It's not all roasted turkey and honey-glazed ham at Christmas time - one of the best parts about living in the Southern Hemisphere means we're spoiled for choice when it comes to festive lunch and dinners.
Big, bold summer salads are one of the best additions to a impressive Aussie Christmas spread and can be bulked up to be enjoyed as the main meal.
Read this next
- Christmas Food10 delicious Christmas ice cream cake recipes for when it's just too hot for pudding
Australian Women's Weekly
- Christmas FoodThe best Christmas cocktail recipes that'll go down a treat this festive season
Australian Women's Weekly
Whether you like them warm or cool, these delicious salads are sure to please.
We've got lovely duck and lamb salads to enjoy as a hearty lunch, or some lighter vegie-based recipes for side dishes.
![**Lentil, gorgonzola and witlof salad**
<br><br>
This deliciously bright and colourful salad is hearty enough on its own, thanks to the protein and fibre in the lentils.
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/lentil-gorgonzola-and-witlof-salad-23251|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500562_lentil--gorgonzola-amp--witlof-salad.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Warm chicken, labne and maple walnut salad**
<br><br>
Make this exotic and exquisite warm chicken salad the hero of your Christmas lunch table.
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/warm-chicken-labne-and-maple-walnut-salad-22028|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500580_warm-chicken--labne---maple-walnut-salad.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Orange and fennel salad**
<br><br>
This fresh and zesty, orange and fennel salad is served with black olives and walnuts. Perfect for warm summer afternoons!
<br><br>
[Read full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/orange-and-fennel-salad-7410|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500567_orange-and-fennel-salad.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Rocket, chicken and date salad**
<br><br>
Chicken salad with a citrus zing! This healthy lean salad is easy to prepare for lunching guests or take to work for lunch. And it's suitable for diabetics.
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/rocket-chicken-and-date-salad-27303|target="_blank")
<br><br>
**[READ NEXT: Best gluten-free Christmas recipes](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/christmas/christmas-food/gluten-free-christmas-recipes-42953|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500539_beetrootsalad.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Honey roasted carrots with labne**
<br><br>
These honey roasted carrots with labne make the perfect side dish accompaniment to your honey-glazed ham.
<br><br>
[Read full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/honey-roasted-carrots-with-labne-16508|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500560_honey-roasted-carrots-with-labne.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Eggplant, kale and lentil salad**
<br><br>
This delicious salad is packed full of flavour and textures, proving that healthy lunches don't have to taste boring. You'll love the combination of flavours and sweet pomegranate dressing.
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/eggplant-kale-and-lentil-salad-32638|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500554_Food-Cranston-saladC14D1412-Eggplle-Lentil-01.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Perfect potato salad**
<br><br>
Give this classic European salad a try with this easy recipe and enjoy the fresh pieces of parsley, mint and potato smothered in rich mayonnaise.
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/perfect-potato-salad-4350|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500571_potatosalad.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Ham salad with ricotta and balsamic figs**
<br><br>
This smokey hearty ham salad with smooth ricotta and zingy balsamic figs - a truly winning combination. Enjoy for dinner any night of the week!
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/ham-salad-with-ricotta-and-balsamic-figs-18761|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500557_Ham-salad-with-ricotta.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Prawn, zucchini and mint salad**
<br><br>
Warm summer afternoons call for this delicious prawn, zucchini and mint salad - light, fresh, and perfect for the festive season!
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/prawn-zucchini-and-mint-salad-31008|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500589_ZD1512C14ABA83-Prawn-Cocktail.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Freekeh salad with spiced vegetables**
<br><br>
Embrace the lovely flavours of fresh vegetables, zesty Moroccan spices and nutty freekeh in this surprisingly filling summer salad.
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/freekah-salad-with-spiced-vegetables-32538|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500583_WW1601Food-saladFreekahSaladSpigetables-0123-1.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Sesame duck salad**
<br><br>
Packed full of tender roasted duck, sweet pineapple and fresh herbs and spices, this Chinese-style salad is both healthy and delicious.
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/sesame-duck-salad-32540|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500587_WW1601Food-saladSesameDuckSalad-0149.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**Grilled chicken with warm cos lettuce salad**
<br><br>
This warm char-grilled lettuce with creamy chicken salad is perfect for lunch, and as a side for dinner or a BBQ. It's a healthier alternative to a Caesar salad. And suitable for diabetics, too.
<br><br>
[Read the full recipe here.](http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/grilled-chicken-with-warm-cos-lettuce-salad-27304|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2017/11/20/1511158500576_warmchickensalad.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
-(2).png?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)
.png?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)
.png?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)
.png?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)
.jpg?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)
.jpg?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)
.png?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)
.jpg?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)
.png?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)
.jpg?width=170&height=99&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=middlecenter&quality=85)