Tempo Meals Review 2024: Is It Any Good?

Overview

Tempo is a new brand from Home Chef, which is one of the most popular meal kit delivery services out there. It features ready-made single-serving meals that cater to a wide range of preferences. With other prepared meals I've tried, sometimes the payoff for convenience is taste and texture. I wanted to find out if that was the case with Tempo. 

I analyzed Tempo’s offerings and my colleague enjoyed putting them to the taste test. We found that Tempo proves to be a valuable service, especially for those busy weeknights when spending time in the kitchen feels too much. It doesn't get much easier than heating a Tempo meal in the microwave for 5 minutes. 

The service could be a good fit for you if you prioritize healthy, calorie-conscious, and protein-rich dishes. Plus, all the meals are delivered fresh and made using high-quality ingredients. 

Tempo’s Menu: Healthy Single-Serving Meals

Tempo features a weekly selection of single-serving, ready-to-heat meals. Each meal is nutrient-rich, meaning it has a decent amount of protein (most meals have 30 g of protein per serving) and veggies to fill you up. Most meals have less than 600 calories per serving, too.

All the ingredients used to cook the meals are fresh and high quality. Tempo ensures that there's at least half a cup of cooked or uncooked veggies in each recipe, which makes up half of the meal. The other half is divided between animal or vegetable proteins and starches.

Meal Options: A Small (but Tasty) Selection of Protein-Rich Meals

While it’s true that 20 options per week isn’t as much as other services, there’s some level of variety. The cuisine is mostly American, with some Mediterranean inspirations here and there. You can find Americanized takes on international staples, like Caribbean-Style Jerk Tofu and Japanese-inspired Teriyaki Pork.

Most of the animal proteins available on the menu come from chicken, pork, or beef. For vegetarian recipes, the proteins come from beans, chickpeas, or quinoa. Meals that contain meat are more protein-packed (30+ grams of protein per serving), while vegetarian meals have at least 15 g of protein per serving (which is still great).

Tempo also tries to use the healthiest version of ingredients whenever possible. For instance, its chefs will opt for wholegrain pasta or quinoa instead of similar ingredients that are more refined. Extras on the menu include smoothies, juices, and breakfast and snack options.

The menu rotates weekly, and you can see the meal plan 5 weeks in advance. However, you’ll notice some of the recipes repeat from 1 week to another, so you may have to eat the same meals 2 weeks in a row. My colleague noted that most recipes are fairly static in that they are variations of chicken, vegetables, and sauce in some form. For a wider variety of prepared meal options, they rated Factor’s menu.

Customization: Unfortunately, You Can’t Personalize Your Meals

Unlike Home Chef, Tempo doesn’t offer any customization options. This is pretty standard for a prepared service, though. Since the meals are already cooked when they reach your doorstep, it would be too challenging to accommodate everyone’s tastes and preferences. It’s also worth noting that you can’t access the full Home Chef menu; you can only order prepared Tempo meals. If you prefer to mix and match prepared meals and meal kits, Blue Apron has this option.

Nutritional and allergen information is available for each meal on the website and on the meal’s packaging. However, Tempo doesn’t cater to any specific diets. Since the facilities where the meals are cooked aren’t certified allergen-free, Tempo can’t guarantee the meals are free from cross-contact.

To see the allergens for each recipe, click on it and check the information under the dish’s image. This is also the section where you find the meal’s nutrition facts and calorie content.

I like that Tempo offers meal recommendations. For this, you have to provide some details about your taste preferences when you join. Once you do this, Tempo will recommend weekly meals based on your selections. You can update these in the Taste Profile tab of your account settings.

While creating your taste profile, you’ll be offered the opportunity to select your dislikes. Here, you can choose all the foods you’d rather not see on your menu recommendations. But you don’t have to stick to the recommendations – you can edit your order and select the meals of your choice.

In my view, Tempo is great if you don’t have any specific dietary preferences. The menu is designed to fit a general palate with an inclination toward low-calorie, protein-packed meals. Note that most of these recipes contain meat, so Tempo isn’t a good choice for plant-based eaters.

