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25 BEST Australian Foods Ya Gotta Try, Mate!

25 BEST Australian Foods Ya Gotta Try, Mate!

Take a culinary sabbatical and join me as I explore Australian foods and a few Aussie dishes you can make at home!

Australia is known for many things: kangaroos, the life-and-limb-endangering outback, the great barrier reef, pavlova, meat pies, and so on.

Recognize some of those from your early years or safari vacation there?

Take your tastebuds dancing with any of the Aussie desserts, sides or mains  here. 

Have you tried the Aussie Rocky Road?

What about some emu, kangaroo, or crocodile? 

Go wild with any of the recipes on this list.

25 different ways to experience the land down under without leaving your house.

From the recipes for Beer Battered Fish & Chips to light and sweet Classic Pavlova and the hearty, traditional Aussie Meat Pies, you’re about to find your new favorite here.

Maybe you’ll even revisit the Fairy Bread of your youth.

Oz, here we come!

This is a classic Australian camp bread that was favored by Australian cowboys in the 1800s but is just as tasty today.

This yeast-free bread is not fussy and needs only 5 ingredients you probably have in your pantry and thirty minutes in your oven.

Double the recipe for a bigger crowd, make mini-dampers for little hands, cook it on a stick next time you go camping, swap the water/milk with some beer for an extra kick, and so on.

There is no limit to the damper which would explain why its popularity.

Cut it into slices and slather it in jam or butter and Vegemite for that Aussie experience.

This savory bread dip is a popular Australian party food that is incredibly easy to make and insanely tasty.

You can stick with creamy spinach as filling or use cheese and bacon following this recipe with the same amazing results.

Ease your load by making the dip up to 48 hours ahead but store it in the fridge separate from the bread until serving time.
 
This crowd-pleaser never fails.

Never ever!

This is a classic Aussie snack that can be made in batches, frozen, and cooked when you are burning low.

If the thought of spicy minced (ground) pork wrapped in flaky pastry excites your taste buds, this here will be a keeper.

You can also use minced turkey, chicken, or lamb if you prefer and tweak the flavors to suit your needs.

To avoid soggy sausage rolls, ensure the sausages are not wet by adding more breadcrumbs until they are of the right consistency.

Serve with a dip of your choice.

Legend has it that this native to Australia originated back in World War I as a treat sent to soldiers by their wives in Anzac (Australia and New Zealand Corps) because they kept well, traveled well, and were quite sturdy.

Key ingredients are whole old-fashioned oats, golden syrup, and butter 15 minutes in the oven for a chewy, crusty treat ready to be dunked in whatever drink you have at hand.

You have to try this recipe whose name, shape, and recipe are protected by Australian law.

Think of a light vanilla sponge dipped in thick chocolate and coated with coconut shavings.

Making the cake before and letting it cool overnight before serving allows it to dry out so it doesn’t crumble when dipped in chocolate.

These divine little cakes go well with morning or afternoon tea and make a lovely dessert that is a hit with kids of all ages.

Make perfect fish and chips, an iconic takeaway in Australia, with this easy recipe.

The beer batter crunch keeps the fish fillets moist and locks in the flavors that are impossible to resist.

Serve with a  sauce dip or coleslaw and watch everything disappear even with the pickiest eaters.

Emu, the Australian bird, is the second-largest bird in the world but its meat tastes more like beef than poultry.

You can get an emu egg(equal to 10chicken eggs), emu sausages, steak, and hamburgers but the real kick, in my opinion, is a simple stir fry.

Once you try emu meat, you will be back for more.

These pretty-pinked Australian biscuits have been around since 1906 and have been replicated in most Australian homes since then.

The special biscuit is topped with marshmallows, raspberry jam, and desiccated coconut.

Allow the melted marshmallows to sit for some 15 minutes so they can thicken and become spreadable.

This simple biscuit with the amazing toppings will convert you to a vo-vo lover at first nibble!

Snags are Australian sausages made with beef and pork and mostly grilled on a flat grill and served with bread.

Go the whole distance and make your bread and tomato or barbeque sauce at home for that authentic touch.

This spinoff of the Chinese chow mein was quite popular in Australian homes in the 70s and 80s.

It is a sumptuous mix of rice, vegetables, and minced meat all cooked in one pot.

This particular recipe has loads of vegetables making a full meal that will leave space for little else.

A pavlova is a light, meringue dessert straight from the land down under that is easy to prepare and even easier to consume.

The crispy meringue is filled with whipped cream and berries which have incredible flavors and textures you will fall in love with.

Don’t be shy with the toppings.

