Have you got a half open jar of mincemeat lurking in your fridge? Made a load of homemade mincemeat and not sure what to do with it? We’ve all been there. This collection of vegetarian and vegan recipes using mincemeat is here to help. From a classic mince pie to an easy traybake to a last minute Christmas cake to a warming pudding, you’ll find these and so much more.
What Is Mincemeat?
Don’t confuse mincemeat with minced meat. It’s easily done if you’re not in the know. Mincemeat is a very British preserve. Although the name suggests that it’s minced up meat, it’s actually a sweetly spiced mix of soaked dried fruit.
Back in the day, mincemeat did indeed include meat. In medieval times, it was a way of preserving mutton without salt or smoke. But tastes change and as sugar became cheaper so did mincemeat become sweeter. Eventually, at some point in the Victorian era, apples replaced meat, although beef suet was and still is used in many mincemeat recipes. Suet, in case you’re wondering, is kidney fat.
Typically mincemeat consists of raisins, sultanas, currants, sugar, apples, citrus and sweet spices. The spices used are one of, or a combination of, the following: cloves, mace, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg. It may also contain, alcohol, nuts and some sort of fat.
How Long Does Mincemeat Last?
Because mincemeat is mostly made up of dried fruit and sugar, it actually lasts a really long time. A jar of sealed mincemeat will last for at least a year, usually quite a bit longer. Once opened, however, store in the fridge and use within two months.
Make Your Own Mincemeat
Not all mincemeat is equal. Once you’ve tried homemade, you won’t want to go back to the commercial stuff.
Traditional mincemeat is made with beef suet. This is obviously not suitable for either vegetarians or vegans. It’s easy to buy vegetarian suet so that you can make your own, but if you’re buying mincemeat, do make sure it’s a vegetarian / vegan version.
You can actually make mincemeat without any suet at all, which makes it fat free. Alternatively, use butter instead.
I have two mincemeat recipes on Tin and Thyme. There’s one for lemon and ginger mincemeat and one for chocolate mincemeat. Both are infinitely adaptable. You can leave out the suet and go fat free, swap the alcohol I’ve used for your favourite tipple or use orange juice instead. As for dried fruit, you can go with pretty much whatever you like.
Mincemeat Recipes
Some of these recipes are perfect for using up leftover mincemeat and some are just waiting for you to open a brand new jar of this gloriously sweet and spicy Christmas special.
Mince Pies
Well I guess you can’t have a collection of mincemeat recipes without a few mince pies. After all, no festive party is complete without them.
Mince Pie Recipe – Traditional British Mincemeat Christmas Treat – Christina’s Cucina
Orange Wholemeal Pastry Mince Pies
Gluten Free Christmas Mince Pies
Filo Pastry Mince Pie Rolls
Puff Pastry Mince Pies
Puff Pastry Mince Pie Swirls
Vegan Mince Pies
Vegan mince pies
Mincemeat Recipes: Cakes
If you need a last minute Christmas cake, bake one with mincemeat. They’re ever so easy to make and have a much lighter consistency than a traditional fruit cake. A mincemeat cake also works brilliantly as an Easter cake.
Fig and Mincemeat Christmas Bundt
Mary Berry’s Mincemeat Loaf Cake – Something Sweet Something Savoury
Mincemeat Cake – Easy Christmas Mince Pie Cake
Mincemeat Easter Cake with Chocolate Truffle Apostles
Mincemeat Recipes: Traybakes
Traybakes are general crowd pleasers and they’re easy to make into the bargain. Brownies, flapjacks and slices, take your pick.
Almond Mincemeat Slices
Chilli and Chocolate Mincemeat Slice
Mincemeat Brownies
Mincemeat Streusel Slice
Chocolate Mincemeat Flapjacks
Vegan Traybakes
Vegan Christmas Brownies [Gooey]
Mincemeat Recipes: Other Bakes
There’s more to baking with mincemeat than cakes and pies of course. How about a yeasted mincemeat bun of some kind? Muffins are a great way to use up a bit of leftover mincemeat or make it the star of the show in a cupcake or even shortbread.
Mincemeat Buns with Cardamom
Mince Pie Cupcakes with Brandy Buttercream
Leftover Mincemeat Buns with Optional Banana
Mince Pie Stuffed Cookies
No Suet Mincemeat Pinwheels – Mad about Macarons
Mincemeat & Marzipan Chelsea Buns
Cheat’s Stollen Croissants 2 Ways – quick & delicious! Fab Food 4 All
20 Minute Christmas Marzipan Mince Palmiers
Mincemeat Thumbprint Cookies
Vegan Mincemeat Bakes
Vegan Christmas Shortbread
Vegan Mincemeat Muffins
6 Ingredient Vegan Mince Pie Baklava
Marzipan & Mincemeat Chelsea Buns
Mincemeat Recipes: Desserts
In the depths of winter, a hot pudding filled with mincemeat is comfort food at its best. Or a completely hideous thought in CT’s case. But the less said about that, the better. With that said, ice-cream is an all year winner for many, so you’ll find a recipe for that too. And don’t forget some decadent truffles to go with coffee and finish off the meal in style.
