ᐅ How to Store Tuna (Fresh, frozen, oil, vinegar) •【 2024 】

Tuna is a healthy food that can not be missing from our diet; nevertheless, it is a sensitive fish that can break down quickly, but no worries, because I will teach you how to store tuna.

In the short term, the tuna can be kept in the fridge, where it will last 5-6 days. While for the long term, you can freeze it for approximately three months. And finally, you can make a delicious canned tuna in oil and pickle to preserve but add flavor to the fish.

Stay with us and learn more about ways to preserve tuna in the short and long term.

How to keep fresh tuna in the fridge

The fridge is one of the best places to preserve tuna when you know that you will use everything in the coming days, but it must go through a process to remain in optimal conditions. So, how to keep fresh tuna in the fridge? Here’s how to do it.

Step 1. Leave the tuna in its original packaging.

Please do not take the tuna out of the packaging until you use it. Likewise, it would be best never to leave the tuna at room temperature, as it will be damaged.

Step 2. Prepare a container with ice.

Add ice to a plastic container to help the tuna stay in perfect condition.

Step 3. Place the tuna on the ice.

Place the bag with the tuna on the ice.

Step 4. Store in the fridge.

Put the container with the ice and the tuna bag in the fridge.

This preservation method will keep the fresh tuna in the refrigerator for 5-6 days. [1]

How to freeze tuna

Can you freeze tuna? One of the best ways to store tuna is by freezing, even more so when you have a relatively large portion of tuna, considering the dimensions that this fish usually has.

So, the steps to freeze tuna are the following:

Step 1. Please do not remove the tuna from its original bag.

You should not remove the tuna from the bag with which it came from the fishmonger.

Step 2. Wrap the tuna in aluminum foil.

You should wrap the package with aluminum foil to better preserve the tuna and not burn it from the cold.

Step 3. Place inside a plastic bag.

Once wrapped, place it inside a plastic bag and close tightly.

Step 4. Store in the freezer.

Place the bag with the tuna inside the freezer. Ensure it is at the bottom, where it will invariably receive constant cold.

When storing tuna in this way, it will remain intact for 2-3 months.

How to freeze an open can of tuna

If you are wondering, can I freeze canned tuna leftovers? The answer is yes, and it is speedy and easy to do; I will show you the steps you should follow.

Step 1. Remove the tuna from the can.

With a spoon, remove all the tuna from the can. It should not be frozen inside this container, as it would be damaged quickly.

Step 2. Make portions of tuna.

The best way to freeze canned tuna is to make portions of what you will use.

Step 3. Place the portions in a plastic bag.

You should place each of the portions of tuna in plastic bags. You must remove the air inside it and close it tightly.

Step 4. Store in the freezer.

Place each serving of tuna in the freezer. Choose the bottom of the freezer as it will always receive cold.

Tuna can last about three months in the freezer.

How to thaw tuna

To thaw the tuna should be done slowly. Place it in the fridge a few hours before preparing it. While the tuna is thawing, you should remove the excess water with paper towels. This process will prevent the fish from absorbing a lot of water and allow it to maintain its texture.

How to preserve tuna in oil

Oil preservation is one of the easiest ways to keep tuna, maintaining its freshness and flavor for some days. However, it is a process that must be done correctly to prevent the fish from being contaminated and damaged.

Here are the steps for this exquisite and fast recipe.

Step 1. Bring water to a boil.

In a pot with water, boil 10g of salt, one tablespoon of vinegar, one garlic clove, thyme, and bay leaf.

Step 2. Cook the tuna.

Add the tuna and cook for 20 minutes at a low temperature when it bubbles.

Step 3. Let the tuna cool.

After the minutes of cooking, it is allowed to cool.

Step 4. Remove and drain the tuna.

With a strainer or colander, remove the tuna and drain it until dry.

Step 5. Dry the tuna.

Place the cooked tuna on paper towels to remove the excess water.

Step 6. Place the tuna inside a glass container.

You should place dried tuna in a pre-sterilized glass container.

Step 7. Add olive oil to the container.

Once you place the tune in the container, fill it with oil and close tightly.

Step 8. Store in the fridge.

Take the container with the tuna in oil to the fridge. With this method, you will keep it in perfect condition for 6-8 days with a delicious taste.

How to preserve pickled tuna

Pickling has been used since ancient times in food preservation. It consists of preparing food in vinegar. You can preserve tuna in a pickle in addition to giving it flavor and extending its shelf life for one week. Let’s see what the steps are to maintain pickled tuna.

Step 1. Choose the best tuna.

When buying, choose the tuna with a fresh smell and good color.

Step 2. Wash the tuna.

Wash the tuna very well with cold water.

Step 3. Cut the tuna.

For this recipe, you should chop the tuna for better cooking.

Step 4. Flouring the tuna.

Once you cut it, you must flour each piece of tuna.

Step 5. Fry the tuna.

In a pan with hot oil, fry the tuna on both sides until golden brown. You should not let it cook thoroughly.

Step 6. Remove the tuna.

Remove the tuna and set it aside while you follow the other steps.

Step 7. In the pan, prepare the pickle.

Add chopped carrots, sliced peppers, a clove of garlic, thyme, bay leaf, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it sauté for about 5 minutes.

Then you should incorporate white wine and vinegar. And let it boil for 5 minutes.

Step 8. Add the tuna to the pickle.

Add the tuna to the pan with the other ingredients and cook for half an hour.

Step 9. Remove pickled tuna from heat.

Once the cooking time has passed, remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Step 10. Put the pickled tuna in glass containers.

Place the tuna inside the glass containers with all the ingredients and close tightly.

To make canned tuna last longer, use sterilized glass containers.

Step 11. Store in the fridge.

Put the glass container with the pickled tuna in the fridge. You can consume it after a day to make the flavor more intense.

The pickled tuna will last one week in the fridge.

How do you know when tuna is bad?

Recognizing when tuna is terrible is essential, as it prevents stomach problems from contamination by E. coli bacteria. So today, I will show you some signs that tuna presents when decomposing and is not suitable for you to consume.

The texture of tuna is different; it feels soft when touched.

It has a rotten smell.
The color of tuna is not fresh but brown.

How long does tuna last?

Conservation method	Duration time
Fresh tuna in the fridge	5-6 days.
Fresh frozen tuna	2-3 months.
Leftover canned tuna	3 months.
Tuna in oil	6-8 days.
Pickled tuna	1 week.