It seems the festive frenzy will be a bit more chilled this year when it comes to Christmas dinner. New research, commissioned by ALDI Australia, reveals two-thirds (66%) of Aussies are flocking to the freezer to pull their Christmas feasts together, with almost a third (32%) even confessing to passing off a frozen find as a homemade dish to impress with a delicious dinner!
The research comes as ALDI Australia launches its biggest ever frozen range of Christmas delights, with must-have items returning, and a brand NEW convenience range, Christmas Favourites, giving even more Aussies the chance to go a little extra on their festive dinner, with a little less festive stress.
This Christmas, convenience is undeniably king, with research revealing Aussies are turning to the freezer for ease when cooking for a large group (50%) and because it saves time when cooking (45%). With those hosting Christmas day spending 4 hours in the kitchen preparing on average, that’s almost half the day that could be spent celebrating instead!
Whether it’s frozen desserts (64%) – hello gingerbread ice-cream! – or frozen veggies (50%) – big yes to grilled balsamic brussels sprouts! – there’s a frozen goodie to cut time, cut cost and increase Christmas sanity in this SLEIGH collection.
ALDI’s 2024 Christmas freezer range has doubled in size making it the biggest range to date and bringing two solutions to suit every taste and budget. The aptly named Christmas Favourites range covers all your family’s most loved dishes to put on a special spread that doesn’t break the bank, with a traditional turkey, assortment of seafood entrées, and NEW garlic and herb roast potatoes for perfectly seasoned and crunchy roasties without slaving over the stove – GAME CHANGER!
ALDI’s Shopping Expert Kylie Warnke says, “Christmas should be all about enjoying the company of your loved ones and having time to make memories and share good food. Our research shows Aussies spend on average, four hours preparing food for Christmas day! At ALDI we’re hoping to make the day feel a little lighter on prep with our biggest ever frozen range so there’s something for everyone.“
“From delicious stuffed turkey breast roast to Aussie tiger prawns, split rock lobster, scallop and champagne gratin and Christmas inspired ice cream – there’s a frozen find for every element of the Christmas meal. Adding in these frozen goodies to your Christmas menu will take the stress out and put you back into the fun with your family and friends!”
The Specially Selected collection is returning for those looking to go a little extra this year. It brings back the much loved in-demand maple bacon wrapped scallops, salmon wellington, and the turducken to stores. Alternatively, those looking to up their seafood game can splash out and go a little extra with the new croissant prawn puffs and lobster thermidor style croquettes.
This Christmas, ALDI encourages hosts of all levels to take a trip down the frozen aisle to make this Christmas the most convenient one yet and take back the clock for holiday cooking.
ALDI Australia’s full frozen range is listed below:
Christmas Favourites Range
Kylie says, “Our Christmas favourite range keeps it simple for the season. At an even more affordable price point, this range covers all the Christmas classics from a whole turkey for only $29.99, or garlic and herb roast potatoes for a joyfully low $3.99. This year we’re adding eight new items to bolster the range with some twists on Christmas must-haves. Aussies will be extra merry to try the brand-new entertainer ice confection for a Good Different take of a dessert classic.”
- Whole turkey, 3.8kg, $29.99
- Whole self-basting turkey conveniently marinated to retain tenderness, lock in flavour and cook to a golden brown
- Turkey Breast Roast, 1kg, $15.49
- Premium boneless marinated turkey breast meat
- NEW Christmas potato shapes, 500g, $2.99
- Mashed potato shaped stars, snowmen and Christmas trees in a crunchy outer coating and soft fluffy potato inside
- NEW Garlic and herb roast potatoes, 600g, $3.99
- Simply oven bake and enjoy the rosemary and garlic roast potatoes
- NEW Prawn balls, 180g, $3.99
- Tender prawn meat formed into balls, lightly seasoned and coated with golden crumb
- Variant flavours of original crumb or bubble crumb
- NEW Filo prawn rolls, 250g, $3.99
- Delicious prawn filling wrapped in crispy filo pastry
- NEW Fish wellington, 500g, $9.99
- Tender white fish fillet in a rich lemon and dill sauce wrapped in flaky puff pastry
- NEW Gingerbread flavoured ice cream, 1L, $5.99
- Gingerbread flavoured ice cream with caramel ripple and Speculoos flavoured biscuit crumb
- NEW Ice cream Christmas trees, 360ml, $4.99
- Variant flavours of mint flavoured ice cream coated in dark chocolate or vanilla flavoured ice cream coated in milk chocolate
- NEW Entertainer ice confection, 1L, $6.99
- Variant flavours of hazelnut and chocolate laced with layers of choc coating or vanilla laced with layers of choc slivers
Specially Selected Premium Range
Kylie says, “The Specially Selected range boasts 13 new items and flavour variations for the 2024 line-up. It is jam-packed with premium frozen dishes to level up your Christmas spread, while you keep your cool in the kitchen. Fan favourites like the XL tiger prawns ($29.99) and lobster puff pastry canapes ($6.99) are coming back due to popular demand. As well, customers will be jingling with joy to hear the lobster tails with garlic butter glaze ($34.99) are returning – and retaining its 2023 price. With more seafood delights and scrumptious desserts debuting in this range, there is sure to be something new to pop in the trolley every week in the lead up to the big day!”
