How to save big on your Christmas feast

As the cost of living bites, there’s not need to skimp on your Christmas feast. From seafood to meat, these are the best bargain buys.

Fish in the Family's P.J. Mrkalj with Kitty O'Dowd from Harris Farm Markets Picture: Peter Wallis

Looking to save money catering for Christmas this year? Then think whole fish, crabs and roast pork.

Experts say the culinary trio are among the most affordable ingredients to create a festive feast, with savings of about 60 per cent to be had compared to more popular items.

P.J. Mrkalj from Fish in the Family at Harris Farm Markets said if crustaceans are a must on your dinner table this year, then consider sand or blue swimmer crabs about $49/kg instead of the much more expensive lobster ($120/kg) or bugs ($90/kg).

“They’re bright orange or red and you put them on a platter with prawns and they look amazing,” he said, although there will be plenty of lobster specials this year.

As a table centrepiece, Mr Mrkalj said the firm and sweet-flavoured coral trout would be a treat, but for those on a budget, New Zealand snapper would be almost just as good for about two-thirds of the price at roughly $40/kg.

Swordfish steaks were becoming increasingly popular and would be a hearty choice for the pescetarian, Mr Mrkalj said, while he recommended oyster and salmon lovers put their Christmas order in quick, with the recent spate of rainy weather reducing supplies and driving up prices.

Tiger, king and Crystal Bay varieties were the seafood expert’s top pick for prawns this year ranging from $59/kg-$69/kg, with tiger and Crystal Bay delivering sweeter flavours, while the kings would be juicy and salty.

Away from the ocean, Gilly’s Smallgoods owner Alastair Stevenson said roast loin pork would be a top option for feeding the family for less this year, usually retailing for between $14 and $20/kg – far less than beef, lamb or free-range turkey.

“Pork as a whole hasn’t really increased in price even though price of grain and transport has gone up, pork has been really stable,” he said.

“The loin is a really cheap and cost-effective cut for Christmas.”

He said Queenslanders also couldn’t go wrong with ham, selling for as little as $8.50/kg at supermarkets and up to $21 for free-range versions at gourmet butchers.

“Ham is so cheap for what you get and you’ll be eating it for days after,” Mr Stevenson said, revealing Aussies were now more concerned than ever about where their pigs came from, only wanting Australian ham.

For those feeding less or with less to spend, the smallgoods guru recommended choosing a smaller 2kg ham portion.

“They’re still a primal cut out of the leg and that’s a cheap option and it’s easy to carve,” he said.