Prawn and Mango Salad with Queen Victoria Market
Christmas in Melbourne means sunny days, backyard barbecues, and a chance to gather with family and friends over a delicious meal. When it comes to getting everything I need for a fresh, vibrant summer Christmas lunch, Queen Victoria Market (QVM) is my go-to destination. Not only does it offer the freshest, high-quality produce, but it’s also a great way to support local growers and producers—especially during the festive season.
Last week, I made my way to QVM to pick up ingredients for a simple yet delicious Christmas meal. The market was buzzing with excitement already as I arrived just after 6am! Whether you’re preparing a big family feast or a laid-back lunch, QVM has everything you need to make your Christmas cooking simple and spectacular with so many multi-generational vendors who pride themselves on supplying Melbourne with the best.
One of the highlights of my visit was the seafood section. If you’re planning a Christmas meal with fresh, premium seafood, QVM is where you’ll want to shop. The seafood is super fresh—think glistening tiger prawns, plump oysters, and sustainably caught fish. I picked up some freshly cooked tiger prawns for a prawn and mango salad I had in mind, and I couldn't wait to get home and start putting it together.
Prawn and Mango Salad Recipe:
This prawn and mango salad is perfect for a summer Christmas lunch. It’s light, refreshing, and so easy to make. Here’s what you’ll need:
Cooked tiger prawns (fresh from QVM’s seafood stalls), peeled and deveined (tutorial on my IG/TikTok)
1 large ripe mango, peeled and diced
1 avocado, sliced
A handful of fresh coriander
Butter lettuce, washed and torn
1 shallot, thinly diced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1-2 lemons
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make a tangy vinaigrette.
On a large platter, layer the butter lettuce, sliced avocado, mango, and coriander.
Add the cooked prawns on top and drizzle generously with the Dijon vinaigrette.
Serve chilled and enjoy!
This salad is a crowd-pleaser, and the sweetness of the mango paired with the savoury prawns makes for a festive, light dish that everyone will love. Plus, the vinaigrette works beautifully as an oyster dressing if you want to enjoy fresh oysters on the half shell—another excellent reason to grab some from QVM’s seafood stalls! I got a dozen and spoke with the fishmonger who highly recommended the St Helen’s oysters for a creamy, minerally flavour - she was right and they were stunning!
Another fantastic find at the market this time of year is the huge variety of heirloom tomatoes that are in season. Whether you prefer the rich reds, sweet yellows, or vibrant oranges, these tomatoes are full of flavor and perfect for adding to any festive dish. I love using them in a fresh caprese salad with some basil and a ball of fior di latte cheese or mozzarella you can pick up in the deli section.
Christmas shopping at Queen Victoria Market isn’t just about getting your food—it’s about supporting the local community. By buying fresh produce and artisanal products from the market, you’re directly supporting family-owned growers and small-scale producers, which makes the whole experience even more special.
For anyone still on the hunt for last-minute festive ingredients, Queen Victoria Market has extended its hours over the Christmas period, making it even easier to stock up on everything you need for a perfect holiday spread. But if you prefer to shop early, they open at 6am when I visited, and it’s the perfect excuse to pick up a coffee and borek for brekky while you’re there.
Happy holidays, and happy shopping at Queen Victoria Market!
