Australian Meals: 24 Australian Dishes You Should Strive

Visiting Australia is all the time thrilling. From the wildlife to the surf tradition and implausible street journeys and sights, the nation is filled with pleasure at each nook. However what about Australian delicacies? What are well-liked Australian meals ‘Down Below’?

There’s a huge vary of Australian meals. The delicacies has a large European affect, and also you’ll steadily spot tailored staples from British and Italian delicacies. Australian delicacies can be influenced by Asian delicacies, particularly Chinese language, so be ready to see meals variations like spring rolls. And, after all, a few of Australia’s most interesting meals are created initially in Australia itself – just like the beloved Tim Tam chocolate biscuits.

Finest Dishes To Strive in Australian Delicacies

This information will whisk you thru one of the best dishes to attempt from Australian delicacies. If you’re visiting Australia, these Australian meals are positive to get you impressed earlier than you go. Whereas if you’re on the lookout for new recipes to attempt in your personal kitchen, many of those are appropriate for cooking at residence. Prepared? Let’s start.

1. Vegemite

Vegemite is considered one of Australia’s most liked and hated spreads. It’s an acquired style, and also you’ll both fall head over heels for it. Vegemite is considered one of Australia’s most iconic spreads. We’ve personally discovered that almost all Australians we’ve met don’t hate it.

Vegemite is a darkish brown paste with a powerful yeasty, salty style. It’s an acquired style, and also you’ll both fall head over heels for it, slathering it onto your toast every morning, or rush to the sink for a glass of water. So, what precisely is vegemite manufactured from?

Vegemite is manufactured from brewers yeast, onion extract, malt, and celery – a bizarre-sounding concoction. It’s offered in a small jar and could be bought at most supermarkets. Vegemite is one thing apart from one thing that’s made at residence. It is extremely just like the British sauce Marmite, and that’s as a result of, in 1922, a meals producer wished to recreate an Australian model. Over 100 years later and the little jar remains to be prevalent. And right here’s a cool reality, Veggemite is nice for a hangover. With its excessive salt content material combined with vitamin B, it should assist your physique replenish these electrolites.

2. Anzac biscuits

It could possibly be argued that scrumptious Anzac biscuits are the most well-liked Australian meals. Anzac biscuits are commemorative biscuits that pay respects to the Australia and New Zealand Military Corps. They’re popularly eaten on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day as a tribute to those that served in World Conflict I, those that served all through historical past, and those that proceed to serve at the moment. As its identify suggests, it doesn’t simply acknowledge Australian troopers but in addition the New Zealand Military Corps.

An Anzac biscuit is tremendous candy. It consists of rolled oats, desiccated coconut, sugar, butter, golden syrup, flour, and baking soda. The substances are combined in a big bowl, after which boiling water is added. Anzac biscuits are baked like another biscuit – within the oven till golden.

Whereas Anzac biscuits are mostly eaten on ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day, you can see them in bakeries throughout Australia all year long. Because of its easy recipe, the Anzac biscuit can be straightforward to recreate at residence.

3. Fairy bread

Fairy bread is likely one of the strangest Australian meals. This dish seems prefer it was ready and masterminded by a small little one. It’s becoming, contemplating it’s often served at youngsters’s events. Fairy bread consists of slices of white bread topped with butter and lots of and 1000’s. It has a colourful enchantment and a barely candy style. The dots of colour are what give it its identify ‘fairy bread’.

The Hobart Mercury newspaper first talked about Fairy bread in Australia within the Nineteen Twenties. The article cited that fairy bread was being eaten at youngsters’s events, and the pattern caught on. Fairy bread has been eaten ever since. It’s a budget-friendly Australian meals near a cake but additionally uncommon sufficient to warrant novelty enchantment. The white bread is good and fluffy, and the lots of and 1000’s add sweetness. Give it a go, and also you’ll be impressed. Fairy bread is finest tried at residence since you’ll need assist discovering it in cafes as a homecooked Australian meals.

