Lexi Webster
Australian cuisine is a combination of the British and Irish traditions of the first European colonizers of the continent and the ancient Australian Aborigines' diet, known as Bush Tucker or Bush Food. Australia's culinary landscape has also been influenced by the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Mediterranean countries. Here is a list of some basic foods eaten in Australia:
- Barramundi, a sea-bass found in Australia and the Indo-Pacific, is prized for its delicate flavour and can be cooked in various ways.
- Meat pies, also known as Dog Eye, are a popular snack in Australia and can be found in bakeries, street stalls, and sporting events.
- Fish and chips, a popular takeaway food that originated in the United Kingdom, is also common in Australia, especially in pubs or waterfront shops by the beach.
- Chicken Parmigiana, or parma, is a pub classic consisting of chicken schnitzel topped with tomato sauce, ham, and melted cheese, served with crispy hot chips.
- Vegemite, a dark brown spreadable paste made from yeast extract, is a common breakfast item in Australia and is often eaten on toast or sandwiches.
Basic Foods Eaten in Australia
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Beef, chicken, kangaroo, emu, wallaby, crocodile |
| Fish and Seafood | Barramundi, Moreton Bay bugs, mud crab, lobster, abalone, tuna, King George whiting, yabby, prawns, shrimp |
| Breads | White bread, soda bread |
| Fruits and Nuts | Macadamia nuts, avocado, lemon myrtle, finger limes |
| Sweets and Desserts | ANZAC biscuits, Pavlova, Lamington, Milo, Gaytime |
| Drinks | Tea, coffee, beer |
| Snacks | Chiko rolls, meat pies, sausage rolls, dumplings, fish and chips |
| Condiments | Beetroot, Vegemite, tomato sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Meat pies, sausage rolls and pastries
Meat pies, sausage rolls, and pastries are an essential part of Australian cuisine and are often sold in small "pie shops" or bakeries. Meat pies, in particular, are considered a staple food in Australia and come in a variety of flavours. The most common type of meat pie is beef, which can be served plain or with onions, cheese, or potato. Other popular combinations include beef and onion, beef and cheese, and beef with a mashed potato topping. These pies are typically served with ketchup, and it is not uncommon for Australians to eat more than one at a time.
Meat pies can be easily made at home, allowing for customization and experimentation with different ingredients. For a more balanced meal, they can be served with a salad or roasted vegetables, and some people also enjoy them with fries. While the type of pastry used for the pie crust may vary, puff pastry is a popular choice for its flaky texture.
Sausage rolls are another beloved Australian dish, often served at gatherings and enjoyed by people of all ages. They are typically made with pure pork mince, which is juicier and more tender than beef mince. The addition of bacon to the sausage mixture adds a salty, juicy flavour, while the combination of sautéed onion, garlic, celery, and bacon creates a sweet and savoury flavour base.
Like meat pies, sausage rolls are commonly made with puff pastry, and the sheets can be cut into rectangles to form the perfect size for rolling the sausage mixture. Assembled sausage rolls can be frozen or refrigerated before baking, and they are often brushed with an egg wash or sprayed with oil to achieve a golden colour.
Pastries and desserts are also an important part of Australian cuisine, with many popular options available. The Pavlova, named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, is considered Australia's national dessert. It consists of a delicate meringue crust, a soft marshmallow centre, and is topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. Another iconic Australian dessert is the Lamington, a square of sponge cake covered in chocolate or raspberry sauce and then rolled in coconut. Lamingtons have been a staple in Australia since the turn of the 20th century and can be found in almost every bakery and kitchen.
Other beloved Australian pastries and desserts include the Tim Tam biscuit, a chocolate cookie sandwich with chocolate-malt frosting, dipped in chocolate; the ANZAC biscuit, made with coconut, golden syrup, and oats; and the fairy bread, a simple yet delightful treat. Australians also enjoy a variety of slices, such as the caramel slice and the jelly slice, which is a triple-layer treat with a crushed biscuit base, a creamy sweetened condensed milk filling, and a raspberry jelly topping.
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Fish and chips
There are two main types of fish and chips shops in Australia. The first type cuts their own chips and fries them in animal fat, while the second type uses frozen chips and cooks them in cheap refined oil. Similarly, the quality of fish can vary, with some places offering fresh fish grilled or fried to order, and others serving frozen, pre-battered fish. The fish is typically filleted and boneless, and can be prepared in a variety of ways, including crumbed, battered, or grilled.
In Australia, it is uncommon to serve vinegar with fish and chips, and mushy peas are also rare. Instead, lemon is the preferred seasoning, and chicken salt is often offered as an additional condiment. The chips themselves may be double or triple-cooked, resulting in a crispier texture.
