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If you have ever wondered what mincemeat actually is, you are not alone.Mincemeat is most often associated with mince pies and tarts, but it is wonderfully versatile and can also be used in cakes, bar cookies, puddings and other festive bakes. Despite the name, modern mincemeat rarely contains any meat. This guide explains what mincemeat is, its history and how it is used today, as well as some of my favourite ways to bake with it. Updated December 2025.
What is Mincemeat?
While individual recipes may vary, mincemeat is generally a mixture made primarily of dried fruit (normally currants, raisins and/or sultanas, but sometimes dried apricots are used as well) combined with sugar, suet (shredded animal or vegetable fat), apples, citrus, and brandy, rum or port. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg give mincemeat its distinctive festive flavour.
A Brief History of Mincemeat
The name comes from Tudor and Victorian recipes that did contain finely chopped meat, fruit and spices together. Over time, the meat element disappeared, leaving the fruit-based recipes we enjoy today.
In Tudor times, mincemeat was a way of preserving meat and also making it go further. Combining the finely chopped meat with fruit and spices helped it to keep for longer – and also disguised the flavour of the meat when it was past its best. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg gave mincemeat a distinctive, warming flavour.
During the Victorian era, mincemeat became more of a dessert, and eventually cooks stopped using meat altogether. The deeply flavoured fruit mixture that remained became firmly associated with Christmas, however I think mincemeat recipes are wonderful all through the colder months. It’s a wonderful baking ingredient and can be used in cakes, squares, muffins and other desserts.
What is Mincemeat Used For?
Best known as the filling for classic mince pies or tarts, this spiced fruit mixture adds moisture, flavour and richness to all kinds of bakes including simple loaf cakes and traybakes, oat squares, traditional bread puddings and steamed puddings.
Is Mincemeat Vegetarian?
Mincemeat can be vegetarian or even vegan, provided it is made using vegetarian suet or no suet at all, and that the alcohol used in the recipe is vegetarian or vegan. Most brandies and ports are, however some are not so be sure to check if this is important to you. My Mincemeat Recipe is both vegetarian and vegan.
How To Make Mincemeat
There are so many recipes out there, from the very traditional to lighter, more modern versions. I make a suet-free mincemeat recipe passed down to me by my late Mom, which is easy to prepare and keeps really well. It’s gluten-free and suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets (provided the port and brandy used in the recipe are vegan).
You can find my full Suet-Free Mincemeat Recipe here.
Recipes Using Mincemeat
Whether you are using store-bought or homemade mincemeat, there are lots of great ways to use it. Here are a few recipes from my kitchen that my readers return to year after year.
My late Mom’s recipe for Old-Fashioned Mincemeat Oat Squares, an easy traybake that is perfect with a cup of tea.
This Brandy and Mincemeat Cake is so simple to make! A lighter alternative to old-fashioned fruit cake, this cake is a real crowd-pleaser and also looks lovely sliced in squares on a cookie tray.
Traditional Mince Pies made by my son, Alexander, using No-Suet Mincemeat that I made a few days earlier.
Comforting and delicious, Mincemeat Bread and Butter Pudding is a spicy, fruity treat.
Final Thoughts
Mincemeat is one of those very special ingredients that carries a lot of history and nostalgia with it. Whether you are baking mince pies or tarts, or trying something a little different, it’s a delicious way to bring warmth and tradition into your kitchen.
Have you tried mincemeat? If you have, I’d love to know what your favourite recipes using this versatile and delicious ingredient are too!
It’s also a traditional Christmas treat here in South-Africa. Ready made mincemeat pies in all the stores from around mid November to mid January, but I make my own now and then throughout the year, as it is my son’s favorite kind of treat. {he can gobble down a pack of 6 on his way home from the store!}
I didn’t realise mincemeat was popular in South-Africa too, Linda. I’m glad to learn that! I can empathise with your son – I am very partial to mincemeat pies as well:-)
My mum always made mincemeat pies growing that were just so good. I was very proud of my American husband who actually know what mincemeat was when I asked him the other day. Great informative post.
Thank you so much, Janette 🙂
I wondered what is was. So when you posed the question, I had to check it out. Recipes look really good too.
Thank you, Peter 🙂
Although I have seen many recipes using mincemeat, I actually have never tasted it! All of your dishes look positively mouthwatering and definitely intrigued me to start experimenting! Thank you for yet another informative and delicious post!
Thank you, Linda! Mincemeat is definitely worth a try, Linda, and there are so many different recipes and varieties you are bound to find one you love 🙂
Hmm, I’m not wild about mince pies, but those oat squares look right up my street. I’ll be sharing this!
Thank you so much, Pauline 🙂
I appreciate this post, as I’ve always wondered about mincemeat.
It sure sounds like something I’d looooooooooove 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Winnie 🙂
April, I’m sure to love your mother’s mincemeat oat squares. Must try them soon — and I *can* because I’ve gotten quite carried away with making mincemeat this month and have a stash in the freezer!
I love the idea of having a stash of mincemeat in the freezer – especially your delicious homemade mincemeat, Jean!