This is something that most of us always have on hand: canned tuna. We might add it to salads, sandwiches, or even just our emergency kit.
When you clean out your pantry, old cans often come to light. In this post, I answer the all-important question of how to tell if canned tuna is bad in four easy steps. As long as your tuna can handle these steps, you should be able to eat it on rye instead of throwing it away! I also talk about how to store tuna in a can when it’s opened and when it’s not.
Unopened canned goods, including tuna should be stored somewhere cool and dry and away from any direct sunlight. A kitchen cabinet away from the stove or a pantry is usually fine. Canned tuna is known as a shelf stable food.
Once canned tuna or other canned foods are opened, they need to be refrigerated. If you have leftovers, put them in a container that won’t let air in before putting them in the fridge. Then, use them up within three to four days of opening the container. Once a can has been opened, you can also place the leftovers into the freezer.
You can freeze tuna for up to three months, but you need to put it in a container that won’t let air in first. The tuna itself can’t be frozen. You could also use a Ziplock bag. Lay the tuna out flat so it freezes evenly, and then press air out of the bag before closing it. Before you freeze the tuna, don’t forget to write “canned” and the date it was frozen on the bag or lid.
When you come to use the tuna, leave it to defrost in the refrigerator. How long this takes will depend on how much you have frozen. It could be two hours or overnight. Never defrost at room temperature as this can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
Canned tuna is a kitchen staple thanks to its convenience, affordability, and nutrition. But you may have noticed that not all canned tuna looks the same. While some cans contain pale pinkish tuna, others have yellow or light tan tuna inside. So why is my canned tuna yellow?
The color of canned tuna depends on the specific species and quality grades. By understanding the different types of canned tuna, you can determine if the yellow color is normal or a sign of lower quality. Let’s decode the colors and qualities of canned tuna.
Common Tuna Species in Canned Tuna
There are a few main species used in canned tuna:
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Albacore – This white, tender tuna produces light pinkish canned tuna. Albacore is considered a premium tuna.
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Yellowfin – Yellowfin tuna is named for its yellow hued flesh. It has a stronger taste than albacore.
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Skipjack – A smaller tuna species that is very commonly canned. Skipjack flesh is brownish red and canned skipjack is lighter in color.
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Tongol – Similarly colored to skipjack, with pale pink to tan flesh when canned. Tongol is sometimes marketed as “light tuna”.
So yellowfin tuna naturally produces yellowish canned tuna while other species have lighter pink to white flesh Now let’s look at tuna grades and quality,
Grades of Canned Tuna
Canned tuna can also appear more yellow if it is a lower quality grade There are three main commercial grades of canned tuna
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Fancy/Choice – This is the highest quality tuna, with pure, clean flavor and no discoloration. Most albacore canned tuna is fancy grade
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Standard/Prime – Slightly lower grade but still good quality. There may be some discoloration or dark flecks on the tuna.
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Substandard/Pet Food Grade – The lowest commercial grade of tuna with more significant discoloration and dark parts. The yellowish color comes from impurities and oxidization.
So when canned tuna appears yellow, it’s often a sign it’s a lower grade than the fancy albacore or skipjack tuna, which is light pink or white.
Why Canned Tuna Discolors
There are a few reasons why tuna flesh may become more yellow or discolored:
- Oxidization from air exposure
- Impurities or blood remnants left in the tuna
- Undesirable fatty areas of the tuna used
- Overcooking at high heats during canning
- Longer storage times
Discoloration happens more readily in lower quality tuna that is not handled or canned as carefully. Higher fat tunas like yellowfin are also prone to discoloration.
Is Yellow Canned Tuna Safe To Eat?
Rest assured that yellow canned tuna is still perfectly safe to eat. The discoloration does not indicate spoilage or make the tuna unsafe. Canned tuna is cooked at high temperatures during manufacturing, killing any bacteria that could cause illness or spoilage.
However, yellow tuna may have more impurities affecting flavor and texture. It also likely has a higher fat content, which you may want to limit for health or calories.
For best quality, look for light pink to white canned tuna from fancy grades of skipjack, albacore, or tongol tuna. Check the can’s ingredients list for the species. Tuna packed in water rather than oil also limits fat and calories.
