Home-made Christmas Mincemeat

3 hours

Makes 6 350ml jars (recipe can be halved if preferred). Scroll to the bottom of the Method to see questions Lindsey has answered on this recipe

Vegetarian

This recipe is from Delia's Happy Christmas.

Once again, over the years we have never found a match for this mincemeat recipe, so if I can persuade you to make it, you will never want the bought stuff ever again.

It really is dead simple to make, though in the past people used to have trouble storing it. This was because the high percentage of apples oozed too much juice and the juice started to ferment. In the following recipe the mincemeat is placed in a barely warm oven and so the suet gradually melts and as this happens it coats all the fruits, including the apples, sealing in the juices.

Vegetarians see note at the end of the Method

Read more about Christmas Home-made Christmas Mincemeat here

The Delia Online Cookery School: Another festive recipe is Christmas Stollen which you can watch being made in our video. Just click the recipe image to play.

Got a question on Delia's recipes? Ask Lindsey

Ask a Question

Making a vegetarian version of Christmas Mincemeat

Asked by: Reeway

Been successfully making Delia's xmas mincemeat for over 40years, but this year need to make it for vegetarians to enjoy too. I am unable to get vegetarian suet here in Germany (or online for this weekend) Can I use butter as alternative or a plant based solid fat instead and would the method of warming in the oven be the same? Not sure if other option would be to use slow cooker or even hob. Hoping you can help asap Many thanks

Answered by Lindsey: Hello, Yes, you can substitute the suet with butter. Kind regards Lindsey

Forgot to add the brandy to the mincemeat

Asked by: Cxtine

Hi Lindsey, I have been using Delia’s Mincemeat recipe for years and this year is no different. Only problem is I completely forgot to add the brandy and now the mincemeat is all stored away. Can I open up the jars, mix them all together and add the brandy and then put them back in the jars again? Thank you.

Answered by Lindsey: Hello, I would leave it as it is. When you come to use it, decant it, a jar at a time into a bowl and stir in a the tablespoon (20mls) brandy. Kind regards Lindsey

Temperature check

Asked by: Jacqui Howe

Good morning Lindsey - just about to put my Christmas mincemeat in the oven and wanted to update myself on oven temperatures. I have a fan oven. Am I correct in thinking that all of Delia’s recipes are still based upon a conventional oven and that I should therefore reduce oven temperatures accordingly? E.g. the mincemeat recipe says 120 degrees but should I therefore have my oven set at 100 or 105? Many thanks for your guidance Jacqui

Answered by Lindsey: Hello Jacqui, Yes that is correct. Kind regards Lindsey

Method

All you do is combine all the ingredients, except for the brandy, in a large mixing bowl, stirring them and mixing them together very thoroughly indeed.

Then cover the bowl with a clean cloth and leave the mixture in a cool place overnight or for 12 hours, so the flavours have a chance to mingle and develop. After that pre-heat the oven to 120C/gas mark ¼. Cover the bowl loosely with foil and place it in the oven for 3 hours, then remove the bowl from the oven and don't worry about the appearance of the mincemeat, which will look positively swimming in fat. This is how it should look.

As it cools, stir it from time to time; the fat will coagulate and, instead of it being in tiny shreds, it will encase all the other ingredients. When the mincemeat is quite cold, stir in the brandy. Pack in sterilised jars (see below). When filled, cover with waxed discs and seal. It will keep in a cool, dark cupboard indefinitely, (I have kept it for up to 3 years), but I think it is best eaten within a year of making.

Vegetarians can make this mincemeat happily, using vegetarian suet. And if you don't want the full quantity, make half.

NOTE: To sterilise jars, wash the jars and lids in warm soapy water, rinse well, then dry thoroughly with a clean tea cloth, place them on a baking tray and pop into a medium oven, gas mark 4, 350°F, 180°C, for 5 minutes.