Vegetarian mincemeat?

Question

Does anyone know where I can buy vegetarian mincemeat in the UK? I have tried the Health Food stores but no one seems to stock. I don't want the vegetarians in my family to miss out on the mince pies at Christmas.

Answer 1

all the mincemeat for mince pies (that I've seen) are vegetarian, look in your local supermarket.

Answer 2

Two issues here. Firstly vegetarian mince meat is textured vegetable protien and second christmas mince pies are fruit pies here is the recipe

A mince pie (or mincemeat pie) is a traditional festive British sweet pastry, usually consumed during the Christmas and New Year period. Mince pies normally have a pastry top, but versions may also be found without the top in which case they are sometimes known as a mince tart.

Always a favourite at Christmas, "Mince Pies" are not a meat pie at all, but full of fruity flavour and fun to make for all the family...

You need:
500g Plain Flour
375g Butter or margarine
1 egg
60g caster sugar
a little water and lemon juice

Method:
Sift the flour into a bowl. Add the sugar. Rub in the margarine til the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Beat the egg lightly and add it with a couple of tablespoons of the water and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix to make a stiff pastry dough - adding only what liquid is necessary (too much liquid = tough pastry).

Knead lightly and leave in the fridge to 'rest' for a day or two before using. Roll out on a floured surface and use a pastry cutter to cut the shells and tops for your patty tins. Lightly grease tins before lining with pastry base, then spoon in a teaspoon of fruitmince, brush the pastry edges with water and lightly press on the pastry tops and bake in a hot oven for 15-20 minutes.
When the mince pies are cooked, remove from oven, sit on a baking rack to cool, and sprinkle a little caster sugar 'snow' over them.
Merry Christmas!

Answer 3

An important ingredient of mincemeat is suet, which is the fat from rounds the kidneys. I believe you can buy 'vegetarian' suet, but then you would need to make your own mince meat. If you decide to be a vegetarian, why would you feel disadvantaged at missing out on the mince pies?

Answer 4

Erm.. you don't need mincemeat to make mince pies. Most mince pies nowadays are made out of dried fruit. Some may contain suet, but in general they're suitable for veggies. If you're making them yourself you can just buy the filling in jars, so check that it's suitable.

Answer 5

The majority of mincemeat pies are suitable for veggies. Just check the packaging/labels on the jars.

I hope you didn't get laughed out of the health shop for that question!

Have a fab Christmas :D

Answer 6

Morrisons.

They are very good for vegetarian stuff at Morrisons, they have a green leaf on the front of packets. I usually check the ingredients just to make sure. I have checked the mincemeat and it is 'safe'... just look for the green leaf

Answer 7

You could try making it yourself substituting veggie suet for beef suet. Vegetarian suet is available at most supermarkets and mincemeat is really easy to make - plus it tastes a lot better than the shop bought stuff. Here's a good recipe just sub veg suet for beef suet -

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/home-made-christmas-mincemeat,1235,RC.html

Answer 8

My local Tescos does veggie mincemeat . I think its "Quorn" brand, but I think there might be a Tesco brand one too ( all the Tesco brand veggie food I have tried has been very good, especially the V sausages)

Its definitely out there , I tried it once and it was ok :)

Answer 9

just go to your local supermarket and buy some ready made filling in a jar.

ive seen loads of vegetarian mince pie ready made fillings

theres even one in my cupboard right now

Answer 10

soya beans you could try from holland barrats, vege mincemeat can be also purchased from asda that is were i got mine today.