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Christmas in Australia falls during the summer season, and the food traditions reflect this seasonal difference. While Australians may enjoy a traditional Northern Hemisphere Christmas meal, the hot weather lends itself to a more summery spread. So, what do Australians eat for Christmas?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main course | Turkey, ham, roast lamb, roast pork, chicken, burgers, steaks, sausages, prawns, salmon, oysters, crayfish, fish |
| Sides | Salads, roast vegetables, grilled onions, fried eggs, bread rolls, cheese, tomatoes, pineapple, zucchini fritters, cauliflower steaks |
| Dessert | Christmas pudding, pavlova, trifle, lamington, gingerbread, custard, brandy sauce, fruit platter, cherries, mince pies |
| Drinks | Beer, wine, cocktails |
| Other | Barbecue, picnics, cold food |
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What You'll Learn
Cold meats and salads
Christmas in Australia falls during the summer season, which means that Australians tend to opt for cold meats and salads instead of hot roasts. While some Australians still have turkey and ham, they are often served cold. In addition, seafood is a popular choice, with prawns being considered a staple of Christmas lunch. Prawn cocktails or platters of king, banana, and tiger prawns are common, as are pre-cooked, peeled prawns. Other seafood dishes include oysters, baked salmon, and crayfish.
For those who prefer meat, cold roast lamb, pork, or chicken are also options. These can be served with salads, which typically include leafy greens and vegetables such as avocados, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Some might also include zucchini fritters or cauliflower steaks for vegetarian guests.
Leftovers are also common, with many Australians enjoying sandwiches made from leftover meat and salad on the days following Christmas.
While the main course may vary, Australians tend to finish their Christmas feast with a sweet dessert. Traditional options include Christmas pudding, pavlova, trifle, and lamington. For those who prefer something fruity, a platter of raw cherries or other summer fruits is a refreshing choice.
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Seafood, including prawns and oysters
Seafood is a popular choice for Australians during Christmas, especially as the weather is usually hot and humid. Prawns are a staple of Christmas lunch, with many Australians opting for barbecued prawns, or pre-cooked, cooled-down versions. Prawn cocktails, platters of king, banana, and tiger prawns, and piles of prawns with sauces are all popular choices. Some Australians also choose to barbecue their prawns, in line with the quintessential Australian barbecue culture.
Oysters are another seafood delicacy enjoyed by Australians on Christmas Day. They are often served as appetisers, cool and crisp, with a squeeze of lemon. For those feeling fancy, Oysters Kilpatrick adds a bit of extra pizazz to this seafood classic.
Salmon is also a popular seafood choice, with some Australians opting for baked salmon or cured salmon as part of their Christmas spread.
Seafood is often accompanied by salads, a common feature of Australian Christmas lunches, which typically take precedence over dinners. These salads usually include leafy greens and vegetables like avocados, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
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Barbecues
In addition to the barbecue, Australians often serve cold meats and salads on Christmas Day. The meat is often prepared a few days in advance and served with salads made from leafy greens, avocados, tomatoes, and cucumbers. This allows Australians to spend more time with family and friends and less time in the kitchen.
To drink, Australians might enjoy a cold beer with a "stubby holder", which is an insulated sleeve that keeps the bottle cool. This is considered very Australian, especially when the stubby holder has a tacky or inappropriate print.
Overall, barbecues are a fun and casual way for Australians to celebrate Christmas, taking advantage of the warm weather and spending time with loved ones.
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Traditional Christmas pudding and other desserts
Christmas pudding is a popular dessert in Australia, with some opting for a traditional pudding and others choosing an ice cream Christmas pudding. Brandy custard is a popular accompaniment to Christmas pudding. Other popular desserts include trifle, pavlova, lamington, gingerbread, and a "White Christmas" dessert featuring candied fruit, desiccated coconut, and puffed rice.
While Christmas in Australia is celebrated during the summer, many families still enjoy a traditional Northern Hemisphere-style Christmas with a roast and pudding. However, due to the warm weather, it is common to incorporate summer foods into the Christmas feast, such as barbecues and seafood. Prawns are considered a staple of an Australian Christmas, with many families enjoying prawn cocktails or platters of king, banana, and tiger prawns. Some Australians barbecue their prawns, while others prefer pre-cooked, cooled-down versions.
Oysters are another popular seafood choice, often served with a squeeze of lemon. Baked salmon and crayfish are also common, as are various salads featuring leafy greens, avocados, tomatoes, and cucumbers. For the main course, Australians might grill meats like lamb skewers, chicken thighs, mini steaks, or sausages on the barbecue.
Overall, while Australians enjoy a variety of desserts during the Christmas season, traditional Christmas pudding and its variations remain a beloved choice for many. The warm weather also lends itself to a range of summer-inspired dishes, including barbecued meats and seafood delights.
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Drinks
Unlike the traditional Northern Hemisphere Christmas, an Australian Christmas falls in the summer. Therefore, Australians tend to avoid hot drinks like mulled wine. Instead, they opt for refreshing cocktails and cold drinks to beat the heat.
Christmas Cocktails
The Reindeer is a festive, fizzy, and gently pink cocktail made with vodka, ginger, chilli syrup, lemon juice, and champagne. The chilli syrup can be made as hot or mild as desired.
The Cinnamon Martini is a festive take on the Porn Star Martini, combining vanilla vodka, passion fruit puree, cinnamon syrup, and chocolate bitters.
The Beach Blonde is a Christmas Pina Colada made with Advocaat, banana, rum, and orange juice, served with a huge scoop of ice.
The Desert Cooler is a long, festive cooler made with gin, cherry brandy liqueur, orange juice, and ginger beer.
The Summer Breeze is a fruity, refreshing crowd-pleaser made with vodka, elderflower, cranberry, and apple juice. It goes well with a slice of pavlova.
Other Drinks
Australians also enjoy a nip of Christmas gin on the rocks with a twist of orange or a teaspoon of cream. For a thirst-quenching option, Christmas gin can be mixed with ginger ale or beer and fresh lime for a Christmas Gin & Ginger.
Beer and rum and coke are also popular drinks during the Australian summer Christmas.
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Frequently asked questions
Australians tend to eat cold meats like turkey and ham, seafood like prawns and oysters, and salads. Dessert is usually Christmas pudding, pavlova, trifle, or lamington.
Australians tend to avoid mulled wine due to the hot weather and instead opt for chilled wine or beer.
Australians tend to eat leftovers from their large Christmas lunch, which is usually the main meal of the day.
Australians might eat zucchini fritters or cauliflower steak for a vegetarian Christmas dinner.