4. Tim Tam slam

For these in the dead of night about this iconic Australian meals, Tim Tams are Australias favorite chocolate biscuit. British readers will know Penguin biscuits, and Tim Tams are basically the very same factor. A Tim Tam is made up of two malted biscuits break up by a yummy layer of chocolate sauce, then solely coated in a chocolate layer. The biscuit was masterminded by the Aussie biscuit firm Arnott’s in 1964. Now, Tim Tams are lovingly devoured all throughout Australia. The standard Tim Tam is even shipped internationally.

It gained’t shock you that Tim Tams style candy and chocolatey. Tim Tams are finest loved with a sizzling beverage like a tea or espresso, and you should purchase them in most supermarkets in Australia and organize them on-line to be shipped overseas. An Aussie ritual when having a Tim Tam with a sizzling drink is to create a Tim Tam Slam, the place you chunk off reverse corners on every finish of the biscuit after which suck the drink by means of like utilizing a straw. That is notably well-liked with sizzling chocolate.

5. Kangaroo meat

Subsequent to koalas, kangaroos are Australia’s nationwide animal. Nevertheless, in contrast to koalas, kangaroos are additionally a well-liked Australian meals. Kangaroos are extraordinarily widespread throughout Australia and have such excessive inhabitants numbers that they’re thought of pests in lots of areas. Kangaroo meat was unlawful till the top of the twentieth century, when it was legalized for human consumption. Nevertheless, Indigenous Australians have been consuming kangaroo meat for hundreds of years.

When staying on the Gold Coast, our pal Duncan introduced over some kangaroo meat for us to attempt. I instructed him I wouldn’t eat it, however when he cooked it, I preferred it higher than my steak! The lean purple meat is exceptionally excessive in protein and low in fats – making it a wholesome dish to eat.

Kangaroo meat has a a lot stronger, richer taste than beef or lamb. It’s also stuffed with iron and actually excessive in nutritional vitamins and minerals like zinc. Kangaroo meat is sourced from wild kangaroos, sourced throughout Australia from Queensland to Western Australia. The meat could be cooked in a pan, oven, or true Aussie type, grilled on the barbecue.

6. Pavlova

A pavlova is a scrumptious dessert that’s famed throughout the globe and truly originated in New Zealand. The pavlova bought its identify from the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It’s generally eaten in Australia for particular events and public gatherings. The dish is meringue-based but seems extra like a domed cake. It’s steadily embellished with whipped cream and recent fruits and has a crisp exterior and tender inside.

Baking a pavlova is sort of a high-quality artwork. It entails whisking egg whites and including sugar steadily. It’s a type of desserts that everybody is aware of one completed dessert maker and depends on them to deliver a pavlova. If you’re feeling courageous, attempt making a pavlova at residence or deal with your self to a pleasant slice whereas visiting Australia’s finest cafes.

7. Barramundi

Barramundi is my favourite Australian fish. It’s a white fish with a good looking buttery taste. Barramundi could be present in nearly each seafood dish and is by far considered one of Australia’s hottest fish. Belief me, if you’re visiting Australia you don’t need to miss making an attempt the barramundi. Even if you’re not a fish lover you’ll love the style of this one. If you’re wherever alongside the coast it is going to be straightforward to trace it down.

If you’re seeking to catch and eat one your self then Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory provide one of the best barramundi fishing.

Barramundi could be cooked in some ways, together with being steamed, baked, barbecued, or fried. An Australian favourite is to barbecue it, or alternatively, marinate the meat with lemon earlier than baking it within the oven. Irrespective of which approach you put together it you might be assured nice taste.

8. Fish and chips

Fish and chips are a basic British dish, so it’s no surprise that the recipe adopted British settlers to Australia. The Australian model of fish and chips may be very related – you’ll nonetheless discover battered white fish and chunky potato chips. The principle distinction is that the Aussie model makes use of Australian fish like basa, New Zealand Hoki, and john dory. In Britain, white fish like cod or haddock are rather more well-liked.

