A traditional Christmas spread wouldn’t be complete without homemade mincemeat.
What Is Mincemeat?
Mincemeat is a combination of dried fruits, warming spices, sugar, nuts, distilled spirits, and, traditionally, mutton or beef suet. However, many modern mincemeat recipes do not include actual meat. It is often used as a pastry or pie filling.
Learn more: What Is Mincemeat?
What Is In Mincemeat?
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this homemade mincemeat recipe:
- For the spice blend: ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice
- For the mincemeat: green apple, sultana raisins, white sugar, dried currants, raisins, butter, chopped almonds, grated orange zest, ground cinnamon, and a cup of brandy
How to Make Mincemeat
You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make mincemeat:
- Make the spice mix.
- Sterilize the jars and lids.
- Cook the mincemeat ingredients (besides the brandy) according to the detailed instructions in Steps 3 and 4.
- Remove from heat and stir in the brandy.
How Long Does Mincemeat Last?
In the tightly sealed sterilized jars, the mincemeat should last for up to six weeks in the refrigerator.
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
Ingredients
Mixed Spice:
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 teaspoon ground cloves
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1 teaspoon ground ginger
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1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1 teaspoon ground allspice
Mincemeat:
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1 large green apple, peeled and finely chopped
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1 ¼ cups sultana raisins
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1 ⅛ cups white sugar
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½ cup dried currants
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½ cup raisins
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½ cup butter
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½ cup chopped almonds
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1 ½ tablespoons grated orange zest
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½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 cup brandy
Directions
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Prepare mixed spice: Combine cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl. Reserve 1 heaped teaspoon for the mincemeat. Store the rest in a small jar for a later use.
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Immerse two clean, 12-ounce jars in simmering water until mincemeat is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
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Prepare mincemeat: Combine apple, sultanas, sugar, currants, raisins, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir gently until butter has melted. Stir in chopped almonds, orange zest, 1 teaspoon mixed spice, and cinnamon.
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Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Remove from heat and set mincemeat aside to cool down for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy. Spoon into sterilized jars.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
![Close up on a bowl of mincemeat with a spoonful coming out.](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/dokLyr6Wt8UXzvYCstaKQt7peqU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/260314-ddmfs-minceneat-3X4-2027-aa00333f008e4d339720710cc14ce729.jpg)
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Recipe Tips
It's traditional to use brandy, but you can use orange juice if you prefer.
This mincemeat tastes great mixed with vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
156 | Calories |
5g | Fat |
22g | Carbs |
1g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings Per Recipe 24 | |
Calories 156 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 5g | 6% |
Saturated Fat 3g | 13% |
Cholesterol 10mg | 3% |
Sodium 33mg | 1% |
Total Carbohydrate 22g | 8% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 5% |
Total Sugars 20g | |
Protein 1g | 2% |
Vitamin C 1mg | 1% |
Calcium 19mg | 1% |
Iron 0mg | 2% |
Potassium 151mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.