How Long Does Subway Tuna Last? The Truth About The Shelf Life Of Subway’s Tuna Sandwiches

As a busy person who is often on the go Subway’s tuna sandwiches can seem like a quick and easy meal option. But if you don’t end up finishing it all in one sitting you may be wondering – how long does Subway tuna last in the fridge? Can you save it for lunch tomorrow or will you be facing a case of food poisoning?

I decided to do some investigating into the shelf life of Subway’s popular tuna subs to find out exactly how long they stay fresh and also learn more about the ingredients and storage methods for maximum freshness. Here’s the truth about how long Subway tuna sandwiches last so you can feel confident about when to chuck that leftover tuna sub.

How Long Does Subway Tuna Stay Fresh?

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, tuna salad can be safely stored in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. This applies to any homemade or premade tuna salad including tuna subs from Subway.

So if you brought home a Subway tuna sub one evening and wanted to save some for lunch the next day, that would likely be fine. But any tuna subs older than 3 days should be thrown out.

After 5 days in the fridge, the risk of foodborne illnesses from bacteria growth increases – especially for tuna salad which contains mayo and other dairy ingredients that can spoil more quickly. So Subway tuna subs are really only good for up to 4 days maximum when properly refrigerated.

How To Store Subway Tuna Sandwiches For Maximum Freshness

To get the full 3 to 5 days of freshness out of your Subway tuna sub, you need to store it properly in the fridge:

• Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or an airtight container. This prevents the tuna salad from drying out.

• Keep tuna subs separate from other foods, especially raw meat and produce which can contaminate it.

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of purchasing or preparing. Don’t leave the tuna sub out at room temperature.

• Use within 3 to 5 days. Discard any uneaten portions after that timeframe.

• Don’t freeze it, as this can negatively impact the taste and texture. Subway tuna subs are best when fresh.

Can You Reheat Subway Tuna Sandwiches?

If you have a fully intact Subway tuna sub that’s been refrigerated, it should be safe to reheat and eat within the 3 to 5 day window. However, reheating tuna subs comes with a few caveats:

• Only reheat once. The more times you cool then reheat tuna, the higher the risk of bacteria growth.

• Don’t reheat tuna subs after 3 to 5 days in the fridge. At that point, play it safe and toss it.

• Refrigerate again immediately after reheating. Don’t let it sit at room temp.

• Only reheat until warm, not piping hot. High heat can make the tuna salad dry or rubbery.

• Don’t reheat in the Subway sandwich wrapping, as it’s not microwave-safe. Transfer to a microwave-safe dish.

The best way to reheat a Subway tuna sub is to wrap it in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15 to 30 seconds until warm. You can also wrap in foil and reheat in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

Signs Your Subway Tuna Sub Has Gone Bad

After 3 to 5 days in the fridge, your Subway tuna sandwich will start to show signs of spoilage including:

• Sour or unpleasant odor – Fresh tuna doesn’t smell “fishy.” Foul odors indicate bacteria growth.

• Sliminess – The tuna salad should not be overly soft, sticky or slimy when fresh.

• Mold growth – This could appear on the bread or corners of the tuna salad.

• Discoloration – The tuna and mayo can start to darken and look unappetizing when past its prime.

So keep an eye out for those indicators that your Subway tuna sub is no longer safe to eat. Remember, tuna salad doesn’t improve with age! When in doubt, throw it out.

Subway Tuna Ingredients – What’s Actually In That Tuna Salad?

So what exactly is in Subway’s tuna salad that makes it spoil quicker than other meats? According to Subway’s website, here are the ingredients:

• Tuna – Subway claims it uses 100% wild-caught tuna, either skipjack or yellowfin tuna.

• Mayonnaise – The standard condiment mixed into tuna salad. Subway uses soybean oil mayo.

• Soybeans – Yes, there are traces of soybeans in the tuna salad, which those with allergies should know.

• Onion – Many Subway locations add finely chopped onions to the tuna mix.

• Pickles – The tuna sub comes with pickles unless you request otherwise.

• Bread – Subway has white, wheat, flatbread and wrap options. Contains preservatives.

• Vegetables – Tomatoes, lettuce, onions are common veggie toppings.

So while Subway tuna subs have fewer ingredients than some other subs, the mayo is likely the culprit for shortened shelf life. The good news is that with proper refrigeration, you can safely keep that Subway tuna sandwich for lunch the next day!

The Final Word on Subway Tuna’s Shelf Life

Based on USDA food safety guidelines, industry recommendations and Subway’s ingredients, here’s the final word on how long tuna subs last:

• Unrefrigerated: 2 hours max. Don’t leave subs out.

• Refrigerated: 3 to 5 days is best by date for quality and food safety.

• Frozen: Not recommended. Eat refrigerated within 3 to 5 days.

• Reheated: Only reheat properly stored tuna subs once within 3 to 5 days.

So plan to eat that Subway tuna sandwich within a few days at most for peak freshness and food safety. And don’t hesitate to toss it after 3 to 5 fridge days – tuna salad doesn’t improve with time.

Follow proper tuna sub storage methods like wrapping tightly and refrigerating promptly, and reheating only once if needed. Keep an eye out for any foul odors, sliminess or discoloration that indicates your tuna sub’s time is up.

Taking these precautions will help ensure you can safely enjoy Subway’s popular tuna sandwiches when you’re seeking a quick, on-the-go meal! Tuna subs make a tasty lunch, as long as you eat them within the 3 to 5 day recommended window.