Tempo Meals’ Menu at a Glance 

My Unboxing Experience with Tempo: I Liked Everything About the Packaging

Your meals arrive in microwave-safe sealed plastic trays wrapped in a paper sleeve. On the sleeve, you’ll find the heating instructions, list of ingredients, “use by” date, and other important details.

The containers are neatly stacked on top of each other inside a cardboard box lined with ice packs. Tempo doesn’t freeze any of its meals to avoid any loss of taste or freshness.

If stored properly, the meals will stay fresh for between 3 and 10 days in your fridge. Just make sure to check the “use by” date on the sleeve for each food container. You can freeze your meals, but Tempo doesn’t recommend it due to a loss of texture.

My colleague observed that while Tempo's meal labels are colorful, they lack a systematic color code. For instance, a green color on the labels doesn't signify vegetarian options. Each package includes comprehensive nutrition, a full ingredients list, and cooking details for microwave or oven heating.

You can recycle or reuse most of the packaging materials. The box is made from partially recycled cardboard, and the PET liners are made of recycled cotton and denim – both are recyclable. My colleague was pleased that there wasn’t a ton of junk mail in the box to add to their recycling pile.

The ice packs can be rinsed off and reused, or the gel can be thrown in the trash and recycled plastic. Follow the instructions available on Tempo’s website about packaging materials and recycling to make sure you dispose of these items properly. Lastly, all the plastic containers and trays are curbside recyclable.

Cooking and Eating with Tempo: You Just Need to Heat the Meals

All Tempo meals arrive at your door already cooked and cooled. The only prep needed is to remove the paper sleeve (after checking the heating instructions) and the plastic seal. However, make sure you remove any condiments before heating, such as sauce packets included in the meal.

My colleague suggested the microwave heating times for Tempo meals were slightly longer than 4 minutes but this may have been due to using a smaller microwave. The oven heating times of 30 minutes were more accurate. 

They appreciated the simplicity of microwaveable meals, although they noted that the taste didn’t match that of freshly cooked meals. They recommended avoiding dishes served with green beans, as these were a less appetizing side than some of the other options. 

In terms of portion sizes, Tempo meals were very generous, possibly the largest in terms of calorie content and overall food quantity compared to other single-serving prepared meals, like those from Factor. On average, Tempo meals contain about 100-200 more calories than those from Factor, making them quite filling.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Unfortunately, one of the meals my colleague ordered wasn’t included in the delivery box. Also, one of the recipes was substituted for a similar recipe. They contacted the customer service team and the issue was quickly sorted. Here’s a run-down of their favorite meals.

Creamy Mushroom Chicken Thigh

My colleague highly praised the Creamy Mushroom Chicken Thigh meal from Tempo, naming it their favorite of the week. They noted that oven cooking enhanced the flavor and texture, making the chicken moist and savory.

The red potatoes and Brussels sprouts, topped with garlic-herb butter, stood out as the best side dish, overshadowing simpler sides like unseasoned green beans. My colleague rated this meal a perfect 10/10.

Chicken Thighs and Broccoli Bake

My colleague enjoyed the Chicken Thighs and Broccoli Bake, a classic dish with an unexpected layout—instead of mixing the components, the chicken, cheese, and garlic sauce were separate from the rice and broccoli. They felt a mixed presentation would have been more appealing.

Heating the dish in the oven resulted in crispy broccoli and a bubbly cheese sauce, making it visually appealing even in a plastic tray. My colleague recommended this meal for anyone who likes chicken and broccoli, rating it 8.5/10 for its satisfying flavors and presentation.

Saucy Beef Meatballs

My colleague was impressed with the Saucy Beef Meatballs, the sole beef dish they received, noted for its Mediterranean twist and variety. Topped with feta and served with vegetables like cherry tomatoes, artichokes, and chickpeas, this dish stood out from the usual chicken-heavy menu.

