Make sure to make your menu easy with as many items as you can prepped in advance,” says Shane McAnelly, executive chef at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, California. “So often people try to make everything last-minute and before you know it you’re eating Thanksgiving dinner at 8 p.m., or things are cold/overcooked/undercooked/et cetera.”

And remember: store-bought can be fine. “Don’t feel like you need to tackle a dozen dishes plus five pies all from scratch; in addition to letting guests bring some things, explore local restaurants or a caterer to fill in some of the holes,” says chef Eric Klein of Wolfgang Puck Catering.

2. Shopping Too Late

Want to avoid stress? Shop early so you don’t have to deal with crowds. “Break it into two trips,” chef-owner of Oakland’s Bombera, Dominica Rice Cisneros, says. “Many of your items like Yukon gold potatoes, yams, pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, green beans, will all be fine for a week. Go the week-of for items like herbs, mushrooms, et cetera.”

3. Overthinking It

“The holidays are meant to be enjoyable, a time to gather with loved ones around the table. If making an elaborate spread isn’t your thing, that’s okay. Contrary to popular belief, the food should play the backup role. The company is the main character,” says Gavin Fine, owner/chef of The Bistro at The Cloudveil in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

4. Not Prepping

Almost every chef said this is a big mistake. “One of the most common and significant mistakes I often observe when people are preparing and cooking their Thanksgiving meal is inadequate advance planning,” says chef Craig Wilmer of Farmhouse Restaurant at The Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, California. “Many tend to underestimate the amount of time and effort required for a Thanksgiving feast. Failing to adequately prepare can result in overcooked or undercooked dishes, missed flavor opportunities, and limited time for creative touches—not to mention added stress.”

Executive Chef of VAGA Restaurant & Bar in Encinitas, California, Claudette…