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Original poster

Do you think last year's mincemeat is safe to eat?

26 replies

fridayschild · 05/12/2010 08:35

It's been in the fridge all year and I can't see a best before date. There's no mould or anything visible that suggests it's off. The jar's about 2/3 full, and I was going to use it to make mince pies for a party.

your views would be appreciated!

OP posts:
Prinnie · 05/12/2010 08:39

Yeah, just slosh some extra brandy in to be sure! If there's no mould it should be fine.

GlynistheMincePie · 05/12/2010 08:40

does it smell ok?

if so, it's fine

I've got some in a tub in the fridge that contains leftovers from at least 2 years ago- when DH made some, and plan to use that Wink

Original poster
fridayschild · 05/12/2010 09:00

Thanks - I will put some in a small tub, let it come to room temperature and see if it smells.

Like the brandy tip! This also lets me say I have bought it of course darling, but just added a little something.... practically home made then, no?

OP posts:
ppeatfruit · 05/12/2010 09:31

There's always a lot of sugar and booze in mincemeat so it should last foreverXmas Grin Ooh goody a chance to use the xmas symbol!

PureBloodMuggle · 05/12/2010 09:44

I've some too - made it last year used so of it and the rest has been sitting there - looks fine

I'm hoping it'll be fine too!!

flamingpants · 05/12/2010 09:46

I would. Like the booze idea. You might find some sugar crystals if a bit old. I know my mum always used to use old mincemeat from year before and we were always fine (except the year my gran put bisto in the pastry for the mince pies, they weren't as nice!)

BikeRunSki · 05/12/2010 10:01

Yes, of course. Mincemeat was inveneted to preserve stuff!

taffetazatyousantaclaus · 05/12/2010 13:39

yes yes yes you pay extra for matured mincemeat you know!

I'd add a lttle extra brandy and if you have a little orange and lemon zest to bring it back to life, as it were. Xmas Grin

AitchTwoOh · 05/12/2010 13:43

i did this last year with some incredibly expensive unopened stuff. the fat in it had somehow gone rank, it turned out, and the mince pies looked AMAZING but tasted REVOLTING. i was gutted.

taffetazatyousantaclaus · 05/12/2010 13:52

I have just eaten a mince pie made with last year's mincemeat and it was delish.

Aitch - the moral of the story, of course, is to make your own mincemeat. Lord knows what gunk they put in otherwise.

thumbplumpuddingwitch · 05/12/2010 13:56

God yes - mine (shop bought) was always extra matured by several years! Not sure I've ever had any go off, but as Aitch has managed it, it is possible.

AitchTwoOh · 05/12/2010 14:35

in fact i think that was the problem, i had bought it at christmas fayre cupcake and bunting type thing, so it was proper home-made. however i bought my pudding from the woman and ate it the right year and it was sensational, so i know she can cook.

i should have heated some up in micro and tasted it first, in retrospect. i only tasted the fruit/booze bit (whcih was fine) as cold pellet of fat none too appealing.

taffetazatyousantaclaus · 05/12/2010 15:52

Oh dear Aitch, I stand corrected. What a disappointment.

AitchTwoOh · 05/12/2010 19:02

i KNOW. Grin anyway, clearly i too thought it would be fine as i went ahead and did it myself. just taste the fat first, OP... mmmmmmmm. Wink

MummyElk · 05/12/2010 19:07

yup agree with aitch, off fat is disgusting. and never to be repeated. so i'd at least try some before you go to the effort of pastryness....
You'll KNOW..Grin...
and yup, slosh a load of booze and citrus in it if it's ok, will be lovely if the fat is good

kennythekangaroo · 05/12/2010 19:09

I've used last years in my mincepies and they tasted lovely.

ppeatfruit · 07/12/2010 16:00

Deels's recipe for mincemeat includes slowly heating in a low oven. I wonder if that would stop the fat from going rancid? Mine has always been fine after a year.

Keithington · 23/12/2014 14:52

Hi, I made some homemade mince meat last year, one jar had mould on the top layer which I removed and added some brandy, will it be safe to use? Please help, its strange as my other jar has no mould at all.

wannaknow7 · 18/12/2016 15:49

Hi we are gradually catching up on the dates of mincemeat in jars from the cupboards. last years was 3 years old and was yummy. Have just found another unopened jar with seal not expanded, c best before sept: 2002
opened smells OK looks OK. watch this space.

Sgtmajormummy · 18/12/2016 16:03

The fat in traditional mincemeat is supposed to be suet, the stuff cows' kidneys are encased in.
Mmm, rancid offal....Xmas Grin
Came on to say 2yo Robertson's mincemeat was fine.

polkadotdelight · 18/12/2016 17:41

Oooh so the unopened jar of robertsons that has been sat in the cupboard with a use by date of Sept 16 is fine? Wooooooop!

wannaknow7 · 18/12/2016 18:55

Well the pies taste good. no harmful effects as yet :-)

wannaknow7 · 18/12/2016 18:56

noticed none of the jars have a use by date. All are best before.

confuugled1 · 18/12/2016 19:21

This has just reminded me that as well as a jar of unopened mincemeat of indeterminate age, I have last year's unopened Christmas pud and I'm wondering if it is ok to eat.

It's gone past its date but I'm sure when I was little dad used to get given a pud by a client and we always ate it a year later. But that was before best before dates and I suspect they would have put more booze in back then ...

wannaknow7 · 19/12/2016 09:39

Sylvia, says her mum used to make mincemeat the year before so that it matured.

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