Mincemeat and Apple Crumble
Mincemeat Meringue Pie
Pear and mincemeat tart
Baked Apples with Mincemeat, Maple Syrup and Brandy Butter
Christmas Mincemeat Ice Cream
Vegan Mincemeat Desserts
Easy Christmas Truffle Cake Pops Homemade and Gluten Free
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. I hope you’ve found something to inspire you with all these delicious mincemeat recipes. Let me know if you try any of them. I’m also keen to know what I’ve missed? What are your favourites? Do tell by commenting below.
If you’re a blogger and think you have something that will fill a gap, please contact me.
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If you’d like more Christmas recipes, follow the link and you’ll find I have quite a lot of them. All delicious and nutritious, of course.
Choclette x
Mincemeat Recipes. PIN IT.
Sharing
I’m sharing this collection of mincemeat recipes with The Gluten Free Alchemist for #CookBlogShare.
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
I absolutely love mincemeat and all of these recipes sound so delicious! Where to start first?!
Choclette says
Indeed Cat, it’s a bit of a conundrum. Thanks for your contribution.
Sarah James says
What a great collection – perfect inspiration for some festive baking. Pinning for later.
Rebecca - Glutarama says
Oh my goodness me, if there was ever any doubt of how versatile mincemeat was THIS is the proof it can be made into all manner for festive goodies. Excellent round up.
Choclette says
Thank you Rebecca and thanks for your contribution too. I’ve been baking with mincemeat to day, as it happens and it’s not one of the recipes here either.
Carrie Carvalho says
An excellent collection, now I only need to decide where to start! Great inspiration for some festive baking, thank you so much for sharing all of these recipes.
Choclette says
Thanks Carrie, I’ve got another mincemeat recipe up my sleeve which I’m hoping to post next week.
Janice says
What a wonderful resource for the mincemeat season! So many delicious options.
Choclette says
I’m a bit late with my mincemeat this year, but I’ve finally got some on the go. Can’t wait.
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
Oh my goodness… that may just be ALL the mincemeat recipes anyone could ever need. What a fabulous post!
I have to agree though… Mincemeat varies considerably from jar to jar… and home made is always the best (IMHO) xx
Thanks for sharing #CookBlogShare
Choclette says
Totally agree Kate, the versatility of homemade mincemeat is one of its many charms.
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
You are so right not all mincemeat is equal. With a jar of homemade mincemeat to hand you can never have too many recipes for using it.
Choclette says
Very true Jacqui. Looking forward to trying your delicious mincemeat and pear tart now.
Sisley White - Sew White says
I love mincemeat and I can’t wait to try more of these recipes.
Choclette says
So glad you love mincemeat Sisley. It’s an integral part of Christmas as far as I’m concerned.
Kayla DiMaggio says
Loving this collection! I don’t know where to start!
Choclette says
How about starting at the very beginning Kayla? 😉
Jill's Mad About Macarons says
What an incredible round-up, Choclette. Thanks for including my recipe. Will share with my daughter in London, as she adores mincemeat, so you’ll make her very happy with this go-to list!
Choclette says
That’s so good to hear Jill. I always think of mincemeat as something you grow into and only older people like.
Jo says
I had no idea you could make so many different goodies with mincemeat! So much inspiration! Thank you for including my swirls! 🙂
Choclette says
Thanks Jo. I suspect there’s an awful lot more out there. In fact I know there is. I have yet to post my mother’s famous mincemeat dessert.
MANDY says
Thanks so much for including my vegan mince pies – so much delicious inspiration here.
Choclette says
Well you’ve got to spread the mincemeat love at this time of year. Your almond pastry sounds so good.
Hanna Long says
This is a fantastic round-up of mince pie recipes! Saved for Christmas 🙂 Thanks x
Choclette says
Thank you Hanna. I still haven’t made any mincemeat this year.
Mary says
If one can’t find something good to eat in this great roundup – then there’s no pleasing them :).
Thank Choclette, plenty to choose from for Christmas noshing. :))
Choclette says
Hahaha, quite right too Mary. Hope you find something here that’s good to nosh on.
Jo Keohane says
What a great post for a huge mincemeat fan (like me lol). Thanks so much for posting – definitely loads of fun things to make here!!!
Choclette says
Thanks Jo. I shall probably be adding to it if I come across other interesting mincemeat recipes.
Jess says
These recipes all look totally incredible! They’re making me feel very Christmassy. Will definitely try the mine pie recipe, it’s been years since I made my own!
Choclette says
That vegan mince pie recipe with almond pastry sounds really good. Just the thought of almond pastry tickles my tastebuds.