Can You Freeze Mincemeat?

3 minutes

Homemade mince pies are one of the best things about the festive period. If you’re a talented home baker, you probably make your own mincemeat well ahead. But what’s the best way to keep mincemeat in the lead-up to Christmas? 

How to Freeze Mincemeat

The good news is that there’s nothing overly complicated about freezing mincemeat. Once you’ve prepared your delicious mixture, you can follow the steps below to freeze it successfully. 

1. Grab Containers: Firstly, you need to consider what portion sizes you want to freeze the mincemeat in and then grab suitable containers or freezer bags.
2. Portion Out: Once you’ve got your mincemeat, portion it into those containers.
3. Seal: Press as much air as possible from the freezer-safe bag before sealing it. This will keep your mincemeat fresh and ensure it’s not ruined by freezer burn. 
4. Label and Freeze: Write today’s date on the front of the freezer-safe bag, as well as the use-by date, before adding the bag to the freezer. Remember, you can freeze mincemeat for around four months.

3 Tips for Freezing Mincemeat

Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing mincemeat to have the best results:

Freeze Mince Pies
While there are undoubtedly benefits to freezing mincemeat on its own, you can also freeze mince pies once you’ve put them together. This is perhaps the best way to save yourself some time in the lead up to Christmas, as you can freeze mince pies for up to three months. 

Opt For Portions
While you can freeze a whole batch of mincemeat, it’s best to split it into portions before freezing it. If you freeze a whole batch, you really need to use it in one go. However, if you freeze individual portions, you can easily remove only what you need. 

Always Defrost Before Using
You should always defrost your mincemeat before adding it to your pies. This shouldn’t be a problem as defrosting mincemeat is super easy, as we explain below. 

How Long Can You Freeze Mincemeat?

You can freeze mincemeat for pies for at least four months. If you’re organised in the kitchen, this means you can start preparing your homemade mince pies in autumn, giving you one less thing to worry about in the hectic lead up to Christmas!

If you decide to make mince pies, you can freeze them for around three months. 

How Do You Defrost Mincemeat?

Once you’re ready to make your mince pies, remove the mincemeat from the freezer and allow it to thaw in the fridge. This should only take 5-6 hours. If you want to speed things up, you can defrost mincemeat in the microwave.

Just be careful not to overheat it, as you don’t want to spoil the mixture. Once it has thawed, you’re ready to fill and bake your mince pies. 

Can You Refreeze Mincemeat?

Refreezing mincemeat is down to personal preference. There’s nothing dangerous about doing so, and it shouldn’t affect the taste or texture of your future mince pies.

However, if you have already filled your pies with mincemeat, you shouldn’t refreeze mince pies. This is because the freezing process can affect the texture of your pastry and cause it to go soggy, running your mince pies in the process. 

Does Mincemeat Freeze Well?

Yes, mincemeat freezes really well. We recommend freezing mincemeat in smaller portions if possible, so you can easily remove the necessary fillings for your festive mince pies.

But ultimately, if you’ve wrapped it well and protected it from freezer burn, your mincemeat should be good in the freezer for 3-4 months. 

Related FAQs

If you’ve still got questions about freezing mincemeat or mincemeat in general, then these may help: