Dinner ideas

It wouldn’t be an Aussie Christmas without these iconic recipes

As Aussies, we’re celebrating Christmas time during the peak of our hot summer, and as a result we typically have a very different festive menu than other countries around the world.

Here, we’ve pulled together a selection of some of the most popular Australian Christmas dishes, from grilled prawn cocktails to fruit-topped pavlovas.

You’ll find dessert recipes for our steamed macadamia pudding, layered Christmas trifle and choc-cherry bombe Alaska. Plus, delicious savoury mains like our herb-topped salmon, slow-roasted lamb shoulder and sweet glazed ham.

Looking for more traditional Christmas menu, Christmas side dishes or roast turkey or glazed ham recipes?

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blueberry peach spinach salad

01

Summer salad of peaches and blueberries

Summer salad of peaches and blueberries

Team your favourite fresh summer fruit with creamy ricotta, fresh spinach leaves, basil and chilli for a unique, delicious side dish for any outdoor gathering.

02

Honey roasted carrots with labne

Honey roasted carrots with labne

Sweet honey-roasted carrots pair perfectly with creamy labne for a Mediterranean-style side dish

03

How to make perfect roast potatoes

Baked with lemon, this is the perfect roast potatoes recipe to add to your dinner repertoire. By adding par-boiled floury potatoes to a hot, oiled baking tray with lemon, these potatoes become perfectly crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, with a delicious hint of citrusy brightness.

04

Santa Claus Christmas ice-cream cake

Santa Claus Christmas ice-cream cake

This adorable Christmas-themed cake is perfect for festive celebrations. The cream-filled strawberry Santas will be a favourite with the kids, plus the creamy ice-cream filling, of course.

Scallops with ginger and lemongrass

05

Scallops with ginger and lemongrass

Scallops on the half-shell always make a spectacular dish, treat your friends to something special with these delicious ginger and lemongrass scallops.

paleo chicken salad

06

Rocket, chicken and date salad

Rocket, chicken and date salad

Chicken salad with a citrus zing! This healthy lean salad is easy to prepare for lunching guests or take to work for lunch. And it’s suitable for diabetics.

Frozen Christmas ice-cream cake

07

Christmas ice-cream cake

This quick recipe for frozen Christmas ice-cream cake is loaded with fruit, berries and brandy. Make it the night before for a hassle-free Christmas spent with your friends and family.

easy whole turkey recipe

08

Roast turkey with bacon, onion and sage stuffing

Roast turkey with bacon, onion and sage stuffing

Tis the season for this tender, flavoursome, and mouthwatering roast turkey with bacon, onion and sage stuffing – perfect for Christmas lunch or dinner!

Crispy crackling pork with sweet onions and plums

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Crispy crackling pork with sweet onions and plums

Crispy crackling pork with sweet onions and plums

A 3kg piece of pork will yield lots of leftovers for toasties, sandwiches and salads.

dukkah prawn skewers

10

Dukkah prawn skewers with labne & minty tomato salad

Dukkah prawn skewers with labne & minty tomato salad

A Middle Eastern twist to grilled prawns with a nutty pistachio topping and creamy labne on the side.

tropical meringue pavlova christmas tree

11

Tropical meringue pavlova Christmas tree

Tropical meringue pavlova Christmas tree

Pavlova is a central part to any Christmas celebration in Australia, and you can make yours even more spectacular with this towering tropical meringue Christmas tree recipe.

12

Classic pavlova baked on a plate

Classic pavlova baked on a plate

This marshmallow-textured pavlova is cooked directly on the platter it’s served on, which eliminates the risk of breaking the fragile meringue when transferring it. Simply make sure the platter is plain, sturdy and ovenproof.

