A comfort food staple, tuna salad is a versatile dish that can be eaten as a side, as the main component of a sandwich or as a part of a salad. While I’ve had some decent store bought tuna salads, I still prefer to make it myself. Best of all, it’s pretty quick and easy to make!

However, we’ve all heard how hard it is to store mayonnaise. If you hesitate to keep your tuna salad leftovers, read on. We will go into all your questions on storing tuna salad leftovers to make sure they are safe and delicious to eat for future meals.

How long does tuna salad last on the counter?

As with most foods, tuna salad should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. However, since mayonnaise has a higher risk of bacteria growth, I wouldn’t keep it out any longer than you absolutely have to.

What is the best method for saving tuna salad leftovers?

Provided that you plan to eat your leftover tuna salad within a few days, an air-tight container in the fridge is the best place to store your leftovers.

As you will soon see, tuna salad does freeze but not as well as many other foods. As such, it’s best to try and not make more leftovers than you can eat within a few days.

How long is tuna salad good in the refrigerator?

Provided it is properly stored in an air-tight container, you can expect your tuna salad to last anywhere from 3 to 5 days. However, I would eat sooner rather than later as the taste and texture can be impacted the longer it’s in the fridge.

Can you freeze tuna salad?

Like egg salad, you can freeze tuna salad, but I wouldn’t. Mayonnaise, a main ingredient in tuna salad, is notoriously temperamental in the freezer. If you do freeze, you will likely notice that the overall texture becomes more watery and it won’t taste as good after thawing.

How long will tuna salad last in the freezer?

While freezing tuna salad isn’t an ideal way to store it, you can safely keep it in the freezer for up to two months before it starts going bad, provided it’s stored in a freezer bag or an air-tight freezer container. If you are using a freezer bag, make sure to push out all the air before sealing. Like when you are storing tuna salad in the fridge, I would try and eat sooner rather than later as the risks of it going bad increases the longer it is in the freezer.

Also, before you freeze, make sure to allocate into portions that you will want to eat within a day or two as it won’t refreeze again once thawed.

How to thaw tuna salad?

By far the best way to thaw tuna salad is in the fridge overnight (or around 8-12 hours). I would put the freezer bag or container in a bowl before putting in the fridge just in case you have any leaks in the bag or container. Once thawed in the fridge, make sure you eat it within a day or two.

If you are in more of a hurry, you can also place the freezer bag or container in a bowl of cold water, making sure to change every 30 minutes or so. Using this method, your tuna salad should thaw in an hour or two, especially if it’s in a freezer bag. Freezer containers will take longer to thaw using this method because there is not as much surface area exposed to the water. If you put your freezer bag under cold running water you will save a little more time.

Be sure to check your tuna salad once thawed to make sure it hasn’t gone bad as tuna salad generally doesn’t freeze as well.

How do I tell if tuna salad has gone bad?

Like many other foods, it is important to use your senses when determining whether tuna salad has gone bad.

I would start by looking to see if the texture or color has changed at all. In particular, if it looks runny, slimy, or the color has changed. Generally, if it looks unappetizing, get rid of it.

Also, if you notice an oder that is off in any way, throw it out.

Hopefully it doesn’t come to this but if you take a bite of your tuna salad and it just doesn’t taste right, spit it out and don’t finish it.

As I always say, when in doubt, throw it out.

Easy and Delicious Tuna Salad Recipe

Now that we’ve discussed how to properly store any leftover tuna salad that you may have, I want to share my favorite tuna salad recipe.

Final Thoughts About How Long Tuna Salad Lasts?

While a delicious comfort food, storing it is a little more challenging than some foods. However, don’t let this stop you from keeping your leftovers for at least a few days in the fridge. We hope that this gives you the confidence to keep your leftovers next time you make tuna salad! Happy cooking!

Check out the below articles for more great food storage answers:

Can You Freeze Egg Salad? Best Egg Salad Storage Tips!

How Long do Mashed Potatoes Last? All Your Questions Answered

How Long Does Chili Last in the Fridge? Your Chili Storage Questions Answered

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