Lexi Webster
Australian Christmas traditions have evolved over the years, with the country's culinary identity developing and embracing new flavours, especially seafood. The typical Aussie Christmas spread is a mix of dishes from traditional British fare, like roast turkey and plum pudding, and summery dishes such as barbecues and seafood. Prawns are a staple, with many Australians opting for a pre-cooked, peel-yourself variety. Oysters, often served Kilpatrick-style, are another popular choice. For those who prefer a more classic roast, turkey and ham are still common, though often served cold with salads to beat the Australian heat. Dessert options vary, with some enjoying Christmas pudding, while others opt for pavlova, trifle, or a chocolate sponge cake known as Bûche de Noël.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of celebration | 25th of December |
| Weather | Summer |
| Food | Seafood (prawns), oysters, turkey, ham, salads, barbecues, lamb, burgers, sausages, lamb chops, mini steaks, chicken thighs, grilled lamb chops, lamb skewers, halloumi, watermelon, pomegranate, tropical and stone fruits, cherries, mangoes, pavlova, trifle, Christmas pudding, gingerbread cookies, scalloped potatoes, eggnog, rocky road |
| Drinks | Eggnog, mulled wine |
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What You'll Learn
Seafood, especially prawns
Prawns are a staple of the Christmas lunch, which is usually the main meal of the day. They are a great way to indulge without slaving over a hot oven in the Australian heat. Prawns can be cooked on the barbecue, which is a popular way for Australians to cook their Christmas meal.
Prawns are often served with a rich cream sauce that's infused with white wine and garlic. For a thicker sauce, heavy cream or double cream can be used. Prawn cocktails are also a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas the Australian way.
For those who want to avoid cooking, pre-cooked prawns that you peel yourself are also an option. Sydney is particularly well-known for its access to the Sydney Fish Market, the largest working fish market in the Southern Hemisphere.
While seafood is a popular choice, it is worth noting that not all Australians choose to eat seafood for Christmas, and many stick to more traditional roast turkey or ham.
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Cold meats
In Australia, Christmas is celebrated during the summer. As a result, many Australians opt for cold meats as part of their Christmas feast to avoid slaving away in front of a hot oven on Christmas Day.
Cold ham is a popular choice, often prepared a few days in advance and served off the bone. Turkey is also commonly served cold, as are chicken and roast pork. For those celebrating Christmas near the beach, prawns are a must-have, served cold with various salads.
If you're looking to serve a more extravagant cold meat platter, try including some Italian meats like salami, prosciutto, chorizo, and mortadella. These can be paired with cheeses such as burrata, blue cheese, cheddar, and King Island Triple Cream Brie, along with crackers, fruits, and pickles, to create a luxurious meat and cheese board for your guests.
For Australians, Christmas is a time to indulge, and with the warm summer temperatures, cold meats are a perfect way to enjoy a delicious feast without overheating in the kitchen.
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Salads
Scalloped potatoes are another salad option, fully loaded with a smothering of creamy cheese sauce, bacon, and green onions. For a crispier texture, you can put this under the broiler for a few minutes. This salad is best served after it has cooled down a bit, as it will be molten hot right after cooking.
A summery fruit salad is another popular choice, especially with tropical and stone fruits such as mangoes, cherries, and berries.
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Barbecues
The variety of foods cooked on the barbecue is endless. Meat-eating Australians tend to avoid the traditional roast meats and instead choose mini steaks, grilled lamb chops, chicken thighs, lamb skewers, sausages, burgers, and even go full Aussie with some snags. For those who don't eat meat, there are zucchini fritters or cauliflower steaks.
Seafood is a must for an Australian Christmas, and this can also be cooked on the barbecue. Prawns are a staple, with many Australians making a special trip to the store on Christmas morning to ensure they are ultra-fresh. Oysters are also a popular choice, particularly Oysters Kilpatrick, topped with bacon and Kilpatrick sauce.
Salads are a great accompaniment to barbecue foods, with potato salad and coleslaw being traditional favourites. More creative salads, such as halloumi, pomegranate, and watermelon, add a refreshing and colourful touch to the table.
A barbecue on the beach is not uncommon in Australia, so you may even take your barbecue to the seaside and enjoy the sun, sand, and seafood.
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Desserts
Dessert options for Christmas in Australia vary from family to family. Some popular choices include Christmas pudding, pavlova, trifle, and fresh fruit platters.
Christmas Pudding
Christmas pudding is a boozy dessert adopted from British colonists. It is a rich, fruity, and dark dessert with ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, mixed spice, dried fruits (such as sultanas, raisins, and currants), dates, figs, almonds, and a generous amount of brandy or rum. Australians add a twist to the traditional pudding by infusing it with orange, giving it a summery tang. It is often served with custard, cream, and ice cream.
Pavlova
Pavlova is a light and fluffy dessert that is synonymous with Australia's holiday celebrations. It is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova and has a disputed origin between Australia and New Zealand. This dessert consists of a crisp meringue shell with a marshmallow-like centre, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruits, such as passionfruit, mangoes, cherries, strawberries, and berries. The classic recipe uses passion fruit curd and mascarpone for an iconic flavour.
Trifle
Trifle is another popular choice for Christmas dessert in Australia. It is a layered dessert that includes sherry-soaked sponge cake, fresh fruit, jelly, and cream, served cold. Trifles can be made in individual cups for easier serving and can be adapted for children by skipping the sherry.
Fruit Platters
As Australia experiences summer during Christmas, fresh fruit platters are a common centrepiece for dessert spreads. Mangoes and cherries are in season, and an elaborate fruit platter is often brought by someone in the family who can't cook!
Other classic Australian desserts that may be enjoyed during the festive season include chocolate crackles, lamingtons, jelly slice, vanilla slice, and Anzac biscuits.
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Frequently asked questions
Australians eat a variety of foods for Christmas, including seafood, meats cooked on the barbecue, and cold meats.
Prawns are a staple of Christmas in Australia, with many Australians also eating oysters and other seafood.
Australians often eat turkey and ham for Christmas, just like in the Northern Hemisphere. However, they are usually served cold. Australians also eat chicken, lamb, sausages, and burgers.
Australians often eat leftovers from Christmas lunch for dinner.
Australian Christmas desserts vary from family to family. Some popular options include Christmas pudding, pavlova, trifle, and fruit platters.
