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$25 Christmas roast that's got Australia talking: How Louisiana legend landed on Aussie tables

Food and Lifestyle

$25 Christmas roast that's got Australia talking: How Louisiana legend landed on Aussie tables

1759889650459.png $25 Christmas roast that's got Australia talking: How Louisiana legend landed on Aussie tables
A bold twist on tradition is being served this Christmas, as layers of turkey, duck and chicken are combined into one show-stopping roast now found on Australian tables. Credit: Instagram

Christmas dinner in Australia has come a long way from the traditional roast with three veg. While ham and turkey still reign supreme at many family gatherings, there's a newcomer muscling its way onto Aussie tables that would have made our grandparents scratch their heads in bewilderment.



Enter the turducken—a culinary creation so audacious it sounds like something dreamed up after a few too many Christmas drinks. Yet this $24.99-per-kilogram marvel from ALDI has quietly become what food experts call a 'conversation starter' and loyal customers describe as 'worth every penny.'



What exactly is a turducken?



A turducken is a dish consisting of a deboned chicken stuffed into a deboned duck, further stuffed into a deboned turkey. The name itself is a portmanteau of the three birds, and the result is exactly as extravagant as it sounds.









ALDI's 2025 version combines turkey tenderloin, succulent duck breast and a Christmas pudding-inspired stuffing, wrapped in a boneless whole chicken and topped with a prosecco flavoured sprinkle and cranberry butter marinade.



At $24.99 per kilogram for the fresh version, it's positioned as an affordable luxury for Australian families wanting to try something different.




'Can you imagine how it would feel to have your fantasy girlfriend in front of you and you're just going to get your first kiss. That's the way it feels'

Paul Prudhomme describing eating turducken, CNN



From Louisiana bayous to Australian Christmas tables



The turducken's journey to Aussie tables is as fascinating as the dish itself. While the exact origins are debated, most agree it's very much a South Central Louisiana creation from the Cajun heartland, introduced in the 1970s by chef Paul Prudhomme.









Prudhomme claimed he came up with the turducken in 1963 while preparing turkey for a Sunday brunch at a Colorado resort, later starting to sell them in New Orleans around 1982, repeatedly raising prices to lower demand because of the day-long cooking process required.



But like many culinary legends, the truth is murkier. Brothers Junior and Sammy Hebert from Hebert's Specialty Meats claim they invented it in 1984 when a farmer asked them to cook a duck within a chicken within a turkey.




The ancient art of engastration


The practice of stuffing one animal inside another—called 'engastration' - has ancient roots. From the Roman Empire's Trojan Boar (stuffed with live birds) to medieval feasts featuring elaborate multi-animal roasts, humans have long been fascinated by culinary excess. The turducken is simply the modern American take on this centuries-old tradition.




How John Madden made it famous



The turducken might have remained a quirky Louisiana specialty if not for an unlikely champion: American football commentator John Madden.



The dish was largely unknown until 1 December 1996, when Louisiana butcher Glenn Mistich hand-delivered one to Madden at the New Orleans Superdome, where Madden was immediately hooked, reportedly devouring the entire thing with his bare hands while announcing a Saints game.









Madden started bringing turducken onto Thanksgiving football broadcasts, even gifting it to winning teams, and from there it continued to grow as a Thanksgiving favourite across the United States.



Did you know?


Did you know? John Madden became so associated with turducken that when he passed away, People magazine titled his obituary 'The History of John Madden and the Turducken.' His enthusiastic on-air endorsements during American football broadcasts were crucial in transforming a regional Louisiana curiosity into a national phenomenon.



Why it's caught on Down Under



So how did this Louisiana creation end up in Australian Christmas catalogues? The answer lies in our evolving relationship with convenience and culinary adventure.



Kylie Warnke, ALDI Australia's shopping expert, explains that convenience has become a key trend, especially during the festive season. 'Australians are looking to entertain without the stress, and our freezer aisle has the Christmas menu covered,' she told news.com.au.









The turducken fits perfectly into this trend. While making one from scratch would challenge even experienced cooks, ALDI's ready-to-cook versions mean families can serve something truly spectacular without the complexity.



Australian customers seem genuinely enthusiastic. 'We love this. Discovered it at ALDI three years ago and now it's a family staple at Christmas time,' one shopper shared on social media.



Another noted practical benefits: 'We are two adults and have got three meals out of it in the past.'