The fish is coated in a lightweight batter (with beer often added as an additional contact) and deep-fried. The potatoes are chopped into tough chunks and likewise deep-fried in oil. Aussies are inclined to serve fish and chips drenched in malt vinegar with loads of salt.

Fancy making an attempt the Australian tackle this basic dish? There are fish and chips outlets all around the nation, and every store will choose totally different fish, providing a distinct expertise of this Australian meals relying on the place you choose. Fish is often recent and regionally caught. As an illustration, john dory is quite common round Sydney, so that you’ll discover a lot of john dory fish and chips across the metropolis.

9. Meat pie

Good outdated meat pies are beloved by Australians nationwide. The pies are usually across the dimension of your hand and are served as the perfect takeaway snack. The very best meat pie consists of minced meat, gravy, and infrequently additional substances like mushroom, onion, melted cheese, or spice components. Aussies take the title of the ‘finest meat pie’ very severely, although, and there are even specialty pie outlets dotted across the nation.

Scorching meaty pies have been round for hundreds of years and are believed to have been developed as a strategy to comprise and maintain sizzling meat. It’s such an age-old culinary idea that meat pies could be traced again to the 2nd century AD. Nevertheless, Australia caught on to the meat pie within the early nineteenth century when a wheat mill was opened in Sydney.

Meat pies are straightforward to organize, and it simply entails filling a short-crust pastry base with fillings and cooking in an oven. Easy however scrumptious, a meat pie is a superb Australian meals to attempt when visiting.

10. Rooster Parmigiana

Rooster parmigiana consists of rooster schnitzel (breaded rooster) breast lined in tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. No person is aware of the place this tasty dish caught maintain to change into a pub favourite, however variations of ‘rooster parma’ have popped up the place it has change into a staple dish in Australian delicacies. The earliest reference could be discovered within the US in 1944. Nonetheless, for the aim of this information, we shall be treating rooster parmigiana as an Australian meals. Apart from, the Aussies do it finest.

Rooster parmigiana is ready with a mix of overwhelmed eggs, breadcrumbs, cheese, and a particular tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil, and oregano. It’s cooked within the oven and served alongside veggies or carbs like pasta and potatoes.

Rooster parmigiana is discovered in lots of Australian eating places and cafes. You may as well discover a decent-priced rooster parma in most Australian supermarkets, like Woolies. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, recreate the dish at residence.

11. Salt and pepper calamari

Salt and pepper calamari is a massively well-liked Australian meals. Squid is caught throughout Australia by means of strictly sustainable fishing, and calamari is simply squid chopped into chewy meat rings. Calamari could be served in lots of kinds, together with battered or served amongst recent seafood. Nevertheless, salt and pepper calamari is the most well-liked use of squid and is especially scrumptious.

The calamari is dipped in wheat flour and egg to create a salt and pepper batter. The smothered calamari is deep-fried till it’s mild, crispy, and golden. The result’s scrumptious. The salt is essentially the most obvious style within the dish, though the distinction between the batter and the softness of the squid meat provides a pleasant texture.

It won’t shock you that calamari is an Italian dish. The phrase calamari means squid in Italian. The dish was adopted in Australian delicacies within the mid-to-late 90s. The recipe is so nicely suited to Australia. It shortly turned a match made in heaven because the nation’s waters are surrounded by excessive squid populations. The remainder is historical past.

12. Sausage sizzle

Sausage sizzles are massively related to fundraising and social occasions like outdated Aussie BBQ, from the Sydney Royal Easter Present to a faculty barbecue. So, what’s it? A sausage sizzle is a skinny sausage served diagonally on a slice of bread, a sausage sandwich. It’s cooked on a barbecue and is often served with tomato or barbecue sauce. You’ll typically discover fried onions as an addition to the tasty tomato sauce.