Overall, while fish and chips is a popular dish in Australia, finding a truly exceptional version may require some searching.
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Barramundi and other seafood
Barramundi is a popular dish in Australia, and you will likely see it on menus across the country. The name comes from the Aboriginal language, where it translates to "large-scaled silver fish" or "large-scaled river fish". It is a type of sea bass found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia, with a white, medium-firm flesh and a buttery, rich, sweet flavour. It is a versatile fish that can be grilled, roasted, pan-fried, or deep-fried, and is known for being easy to cook and difficult to overcook. Barramundi is also a sustainable fish, free of mercury, and can be purchased fresh or frozen.
In addition to barramundi, there are several other seafood dishes that are commonly eaten in Australia. Moreton Bay Bugs, for example, are a popular choice and can be found in seafood dishes across the country. These "bugs" are actually small, white larvae found in the deserts of the Outback and have been a part of traditional Aboriginal bush tucker for thousands of years. They are usually cut in half, seasoned with butter, oil, lemon, or other seasonings, and grilled or barbecued.
Another seafood dish commonly eaten in Australia is fish and chips. This classic dish is a must-have on sunny beach days and can be found at pubs, waterfront shops, and local fish and chip shops. The fish is typically lightly fried to a crispy texture and served with thick-cut chips, also known as French fries.
Chiko rolls are another popular seafood dish in Australia, which are the Australian take on egg rolls or spring rolls. They are deep-fried snacks filled with beef and a variety of vegetables, commonly found at local fish and chip shops or from snack vendors at train stations and popular venues.
Lastly, kangaroo meat is also commonly consumed in Australia, often featured in burgers, meat pies, and even as a pizza topping.
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Bush tucker and native meats
Bush tucker, or bush food, is any food that is native to Australia. The Indigenous people of Australia, who have lived in the Aboriginal Countries that make up Australia for over 60,000 years, have a symbiotic relationship with the land and have lived off the native flora and fauna for many generations.
The Aboriginal people are known for their proficiency in hunting. They took advantage of the widespread wildlife and learned to make the most of every animal they hunted. The two animals that feature on Australia's coat of arms, the emu and kangaroo, were a favoured choice by hunters as they were both high in protein and low in fat. The meat was traditionally cooked over an open fire or by steaming it in a fire pit. Today, kangaroo is still a popular meat option for health-conscious eaters as it is extremely lean yet has more protein than beef.
Other land animals that were commonly hunted and eaten include goannas, snakes, crocodiles, wallabies, turtles, echidnas, eels, and ducks. Most animals are still eaten today, and many like barramundi (a type of sea bass found in Australia and the Indo-Pacific) have made it to restaurants.
The most famous of all bush tucker is the witchetty grub, which can be eaten either raw or roasted over a fire or coals, and holds a nutty taste. This grub is ideal for survival as they are a good source of calcium, thiamin, folate, and niacin, and are rich in protein.
There are also a range of Aboriginal bush tucker plants like wattle, mistletoe, and honeysuckle that grow in the wild and are edible, though only certain parts of these plants are safe to eat.
The native bushland of Australia also boasts an array of exotic spices, herbs, honeys, and nectars. These bush tucker items can be used to add flavour to food, act as a natural medicine, or be added to water to make a healthy drink or herbal tea. Both lemon ironbark and lemon myrtle can be used in cooking to add a fragrant finish or made into an herbal tea to relieve cramps, fevers, and headaches. Similarly, native ginger can be added to meat dishes to increase flavour or infused in water to ease an upset stomach. Other native herbs and spices include mountain pepper, aniseed myrtle, native basil, blue-leaved mallee, and tree gums.
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Vegemite and other spreads
Vegemite is a dark brown, savoury spread made from yeast extract. It is a staple food in Australia, often eaten for breakfast on toast with butter. It is also used as a filling for sandwiches, particularly the SAO sandwich, which is made by smearing Vegemite and butter on a light, square biscuit, squeezing it to create "worms" of filling that pour out of the holes in the biscuit, and then eating it. Vegemite is considered an iconic Australian food and is available in 175g and 400g jars.
Other popular spreads in Australia include peanut butter, which is commonly eaten on sandwiches and toast, and honey, which is produced in the country and enjoyed in a variety of ways, including on toast and in tea. Avocado is also a popular spread, often used as guacamole on nachos or as a side dish.
For those with a sweet tooth, chocolate spreads are also prevalent in Australia. A unique chocolate powder called Milo, invented by an Australian and now sold by Nestle, can be mixed with water or milk to make a chocolate drink or sprinkled on cakes and other snacks.
In addition to these, there are a variety of jams and marmalades available in Australia, made from locally grown fruits such as strawberries, oranges, and other citrus fruits. These spreads are commonly used on toast, scones, and other baked goods.
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