Some chocolate ganache, lemon curd, lemon zest, fruit sauces, or sour fruits like kiwi also make for a great presentation.

A dagwood dog is similar to the American corndog and is quite popular at Australian festivals.

Think of a delicious Frankfurter on a stick, well-battered, deep-fried to perfection, and then topped up with tomato sauce or mustard.

Take a look at our list of Carnival Foods to add fun to this option.

Cherry Ripe is Australia’s oldest chocolate bar and this easy-to-make, no-bake yet taste great recipe brings this classic to your kitchen.

Once you introduce this treat to your family, it will become a tradition they will want to carry on just like the Aussies do.

Be cautious with these little beauties as they are very hard to resist and one simply isn’t enough.

This colorful Australian treat is as simple as slathering a slice of white bread with butter and then generously separating it with magical sprinkles for that magical touch.

This sugar-rush heaven will be a hit with the kids and for you, it is a winner because no cooking is involved.

Go on and make some memories.

This recipe is easy, fast, and a clever way to sneak in vegetables for the kids in their lunch boxes.

This recipe is easy to customize as you can throw in any vegetable at your disposal and serve it warm or cold.

Australians make Chiko rolls for lunch, during road trips, football games, and so on because no cutlery is needed with this easy classic.

Everyone will ask for more of these spring roll-like snacks!

Your entire family will love this satisfying meal that is largely meat and vegetables enclosed in a crispy crust and topped with ketchup.

Take time with the meat so it is tender and full of flavors to invite you to keep on biting into the pie until there is none left.

Crocodile meat is notorious for being rubbery but not with this recipe thanks to the special marinade used.

Serve with sauce or a spicy sauce for that extra bite. 🐊

This recipe yields 50 delectable desserts filled with a variety of sweets that will have nostalgia knocking at your door.

All your childhood lollies in one slice.

You only need 30 minutes to make these unbelievably super soft and fluffy buns perfect for breakfast, lunch, or snack.

Eat the rolls straight from the oven while the cheese melts!

What screams Australia louder than a kangaroo? 🦘

Kangaroo meat is a great alternative to beef with a gamey flavor and this recipe will turn you into a grill master in no time.

Like the croc, give special attention to your marinade for that extra flavor.

Barramundi is served often in Australian restaurants and this restaurant-style recipe will bring you the same experience straight to your dinner plates!

You may need to search for this saltwater fish in more than one market but the effort is totally worth it.

The joy of an Aussie burger is in the layers of toppings you will be biting into.

This Aussie favorite must-have beetroot, eggs, and onions as basic ingredients and then whatever you fancy.

Stack your burger the Aussie way and enjoy!

Chicken parma or parmi is the Italian Parmigiana given an Aussie twist, sauteed then layered with tomatoes and cheese before being baked.

Serve this crowd-pleaser with a salad or some chips with tomato sauce dip.

This is a traditional sandwich consisting of tap slices of bread, some tomato sauce, and a fritz.

The fritz itself is an Australian icon that can be eaten as is or fried in a pan before making this sandwich.

The bottom line

Gather your ingredients and try your hand at any of these iconic Australian recipes that put Australia on the map.

Have fun with the recipes and tweak them to suit your needs and preferences.

Want even more? These Australian Dessert recipes will be a fun walkabout too!

25 BEST Australian Foods Ya Gotta Try, Mate!

25 BEST Australian Foods Ya Gotta Try, Mate!

Take a culinary sabbatical and join me as I explore Australian foods and a few Aussie dishes you can make at home!

Ingredients

  • Aussie Damper
  • Quick & Creamy Spinach Cob Loaf Dip
  • Australian Sausage Rolls
  • Anzac Biscuits
  • Lamingtons
  • Best Beer Battered Fish & Chips
  • Emu Meat Stir Fry
  • Iced Vo-Vos
  • Barbecue Snags
  • Aussie Chow Mein Recipe
  • Classic Pavlova
  • Dagwood Dogs
  • Cherry Ripe Balls
  • Fairy Bread
  • Zucchini Slice
  • Chiko Rolls
  • Classic Chunky Aussie Meat Pies
  • Australian Crocodile Skewers
  • Aussie Rocky Road
  • Cheese & Bacon Rolls
  • Grilled Kangaroo Steak (+Bonus Kangaroo Stir Fry)
  • Barramundi
  • Aussie Beetroot Burger With The Lot
  • Classic Chicken Parma Aussie Style
  • Fritz & Sauce Sandwich

Instructions

  1. Pick one or more options from our list of Australian Foods here!
  2. Start creating your new favorite dish.
  3. Share and comment! Did you make any changes to make it even better?

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