Gluten-Free Traditional Mincemeat

Capture the festive spirit with this delightful Gluten-Free Traditional Mincemeat recipe—a rich, fruity, and perfectly spiced filling that’s ideal for holiday baking. Bursting with a medley of raisins, currants, dried cranberries, and apricots, this recipe gets its zesty brightness from fresh orange and lemon, while warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and mixed spice add comforting holiday charm. Gentle simmering with gluten-free apple cider and a touch of brandy (optional) creates a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s both indulgent and inclusive for gluten-free diets. Whether you’re filling mince pies, tarts, or festive pastries, this homemade mincemeat is easy to prepare, naturally gluten-free, and an absolute must-have for holiday baking enthusiasts.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 200 grams Raisins
• 200 grams Currants
• 150 grams Dried cranberries
• 150 grams Dried chopped apricots
• 120 milliliters Gluten-free apple cider
• 250 grams Grated apple (peeled and cored)
• 120 grams Dark brown sugar
• 50 grams Unsalted butter
• 1 orange Zest and juice of 1 orange
• 1 lemon Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2 teaspoons Mixed spice
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 80 milliliters Gluten-free brandy (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare all your dried fruits by measuring out the raisins, currants, dried cranberries, and dried chopped apricots. Ensure they are gluten-free by checking the packaging for cross-contamination warnings.

Step 2

In a large saucepan, add the dried fruits, grated apple, dark brown sugar, unsalted butter, orange and lemon zest, orange and lemon juice, gluten-free apple cider, and all the spices (mixed spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg).

Step 3

Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture gently until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking. The mixture should thicken as the fruits release their natural juices.

Step 5

Once the mixture has cooked, remove it from heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes.

Step 6

If using gluten-free brandy, stir it into the mincemeat at this stage.

Step 7

Transfer the mincemeat to sterilized glass jars, ensuring the lids are tightly sealed. Allow the mixture to cool completely before storing.

Step 8

Store the jars in a cool, dark place for at least 1 week (preferably 2 weeks) to allow the flavors to mature. The mincemeat can be stored for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1518.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3378.0

Total Fat 45.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 110.7mg	0%
Sodium 259.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 726.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 51.3g	0%
Total Sugars 607.4g
Protein 20.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 604.1mg	0%
Iron 11.3mg	0%
Potassium 5649.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 12.1%

Protein: 2.4%

Carbs: 85.5%