What’s the cheapest supermarket for your Christmas food shop?
17 Dec 2025
Whether your chosen fare is a platter of fresh prawns or a traditional roast with all the trimmings, plenty of Aussie households will be gathering around the table this Christmas to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family.
If you’re in charge of the whole menu, or just tasked with taking care of an entree or dessert, knowing where to get what you need at the best price could help you save.
How much do Australians spend on Christmas lunch?
Last year, Australians spent an average of $261 on their Christmas food and drink, with Gen X Australians spending the most at $294.
When it comes to festive favourites, ALDI and Coles earned top honours in Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards for Christmas foods. ALDI was top-rated for its leg ham, turkey, fruit mince pies, and lamb roast, and Coles earned top honours for its pavlova base.
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| Canstar Most Satisfied Customers Christmas Awards | |
|---|---|
| Category | Winner |
| Leg ham | ALDI |
| Turkey | ALDI |
| Fruit mince pies | ALDI |
| Christmas pudding | ALDI |
| Pavlova base | Coles |
When’s the best time to hit the supermarkets?
Choosing when you hit the stores to get your spread could come down to strategy, with 28% of shoppers saying they wait until the very last minute to ensure the food is as fresh as possible.
However, if you wish to avoid the crowds, like the 45% of Aussies who say they find going to shopping centres during Christmas time stressful, try to get in early each morning, or even consider buying items that will last longer, earlier on.
What supermarket has the cheapest Christmas food?
We’re spoiled for choice when buying our Christmas food, and the major supermarkets are certainly keeping things competitive.
We scanned the prices of Christmas favourites—leg ham, lamb roast, prawns and fruit mince pies—and found prices either matched or differed by less than a dollar, with ALDI coming in the cheapest.
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| Costs of Christmas foods | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Woolworths | Coles | ALDI |
| Cost per kg | |||
| Leg ham | $8.00 | $8.00 | $7.99 |
| Lamb leg roast | $17.00 | $17.00 | $15.99 |
| Prawns (tiger) | $29.00 | $29.00 | $27.99 |
| Pavlova base (500g) | $7.50 | $7.50 | $6.99 |
| Fruit mince pies (x6) | $4.30 | $4.30 | $4.29 |
Note: prices accurate as of time of printing. Discounted prices not included.
That said, if you’re keen to keep costs down, take a note from Santa Claus and make a list, and then check it twice by comparing prices to catch any significant discounts at different supermarkets before hitting the shops.
For example, both Woolworths and Coles offer a six-pack of fruit mince pies for $4.30, while ALDI’s is on offer for $4.29. However, when we checked prices, we found that both Woolworths and Coles offered a discount, reducing the price to $3.50, a 19% saving.
Tips to save on Christmas this year
Celebrating with our loved ones and enjoying a delicious meal shouldn’t have to come at a high cost. Sticking to a budget and using a list could help you keep your dollars in check.
- Compare your Christmas food prices: Take a few minutes before you hit the shops to compare prices on your list and see which stores could help you save more.
- Swap what you can: Consider replacing items on your shopping list with lower-cost supermarket brands.
- Set a gift spending limit: Set a budget for gift-giving with those you will be sharing Christmas with—this will help manage your own budget and keep expectations aligned on Christmas Day.
- Smarten up your Secret Santa: Use online tools or a shared document to share lists among family and friends.
- If you’re hosting, ask guests to contribute: Canstar’s data shows 8% of Australians resent having to host Christmas at their house. If you’re hosting this Christmas, find ways to lighten the load by asking guests to bring a plate or drinks.
This article was reviewed by our Finance Editor Jessica Pridmore before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.
