ShelfLife
How long does canned tuna last?
An unopened can of tuna keeps its best quality for about 3 years in the pantry, and a tuna pouch about 18 months. Once opened, move the tuna to a sealed container in the fridge and eat it within 3 to 4 days.
| Food | Fridge | Pantry |
|---|---|---|
| Canned tuna | — | 3 years |
| Tuna in a pouch | —Opened: 3–4 days | 18 monthsfrom purchase |
| Opened canned fish and meat | —Opened: 3–4 days | 2–5 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: Not recommended |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if canned tuna has gone bad
- A bulging, leaking, deeply dented or rusty can: throw it out unopened.
- Liquid that spurts out when you open the can, or a sour or rotten smell.
- Discolored, mushy tuna, or mold on opened tuna.
How to store canned tuna
- Keep cans in a cool, dry cupboard, away from the stove.
- Once opened, move leftover tuna out of the can into a sealed glass or plastic container and refrigerate it.
- Refrigerate tuna salad and sandwiches within 2 hours and eat them within 3 to 4 days.
Can you freeze canned tuna?
You can freeze opened tuna in an airtight container, but it turns dry and mushy, so it's best used in cooked dishes. Tuna salad made with mayonnaise doesn't freeze well. Unopened cans don't need freezing.
Questions
Can you eat canned tuna after the best-by date?
Canned food that's been stored well and whose can is in perfect condition stays safe past its best-by date, though quality slowly declines. Throw out any can that's bulging, leaking, rusty or badly dented.
How long does opened tuna last in the fridge?
3 to 4 days, in a sealed container rather than the open can.
Can you leave tuna in the open can in the fridge?
It's better to move it: once opened, the can can give the tuna a metallic taste, and a sealed container keeps it fresher.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.