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34 Christmas entrée ideas

Merry tasting!

These tasty dishes are the perfect size for your Christmas starters this year.

Whether you want to delve into the classic Aussie seafood dish or try out something new and funky, these Christmas entrée ideas will bring festiveness to your table!

1. Oysters au gratin

oysters-au-gratin

These deluxe, bready oysters au gratin are the perfect way to kick off the festivities. With anchovies and a lemon zing, this dish works great with a glass of bubbly!

Get the recipe here.

2. Layered dip

layered-dip

This retro-style dip will tingle your tastebuds! With flavours of avocado, coriander and trusty black olives, this is one dip your guests will remember. 

Get the recipe here.

3. Cob dip wreath

cob-dip-wreath

Adding a sprinkle of Christmas to your food can be tricky, but this cob dip wreath takes on the challenge with ease! Decorate your table with this beautiful wreath and watch your guests gobble it up. 

Get the recipe here 

4. Sticky jerk lamb kebabs

sticky-jerk-lamb-kebabs

These may make a bit of mess when you eat them, but it’s definitely worth it! These sticky jerk lamb kebabs are a hit among big crowds, and you don’t even need any cutlery or plates.

Get the recipe here

5. Bang bang prawns 

bang-bang-prawns

Add a touch of spice to your Christmas spread with these delicious bang bang prawns. The crunch of fried prawn, shredded lettuce and prawn cracker crumble is a delectable sound!

Get the recipe here.

6. Pumpkin roulade

pumpkin-roulade

A cheese and spinach pumpkin roulade is sure to be a hit amongst the Christmas crowd. Better yet, your vegie friends and family will thank you a million times over!

Get the recipe here.

7. Mud crab coconut vermicelli salad

mud-crab-coconut-salad

A showstopper for sure! This mud crab coconut vermicelli salad with punchy Thai flavours are perfect in a starter sized morsel. 

Get the recipe here. 

8. Chicken drumettes 

chicken-drumettes

These chicken drumettes will go in a flash – sweet and spicy with a sesame crunch, what more could your Chrissy guests want? 

Get the recipe here.

9. Prawn cocktail

prawn-cocktail

Take it back to the ’70s with this prawn cocktail. Not to worry though, this recipe has chorizo and jalapeno sauce for the perfect modern twist!

Get the recipe here.

10. Sweet potato, leek and maple galette

sweet-potato-leek-galette

This elegant galette will look amazing as a part of your Christmas spread, and it’ll taste delicious too! With the sweetness of maple and sweet potato, and the zing of a ginger-lime cream, this one will be a hit.

Get the recipe here.

11. Cheat’s salmon gravlax

cheats-salmon-gravlax

Although this is the ‘cheat’s’ version of salmon gravlax, it certainly doesn’t cheat on flavour! With a pickled salad on top, this one looks great and goes down easy. 

Get the recipe here. 

12. Lime and lemongrass barbecued prawn skewers

barbecued-prawn-skewers

Lime, lemongrass, coconut and mint – all of the great flavours of summer! Serve this up as a Christmas starter and watch your guests relish in its flavour. 

Get the recipe here. 

13. Mini spiced lamb loin on pita crisps

lamb-on-pita-crisps

Bring a bit of Moroccan flair to your Christmas feast with these spiced lamb on pita crisps starters. Add a lemon wedge to serve and you’ve got a spicy, zingy delight!

Get the recipe here. 

14. Kingfish tartare with spicy almond aioli and radishes 

kingfish-ceviche

Ceviche or fish tartare has become an entrée phenomenon in recent years. Make it at home for your guests with a smooth almond aioli and crisp radishes to top it off!

Get the recipe here. 

15. Christmas tree damper with tomato relish

christmas-damper-tree

Ditch the basic bread rolls and create a beautiful damper Christmas tree! With a side of tomato relish, this easy dish is the perfect starter for Christmas. 

Get the recipe here.

16. Seared scallops in shells with green olive tapenade

seared-scallops

Get your fancy on with these seared scallops in their shell! Paired with a green olive tapenade, this will wow your guests when it’s brought out to the table. 

Get the recipe here.

17. Cherry tomato tart with pesto and whipped ricotta

cherry-tomato-tart

This tasty summer tart doubles as a beautiful red and green Christmas homage. Crumbly pastry, cherry tomatoes and pesto is the dream combination!

Get the recipe here.