Choosing vibrant vegetables over pasta, these Mediterranean-style meatballs offered a healthier alternative, avoiding the pitfalls of microwaved pasta. My colleague rated this unique and flavorful dish a high 9.5/10.

Greek-Style Chicken Orzo Bowl

My colleague enjoyed the Greek-Style Chicken Orzo Bowl, a balanced dish with white meat chicken, chickpeas, vegetables, and feta over whole wheat orzo pasta. They were pleasantly surprised that the orzo avoided the usual overcooked texture of microwaved pasta.

The dish featured well-sized chicken chunks and a mix of chickpeas and zucchini that complemented the orzo well, creating a textured base for the mild Greek flavors highlighted by lemon and white wine. This lighter, cleaner taste was a refreshing change from bolder flavors in other meals, earning a rating of 7/10.

Sweet Chili Chicken

My colleague found the Sweet Chili Chicken to be a typical but pretty good meal, rating it a 7/10. The main component, a large single piece of chicken breast, was appreciated for its quality and size, contrasting with dishes that offer only small, shredded pieces.

The side dishes, simple roasted green beans and quinoa, supported the meal's straightforward, minimally processed nature. However, the dish's simplicity could have been a lot better, with only a faint hint of sweet chili sauce providing any distinct flavor. You'd probably want to add some extra condiments for more taste.

Recipes Summary

Tempo offers 8 different size plans of 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, or 20 single-serving meals. The price per serving starts at $10.98 for the 16+ meals plan up to $13.48 per serving for the 6 meals plan. These prices are on the same level as Factor, which also offers prepared meals but has more dietary variety and a much larger menu.

My colleague found the discount they used a bit confusing, though. Although advertising 50% off at the time of ordering, the actual savings varied by order size. For 16 meals, the discount dropped the price from $10.98 to $6.92 per serving, around 40% off. For 10 meals, it halved from $12.48 to $6.24 per serving, matching the promised 50% discount.

You may need to experiment with different quantities to find the best value for the coupon code. I always recommend making the maximum order anyway to make the most of a new customer code. 

Shipping & Delivery: Very Straightforward & Flexible

Tempo says it delivers to 98% of the United States. The only way to see if Tempo truly delivers to your area is to start the signup process. At the first step, you’ll be asked to provide your zip code, and Tempo will let you know if your location is on its map.

Tempo sends weekly deliveries, and you can select the day of the week that’s most convenient. However, the available delivery days vary according to where you live. The same is true about the time of delivery since Tempo uses different delivery partners for different regions.

On the scheduled delivery day, you’ll receive an email with the tracking number. You can also find this number in your account under the Order History section. My colleague was very impressed to discover that the package was left at the top of his apartment steps, as he usually has to fetch deliveries from the bottom.

Your Tempo account is also great for rescheduling, editing, or skipping an order. You can cancel your subscription as long as you respect the cutoff date, which is 12 pm CT on the Friday prior to the scheduled delivery day.

Your first order is automatically scheduled once you complete the signup, so it goes to processing right away. To cancel your first order, Tempo recommends removing all the meals from the order or contacting support for help.

You can adjust the frequency of your deliveries from weekly to biweekly or monthly. I really like this, as some other service make you skip weeks manually if you want anything less than weekly. Just like with the other changes, there’s no need to call support. Just use your account to make the desired changes.

How Tempo Meals Works (Step by Step Guide)

Your account and taste profile are created at the same time as your first order. Overall, the signup process is quite easy.

How to Sign Up (Just 5 Simple Steps)

1. Start by clicking on the Get Started or Pick Your Meals buttons on the Homepage.

2. The next step is to fill in your email address and find out if Tempo delivers to your location.

3. You can select ingredients you don’t want in your meals and specify if you’re vegetarian.

4. Next, choose your box size (you also get a cost estimation).

5. Fill in your billing information. Once these are added, you get to pick your meals. And that’s it!

My colleague found communication from Tempo was inconsistent, although this may have been because they had previously signed up for Home Chef. For instance, despite it being their first order with Tempo, they received a "Welcome Back to Tempo" email, and then the shipping confirmation came from Home Chef.

