National Mincemeat Day

Supriya Jain
Dec 22, 2023 By Supriya Jain
Originally Published on Feb 19, 2022
Fact-checked by Dimple Malhotra
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National Mincemeat Day is the national day to try traditional pie filled with minced meats for a tasty meat treat.

Where is National Mincemeat Day celebrated?

October 26 is celebrated as National Mincemeat Day in the USA. It is a day to savor this delicious recipe and remember its intriguing history where it has been used to preserve meat. 

Who is National Mincemeat Day celebrated by?

People who have a soft spot for pies enjoy this day. It is also celebrated among families as a tradition. 

When did National Mincemeat Day first start?

The exact year in which National Mincemeat Day was first celebrated is unknown. It is estimated that it may have gotten recognition in the early 2000s. 

Who started National Mincemeat Day?

The founder of this special day is unknown. However, the origin of this tasty meat is traced to the 15th century. 

Mince pies have been used since medieval times to preserve meat.

History And Timeline

National Mincemeat Day origins go way back in history. The mincemeat pie that is made on this special occasion was first cooked in the 15th century as a means to preserve food. It was made somewhere in the Middle East. The exact founder or year is still unknown.

Emergence of Mincemeat Pie

Bakers came up with an idea to preserve the meat by adding spices and chopped sweet fruit. That is how this recipe was invented.

1500 AD

Changes in the Recipe

People started adding distilled spirits and brandy in the pie filling to enhance the flavor. This also helped in the fermentation process.

18th Century

The Elimination of Meat

Due to the invention of refrigerators, there was no need to preserve the meat. One could just pop it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

19th Century

National Mincemeat Day Declared

To promote and accredit this dish, National Mincemeat Day was set on October 26 every year.

20th Century

Modern Recipes

Now, people have started minimizing meat from the recipe. New recipes that were inspired by the mincemeat pie became famous. These modern recipes used almost no meat at all, and yet carried the same name!

20th Century

Traditions And Customs

Mince pies were used in earlier times for the preservation of meat. Mincemeat is most commonly used in pies and is famous around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. On this day, people cook these pies and share them with friends and family.

Ways To Celebrate National Mincemeat Day

The best way to celebrate National Mincemeat Day is by cooking one during the holiday season. Use the delicious variety of recipes to find a mincemeat recipe you'd love to try, and share your pictures on social media. Use hashtags and show off your baking skills to the world.

One can also arrange a family get-together and savor this fruity pie with family. It is a yearly occasion for many. 

Facts And Stats

  • National Mincemeat Day is celebrated on October 26 every year.
  • No details are available regarding the founder of National Mincemeat Day.
  • Celebrations of National Mincemeat Day witness different events being organized across the country.

When did they stop putting meat in mincemeat pie?

Around the 19th century, this tasty meat treat was modified and people stopped putting meat in it. 

Why is mincemeat called mincemeat when there's no meat in it?

There are various recipes that are inspired by the traditional mincemeat pie. The traditional recipe has mincemeat in it. Somehow, people followed the same name without the key ingredient in it. Strange, isn’t it?

Is all mincemeat vegan?

Not all mincemeat pies are vegan. However, one can find many varieties that don’t use meat or animal products in the recipe. They may use apples, pears, and other sweet fruits instead. 

What is the significance of National Mincemeat Day?

This day is celebrated to acknowledge and promote this very important recipe. This recipe brings us closer to traditional Middle Eastern food.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Sunday, October 25, 2020
  • Monday, October 25, 2021
  • Tuesday, October 25, 2022
  • Wednesday, October 25, 2023
  • Friday, October 25, 2024

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Written by Supriya Jain

Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

Supriya Jain picture

Supriya JainBachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

As a skilled member of the Kidadl team, Shruti brings extensive experience and expertise in professional content writing. With a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Punjab University and an MBA in Business Administration from IMT Nagpur, Shruti has worked in diverse roles such as sales intern, content writer, executive trainee, and business development consultant. Her exceptional writing skills cover a wide range of areas, including SOP, SEO, B2B/B2C, and academic content.

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Fact-checked by Dimple Malhotra

Bachelor of Management Studies specializing in Finance

Dimple Malhotra picture

Dimple MalhotraBachelor of Management Studies specializing in Finance

Dimple is a final-year management studies student from Sheila Raheja School of Business Management and Research with a passion for teaching the English language and artistic design. She has earned distinctions in commerce and science modules and is currently pursuing courses in UI/UX design and Social Media Management to advance her career. She is experienced in content editing and proofreading, data monitoring, and search engine optimization.

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