Is it worth it for your table?



For seniors considering whether to give turducken a try, there are several practical considerations. ALDI offers both frozen (1.5kg for $32.99) and fresh options ($24.99 per kilogram), with the frozen version being more convenient for advance planning.










Turducken considerations for seniors



  • A 1.5kg turducken serves 4-6 people generously

  • Takes 2-3 hours to cook (similar to a traditional roast)

  • No carving skills required—slices like a roulade

  • Provides variety in one dish (appealing to different preferences)

  • Can be more expensive per serving than traditional options

  • Rich and filling—smaller portions recommended




The cooking process is straightforward—essentially treating it like any large roast. The main advantage for older cooks is that there's no complicated carving involved.



When sliced, it reveals attractive layers that make presentation effortless.



However, some customers have noted concerns about the actual amount of duck in the mix, with one review mentioning 'very little' duck flavour.



At around $25-40 for a complete main course, it's certainly pricier than a traditional chicken or even a small turkey, but fans argue the novelty and convenience justify the cost.



More than just a novelty



What's particularly interesting about the turducken's Australian success is how it reflects changing Christmas traditions. It's not just a novelty dish; it's a symbol of creativity, Southern abundance, and the kind of food you serve when feeding a crowd and want every belly full—rich, indulgent, and made to be shared.









For many Australian families, Christmas has always been about trying something special, whether it's the once-a-year seafood platter or the premium ham that stretches the budget. The turducken fits into this tradition of festive indulgence while offering something genuinely new.



The verdict from Aussie tables



While turducken certainly isn't going to replace traditional Christmas favourites anytime soon, it's carved out its own niche among Australian families looking for something different. The combination of convenience, novelty, and genuine flavour seems to be winning over converts year after year.



As one satisfied customer put it: 'We bought it last year. Much better value than the ones from the butcher. Everyone enjoyed it, plan on getting one this year.'



Whether you're hosting a small gathering and want to offer variety without cooking multiple dishes, or you're simply curious about this Louisiana import that's become an unlikely Aussie Christmas tradition, the turducken represents something uniquely modern about our festive tables—a willingness to embrace the unexpected alongside the traditional.



Have you tried turducken at your Christmas table, or are you tempted to give it a go this year? We'd love to hear about your experiences with this quirky Christmas creation—and whether it lived up to the hype in your household.




  • Original Article


    https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/f...n/news-story/8190350d3d7f29f75503932eb5a16aeb





  • Turducken—Wikipedia

    Cited text: Turducken is a dish associated with Louisiana, consisting of a deboned chicken stuffed into a deboned duck, further stuffed into a deboned turkey.


    Excerpt: A turducken is a dish consisting of a deboned chicken stuffed into a deboned duck, further stuffed into a deboned turkey.



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turducken





  • ALDI launches its Christmas hams for 2024—from just 40 cents per serve! - Aldi Unpacked

    Cited text: Specially Selected Turducken, $24.99 /kg A luxury festive roast combining turkey tenderloin, succulent duck breast and a Christmas Pudding inspired st...


    Excerpt: Aldi's 2025 version combines turkey tenderloin, succulent duck breast and a Christmas pudding-inspired stuffing, wrapped in a boneless whole chicken and topped with a prosecco flavoured sprinkle and cranberry butter marinade.



    http://www.aldiunpacked.com.au/aldi...s-hams-for-2024-from-just-40-cents-per-serve/





  • All About Louisiana Turducken: History, Where to Buy & Recipes

    Cited text: While many debate the exact time and place turducken was invented, most agree it’s very much a South Central Louisiana creation — straight from the Ca...


    Excerpt: While the exact origins are debated, most agree it's very much a South Central Louisiana creation from the Cajun heartland, introduced in the 1970s by chef Paul Prudhomme.



    https://www.explorelouisiana.com/articles/louisiana-turducken





  • The turducken timeline: New in dictionary, decades old in Louisiana | Where NOLA Eats | nola.com

    Cited text: The original Turducken was introduced here in the 1970s by chef Paul Prudhomme.


    Excerpt: While the exact origins are debated, most agree it's very much a South Central Louisiana creation from the Cajun heartland, introduced in the 1970s by chef Paul Prudhomme.



    https://www.nola.com/entertainment_...cle_020adf58-4762-58ff-9448-12d847603b63.html





  • Turducken—Wikipedia

    Cited text: In 1984, Prudhomme told the Star Tribune that he had come up with the turducken in 1963 while preparing turkey for a Sunday brunch at one such resort....


