Along with peanut butter and jelly and all the different ways you can put deli meat on a sandwich, traditional tuna salad is also a tasty choice. This creamy salad is usually made with tuna from a can, mayonnaise, mustard, and fresh vegetables like onion, celery, and sometimes even fruit that has been chopped up. The tasty tuna salad can be spread on two soft slices of bread for a healthy snack, but it’s also great with crackers, on top of crisp lettuce, or even straight from the bowl or plate with a fork. This creamy, protein-rich salad can be eaten in a lot of different ways, but you might wish you could make two batches and freeze the extras for another time because it takes so long to chop and mix everything.
According to FoodSafety. According to gov, tuna salad can be kept in the fridge for up to four days. However, this mayo-based salad should not be frozen. Since oil, water, egg, and acid are mixed together to make mayonnaise, the creamy condiment you love could separate and become chunky and unpleasant after being frozen and then thawed.
You shouldn’t freeze whole tuna salads with mayo in them, but you can freeze this tasty mix as long as you leave out your favorite egg-based condiment until you’re ready to eat a spoonful or two. Skipping the condiments until thawed also ensures a deliciously creamy tuna salad every time. Your extra efforts will grant you easy-to-assemble tuna salad whenever the mood strikes.
Tuna fish salad is a classic potluck and picnic dish, loved for its simple preparation, protein punch, and versatility. Made ahead and served chilled, tuna salad can feed a crowd with little fuss But what if you don’t polish off the whole bowl or want leftovers for later? Can you freeze tuna fish salad for another day?
The short answer is yes, you can freeze tuna salad. However, there are some best practices for freezing and thawing tuna salad that help preserve taste and texture. Follow these tuna salad freezing tips, and you can enjoy great-tasting tuna salad even after freezing.
Can You Freeze Tuna Fish Salad?
Tuna salad can be frozen, but it may not have quite the same smooth, creamy texture once thawed Here’s what happens when tuna salad is frozen
-
Mayonnaise can separate or curdle when frozen and thawed, creating a grainy or watery texture.
-
Frozen tuna flesh can become mushy, dry or stringy after thawing.
-
Onions and other vegetables lose their crunch.
-
Bread or crackers mixed into the salad lose their crispness.
While freezing won’t ruin tuna salad completely, the dish may seem a little “off” compared to fresh. But with a few preparation tweaks before freezing, you can still get decent results.
How to Freeze Tuna Fish Salad
Follow these steps for best results freezing tuna salad:
-
Make sure tuna salad is freshly prepared, as quality declines after 3-4 days refrigerated.
-
Use an airtight container, removing as much air as possible before sealing. This prevents freezer burn.
-
Portion into single servings before freezing if desired. This makes for easy thawing.
-
Add a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface of the tuna salad before sealing the container. This protects from air exposure.
-
Label container with contents and freeze-by date (2 months maximum).
-
Freeze tuna salad immediately to prevent bacteria growth. Don’t let it linger in the fridge.
-
Place tuna salad in the back of the freezer where temperature is most constant.
How Long Does Tuna Salad Last in the Freezer?
Properly stored tuna salad will last for 1-2 months in the freezer before quality declines. Don’t freeze it any longer than this.
For best flavor and texture, use frozen tuna salad within 1 month. After 2 months, thawed tuna salad may be overly watery and mushy.
Write the freeze date clearly on containers so you know when tuna salad was made. Follow the “first in, first out” rule, using older frozen tuna salad first.
Tips for Freezing Tuna Salad
Here are some tips to freeze tuna fish salad with the best possible results:
-
Leave out the mayonnaise completely, or use very little. Mayo doesn’t freeze well. Substitute plain yogurt or mashed avocado for creaminess instead.
-
Mix in some acid like lemon juice or vinegar. Acidity helps keep proteins firm during freezing.
-
Leave out mushy ingredients like grapes, cooked peas, or soft bread cubes. Add them after thawing instead.
-
Use larger, firmer chunks of tuna rather than flaked. Chunks maintain their texture better.
-
Use freeze-friendly crunchy vegetables like celery, bell peppers, or shredded carrots. Watery veggies like lettuce will get limp.
-
Try adding a little gelatin to help maintain a smooth texture after thawing.
-
Freeze tuna salad in smaller containers or portions for quicker thawing and less waste.
Thawing Frozen Tuna Salad
Thaw frozen tuna fish salad in the refrigerator, not on the counter or in the microwave. Here are some guidelines:
-
Move frozen tuna salad to the fridge 8-12 hours before eating to allow gradual thawing.
-
For quicker thawing, place tuna salad in a bowl of cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.
-
Fluff tuna salad with a fork once thawed, breaking up any ice crystals.
-
If tuna salad seems dry, stir in a little plain Greek yogurt, mayo, or milk to moisten.
-
Let thawed tuna salad chill in the fridge 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld before serving.
-
Check tuna salad for anyoff smells or appearance before serving. Discard if any mold, sliminess, or bad odors are detected.
How to Use Thawed Tuna Salad
Even if the texture of thawed tuna salad isn’t perfect, the flavor can still be tasty. Try these clever ways to use tuna salad after freezing:
-
Mix into pasta salads, grain bowls or leafy greens for added protein.
-
Fill celery sticks, tomato slices or lettuce cups for tuna salad bites.
-
Use as a quick topping for avocado toast or flatbread pizzas.
-
Serve in crunchy cups made from sautéed zucchini or eggplant slices.
-
Bake into tuna melts, paninis, wraps or sourdough toasts for comforting hot sandwiches.
-
Fold into cooked macaroni and sprinkle with breadcrumbs for easy tuna casserole.
-
Whip with Greek yogurt and lemon juice for a zesty spinach dip.
-
Mix with diced cucumbers, red onion and balsamic for an easy side salad.
So go ahead and double or triple that tuna salad recipe. With proper freezing and thawing, you can safely store tuna salad in the freezer to enjoy for lunches, snacks, and easy meals for up to 2 months. Follow these tuna freezing tips and you’ll be ready for tuna salad anytime!
How to effectively freeze tuna salad
Before you start the preparation process, you may wonder if freezing canned tuna is a good idea. If you freeze canned fish without draining it first, the textures will be unpleasant. But the USDA says it’s safe to freeze foods that have been properly drained and put in different containers.
Now that youve been given the green light, start by draining tuna and mixing in your produce. You should use vegetables that you know will work well in the freezer, like celery and onions. If you like adding cucumbers, tomatoes, and other vegetables that are high in water to your tuna mix to make it look better, wait to do so until the tuna has completely thawed. Just like mayonnaise tends to separate when it’s frozen, fruits and vegetables that are high in water may also have trouble keeping their shape.
Next to adding freezer-safe produce, feel free to add any dried spices to your tuna salad before mixing. After adding all the salad ingredients (except the dressing), put the tuna mix in single-serve containers that can go in the freezer for up to six weeks. Give your tuna salad plenty of time to defrost in the fridge before adding the necessary toppings when you’re ready to eat. While freezing most of this tasty snack is helpful, if you wish there was a way to freeze the whole thing, you can by changing the ingredients in your normal recipe.