An Aussie Christmas is celebrated 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.
An Aussie seafood Christmas
In Australia we’re blessed with great fresh seafood and a Christmas climate that lends itself to its consumption.
Serve up a large bowl of cooked prawns accompanied by simple dipping sauces. Thinly sliced gravlax or smoked salmon piled onto crusty bread are as delicious as they are easy to put together.
From there your Aussie Christmas meal could progress down a traditional meaty route, or why not theme your entire menu around seafood, making a barbecue fish the star of the table.
Your Christmas ham
A ham ticks all the fuss-free boxes – it is really fast to prepare and plentiful. Don’t worry too much about the timing, it can be served warm but it is also perfectly delicious served chilled. It’ll be far more weather appropriate for the heat of an Aussie Christmas Day. Simply add a few salads and some sauces and you’re done.
Beat the heat
Making the Christmas feast can be a mammoth task, especially in the Aussie heat. Prep what you can ahead, particularly desserts, sides and salads – add the finishing touches before serving.
Aussie Christmas dessert classics
You’ll find summer-ready dessert recipes for our classic fruit-topped pavlova, creative pavlova variations, a tropical mangomisu trifle and frozen Christmas ice-cream cakes.
Looking for more traditional Christmas menu, Christmas side dishes or roast turkey or glazed ham recipes? Whether you’re planning a traditional dinner or an alfresco celebration, we have you covered this Christmas.
Julie Goodwin’s Christmas tips (video)
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Aussie Christmas recipes
Mangomisu
This mango-flavoured tiramisu is perfect for entertaining.
Prawn cocktail platter
Why limit the classic prawn cocktail to a tiny glass when you can have an entire platter. It’s just like the original, only bigger and better.
Julie Goodwin’s prawn and mango salad
The perfect summer salad.
Marmalade glazed ham
The Christmas table is not complete without a perfectly glazed ham, and this recipe is one of our most popular.
Classic crunchy coleslaw
Coleslaw is an all-time favourite for any type of summer gathering, especially barbecues and picnics. This coleslaw dressing has an Asian-inspired twist.
Julie Goodwin’s easy potato salad
A 5-ingredient warm potato salad.
Frozen mango pavlova
A twist on the classic pavlova, with a summery frozen mango base topped with meringue and lashings of fresh fruit.
Zesty yoghurt potato salad with salmon
Serve this potato salad as part of a lunch spread. Or bulk it up with salad greens and make it a meal.
Grilled salmon with macadamia pangrattato
A side of salmon makes a stunning centrepiece for a Christmas feast.
Brought to you by Australian Macadamias
Prawn Caesar salad
Plate the salad with all the elements separated on a large platter. This way guests can build their own and add as much or as little dressing as they like.
Prawn cocktail salad
Serve up your next prawn cocktail family-style with this recipe.
Prawn and mango salad with rice paper crisps
A prawn salad perfect for sharing as part of a Christmas feast.
Brought to you by Calypso® Mangoes
Prawn & watermelon salad with fetta & sumac onions
This vibrant no-cook platter will be the centrepiece of your summer gatherings.
Air fryer prawns with green chilli sauce
A Christmas seafood favourite with a twist!
Julie Goodwin’s barbecued butterflied chicken
A flavour-packed barbecue dinner.
Baked brie fondue on the barbecue
Baked brie as you’ve never made it before!
Barbecued side of salmon
Impress your guests with a stunning seafood barbecue main.
Thai-style mango salad
This mango and iceberg lettuce slaw is sunshine on a plate.
Julie Goodwin’s pesto pasta salad
A quick and easy salad to share.
Christmas potato salad
Crispy Christmas ham and fluffy potatoes? We’re in!
Pavlova roll with passionfruit curd
Roll up this fruity spin on an Australian dessert favourite.
Our classic pavlova recipe
A classic that’s hard to beat – and easy to eat.
How to make a towering pavlova Christmas tree
Make Christmas spectacular with this towering tropical meringue Christmas tree recipe.
The-night-before Christmas ice cream cake
Cool down on Christmas Day with this frozen dessert.
Dukkah prawn skewers with labne and minty tomato salad
A Middle Eastern twist to grilled prawns with a nutty pistachio topping and creamy labne on the side.
Mango & coconut tres leche cake
This tropical mango and coconut tres leches cake made with sweetened condensed, evaporated and coconut milks is perfect for a dinner party or birthday celebration.
Crispy crackling pork with sweet onions and plums
This roast pork loin would be a delicious addition to a festive feast. Or make it for your next family gathering.
Chocolate and cherry bombe alaska
The winning dish this Christmas!
Santa Claus Christmas ice-cream cake
A delight for adults and kids alike.
How to make perfect roast potatoes
Bright and zesty with the perfect amount of crunch.
Slow-roasted lamb leg with fetta and almonds
This slow roasted lamb is worth the wait.
Classic Christmas trifle
Imagine this stunning dessert as your centrepiece
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!
Prawn, strawberry & poppy seed salad
Strawberries make a surprise appearance in this summery salad alongside prawns and delicious creamy feta.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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).
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.
Honey roasted carrots with labne
Sweet honey-roasted carrots pair perfectly with creamy labne for a Mediterranean-style side dish
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.
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.
Duck salad with mandarin and pomegranate
Sweet Asian-style duck salad with mandarin and pomegranate.
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.
Apple, cherry and rosemary crumble
Coconut oil is a solidified oil sold in jars and is available from major supermarkets and health food stores. Melt coconut oil as you would butter, either in a small saucepan over low heat or in the microwave. Cherries are rich in vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants. While fresh is best, if they […]
Blood-orange glazed ham
Make this stunning, celestial ham the centrepiece of your Christmas table.
Herbed salmon with capers and fennel remoulade
This stunning salmon dish is perfect for a special occasion such as Christmas.
Frozen mango macadamia crunch
Instead of brandy snaps, you could use ginger snap, butternut snap or honey snap biscuits. Note
Chickpea, barley, orange and cherry salad
To segment oranges, cut top and bottom from oranges with a small sharp knife. Cut remaining rind and white pith from oranges, following the curve of the fruit. Holding the oranges over a bowl, cut down both sides of the white membrane to release each segment. Squeeze membrane to release any juices into the bowl. […]
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