Sausage sizzles are shortly cooked at residence, particularly when you have a barbecue. However when you go to Australia, you’ll undoubtedly come throughout one or two in your travels. There are many public barbecues too, the place you’ll be able to cook dinner up a storm when you don’t have one at residence.

13. Smashed avocado

Smashed avocado is a scrumptious meals in Australia’s native delicacies. Whereas usually served as a standalone dish, simply with avocado on toast, smashed avocado may also be added to poached eggs on toast and eggs and bacon. It’s a beautiful, versatile staple that Aussies add to many basic dishes – often at breakfast or brunch.

Avocados are prevalent throughout Australia, and in reality, many working vacation visa holders assist out with harvesting avocados to qualify for his or her second and third-year visas. As a result of avocados are produced regionally, they’re among the finest on the earth. Neglect shopping for avocados that appear too ripe and brown earlier than you’ve even bought them residence.

Smashed avocado is straightforward and entails peeling and eradicating the massive seed from the middle. You then simply mash up the ‘avo’, including seasoning and a squirt of lemon or sprint of seed if you want. Avocado is vastly well-liked in Aussie cafes and eating places, and when you exit for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, you might be certain to seek out it on the menu.

14. Recent prawns

Australians eat quite a lot of recent seafood. Nevertheless, prawns are an enormous staple and a particular Aussie basic. They’re farmed throughout the nation’s shoreline and are among the many hottest Australian meals selections. It is not uncommon to have a bowl of recent prawns when assembly pals for a social occasion. It’s thought of a staple Australian dish at summer time backyard events and at an Australian BBQ.

Recent prawns could be served peeled or unpeeled. If served unpeeled, keep away from being delay by the dish, as you’ll be able to simply tear off the top finish and flip off the arduous shell by the toes. You shortly get the cling of it, and the prawn meat is chilly and refreshing – price the additional effort.

What may sound unusual to non-Australians is that recent prawns are thought of a Christmas particular in Australia. Seafood, typically, is a agency favourite festive meals, however prawns are inclined to take middle stage. Strive some when you go to; if not, take into account including them to your subsequent Christmas dinner.

15. Lamb leg roast

Australia has a big sheep trade. And whereas farmers have skilled some ups and downs, particularly throughout latest droughts, it’s nonetheless thriving at the moment. British settlers nearly instantly started farming once they arrived within the 18th century, and lamb leg roast is a basic from the early days. Lamb leg roast is an Australian assertion dish. It’s usually the centerpiece of a dinner for numerous individuals.

Lamb leg roast tastes slightly gamey and has extra fats than meats like beef. Lamb’s leg can be one of the crucial tender cuts, superb for roasting quite than braising or stewing since roasting makes use of dry warmth. It’s cooked for an prolonged interval within the oven, for a few of which many individuals select to put foil over the meat to retain moisture. Some recipes add additional substances like rosemary and garlic.

16. Crab sticks

First issues first, crab sticks aren’t really crab meat. Crab sticks include white fish meat that’s blended up into tiny sticks and dyed purple on the skin, meant to visually resemble a crab’s legs. The concept is a Japanese idea created to supply an affordable various to costly crab legs. Crab sticks emerged in Japan within the Nineteen Seventies, and never stunning contemplating Australia’s love affair with seafood, they quickly made their approach Down Below.

Crab sticks have a really delicate taste, and the fish style is adequately subtle to not give away the crab disguise. You buy precooked crab sticks, that are finest eaten chilly, very like recent prawns. You may usually discover crab sticks paired with salads and dips. As a straightforward finger meals dish, it’s a well-liked addition to a backyard celebration desk or social gathering.

