Canned Tuna Salad

An unopened can of tuna would generally have a shelf life of up to 3-5 years from the manufacturing date. However, once it’s mixed to make a tuna salad, its shelf life significantly reduces due to the added ingredients. Refrigerated tuna salad, whether store-bought or homemade, typically lasts between 3 to 5 days. Try to enjoy it within this time for the best flavor and safety. As for the freezer, freezing isn’t typically recommended for tuna salad due to the adverse effects on its texture and quality. The mayo and other vegetables can become watery and mushy after thawing.

Spoiled tuna salad often has a strong, sour or rancid smell that is quite distinct. Discoloration is another sign – if your tuna salad is turning a darker color, it’s likely going bad. Also, if there’s any mold or any growth on the salad, don’t taste it – just toss it. The texture can change too, becoming too mushy or slimy. If you notice any of these signs, it’s safer to just dispose of the salad.

• Always store your tuna salad in the refrigerator, not on the counter or in the pantry. This is especially crucial since tuna salad typically contains mayonnaise, which can spoil easily at room temperature. • Use airtight containers for storing tuna salad. This not only prevents the salad from absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge but also helps keep it moist and prevents it from drying out. • If you’ve made a large batch of tuna salad, consider storing it in smaller, individual portions. This can help extend its shelf life as you only open and use what you need, reducing the exposure of the entire batch to air, light, and changes in temperature. • Don't leave tuna salad out for more than two hours at room temperature or more than one hour if it's hotter than 90°F outside. Bacteria growth happens quickly in such conditions, potentially making your salad unsafe to eat. • Last but not least, always pay attention to the preparation date and remember that fresher is always better when it comes to foods like tuna salad, so try to consume it shortly after preparation.