Ruqayyah Snyder
Christmas in Australia falls during the summer, so Aussies tend to swap out the traditional roast dinner for cold meats, seafood, and salads. While some Australians stick to the classic roast turkey, many opt for a barbecue, with meats like chicken, beef, and lamb. Prawns are a staple, and Aussies love to throw them on the barbie, along with salmon and sausages. As for drinks, Aussies swap the traditional mulled wine for beer, and leave a pint out for Santa instead of milk and cookies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 25th December |
| Weather | Hot |
| Drinks | Beer, no mulled wine |
| Appetisers | Oysters, lemon juice, chilli, gin and lime, Worcestershire sauce, bacon |
| Main course | Seafood, turkey, chicken, beef, ham, lamb, burgers, sausages, crayfish, salmon, potato bake, roasted vegetables, potato salad, cauliflower or broccoli bake |
| Salads | Leafy greens, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, watermelon, halloumi, pomegranate |
| Desserts | Trifle, pavlova, lamington, gingerbread, Christmas pudding, custard, brandy sauce, fresh summer fruits like berries, mangoes, passion fruit |
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What You'll Learn
Seafood, including prawns, oysters, crayfish, and salmon
Seafood is a popular choice for Christmas in Australia, where soaring temperatures can reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Oysters, prawns, crayfish, and salmon are all common dishes. Oysters, a well-loved luxury, are often served as a light starter with a squeeze of lemon or with chilli, gin, and lime. For those who want to go all out, Oysters Kilpatrick are a popular choice—this variety is topped with Worcestershire sauce and crispy bacon.
Prawns are another staple of Christmas in Australia, though they are usually pre-cooked and peeled, rather than being thrown on the barbie as is often assumed. Prawns are often served alongside Moreton Bay bugs, a glazed baked ham served cold, and various salads.
Crayfish is another popular seafood choice for Christmas in Australia, often served as a simple side dish. Salmon is also commonly served, either baked or as part of a salad.
While some Australians opt for a traditional roast turkey, the soaring temperatures make cranking up the oven all day and sitting through a big meal unappealing. As a result, many Australians will opt for cold meats and salads instead.
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Cold meats, such as turkey and ham
In Australia, Christmas falls during the summer season. As a result, Australians tend to opt for cold meats, such as turkey and ham, instead of hot roasts.
Turkey is a popular choice of meat for Christmas around the world, and Australia is no exception. However, turkey farming can be challenging due to the specific size requirements and the bird's temperamental growth in hot weather. Despite this, Australian farmers, such as Almond Grove, have successfully increased turkey production to meet the Christmas demand.
Ham is another traditional Christmas meat in Australia, often served cold. The ham may be prepared a few days in advance to reduce the burden of cooking on Christmas Day. One popular variety is the Black Berkshire pork, known for its intense marbling and high-fat content, resulting in juicy and tender meat.
In addition to these cold meats, Australians may also include barbecued options, such as chicken or steak, to take advantage of the warm summer weather.
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Salads, including potato salad and watermelon salad
Salads are a staple of the Australian Christmas meal. With temperatures soaring, Aussies tend to opt for cold meats and seafood, accompanied by fresh salads.
One popular salad is the traditional potato salad. Potatoes, in general, are a big Christmas favourite in Australia. A 2023 survey by Aldi found that three of the top five side dishes featured potatoes, including roast potatoes, potato bake, and potato salad.
Another refreshing salad option is a halloumi, pomegranate, and watermelon salad. This salad is perfect for a hot summer Christmas, adding a burst of colour to your table.
Salads can be as creative as you like, with no rules to follow. You can mix leafy greens and vegetables like avocados, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Or, if you're looking for something more substantial, try a potato bake or a cauliflower or broccoli bake.
Australians also love their barbecues on Christmas Day, so a salad that pairs well with grilled meats and seafood is always a good option.
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Barbecued foods, like sausages and lamb
With Christmas falling in the middle of summer in Australia, it's no surprise that many Aussies fire up the barbecue on December 25th. The soaring temperatures can reach as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's far too hot to be stuck in front of a hot oven. Barbecued foods are a popular choice for Christmas Day, with sausages, lamb, and burgers sizzling on the grill.
For those who love a good barbecue, there are plenty of options to choose from. Sausages, or "snags" as they're affectionately known in Australia, are a classic choice and can be enjoyed by both adults and children. Lamb is also a popular option, whether it's in the form of juicy lamb chops or skewers. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try your hand at mini steaks or lamb burgers.
Of course, no barbecue is complete without a variety of salads to accompany the grilled meats. Australians take advantage of the abundance of fresh summer produce, including leafy greens, avocados, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Potato-based dishes are also a favourite, with roast potatoes, potato bake, and potato salad often making an appearance on the Christmas table.
And let's not forget the drinks! While mulled wine may be a traditional winter beverage in the Northern Hemisphere, Aussies have their own take on festive drinks. Beer is a popular choice, and some Australians even leave out a cold beer for Santa instead of the usual milk and cookies.
Whether you're enjoying a barbecue by the beach or in your backyard, firing up the barbie is a great way to bring family and friends together on Christmas Day in Australia. So if you're celebrating Christmas Down Under, make sure you have your tongs at the ready and your apron on—it's time to get grilling!
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Desserts, such as pavlova, trifle, and Christmas pudding
Desserts are a staple of Christmas celebrations, and Australia is no exception. The most popular desserts in Australia during Christmas include pavlova, trifle, and Christmas pudding.
Pavlova
The Australian pavlova is a beloved dessert, often served at family celebrations, including Christmas. It is characterized by its crunchy meringue shell and pillowy marshmallow centre. The meringue base is typically made with eggs, sugar, and vinegar, with the acid in the vinegar causing the egg whites to become fluffy and hold their shape. The meringue mixture should be sticky enough to stay in the bowl even when tipped upside down. The oven's rack should be set to the lowest level to prevent the pavlova from cracking.
Trifle
Trifle is another popular dessert during Christmas in Australia. It combines vibrant colours, textures, and flavours, often including sponge fingers, liqueur, berries, and cream. Trifles can be made in various ways, from traditional recipes passed down through families to more modern interpretations, such as adding white chocolate, Irish cream, or even combining it with tiramisu.
Christmas Pudding
Christmas pudding is a traditional dessert not just in Australia but also in many other parts of the world. The Australian version is often made with dried fruit, nuts, and grated carrot, and is flavoured with brandy and stout. It is typically served with cream, ice cream, custard, or brandy sauce, and leftovers can be enjoyed cold or fried in butter. The pudding is usually prepared well in advance, sometimes even in October, to allow the flavours to mature fully.
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Frequently asked questions
Due to the hot weather in Australia at Christmas, cold meats are often favoured over a hot roast dinner. A popular main for Christmas dinner is glazed Christmas ham, which is usually cooked ahead of time and served cold. Other popular dishes include seafood, chicken, beef, and cold turkey. Sides include salads, potato bake, and roasted vegetables.
Australians tend to opt for desserts that make the most of fresh summer fruits like berries, mangoes, and passion fruit. Popular desserts include trifle, pavlova, lamington, gingerbread, and Christmas pudding with custard or brandy sauce.
Yes, oysters are a well-loved luxury on Christmas Day in Australia. They are often served as a light starter before the main meal, sometimes with a squeeze of lemon or marinated with chilli, gin, and lime.
