Mincemeat is a mixture of chopped dried fruits, distilled spirits, spices, and sometimes beef suet or other fats. It is a traditional British food used primarily as a filling for mince pies, a popular dessert during the Christmas season. The exact ingredients can vary, but typical fruits used in mincemeat include raisins, currants, sultanas, and candied citrus peel.
Mincemeat
2
servings20
minutesThe mixture is often sweetened with sugar or molasses and flavored with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. While traditional mincemeat recipes sometimes included meat, particularly beef, most modern versions are vegetarian and do not contain meat.
Ingredients
1 cup chopped dried fruits (such as raisins, currants, sultanas)
1/2 cup chopped candied citrus peel
1/2 cup chopped apples
1/4 cup chopped almonds or other nuts (optional)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup brandy or rum
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Zest and juice of 1 orange
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of salt
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dried fruits, candied citrus peel, chopped apples, and optional chopped nuts.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, brandy or rum, lemon zest and juice, orange zest and juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, ground ginger, and salt.
- Pour the butter and spice mixture over the dried fruit mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Once the mincemeat has rested, transfer it to sterilized jars and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Mincemeat can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks or even months.