    Excerpt: Prudhomme claimed he came up with the turducken in 1963 while preparing turkey for a Sunday brunch at a Colorado resort, later starting to sell them in New Orleans around 1982, repeatedly raising prices to lower demand because of the…



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turducken





  • The History of Turducken: A Louisiana Thanksgiving Favorite

    Cited text: According to brothers Junior and Sammy Hebert, they invented turducken in 1984.


    Excerpt: Brothers Junior and Sammy Hebert from Hebert's Specialty Meats claim they invented it in 1984 when a farmer asked them to cook a duck within a chicken within a turkey.



    https://pelicanstateofmind.com/louisiana-love/the-history-of-turducken/





  • The History of Turducken: A Louisiana Thanksgiving Favorite

    Cited text: They state that the concept for turducken came about when a farmer came to the butcher shop and asked them to cook a duck within a chicken within a tu...


    Excerpt: Brothers Junior and Sammy Hebert from Hebert's Specialty Meats claim they invented it in 1984 when a farmer asked them to cook a duck within a chicken within a turkey.



    https://pelicanstateofmind.com/louisiana-love/the-history-of-turducken/





  • In Search of the Turducken | The Saturday Evening Post

    Cited text: From what we know, the turducken was largely unknown until December 1, 1996, when Louisiana butcher Glenn Mistich hand-delivered the all-in-one feast ...


    Excerpt: The dish was largely unknown until December 1, 1996, when Louisiana butcher Glenn Mistich hand-delivered one to Madden at the New Orleans Superdome, where Madden was immediately hooked, reportedly devouring the entire thing with his bare…



    https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2024/11/in-search-of-the-turducken/





  • The History of Turducken: A Louisiana Thanksgiving Favorite

    Cited text: He started bringing turducken onto Thanksgiving football broadcasts and would even gift it to the winning team. From there, turducken continued to gro...


    Excerpt: Madden started bringing turducken onto Thanksgiving football broadcasts, even gifting it to winning teams, and from there it continued to grow as a Thanksgiving favourite across the United States.



    https://pelicanstateofmind.com/louisiana-love/the-history-of-turducken/





  • Turducken Roast 1.5kg

    Cited text: ALDI Australia · Christmas · Feasting · Turducken Roast 1.5kg · Go to previous product · Go to next product · Unit1.5kgCurrent Price$32.99* Unit pric...


    Excerpt: Aldi offers both frozen (1.5kg for $32.99) and fresh options ($24.99 per kilogram)



    https://www.aldi.com.au/christmas/feasting/feasting-detail-3/ps/p/turducken-roast-15kg-8-1/





  • Specially Selected Fresh Turducken Roast per kg

    Cited text: ALDI Australia · Christmas · Feasting · Specially Selected Fresh Turducken Roast per kg · Go to previous product · Go to next product · Unitper kgCur...


    Excerpt: Aldi offers both frozen (1.5kg for $32.99) and fresh options ($24.99 per kilogram)



    https://www.aldi.com.au/christmas/f...ally-selected-fresh-turducken-roast-per-kg-2/





  • A Brief History of Turducken—A Louisiana Tradition with Big Flavor

    Cited text: It’s not just a novelty dish; it’s a symbol of Louisiana creativity, Southern abundance, and the kind of food you serve when you’re feeding a crowd an...


    Excerpt: It's not just a novelty dish; it's a symbol of creativity, Southern abundance, and the kind of food you serve when feeding a crowd and want every belly full—rich, indulgent, and made to be shared.



    https://www.lacrawfish.com/news/a-brief-history-of-turducken-the-bird-within-a-bird-tradition





  • A Brief History of Turducken—A Louisiana Tradition with Big Flavor

    Cited text: It’s rich, indulgent, and made to be shared. Whether you’re setting the table for a holiday, game day, or just looking to do something different this ...


    Excerpt: It's not just a novelty dish; it's a symbol of creativity, Southern abundance, and the kind of food you serve when feeding a crowd and want every belly full—rich, indulgent, and made to be shared.



    https://www.lacrawfish.com/news/a-brief-history-of-turducken-the-bird-within-a-bird-tradition



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