- Turkey breast roast, 1kg, $19.99
- Premium boneless marinated turkey breast meat
- Variant flavours of sage and onion [NEW], or cranberry and apple
- Turducken, 1.5kg, $32.99
- A premium festive roast of turkey tenderloin and duck breast, wrapped in a de-boned whole Chicken and filled with cranberry, apple and maple flavoured stuffing
- XL Tiger prawns, 1kg, $26.99
- Firm, sweet and succulent Australian cooked tiger prawns
- Atlantic salmon side with Toscana style herb crust, 700g, $22.99
- A whole natural salmon fillet with skin on, dressed in Tuscan style herb crust
- Salmon wellington, 700g, $15.99
- Atlantic salmon in a rich cheese and dill sauce wrapped in a crispy puff pastry
- Lobster tails with garlic butter glaze, 380g, $34.99
- Tender and succulent lobster tails served with a garlic, lemon and herb butter glaze
- NEW Scallop gratin, 300g, $9.99
- Tender scallops served in an oven ready scallop shell
- Variant flavours of double cream, cheddar cheese and champagne sauce or a creamy Bisque style sauce
- NEW Split rock lobster, 450g, $29.99
- Tender and succulent split rock lobster
- Variant flavours of garlic and herb butter or French style garlic and thyme Provencal sauce
- NEW Christmas pudding style ice cream, 475g, $4.99
- Christmas pudding style ice cream with ginger ripple, spiced biscuit pieces and cinnamon
- Butterflied herb garlic prawns, 400g, $12.99
- Succulent prawns delicately shelled, butterflied and marinated in garlic and herbs
- Smoked salmon and cream cheese puff pastry canapes, 240g, $6.99
- Premium smoked salmon with a delicious cream cheese and herb filling for a perfectly indulgent canape
- Lobster puff pastry canapes, 240g, $6.99
- Premium lobster meat with delicious cream cheese and herb filling in a puff pastry for a perfectly indulgent canape
- Maple bacon wrapped scallops, 270g, $14.99
- Premium extra-large sea scallops hand wrapped in a maple flavoured bacon perfect as an indulgent canape or entrée
- NEW Mini Turkey Kyivs, 350g, $6.99
- Australian turkey and chicken chopped and shaped coated in a crispy ciabatta crumb
- Variant fillings of cranberry and camembert, or cheese and spinach
- NEW Deluxe prawn selection, 166g, $4.99
- 4 sweet chilli prawns, 3 coriander filo prawns, 3 coconut torpedo prawns
- NEW Croissant prawn puffs, 210g, $6.99
- Delicious prawn, spinach and dill filling wrapped in a croissant puff pastry
- NEW Festive prawn selection, 192g, $6.99
- 3 festive prawn baubles, 3 short crust star shaped prawn toast, 3 mini prawn spring rolls
- NEW Golden croquettes, 260g, $6.99
- Variant flavours of mature cheddar cheese, spring onion and parmigiano Reggiano or fish, lobster and thermidor style sauce
- Balsamic brussels sprouts, 400g, $3.99
- Grilled Brussels Sprouts with a flavoursome balsamic vinegar dressing
- NEW Vegetable parcel selection, 201g, $4.99
- 3 Festive cones, 3 Pastilla Parcels, 3 BBQ Cauliflower Bites
- NEW Cheese and jalapeno bites, 200g, $6.99
- Spicy and cheesy bites wrapped in a tasty and crunchy coating
- NEW Marbled Roulades, 425g – 445g, $12.99
- Hand rolled meringue
- Variant flavours of marbled toffee and pecan filled with toffee cream, toffee sauce and chopped pecans or white forest with white chocolate cream and tangy cherry sauce
- NEW Gelato, 500g, $5.99
- Variant flavours of intensive lemon flavour, sumptuous pistachio gelato with a subtle nutty flavour, or caramel and cinnamon cookie flavoured gelato with Speculoos cookie crumb
Research conducted by YouGov on behalf of ALDI Australia between 11-15 October 2024. The sample comprised of a nationally representative sample of 1,049 Australians aged 18+ who have ever hosted Christmas Day meal