17. Witchetty grub

Able to go correct Aussie bush tucker? Witchetty grub doesn’t look appetizing however tastes surprisingly good. The big white moth larvae are historically eaten by Indigenous Australians. Nevertheless, others have caught on to the wide-ranging well being advantages as nicely. Some go so far as to assert that witchetty grub tastes like almonds when eaten uncooked and rooster when cooked. The grubs are extraordinarily wealthy in protein, fats, and power. Additionally they comprise excessive ranges of vitamin B1 and minerals like magnesium and zinc.

As you could have picked up on, you’ll be able to eat witchetty grub uncommon or cooked. We advocate making an attempt witchetty grub cooked, although. The grubs are finest cooked by roasting them on coals, which provides them a lightweight smoky taste.

18. Emu meat

You don’t have a look at the large, flightless chook and instantly suppose ‘meals’. Nevertheless, emu meat has been eaten by Indigenous Australians for hundreds of years. The enormous chook is the largest native chook in Australia and an ostrich relative. Its meat may be very lean, low in fats, and excessive in iron, good for human consumption. Within the late 90s, emu meat all of the sudden acquired quite a lot of public consideration, with many calling it ‘the following purple meat’. Just a few nations other than Australia nonetheless have an emu trade, although, with emu meat failing to overhaul beef and show itself cost-effective.

Emu tastes quite a bit like beef and accommodates quite a lot of oils which can be hailed for anti-inflammatory properties. It’s thought of a more healthy various to mainstream meats like beef, rooster, and pork. So be courageous and take a look at some when you go to Australia.

19. Crocodile meat

Crocodile meat shouldn’t be one thing you’ll discover in your typical Aussie barbecue. You don’t even discover crocodiles dwelling wild in New South Wales, South Australia, or Victoria. So you would need to head to the extra northern states to come back throughout crocodile farms. Nevertheless, the dish is likely one of the most uncommon Australian meals, and if you’re feeling adventurous, its price making an attempt. It has very excessive protein ranges and is usually in contrast in style and texture to rooster.

As a result of it’s farmed on a comparatively small scale, crocodile meat is taken into account an Australian delicacy. There’s a historical past of Indigenous Australians consuming crocodiles. Whereas crocodiles have been protected as a species in 1971, the inhabitants grew so giant once more that the crocodile meat trade by no means ceased. As we stated, if you’re feeling adventurous, crocodile is likely one of the most uncommon Australian meals to attempt. Make certain to analysis the product earlier than shopping for, although, because the crocodile trade has a repute for having some unethical farms. Anybody promoting ethically sourced meat needs to be clear and reply your questions fortunately.

20. Mango

Stepping away from Australia’s most controversial meals, let’s have a look at its primary recent fruit; mango. Mangoes aren’t native to Australia, however the Portuguese unfold the fruit worldwide and it started to spring up in Australia by the 1800s. The fruit is predominantly grown in Queensland, with some bushes in Western Australia and New South Wales.

Mangoes are tremendous candy and juicy. All through the mango season (September till February), mangoes are offered within the majority of supermarkets and in some small outlets. They’re eaten recent, skinned then sliced off the massive seed within the middle. Yow will discover dried mango 12 months spherical, however it’s nowhere close to as well-liked because the ‘actual deal’. Aussies love mango as a refreshing summer time snack.

21. Lamingtons

Lamingtons are a tasty dessert served nearly as bitesize. It’s a subtle candy deal with designed to be loved with a sizzling drink similar to tea or espresso and lined with chocolate sauce. The dessert consists of a sq. of butter cake or sponge cake, frivolously coated in jam and a layer of chocolate icing and sprinkled with desiccated coconut. Lamingtons style extremely candy, so these with a candy tooth will love this Australian meals.

The dessert was named in honor of Lord and Girl Lamington, the primary who served as governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901. Whereas the unique creator is unknown, the recipe was revealed in {a magazine} in 1900 and shortly caught on. Shortly, lamingtons turned commonplace in Australian cookbooks.

