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This traditional Homemade Mincemeat Recipe has all of the warm spicy flavors of the stuff from the grocery store but has 1000 times the flavor. Perfect for pies or as a topping on Fall desserts.



Homemade Mincemeat is a holiday tradition in our family. I’m not saying all the members of our family like it, but it is always something we have for the holidays. It was my dad’s absolute favorite. My mom never made it from scratch.  She just bought the big jar of mince and poured it into the pie crust. It wasn’t until I took it over that we started having it from scratch. Chock full of apples, raisins, dried fruit, spices, and a splash of alcohol, it is a little bit of Fall in every single bite. (And no actual meat in this recipe! That is an ingredient that was removed from traditional mince recipes decades ago.) I love how versatile this recipe is … you can mix and match the fruit you use and it still has that warm and spicy taste of home and the Holidays. 

Ingredients you will need

picture showing all the ingredients needed to make homemade mince

How to Make Homemade Mincemeat

Step 1: In a large pan, melt butter.  Add water, fruits, spices, sugar, and alcohol.
Step 2: Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. 

Collage image showing how to cook the homemade mince.

Step 3: Once it boils reduce the heat to low and cook for approximately 30 mins. Continue to stir often.
Step 4: The mince is ready when the majority of the liquid has boiled out.

Small bowl of homemade mincemeat in a glass bowl.

Step 5: 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 the following 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.

Expert Tips and FAQ’s

What kind of apples should I use?

You will need a nice tart baking apple.  We use Granny Smith Apples.

What kinds dried fruit should I use

Mincemeat is chock full of dried fruit, we use Dried Cranberries, Dried Apricots, Dates. Figs are also good. For the best flavor, you will want to use both dark and golden raisins.

Can I use Granulated Sugar instead of Brown Sugar?

You can use granulated sugar but we like the richer flavor you get from Brown Sugar.

Why does Mince have alcohol in it?

For flavor and to preserve the fruit.  Most of the alcohol will cook out but not all of it.  You can leave the alcohol out but is it really Mince then? We use a splash of both Dark Rum and Brandy.

bowl of homemade mincemeat in a glass bowl with a red spoon

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Homemade Mincemeat RecipePrint

Homemade Mincemeat Recipe

Yield 4 cups
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

This traditional Homemade Mincemeat Recipe has all of the warm spicy flavors of the stuff from the grocery store but has 1000 times the flavor.  Perfect for pies or as a topping on Fall desserts.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Butter
  • 1 cup Water (or Unsweetened Apple Juice)
  • 3 medium Granny Smith Apples (peeled, cored, and chopped)
  • 1/2 cup Dark Raisins
  • 1/2 cup Golden Raisins
  • 1/2 cup Dried Currants
  • 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
  • 1/2 cup Dried Dates (or Figs)
  • 1/2 cup Dried Apricots
  • Zest of one lemon (you can use an orange instead)
  • 2/3 cups Brown Sugar
  • 1/3 cup Light or Dark Rum
  • 1/3 cup Brandy
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon Allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt

Instructions

  1. In a large pan, melt butter.
  2. Add water, fruits, sugar, spices, and alcohol.
  3. 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.
  4. The mince is ready when the majority of the liquid has boiled out.
  5. Let the mince cool completely and then transfer and store in an airtight container.
  6. The mince should be kept in the refrigerator. The longer you store it the more the flavors will develop.
  7. 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.

Did you Make this Recipe? Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @twosisterscrafting on Instagram so we can see it!

© Two Sisters Crafting
Cuisine: American / Category: Desserts