18. Seafood platter

seafood-platter

Nothing is more Australian than serving prawns and oysters for Christmas. This recipe helps you serve up the sea’s best with a Romesco seafood sauce, prosciutto sourdough crumbs and a chilli mango salsa. 

Get the recipe here.

19. Crispy cheesy arancini with radicchio salad

crispy-cheesy-arancini-balls

These bocconcini stuffed rice balls fill the deep-fried quota for your Christmas spread. Plus, they’re mouth-wateringly good! Watch them disappear in the blink of an eye!

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Get the recipe here.

20. Prawn, corn and basil lettuce cups

prawn-cups

This combination may seem a little unusual, but we promise it’s delicious! With some spice, tang and crunch, these prawn lettuce cups are the perfect start to Christmas feasting.

Get the recipe here.

21. Baked cauliflower with haloumi, dukkah and honey

baked-cauliflower-haloumi

Baked cauliflower is the vegie dish from the gods! Paired with North-African flavours of sumac, fennel and dukkah, this entrée is spectacular.

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Get the recipe here.

22. Smoked salmon flatbreads

smoked-slamon-flatbread

This sophisticated take on salmon on crackers is beautifully presented and delicious! With homemade pickled onions and a dill-and-caper crème fraiche, this recipe is just indulgent enough for a celebration. 

Get the recipe here.

23. Spice-dusted prawn skewers

spice-dusted-prawn-skewers

These beauties can be made in only 20 minutes and they’re oh so tasty! If you’re short on time but big on flavour, this is the Christmas starter for you.

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Get the recipe here.

24. Mini haloumi and sweet potato fritters

haloumi-sweet-potato-fritters

A meat-free morsel is a great way to kick off celebrations, and this one includes haloumi in it! The perfect size for dipping, try this one out with your favourite dip. 

Get the recipe here.

25. Bloody Mary king prawn cocktails

bloody-mary-king-prawn-cocktails

A retro dish has taken on quite a boozy spin – add all the Bloody Mary ingredients into this prawn cocktails sauce, including the vodka! 

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Get the recipe here.

26. Spinach, feta and lemon pasties

spinach-feta-lemon-pasties

A vegetarian-friendly starter dish has never looked this good! With the perfect trio of ingredients, these pasties will steal the show.

Get the recipe here.

27. Vietnamese rice paper rolls

rice-paper-rolls

These beautifully crafted rice paper rolls are surprisingly easy to make, and easy to roll as well! Serve with a sweet chili dipping sauce for the ultimate fresh entrée. 

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Get the recipe here.

28. BBQ marinated prawns with sriracha mayonnaise

bbq-marinated-prawns

If the barbie is your favourite cooking appliance, then have at it for this delicious starter. Paired with a sriracha mayo, BBQ marinated prawns will surely be a favourite among your friends and family at Christmas.

Get the recipe here.

29. Pumpkin pine nut and chili pesto tart

pumpkin-pine-nut-chili-pesto-tart

Made with a homemade pesto, this zingy tart is just what your Christmas table spread needs. Not only does it look very pretty, it goes down a treat as well!

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Get the recipe here.

30. Smoked salmon and avocado roulade

salmon-roulade

With 10 minutes of prep and a while to chill in the fridge, this recipe simple to whip up before Christmas day. Impress your guests with this roulade that will tantalise tastebuds!

Get the recipe here.

31. Vegetable tempura with beetroot hummus

vegie-tempura-betroot-hummus

A crudité with a twist! This vegetable tempura recipe is the perfect Chrissy starter, and will give your vegie friends something to rave about.

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Get the recipe here.

32. Grilled prawns with sweet corn and coconut dressing

grilled-prawns-sweet-corn

Bring out the barbie for this recipe! Barbecued prawns, chargrilled corn and a caramelised coconut dressing is the perfect summer starter – which means it’s perfect for Christmas.

Get the recipe here.

33. Baby tomato and herbed cheese tart

baby-tomato-herbed-cheese-tart

A real showstopper for your Christmas table, this recipe is surprisingly simple. This medley of tomatoes and herbed cheese tart is vibrant and fresh for summer festivities.

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Get the recipe here.

34. Surf and turf rosemary skewers with romesco sauce 

surf-and-turf

Raid your herb garden for the ‘skewers’ in this handheld holiday twist on classic surf and turf!

Get the recipe here.

Looking for more Christmas recipes? Check out these recipe collections: 

22 easy Christmas recipes

31 show-stopping Christmas dessert recipes

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15 Christmas baking ideas to celebrate the festive season

19 show-stopping Christmas roast recipes

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