Storing Canned Tuna
Proper storage preserves quality and prevents excessive discoloration in canned tuna:
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Store unopened cans in a cool, dry pantry away from light.
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Refrigerate opened canned tuna in an airtight container.
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Use refrigerated tuna within 3-4 days.
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Look for expiration dates on cans and do not consume tuna past the date.
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Discard cans that are leaking, rusted, or severely dented.
With optimal storage conditions, even lesser grades of canned tuna will maintain better color and flavor.
Using Yellow Canned Tuna
Yellow or tan canned tuna is still great to use in all your favorite tuna recipes like:
- Tuna salad sandwiches or wraps
- Tuna melts or tuna patties
- Tuna casseroles or tuna noodle dishes
- Tuna salads with mayonnaise or yogurt-based dressings
- Mediterranean tuna salads with vegetables
- Tuna tacos or tuna toastadas
The stronger taste of yellowfin tuna also stands up well to bold seasonings. Consider spices like paprika, chili powder, mustard, or curry when using yellow canned tuna.
The Bottom Line
Step 1 – Consider the Date on The Can
The date on canned tuna is a ‘Best if Used By’ food product date. Can tuna, on the other hand, can stay fresh for up to five years after the “Best Before” date as long as it is kept cool and dry.
There will always be a month and year on the date, along with the words “Best if Used By/Before,” “Use By,” or “Must Use By.”
Foods which say ‘Must Use By’ or similar should always be used by this date. These are usually fresh items such as meat and poultry.
The food product date on canned tuna is the date determined by the manufacturer to be within the timeframe in which the quality of the food will be at its best. It is not a safety indicator as such and when a ‘Best if Used By’ date has passed, it does not necessarily mean the canned tuna has gone bad.
When food companies set “Best Used By” dates, they think about the food, how it will be stored, how long it will be on sale, and how it will be handled. The date also helps stores know how long they can display/sell the food for.
People often throw away food that is still safe to eat because they don’t understand the different terms used to date food.
Manufacturers are not required by federal law to date their products unless they are foods that are regulated by FSIS, like meat and eggs. The only exception is infant formula.
These things show that the date on that can of tuna doesn’t really tell you if the tuna is bad because the “Best Before” date shows quality, not safety. If there are no other signs of spoilage, charitable groups may also take canned goods after the “Best Before” date (read on to learn more).
It is helpful to check the “Best if Used By” dates on the cans already in the pantry and move them around so the ones closer to the date will be opened first when you buy new cans. This way, you don’t end up with a basement full of old cans.
How to Tell if Your Canned Tuna is Bad
The four steps I describe below will help you decide if your canned tuna is bad. If these steps make you feel good about the canned tuna, then you can eat it. But if you’re not sure, always throw it away!
Tuna 101: Everything You Need to Know About Shopping for Canned Tuna
FAQ
What does it mean when tuna is yellow?
Is yellow tuna okay to eat?
How can you tell if tuna has gone bad?
What color should canned tuna be?
How do you know if canned tuna has gone bad?
The top ways to tell if your canned tuna has gone bad is to check the expiration date, see if the can is leaking, smell it to check for bad odors, see if it’s changed color, check the can for damages, and finally, taste it, which should be your last option if you’re suspicious.
Why is my canned tuna leaking?
If your canned tuna is leaking, it means something has gone wrong with the preservation process and it’s no longer preserved by the can that it is in. If it is leaking, do not eat it, regardless of the date stamp and other factors. The purpose of canned goods for preservation is that everything is pressure sealed into the can.
Why is my tuna turning brown?
There are spots of discoloration on the tuna Normal tuna fish has a pinky, light brown color when it’s fresh in the can. So, a change in the color or spots of discoloration are important signs of spoilage. However, keep in mind that brown tuna is still edible when the brown pieces are warm brown in color.
Why is my canned tuna rusting?
These holes are relatively tiny and you may not even really be able to see them. It’s better not to take the chance. If you notice your canned tuna showing signs of corrosion, it means that air and possible even moisture are able to get to the food in the can and you should throw it out.