Australian cuisine is unlike anything else, thanks to its diversity, endless coastline, and vast size. If you’ve just moved down under or are planning to visit in the near future, what are you going to eat? While you can find cuisine from just about anywhere in the world in Australia, there are a few quintessential Aussie foods that you just can’t miss. After all, no Australian experience is complete without trying these top ten Australian foods.
1. Kangaroo
Kangaroo is super lean and super tasty, particularly grilled on the barbecue, and contains lots of iron and protein. It’s a popular food as it’s a healthy meat, low in fat, with a taste similar to venison. With the kangaroo population booming, harvesting them has little impact on their numbers and may also be a more environmentally friendly choice due to the significantly minimal amount of methane they produce.
Look for kangaroo steaks in your local grocery store or try kangaroo kebabs, frequently found in pubs that cater to tourists.
2. Burger With Beetroot
You can’t go wrong with a good burger and many Australians take the classic burger that we all know and love and add a twist—beetroot. If you truly want to experience Australian food culture, you have to try it. Some Aussies even opt for “the lot” which includes not only beetroot, but egg, pineapple, bacon and caramelised onion. Customise it how you wish, but a true Aussie burger isn’t complete without a generous helping of beetroot.
To beetroot or not to beetroot? It’s something many Aussies and expats disagree on, as some think the dominating taste of beetroot overwhelms the flavour of the burger. Give it a try and see which side you weigh in on!
3. Chicken Parmigiana
Somewhat surprisingly, chicken schnitzel, a common dish found in Germany and Austria, is hugely popular in Australia. For an Aussie take on schnitzel and a pub classic for many Australians, try the chicken parmigiana. A parmigiana, or “parmi”, is a piece of breaded chicken covered with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese (although parmesan and provolone are also acceptable).
Occasionally, a slice of ham is also added. For a bit of extra flavour in your standard chicken schnitzel, a chicken parmi is a must-try. It’s hearty, delicious, and usually pretty affordable, so try it out at the pub—best served with mash and veg.
4. Shrimp (Prawns) on the Barbie
We’ve all heard the saying ‘throw another shrimp on the barbie’, so any Aussie food tour needs to include shrimp. The saying comes from a classic commercial that aired throughout the 80s, with Aussie icon Paul Hogan encouraging Americans to visit Australia. In Australia, however, a shrimp is actually called a prawn and they are, in fact, absolutely delicious when thrown on the barbecue. Whether you like cooking at home or venturing out, Australian prawns are an excellent go-to dish. You can never go wrong with them as they’re healthy, delicious, and can be prepared in a ton of tasty ways.
5. Pavlova
Pavlova is actually a bit controversial, as both New Zealanders and Australians claim origins to the decadent pavlova. One thing’s for sure however— the dessert is absolutely irresistible. A pavlova consists of a meringue base that is topped with cream and as much fruit as can add on, such as kiwi, mango, and pineapple. Crunchy on the outside and gooey soft on the inside, the pavlova is a summer favourite for Australians.
It’s a refreshing and delicious dessert, often served at Christmas.
Looking for more Australian food ideas?
6. Barramundi
If there’s one food Australians do well, it’s got to be seafood—barramundi is no exception. Found in all Australian states, but particularly good in Queensland and northern WA, a grilled barramundi is a tasty main course and a fine-dining favourite in many restaurants. Grilled, fried, or seared barramundi are also healthier alternatives to traditional fried fish and chips.
7. Vegemite
Vegemite might be a quintessential Australian food and a staple for many Australian breakfasts, but it’s often disliked by those who didn’t grow up eating it. However, the key is in the delivery. Unlike most other spreads, you can afford to be very very sparing with your Vegemite application. Instead of spreading it on thick, like you would with peanut butter or Nutella, start yourself off with a generous amount of butter spread on your bread and then lightly scrape some Vegemite on top for a unique (and salty) breakfast.
I’ll be honest, it’s never grown on me after years of living here, but it’s still worth a try!
8. Tim Tams
A lot less controversial, Tim Tams are some of the best chocolatey treats Australia has to offer. Although they are available in an extremely wide variety of flavours, nothing beats the classic milk chocolate. Tim Tams consist of two crunchy chocolate biscuits separated by a thin layer of chocolate cream in the middle. The whole thing is then dipped in an extra layer of chocolate—yum. These sweet treats are the perfect accompaniment for your afternoon cup of tea.
9. Anzac Biscuits
Another biscuit popular in Australia (and New Zealand) is the Anzac. Rich in history as well as taste, this biscuit is less chocolatey and more oaty but equally delicious. Whether you like yours crisp and crunchy or super soft and chewy, Anzac biscuits are super easy to make and a fun way to experience a taste of Australia.
You can find them year-round, but they’re most commonly eaten around ANZAC Day in April.
10. Fairy Bread
The final food to try in Australia is perhaps the easiest one to make. A birthday party staple, fairy bread is simply sliced white bread with butter and coloured sprinkles. To make it extra authentic, it’s essential to make sure that the bread is then cut into triangles. It may sound a little strange, but fairy bread is the ultimate quick and easy sweet treat to try.
Yes, it’s extremely unhealthy and somewhat unusual, but you’re likely to see it every time you head to a birthday party.
Hungry?
Now that your tummy is rumbling, have a go at cooking one of these classic Aussie foods or make sure to add Australia to your foodie bucket list once and for all.
Note, featured image courtesy of Photo by Sandie Clarke on Unsplash.