Last updated on October 3rd, 2022 at 06:42 pm

Tuna salad can make for a great afternoon snack or even a filling lunch. You can simply mix tuna and mayonnaise together or you can add other vegetables to add some extra flavor. 

You can eat your tuna salad by itself, as a sandwich, or as a dip for crackers. Making tuna salad is one of the easiest recipes and not at all difficult to make. 

Tuna salad can be a great option for a meal that will help reduce heat in the house during summer. You can even bring your favorite tuna salad recipe to potlucks and any party with friends. 

Everyone has their favorite version of tuna salad, but the base ingredients remain the same: tuna and mayonnaise. If you like planning ahead and want to make a batch of tuna salad to enjoy at a later date, can you put your tuna salad in the freezer? 

Will your tuna salad taste the same after spending some time in the freezer? 

You can freeze tuna salad, but it is not recommended. Tuna salad can last in your freezer for about a week before it will become virtually inedible. Since the base ingredient in tuna salad is mayonnaise, it will not hold up well in the freezer. 

Mayonnaise tends to separate when frozen and not bind back together once the salad has thawed. You will be left with a very watery and oily tuna salad. If you plan on freezing your tuna salad, place it in a freezer-safe, airtight container. 

The best method for storing your tuna salad is in the fridge. It will last in your fridge for 3-5 days. Placing your tuna salad in the freezer will only prolong the shelf life by a few days and will risk wasting it entirely. 

While it is always nice to be able to plan and prepare food ahead of time, tuna salad does not fit this category. It is best to save your ingredients for your tuna salad and make it the day of. 

Can You Make Tuna Salad Without Mayonnaise? 

Mayonnaise may taste very good on sandwiches and in salads, but it is also rather high in calories. If you are looking to cut some calories but still enjoy mayonnaise in food, is there a way to make your favorites without the mayonnaise? 

There are plenty of other spreads that you can put on your sandwiches to add some flavor, but what about salads? Is there anything you can use in place of the mayonnaise for your tuna, chicken, or egg salad?

You can make tuna salad with Greek yogurt, avocado, or olive oil instead of mayonnaise. You can also use Miracle Whip or Salad Dressing in place of Mayo. 

There are quite a few options that you can choose from when making your tuna salad. 

• Light Mayonnaise: You can always use light mayonnaise as an option. This will help to cut down your calorie intake significantly.  You can also use mayonnaise that has olive oil, canola oil, or avocado base as well. 

• Greek Yogurt: You can choose to use flavored Greek yogurt but it is typically best to use plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for mayonnaise. It has a tangy and creamy flavor that is a close match for the same flavor and consistency as mayonnaise. A great benefit of using Greek yogurt over mayonnaise is that you get an extra shot of protein too. 

• Avocado: While avocado may not solve the issue of lowering calories, it is a much healthier alternative than mayonnaise. You can mash the avocado and use it as a spread for sandwiches. When you add the avocado to your tuna salad, you can blend it with plain yogurt to give it a creamier, smoother consistency. You can also add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for a little extra flavor.

• Olive Oil: While olive oil won’t work as a great alternative for sandwiches, it does make a great base for tuna salad. If you like your tuna salad a bit tangy, you can add some pickle juice. You can also use olive oil as a substitute for mayonnaise when it comes to baking as well. 

You can use any of these substitutes as a base for your tuna salad and other salads that require a mayonnaise base. 

How Do You Know When Tuna Salad Is Bad?

Canned tuna is one of the most popular seafood items eaten in the U.S. Between pouches and cans of tuna, Americans eat about a billion pounds of tuna per year. 

You can either use your canned tuna for casseroles or make a tuna salad. 

If you are a fan of tuna salad, the best way to properly store your delicious tuna salad is in the fridge. It should last in your fridge for three to five days. 

The temperature in your fridge door will fluctuate so it is best to store your tuna salad on a shelf. You should also make sure that your tuna salad is properly sealed in an airtight container. This will prevent any fishy odor from escaping the container and taking over your fridge. 

If you have properly stored your tuna salad in the fridge, how will you know when it’s gone bad? 

The best way to know if your tuna salad has gone bad is by smelling it. Unfortunately, since tuna salad already has a bit of a smell, it can be difficult to tell. If your tuna salad smells extra funky, it’s just best to toss it out. 

If you start to eat the tuna salad and something tastes a little off, it’s best to toss it out before finishing. When in doubt, throw it out. Your health is more important than making sure that no food goes to waste. 

Why Does Tuna Salad Get Watery? 

You have just made yourself a delicious tuna salad sandwich. You go to take a bite and as you do all kinds of juices begin running down your hands and dripping everywhere. How did this happen? 

You followed the recipe perfectly, how do you fix your tuna salad from being so watery? 

The reason that your tuna salad is watery can be because of a few different factors. The first is that the tuna may not have been drained properly. If you have not drained the tuna, your tuna salad will undoubtedly be very watery. 

Another reason that your tuna salad may be watery is the base that you have used. If you used a dressing or Miracle Whip over mayonnaise, your tuna salad could end up being watery. 

Final Thoughts

Next time you go to make tuna salad, remember that it might not store so well in the freezer. If you have decided to use a different base rather than mayonnaise, it may last a little longer in the freezer. 

The best way to store your tuna salad is in the fridge in an airtight container.