Each meal comes with unique printed instructions on how to prepare it. Every time you make a meal, you’ll want to read these instructions so it comes out as delicious as possible.
Keep meals in the fridge (or freezer, if need be).
Once you unpack your meals, store them in the fridge. They’re made with fresh ingredients and are at their best when stored in the fridge. However, you can freeze them before their “Enjoy Before” date if you’re unable to finish them sooner. Just thaw them completely before cooking by transferring them to the fridge the night before you plan to eat them. Read more on freezing your Tovala Meals.
Make sure your oven rack is in the lowest rack position.
When cooking Tovala Meals, your oven rack should always be in the lowest rack position with the curved edges facing down.
Learn about cooking multiple servings at once.
When you have multiple of the same meal, you can cook them at the same time. For example, a Chicken Parmesan meal can cook with another Chicken Parmesan meal.
Four aluminum Tovala trays or one Tovala sheet tray can fit in your oven at once. Occasionally, a single meal will require three aluminum trays, so you wouldn't be able to cook two of them at once since they wouldn't fit in your oven. Learn more.
Since cook cycles are designed specifically for each meal, you should not cook different meals with different proteins at the same time. (For example, don’t cook a Chicken Parmesan and a Miso-Glazed Salmon at the same time.)
You can recycle most of your Tovala packaging, including the aluminum trays and main packaging that your meals come in. Refer to our How to Recycle Tovala Meals article for more information on exactly what is recyclable and how to recycle it.
Ready to cook?
Step 1: Prepare your meal.
Check the “Enjoy Before” date on your meal’s packaging to make sure it’s still safe to eat, and follow the instructions on your meal. (Please note that the "Enjoy Before" date means we recommend consuming the meals before the date stated on your meal.)
Always take the plastic film off the aluminum trays before cooking. If your meal has two trays, put them both into your oven at the same time.
Your oven comes with a sheet tray, but there is no need to use it unless it's specifically called for in your meal's instructions. Just put your trays directly on the oven rack.
Step 2: Scan the barcode.
Press the Scan button to activate your oven’s scanner. A red light will appear and indicate where to line up the barcode. Hold it 3 to 4 inches below the scanner. When your oven successfully scans, it will beep and display a cook time. Press the Start button to start cooking.
Note: You only need to scan the barcode once for a Tovala Meal, even if you’re cooking multiple of that meal at the same time.
Note: If your meal had multiple protein options, be sure to scan the correct barcode on the insert for the protein that you ordered and are about to cook.
Step 3: Press the Start button.
Once you’ve scanned the barcode, press the Start button. And then get excited!
Step 4: Keep the door closed.
You should keep your oven’s door closed while your food is cooking. Opening the door will lower the oven temperature and might affect how your meal cooks.
Almost done!
Take out your meal with an oven mitt.
When you grab the trays out of your oven, be sure to use an oven mitt. The trays and the inside of your oven itself will be hot, so please be careful.
Plate and enjoy!
Let the food rest for 2 to 3 minutes, and check your meal’s instructions for how to plate and garnish your meal. Then, dive in!