22. Chiko roll

picture courtesy of Wikimedia Commons by IanBailey at English Wikipedia, Public area

A Chiko roll is an adaptation of a Chinese language spring roll. If meals could possibly be copyrighted, Chiko rolls would definitely be responsible, because the dish seems an identical to a Chinese language spring roll. The one distinction is the filling, as Chiko rolls have beef and rice in addition to greens like carrot and cabbage – regardless of being offered initially as rooster rolls and never containing any rooster by any means.

Chiko rolls are a fantastic savory snack and have a meaty taste from the meat. As a responsible pleasure processed meals, Chiko rolls are a basic Australian meals to attempt from the native Aussie grocery store or native fish and chip. store. Whereas it’s a branded dish and there isn’t a set recipe to make them at residence shortly, you could possibly additionally try and recreate the recipe as an additional problem. In any other case, hold it easy and simply order some in.

23. Seafood pizza

Pizza, indisputably, belongs to Italy. It’s, nonetheless, a well-liked Australian dish. One pizza, particularly, is well-liked all through the nation: seafood pizza. We’ve already talked about how a lot Australians get pleasure from seafood, and pizza isn’t any exception. In your pizza, you’ll be able to anticipate finding every part from prawns to calamari and mussels. The flavors complement one another completely, particularly with a garlicky tomato sauce.

When pizza turned well-liked in Australia, the seafood pizza was launched. It wasn’t till the late Forties that there was a rush of Italian and Greek residents who migrated to Australia following World Conflict II. So Australia was late to comprehend that the remainder of the world loves pizza. In actual fact, the primary pizza restaurant was opened in 1961, and after that, the pizza scene took off quickly.

24. Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts are one of the crucial pure Australian meals. The tiny little nuts are one of many solely native merchandise that Australia exports on a colossal worldwide scale. The nuts are praised worldwide for his or her dietary worth, together with dietary fiber and pure antioxidants that help circumstances like heart problems and diabetes. Macadamia nuts are very low in sugar and carbohydrates however excessive in protein and magnesium.

Macadamia nuts are predominantly grown in New South Wales and southern Queensland (by the way, New South Wales is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Australia). You should buy the nuts at most supermarkets and entire meals outlets and purchase them from exterior of Australia as an exported good. If you happen to go to New South Wales, you may also enterprise to macadamia nut hotspots like Byron Bay and take excursions of the farms. The nuts could be eaten uncooked or roasted at a low temperature in order to not lose their dietary worth.

Australian Meals FAQs

Now that we’ve checked out one of the best Australian meals to attempt at residence or in Australia let’s have a look at some widespread FAQs.

What is a well-liked meals in Australia?

Seafood, particularly prawns, is a well-liked meals in Australia. Prawns are even eaten at Christmas.

What meals are solely in Australia?

Kangaroo meat is barely present in Australia. Some meals, like macadamia nuts, are native to Australia however exported all around the globe.

What’s Australia’s most favourite meals?

Australia’s favourite meals is avocado. You discover avocados all over the place in Australia, and avocado-themed breakfasts and brunches are tremendous well-liked.

What’s Australia’s tradition meals?

Anzac biscuits are Australia’s cultural meals, representing the nation’s beliefs and respect for the Australian and New Zealand Military Corps.

To Conclude

Meals won’t have been your first thought earlier than a go to to Australia. Hopefully, now you understand that it needs to be. Australian meals is scrumptious and various – having cherry-picked one of the best elements of quite a few different cuisines and added some gems of its personal. Adventurous eaters can even love the novelty of surprising meats, which comes with the territory of getting such an interesting wildlife scene.

On the lookout for extra Australian journey inspiration and knowledge? Try these guides on essentially the most wonderful issues to do in Tasmania and Brisbane. For non-surfers, we’ve additionally bought a information on issues to do in Queensland in addition to browsing and a helpful assortment of the finest locations to remain for these visiting Melbourne.