Tahitian Poisson Cru (Coconut-Lime Tuna)

Poisson cru is Tahiti’s signature raw-fish dish: fresh tuna is briefly marinated with lime, then dressed with coconut milk and crisp vegetables.

Use sashimi-quality fish, keep it cold, and add the coconut milk just before serving so the lime stays bright and the tuna remains tender.

Ask the fishmonger for fish suitable for raw preparation and keep it refrigerated from purchase through serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve chilled in small bowls with steamed rice, taro, or warm breadfruit on the side.

Recipe Notes

Poisson cru is best eaten immediately. For food safety, do not keep the dressed fish longer than 24 hours and keep it below 4°C.

Tahitian Poisson Cru (Coconut-Lime Tuna)

No ratings yet

Fresh tuna briefly marinated with lime and dressed with coconut milk, cucumber, tomato, and herbs.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Tahitian

Calories: 360

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x?

Tuna and marinade

• 1.5 lb sashimi-quality tuna loin cut into 1/2-inch cubes and kept chilled
• 0.5 cup fresh lime juice about 4 limes
• 1 tsp fine sea salt

Coconut dressing

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk well chilled
• 1 medium English cucumber peeled, seeded, and diced
• 2 medium tomatoes seeded and diced
• 0.5 small red onion finely diced
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped
• 0.25 tsp ground black pepper

Equipment

• Sharp chef’s knife
• Nonreactive mixing bowl
• Fine-mesh strainer
• Citrus juicer
• Refrigerator

Method

 

Marinate the tuna:

1. Place the chilled tuna cubes in a nonreactive bowl. Add the lime juice and salt, stir gently, and refrigerate for 8 to 10 minutes until the outer surface turns opaque.
2. Pour the tuna into a fine-mesh strainer and drain off most of the lime juice without pressing the fish.

Dress and serve:

1. Return the tuna to the bowl and fold in the coconut milk, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and black pepper.
2. Chill for 5 minutes, taste for salt, and serve immediately in cold bowls.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 39gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 610mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g

Notes

• The fish should be very fresh and suitable for raw consumption; lime changes the texture but does not make unsafe fish safe.
• Dice the vegetables just before mixing so they stay crisp and bright.