The Best South African Christmas Lunch Ideas
What screams Christmas more than a traditional South African gammon? As you may already know, there are many people who look forward to a traditional Xmas recipe for friends and family on this very special holiday. In reality, there are plenty of other traditional Christmas dishes from South Africa that must be taken into account when one thinks of South African Christmas recipes. However, sometimes we may need an extra push to get the creative juices flowing. Stick around to learn more about some South African Christmas lunch ideas that I know you’ll enjoy making–and eating, too!
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Gammon
The first South African classic Christmas food I have for you is gammon.
This is a favorite of the many classic Christmas lunch recipes from South Africa.
If you’re from the United States like me, I understand that some people may not know what gammon is.
I’ll start off by saying it’s one of the more traditional Christmas dishes in South Africa.
It’s definitely one you’ll need to add to your South African Christmas lunch menu!
Basically, gammon is what we call “ham” here in the United States. The one difference is that you have to cook gammon while ham is already cooked when you buy it from the grocery store.
More specifically, gammon is the back part of the leg of a pig that’s been cured by either dry-salting or brining. Ham, on the other hand, has been cooked or dry-cured and is ready to eat when you buy it.
In South Africa, after the gammon has been cooked (sometimes on the stove with vegetables and roasted in the oven), the top of it is brushed with honey and mustard and decorated with pineapple slices and/or cherries.
FYI, if you’re looking for a good gammon recipe, I recommend you check this recipe out by BBC Food.
Yellow Rice with Raisins
So, yellow rice is a SUPER common side dish in South Africa and it’s very popular to eat during Christmastime, too. You MUST add this to your list of South African Christmas lunch ideas!
More specifically, yellow rice is simply rice that’s made with a little sugar and turmeric spice (some people add cinnamon, too.)
Here, check out this video below by Telande World to see what I mean:
If you’re looking for a good South African yellow rice recipe, you can check out this yellow rice recipe by Carolina’s Cooking.
Mince Pies
Another very classic Christmas food item to include on your list of South African Christmas lunch ideas is the mince pies.
As most of us already know, some people like to fill pies with meat. However, many South Africans enjoy eating fruit mince pies as a delicious Christmas dessert.
(Sounds delicious, right?)
They’re SUPER easy to make, too!
(Although you can also buy them at a store or bakery if you wish.)
You’ll just basically need pastry dough, fruit mincemeat, and an egg for eggwash.
Now, I understand that some of you may be wondering what is mincemeat.
Well, in case you’re unaware of this, mincemeat is a chopped dried fruit mixture made with sugar and spices. It’s a very common filling for pies not just in South Africa, but in England, too.
FYI, None Such is a very popular brand on Amazon that makes fruit mincemeat that you can consider for your next fruit mince pie recipe for your Christmas lunch recipe from South Africa.
Or, if you don’t feel like baking, you can also buy these mini mincemeat tarts that they sell on Amazon.
Now, if you’re interested in making a traditional mincepie recipe for Christmas, please, please check out the AWESOME video below by Allrecipes.
Other Christmas Recipes from Around the World
- Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes You’ll Need to Try This Year!
- 5 Fantastic Christmas Spiced Cake Recipes You’ll Love
- 5 Christmas Rice Recipes You’ll Love!
- Intriguing Coffee Drinks for Christmas You Must Try!
- Christmas German Sourdough Bread You Need to Try
Potato Bake
So, in case you’re not already familiar with potato bake, let me just say it’s probably what you are imagining it to be.
A potato bake is like mashed potatoes baked in a cream sauce and cheese.
Also, it’s a side dish that is SO popular to make during Christmas time. It’s definitely one you’ll need to add to your South African Christmas lunch ideas list.
This recipe only takes a total of about 35 minutes to make. Also, it makes about 4 servings.
Some of the main ingredients included in this recipe include the following:
- Potatoes
- Onion soup
- Mushroom soup
- Cheddar cheese
- Salt & pepper
That’s it!
Not too difficult, right?
Malva Pudding (Lekker Pudding)
In case you’re not already aware of this, malva pudding is a sweet South African dessert that people make with flour, milk, egg, sugar, apricot jam, and vinegar.
It’s another very popular South African dessert … especially during Christmas time!
People serve it hot with custard or ice cream on top.
If you’re still a little confused about what this is, please take a look at the EXCELLENT Youtube video below by The Kitchen Girl Diary:
Other South African Christmas Lunch Ideas
So, what if the suggestions above are not quite what you’re looking for? Well, then I’ve provided an additional list of South African Xmas lunch ideas that you can look at below:
- Roast turkey
- Stuffing
- Roast leg of lamb
- Fish
- Roast duck
- Christmas cookies
- Trifle
- Christmas cake
- Roast vegetables
- Salad
- Koeksisters (doughnuts)
South African Christmas Lunch Ideas FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions related to South African Christmas lunch ideas.
What is a traditional South African Christmas lunch?
The most common traditional South African Christmas lunch dishes include the following:
- Roast turkey
- Leg of lamb
- Roast duck
- Gammon
- Yellow rice and raisins
- Vegetables
- Fruit mince pie
- Malva pudding
What is a good Christmas lunch menu?
A good South African Christmas lunch menu will include meat, a side dish, and dessert. Examples may include gammon, roast duck, yellow rice and raisins, fruit mince pie, and malva pudding.
What food is eaten on Christmas in Africa?
Some of the most popular Christmas foods in South Africa include:
- Meat
- Yellow rice and raisins
- Vegetables
- Mince pie
- Malva pudding
Also, FYI, since people celebrate Christmas during summertime in South Africa (summer occurs in December), many people enjoy eating Christmas lunch outside and barbequing the meat (what they call a braai.)
Final Thoughts on South African Christmas Lunch Ideas
And that’s a wrap! What are your thoughts on this festive Christmas food in South Africa? Are you looking forward to making any of these recipes? If so, please let me know in the comments below!
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