Best Traditional Mincemeat Recipes

MINCEMEAT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll half the pate brisee into a 12-inch circle. Fit pastry into a 9-inch glass pie plate; trim dough evenly along edge. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine mincemeat filling, grated apple, brandy, and lemon zest. Spoon filling into the chilled piecrust.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out remaining pate brisee to a 12-inch circle. Cover filling, trim evenly along edge, and press to seal edges. Cut small slits in pastry with the tip of a paring knife, about 3/4-inch apart. Place on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees. and bake until the crust is golden brown and the center bubbles, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• 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.
• Inspect two 12-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until mincemeat is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• 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 of mixed spice, and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set mincemeat aside to cool down for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy. Spoon into sterilized jars.

OLD-FASHIONED MINCEMEAT PIE RECIPE FROM 1798

Steps:

• If using ground beef, brown the meat in a saucepan over medium heat. If you are using other cuts of raw beef, boil the beef until it is cooked and then chop it into small pieces. Or, if you are using left over beef that has already been cooked, you can chop the meat into small pieces. After chopping the beef, add the salt to the meat.
• In a large bowl, combine chopped apples, chopped suet (or your suet substitute) cider, spices, and fruit. Add the beef and apple cider and mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. (If you want to be more authentic, you can chop up all of the ingredients together at this point to mince them finely.)
• Line a 9 inch pie plate with pastry and then pour in the mincemeat.
• Add the top crust, sealing the edges with a fork and cutting slivers in the top to let out steam. If you want an extra golden brown crust you can brush the top of the pie with some egg.
• Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 45 minutes until the crust looks golden brown.

BEST TRADITIONAL MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except for the brandy and rum in a medium-sized pot and slowly bring to a simmer to prevent scorching. Reduce the heat to LOW and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, more towards the end to prevent burning. (If the liquid reduces too soon and the mincemeat starts to stick/scorch on the bottom, add a little bit of apple juice or water.) Stir in the brandy and rum. (Note: If you prefer to have the alcohol cooked out, add them at the same time as the other ingredients.)
• Spoon the hot mincemeat into sterilized jars (spooning it in the jar while hot will ensure the suet rises to the top to create a layer of fat). As the mixture cools the suet will harden, creating a seal to help preserve the mincemeat. *If you're including the beef be sure to refrigerate the mincemeat. If you're storing it for more than a couple of weeks follow the directions in the blog post for pressure canning the mincemeat for longer-term storage.See blog post for additional ways of storing your mincemeat.
• Makes about 1 quart. Feel free to double, triple, etc, as needed.
• Use this mincemeat to make Homemade Mince Pies! (click link for recipe)
• Note: Mincemeat is traditionally stored for several months before using to allow time for the flavors to deepen, however this mincemeat is also delicious eaten within just a few days.

TRADITIONAL MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Soak the raisins and currants in the brandy and lemon juice for 1 hr until plumped up, then drain and set the brandy aside. Mix all the ingredients together in the order given, then pour in the brandy when everything else is well mixed. Spoon and press into sterilised jars, to exclude any air (the easiest way to sterilise jars is to run them through a dishwasher on its hottest setting). Cover and leave for at least a fortnight. Will keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.

OLD TIME MINCEMEAT PIE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine beef and apple cider. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, or until meat is tender. Remove meat and coarsely chop, then return it to the pot.
• Stir in chopped apples, sugar, currants, raisins, citrus peel, butter and cherry preserves. Add ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Let simmer, uncovered, over low heat until mixture is very thick, about 90 minutes. Stir in cherries and remove from heat.
• Refrigerate tightly covered for at least a week before using.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Put filling in unbaked pie shell and place pastry on top. Crimp edges and poke several holes in top pastry. Brush top with cream and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

HOMEMADE MINCEMEAT RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large pan, melt butter.
• Add water, fruits, sugar, spices, and alcohol.
• Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Once it boils reduce the heat to low and cook for approximately 30 mins. Continue to stir often.
• The mince is ready when the majority of the liquid has boiled out.
• Let the mince cool completely and then transfer and store in an airtight container.
• The mince should be kept in the refrigerator. The longer you store it the more the flavors will develop.
• The mince will keep for a month if you take some steps. Check on it every week or so and add a tablespoon of rum or brandy and give it a good stir. If you don't take this step the mince will only last a week.