This overlapping branding could cause confusion and is something to be aware of, especially if you’ve ordered from Home Chef before.

Managing Your Subscription

You can manage your subscription entirely from your Tempo online account. The account page is well-organized with bold, clearly visible tabs, making it really user-friendly. You can also change the delivery frequency and cancel your subscription. Just make sure to remember the cutoff date, which is 12 pm CT each Friday.

Although there’s no dedicated Tempo app, you can manage your account through the Home Chef app, despite it adding a layer of confusion due to the branding overlap. Feedback can be given by rating meals on a five-star scale, though these ratings seem to serve more for feedback as average scores are not displayed.

Customer Service: Tempo Meals’ Support Is Excellent

Contact Tempo’s customer service team via phone, contact form, or chatbot. The phone lines are open from 9 am to 6 pm CT Monday through Friday.

My colleague found Tempo's FAQ section to be really useful. It includes comprehensive answers to various questions, including detailed explanations on how Tempo differentiates from similar services like Home Chef. 

When my colleague encountered an issue with a missing meal, the customer support agent was immediately helpful. They provided a swift credit for the missing item.

According to my colleague, there is seldom a wait time for Tempo's live chat, which quickly connects users to a human representative after a brief interaction with a chatbot. This efficiency is welcome when compared to other services, where reaching a real person can be challenging.

How Tempo Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

• Tempo vs. Factor: Factor is also a ready-made meal delivery service, but with a larger menu (35+ weekly options). Unlike Tempo, it caters to several specialized diets, including keto, vegetarian and vegan, high-protein, and calorie-smart. Factor also offers a diverse selection of extras, which enriches the overall menu. Find out more from our Factor review.
• Tempo vs Blue Apron: While Tempo focuses on convenient prepared meals, Blue Apron offers a more varied selection with its combination of meal kits and prepared meals. This mix-and-match approach allows you to add prepared meals to meal kit orders, catering to diverse culinary preferences and schedules. For more details, be sure to check out our full Blue Apron review.
• Tempo vs Home Chef: Home Chef is Tempo’s parent brand, so the quality of ingredients is the same. However, Home Chef features a more diverse menu, with options for vegetarians, families, carb-, and calorie-conscious. Plus, it offers plenty of recipe customization options. There are several low-prep options but most meals require some prep. Read more about this in our comprehensive Home Chef review.

The Bottom Line: Is Tempo Worth It?

I think Tempo works well for busy professionals who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. While it doesn’t cater to specialized diets, the menu is varied enough to keep you interested. Also, most meals are packed with high-quality proteins and veggies.

My colleague's experience with Tempo showcases its strong customer support, easy account management, and customizable ordering options. Despite some branding confusion, the high-quality meals, efficient packaging, and delivery make Tempo a great option for those seeking convenient and tasty meal solutions.

I like that Home Chef is its parent brand. This gives me peace of mind when it comes to ingredient selection and cooking practices. Still, Tempo can be a bit pricey for a menu this small. So, if you want to keep searching, check out our best meal delivery services list.

FAQ

Is Tempo a Home Chef brand?

Yes, Tempo is the newest brand under the Home Chef umbrella. However, unlike Home Chef, Tempo offers ready-made meals that only need around 4 to 5 minutes in the microwave. The meals are delivered to your door fresh, so you can enjoy them right away.

Are Tempo meals healthy?

Tempo was designed to offer quick, fresh, and flavorful meals that support a healthy lifestyle. Most of the recipes contain over 30 g of protein and lots of veggies. Also, Tempo often uses healthier substitutes for kitchen staples like rice or pasta.

How much does Tempo cost?

Your overall cost depends on how many meals you want to order per week. For instance, if you want the smallest order, you will pay $90+, including delivery. In this case, the price per serving is $13.49 per serving, which is a bit steep.