Prawn and Avocado Pasta Salad

13

Prawn and avocado pasta salad

Prawn and avocado pasta salad

Fresh, juicy prawns are tossed with creamy avocado, rocket and shell pasta to create this beautiful fresh Summer salad in no time at all.

duck salad with mandarin and pomegranate

14

Duck salad with mandarin and pomegranate

Duck salad with mandarin and pomegranate

Sweet Asian-style duck salad with mandarin and pomegranate.

15

Slow-roasted lamb leg with soft polenta

Slow-roasted lamb leg with soft polenta

Slow-roasted salmon with asian greens

16

Slow-roasted salmon with asian greens

Slow-roasted salmon with asian greens

apple, cherry and rosemary crumble

17

Apple, cherry and rosemary crumble

Apple, cherry and rosemary crumble

18

Lobster with fennel salad

Gather up the family and enjoy this fresh lobster with fennel salad – the perfect seafood dish for the festive season (or any time).

chickpea, barley, orange and cherry salad

19

Chickpea, barley, orange and cherry salad

Chickpea, barley, orange and cherry salad

prawn, strawberry & poppy seed salad

20

Prawn, strawberry & poppy seed salad

Prawn, strawberry & poppy seed salad

Strawberries make a surprise appearance in this summery salad alongside prawns and delicious creamy feta.

barbecued chilli prawns with green mango and coconut salad

21

Barbecued chilli prawns with green mango and coconut salad

Barbecued chilli prawns with green mango and coconut salad

blood-orange glazed ham

22

Blood-orange glazed ham

Blood-orange glazed ham

Make this stunning, celestial ham the centrepiece of your Christmas table.

FROZEN MANGO Macadamia Crunch

23

Frozen mango macadamia crunch

Frozen mango macadamia crunch

mango & coconut  tres leche cake

24

Mango & coconut tres leche cake

Mango & coconut tres leche cake

This mango and coconut creation tastes every bit as good as it looks. Juicy strips of delicious mango, set atop decadent, sweet and rich folds of coconut enhanced cream hides the berry filled base below. Resistance is futile.

Women's Weekly Christmas desserts

25

Coconut and mascarpone cake

Coconut and mascarpone cake

This impressive-looking dessert combines the beautiful creaminess of mascarpone cheese with sweet and tart strawberries and raspberries. This cake is lovely served at Christmas time or for birthday celebrations.

26

Turkey roll with cherry and almond stuffing

Turkey roll with cherry and almond stuffing

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without turkey! Enjoy this deliciously succulent turkey roll with sweet cherry and almond stuffing. Easy, delicious, and perfect for the festive season!

27

Mango and passionfruit pavlova

Mango and passionfruit pavlova

This iconic Australian dessert is made even more delicious with the addition of fresh tropical fruits. Whip up this gorgeous pavlova for a special occasion, birthday party or Christmas celebration.

28

Macadamia and fig Christmas pudding

Macadamia and fig Christmas pudding

The addition of sweet and juicy figs and crunchy Australian macadamia nuts puts a delightful twist on the classic steamed Christmas pudding. Cut yourself a big slice and serve warm with a drizzle of cream.

29

Cherry, walnut and feta salad

Cherry, walnut and feta salad

Indulge in the delicious combination of cherry, walnut and feta in this fresh wholesome salad – a perfect addition to Christmas lunch this year!

baked salmon

30

Herbed salmon with capers and fennel remoulade

Herbed salmon with capers and fennel remoulade

This stunning salmon dish is perfect for a special occasion such as Christmas.

Classic Christmas trifle

31

Classic Christmas trifle

Classic Christmas trifle

Imagine this stunning dessert as your centrepiece

32

Spice-crusted lamb racks and roasted carrots

Spice-crusted lamb racks and roasted carrots

Jazz up dinner time with these delicious lamb racks. They are rolled in a delicious seed and spice mix, and served with juicy roasted carrots for the ultimate family meal.

Chocolate and cherry bombe alaska

33

Chocolate and cherry bombe alaska

Sweeten up the felink textstive season with this decadent chocolate cherry bombe alaska! The perfect dessert to share with family or friends.

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