There’s something undeniably satisfying about turning out a picture-perfect meal from a recipe. Sometimes, though, your creation might not turn out like it should – and it could be because you’re not following this one important instruction.

According to Bon Appetit recipe developer, Claire Saffitz, you should always follow this golden piece of advice: when you’re following a recipe at home, cook to the indicator, not to the time.

Sure, a recipe might say your onions will caramelise in 5-8 minutes, but if you’re reaching the upper end of that time limit and there’s no browning in sight, just keep cooking until there is.

“For each step of the cooking process, we try to provide as much information as possible, giving a time range as well as one or more indicators of doneness. Indicators of doneness include sensory phrases like ‘cook until skin is golden brown and crispy,’ or ‘until spices are aromatic and sticking to the bottom of the pot,” she says.

“The problem with giving a time range for every step is that so many variables affect how long any single process takes, and those variables change from kitchen to kitchen.”

So the next time you’re venturing to create a perfect meal, remember that the cooking times suggested in your recipe should be seen as just that – a suggestion. Keep cooking until you reach the indicator of ‘cooked-ness’ you see written, and you’ll be plating up picture perfect meals forevermore.