Tuna salad is a favorite due to its nutritious benefits as well as its ease of preparation. It is one of the main ingredients alongside mayonnaise in a tuna salad.
People who are on a diet or are health conscious substitute the mayonnaise with mashed avocado and hummus as well.
The sandwich is typically served by itself. But it makes an excellent side dish along with other food such as avocado, lettuce, and crackers as well.
In America, the tuna salad has been eaten since 1907. The tuna that is used in the salad is usually one that is precooked and canned in oil or water.
If you love this salad and eat it often, you might want to know how long does tuna salad last?
Learn about the shelf life of a tuna salad in this post and also about the signs of a spoilt tuna sandwich.
Does Tuna Salad Go Bad? How Long Does Tuna Salad Last?
A tuna salad with mayo lasts up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Beyond this time, it is not safe to be eaten anymore.
The combination of fish and the mayo is not ideal for it to last longer than the above period. It is not particular to tuna salad, but also egg salad and chicken salad.
If the salad has not been packaged and stored correctly inside the fridge, it will not last longer than an hour. Mayonnaise stored at room temperature goes bad pretty fast.
So it is best to discard it as it can cause food poisoning.
Unlike other items of food that can be frozen, a tuna sandwich cannot be frozen. It is because mayonnaise contains eggs as one of the main ingredients.
This causes a change in the texture and consistency of the salad. If you freeze a tuna salad, be prepared to be greeted with a soggy leftover.
The best way to store a tuna sandwich in the fridge is to put it in airtight freezer containers. This will keep the sandwich fresh for up to 5 days.
The time you store the sandwich also counts as well. You should store the sandwich within an hour of preparation if you know you will not eat it within the hour.
How to Tell if Tuna Salad is Bad? Tuna Salad Shelf Life!
The side effects of eating spoiled food can be very upsetting. So it is essential to recognize the signs of food getting spoiled before it reaches your mouth.
Tuna or other dishes with fish as the main ingredient can be tricky to spot when it is going bad.
Fortunately for us, there are some signs that you can watch out to tell if the tuna salad has gone bad or not. These include:
Bad appearance – Any type of discoloration is a sure sign that the tuna is already spoiled. The most common discoloration that shows up in a tuna sandwich is greenish and brownish spots. Dark black spots are also not uncommon. You would do well to discard it.
Unpleasant odor – Tuna has a naturally strong smell, so it’s not easy to go by smell alone. But if it smells pungent and unappetizing, be sure to get rid of it.
Duration of storage – Irrespective of the appearance and the odor, if you have stored the sandwich for more than five days, it is not safe to be eaten anymore.
The reason why tuna sandwich gets spoiled is a combination of warm temperature and the activity of microorganisms. The toxins from bacteria can cause a severe form of food poisoning called scombroid in humans.
Conclusion
A tuna sandwich is a nutritious snack that is high in vitamins and fiber. It is also very easy to prepare even for those who are averse to cooking.
But this healthy salad has a relatively short shelf life. This is the main reason why most people prefer making fresh tuna sandwiches instead of eating a refrigerated leftover.
If, however, you have a hectic schedule and prefer to prepare your food in bulk, remember to store it as soon as it is prepared.
This way, you will have fresh tuna sandwiches every time without compromising your stomach and overall health in general.
How Long Does Tuna Salad Last? Does Tuna Salad Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Tuna salad
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
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