If you’ve wondered how long tuna salad lasts, the answer is that it depends on how and when it’s stored. There are two main guidelines to follow when preparing tuna salad:
- It should never be left out for more than two hours at room temperature.
- In an airtight container, keep it refrigerated.
Tuna in a tin is still widely popular. Canned tuna has been the 2nd most popular foodstuff in the United States, after shrimp. Every year, Americans consume roughly 1 billion pounds of tuna, both fresh and canned. Everyone ate canned tuna when we were kids in the 1970s and 1980s. It was tuna salad if it wasn’t tuna casserole or Tuna Helper, which would still be popular today.
We’ll look at how long tuna salad lasts as well as how to preserve it properly in this article. Let’s get this issue fixed.
What is the Shelf Life of Tuna Salad?
Tuna salad would last 3 to 5 days in the fridge if stored properly at a temperature of 40°F or below, according to the USDA. You now have a fair concept of how long you can store and enjoy your tuna salad after learning that refrigerated tuna salad only lasts three to five days and tuna fish left out at room temperature needs to be refrigerated or thrown out after two hours. Because tuna salad is created with perishable ingredients like tuna and mayonnaise, it must constantly be kept refrigerated. If you enjoy eating tuna salad, you should know how long tuna salad lasts in the refrigerator, but there are a few other things you should know as well.
Remember, for example, that tuna fish doesn’t really freeze, smoke, or pickle well, thus these options should be avoided.
What is the best way to store tuna salad in the fridge?
Refrigerator doors move more so than refrigerator shelves. As a result, don’t keep your tuna salad there behind the refrigerator door. It should always be kept on a shelf in the refrigerator’s coldest section. A fridge/freezer thermometer is required to correctly monitor the temperature of your refrigerator.
Tuna salad should also be stored in an airtight container to avoid producing an unpleasant stench in your refrigerator or absorbing scents from several other foods.
Tuna salad begins to deteriorate as soon as it is prepared, due to the mayo and the tuna fish itself, and must be stored in an airtight container within two hours. If you’ve been wondering how much longer tuna salad keeps mostly in the refrigerator, the reason is easy: three to five days in an airtight container. In short, you should toss it in the garbage can if you haven’t refrigerated it within two hours after making it.
If you’re concerned about scents, I recommend using a glass container or designating a few of your plastic storage units solely for tuna. This is the variety that I suggest and use. If you’re looking for a set, they have glass and BPA-free plastic options.
Why Tuna Salad Should Be Stored Below 40°F
Bacteria can accomplish two things when it comes to food. It can be pathogenic bacteria (the ones that make us sick) or “spoilage” germs (the kind that causes foods to spoil). Your food may have an “off” flavor, texture, or show any symptoms of mold, which are all indicators of bacteria that cause food deterioration.
Furthermore, harmful bacteria, or germs that cause illness, can be present in or in your food without your knowledge. These bacteria can be found in your meal and do not affect its taste, smell, or texture. Between 40°F and 140°F, the growth of bacteria is the fastest. The “Danger Zone,” as defined by the USDA, is this temperature range. The danger zone is something you want to stay away from. The growth of these germs is slowed by keeping tuna salad refrigerated at or below 40°F. That’s where a fridge thermometer helps a lot.
That is, indeed, a hint. Please consider purchasing a fridge thermometer if you do not already have one. I don’t mess around when it comes to my family’s food safety!
How Long Can Tuna Salad Be Stored Without Refrigeration?
Because tuna salad and mayonnaise degrade quickly, I would only leave them outside the fridge short enough just to scoop a portion or prepare a sandwich. The USDA, on the other hand, advises against leaving food out of the fridge for even more than 1 to 2 hours.
The amount of time that passes Varies on the temperature at which the food is kept out. If the temperature is at or above 90°F, leave tuna out for no more than 1 hour; if the temperature is less than 90°F, leave tuna out for no more than 2 hours. Although the USDA recommends this, I always overlook the importance of caution and store tuna salad in the fridge for just as little time as fish and mayonnaise degrade quickly. As a result, tuna salad at my house goes right into the fridge after it’s made, only coming out to scoop out a serving or build a sandwich.
What Are the Signs That Tuna Salad Isn’t Good?
Tuna cans that have leaked, bulged, oxidized, or been damaged should be discarded, especially if the damage is right on the edge. If your salad has developed an “off” odor or appearance, don’t taste it or trash it (color or texture change).
Sometimes, when your tuna seems and smells fine and seems to have a foul or “just not right” flavor, don’t consume it and discard it.
Is Tuna Salad Freezable?
Tuna salad may be frozen safely in theory. However, the texture of your salad after it has to defrost is determined by the ingredients utilized. Mayonnaise does not freeze well and frequently separates, leaving your tuna salad with an unpleasant texture. Don’t freeze tuna with mayonnaise. After freezing, crunchy vegetables like celery and onions turn limp, compromising the flavor of delicious tuna salad. Salad dressings such as Miracle Whip, on the other hand, freeze better.
If you’d like to attempt freezing tuna salad for the first time, I recommend starting with a single serving. Freeze a small serving inside a freezer-safe container or freezer bag as soon as possible after making it. Only defrost in the refrigerator before using it. Freeze quickly if the texture after defrosting is perfect!
It’s important to know how long tuna salad lasts because one error can be devastating, and if your tuna fish smells or looks bad, especially if there’s any form of mold present, it’s best to toss that out so you and others will not get sick. Heard the phrase, “Better safe than sorry,” which is especially true when it comes to foods like tuna as well as other mayonnaise-based salads.
Final Thoughts
Tuna sandwiches are healthy snacks that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s also simple to make, even for those who may not like to cook. However, this nutritious salad has such a limited shelf life. This is the primary reason why many people would rather make fresh tuna sandwiches than consume a refrigerated leftover tuna sandwich.
If you have a busy schedule and choose to cook in bulk, keep in mind to preserve it as soon as possible. This way, you’ll always have fresh tuna sandwiches without risking your stomach or overall health.