What do you have for your traditional Christmas lunch or dinner?

There is usually an annual argument at our Christmas gathering because my mother-in-law, who is Italian, likes to make a huge lasagne, which nearly everyone loves except for my brother-in-law and his wife who seem affronted by the fact the lasagne gets all the compliments at the conclusion of the meal.

We also usually have roast chickens, sometimes pork and a leg of ham.

There was a period where we used to do a Christmas turkey, which was the only time all year we would eat it and that was fantastic.

Other families swear by seafood for Christmas.

Well new research has revealed Australia's top Christmas food and it turns out the leg of ham has come out on top for 2021.

Roast pork has shot up in popularity going from number seven in 2020 to number three in 2021.

The research, commissioned by IGA to uncover Aussie Christmas food habits and trends, reveals the 10 most popular Christmas foods this year include:

1. The iconic leg of ham (38%) 
2. Fresh seafood (32%)
3. Roast pork (26%)
4. Baked vegetables (24%)
5. Christmas cake/ pudding (23%)
6. Salad (22%)
7. Fresh Fruit (22%)
8. Chocolate (20%)
9. Pavlova (17%)
10. Roast lamb (16%)

Estella Young, Head of Trade, IGA Australia: “The iconic ham has always held a special spot on Aussie’s Christmas tables so it’s no surprise to see it come out on top as the most popular Christmas food for the second year running. It’s a great value versatile dish that can last over a few meals which is why we think it’s hard to beat.”

Although a leg of ham is the most popular Christmas food across all generations, this is particularly true for the older generations. Baby Boomers (54%) are more likely than Gen X (35%), Millennials (23%), and Gen Z (31%) to say that the iconic leg of ham is the number one Christmas food in their households. However, it’s Queenslanders and Western Australians who are enjoying it the most.

Yet, South Australians are a "flock" unto their own, with 37% placing roast lamb at the top of their lists.

The modern Australian Christmas will showcase a diversity of meals this Christmas, with the top cuisines Australian homes are offering at their Christmas gatherings this year being Australian (55%, up 4% since 2020), British (16%), and Italian (15%, up 1% since 2020), and Chinese (10%).

What do you have at your annual Christmas catch-up?