Aussie Bun | Cooking with Nana Ling

Aussie Buns are white buns loaded with a hearty ground beef and rice mixture that somehow tastes so much better than you can imagine by browsing the simple list of ingredients.

They’re a quick and delicious meal – they’ll be on the table in about 15 minutes.

Never heard of them?

Read on and let me tell you everything I know about the humble Aussie Bun.

The recipe for Aussie buns

This recipe was hidden away in a little yellow notebook that my mom, sister, and I have all added to over the years.

This recipe book includes recipes for classics like Mars Bar Slice, Caramel Slice, and Apricot Chicken.

And this one for Aussie Buns.

Aussie buns were sold in my high school cafeteria in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

Nestled in Australia’s Hunter Valley coalfields, Kurri Kurri High School wasn’t the most prestigious school.

But I remember some great teachers, a handful of nice friends and learned enough to earn me a place at Newcastle Law School.

And, important at the time, the canteen was quite exceptional.

I’d like to go back in time and order a salad roll. You were wonderful.

The sausage buns were better than average and we also had these little creations, Aussie Buns, that I couldn’t find anywhere else.

They were so good that the recipe ended up in our family’s little yellow recipe book.

And about 30 years later, I’m excited to see how this recipe resonates when I share it here on the internet—far beyond the gates of my high school.

The ingredients for Aussie Buns

This is a quick-to-prepare microwave meal.

You will need four fresh white rolls, along with:

• ground beef
• an onion
• Tomato sauce
• rice
• curry powder
• Salt.

You can find the quantities for all the ingredients in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Prepare Aussie Buns

Okay, these are super easy to cook provided you have a microwave and a microwave safe bowl.

Measure out ingredients and mix together in a microwave-safe bowl.

Make sure everything is well combined.

Cover the bowl with cling film and place in the microwave on high for 5 minutes.

Take the bowl out of the microwave. Cover carefully (note that steam can escape) and stir the mixture.

Cover again with cling film and place in the microwave on high for 7 minutes.

Remove from the microwave and let cool for a minute or two.

Carefully uncover again (note that steam may escape). stir.

Halve the rolls horizontally, place the finished minced meat in the rolls.

You can serve them right away or, to get the version I remember, pop them in an air fryer or oven over low heat for 10 minutes before serving. That way you get that tuck shop touch of “been in a cake oven to keep warm”.

That’s it.

They got themselves a KKHS Aussie Bun. Actually four.

But to really perfect the recipe, keep reading the FAQs before moving on to the recipe card.

Frequently asked questions about recipes

Q. Will any type of ground beef do?

Yes, but I would recommend prime ground beef for the ultimate Aussie Bun experience.

Q. What kind of curry powder do you use?

I used Keen’s curry powder, but any mild curry powder is fine.

Q. What kind of rice do you use?

Any type of rice will work, but I recommend long-grain white rice.

Q. Who Invented Aussie Buns?

Unfortunately I do not know. All I know is that I discovered them and enjoyed them for years in high school and have never come across them since.

There was a lovely lady, Mrs Hallett, who ran my high school canteen. Maybe she had the recipe or the idea?

If you know more let me know in the comments below.

Q. Do you still sell Aussie Buns at Kurri Kurri High?

I don’t know and I won’t go back to find out!

If you’re a current student or have kids there, let everyone know if they’re still on the menu in the comments below.

Q. Do you have other quick meal ideas?

I will definitely do it! You might want to check out my recipes for curried eggs, impossible quiche, or zucchini slices. Or browse the entire collection of recipes in date order here.