Last year's mince - is this ok to use?

[NuzzleandScratch]

Just that really (I'm talking mince pies, obviously!). I have a few jars that are unopened, this should be ok to use this year shouldn't it? I made it, sterilised the jars beforehand etc.

If they are unopened they should be fine. I thought you were talking about beef for a moment there though, in which case, definitely not!

Thank you. Ha ha, no, not planning a lasagne with old mince! I was thinking that since the mince gets hot & bubbly when cooking, it should make it totally safe to eat. There is some brandy in it too, which I suppose would help to preserve. Just seems a shame to waste it, seeing as I put quite a lot of effort into making it! I made another batch this year, but could do with more.

It'll be fine. You might want to add a drop more brandy as it may be a little bit dried out!

An extra drop of brandy could only be beneficial!

Hell Yeah! Mincemeat gets better as it matures, you pay more in the shops for mature mincemeat. Should be delish, but as the other poster says, hm can dry out a bit so add a splash of brandy and/or orange juice.

Exactly, is a good excuse to wield the brandy bottle!

Mine's 3 years old and fine.

Ok great, thanks all, I shall go forth & bake!

Yeah - I had some of this too and have now fed it to people. But no one died - phew!

My defence to myself - it's packed with sugar and alcohol.

Thanks EugenesAxe, no fatalities was my aim, so that's good news!