05/12/2022

Mince Recipes

Mince recipes are some of the most useful to have in your repertoire. Whether it’s minced beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, chicken, or turkey, minced or ground meats are so versatile. Often quicker to cook than meals using large cuts of meat, in many mince recipes you can swap the type of minced meat according to what you have.

From kebabs, meatballs, meatloaf and pies, to spicy stuffed vegetables and Chinese inspired dishes, I hope you’ll find lots of ideas in this round-up of my favourite mince recipes.

MINCED BEEF & ONION PIE

Classic British comfort food. But with everyday ingredients, this warming pie is so easy to make too. Minced beef simmered with onions and garlic in beef stock, topped with a simple shortcrust pastry lid. Serve with creamy mash and buttered vegetables for a knockout, satisfying dinner that everyone will love.

**ITALIAN PORK MEATLOAF (POLPETTONE)**

With herbs, garlic, fennel seeds, lemon and Parmesan, this meatloaf (whose Italian name polpettone means ‘big meatball’) combines classic meatball flavours in a sliceable loaf that’s great hot or cold. I’ve used all pork mince, but you can replace half with beef or veal mince.

MOROCCAN LAMB MEATBALLS IN SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

This easy but delicious dish is similar in flavour to traditional Moroccan tagines. But, thanks to mince instead of chunks of lamb, it’s cooked in a fraction of the time. Juicy, browned meatballs flavoured with a Moroccan-inspired spice mix nestled in a rich tomato sauce imbued with the same warmly spicy blend.

PORK KEBABS WITH FENNEL & ORANGE

Easy kebabs inspired by the flavours of Greece: juicy minced pork skewers seasoned with fennel seeds, garlic, orange zest, and oregano. Eat these full flavoured kebabs with a tahini-yogurt sauce, salad, plus grains, flatbread or cauliflower ‘couscous’. Based on a recipe by Tom Kerridge.

KARNIYARIK: TURKISH STUFFED AUBERGINE

This traditional Turkish dish features soft baked aubergines stuffed with meat in a tomato sauce topped with slices of green pepper and tomato. In my version there’s lamb or mutton mince spiced with cumin, cinnamon, and chilli. But beef would be good too.

CHINESE PORK MEATBALLS

These wonderfully light meatballs are my take on the dish known as Lion’s head meatballs. Pork mince flavoured with Chinese rice wine, garlic, ginger, soy, sesame, plus water chestnuts for contrasting crunchy texture. After browning, the meatballs are braised in a rich sauce seasoned with star anise and Chinese five spice. Lovely over stir-fried greens.

ULTIMATE MEATBALLS & SAUCE/ MEATBALLS AND PASTA AL FORNO

This was one of my very first blog posts. But it remains a great recipe. Or rather, two recipes in one. Besides my ‘ultimate’ meatballs and sauce to toss through long pasta, you can also turn them into a fabulous pasta bake with rich cheesy topping.

PORK BURGERS WITH SAGE, GARLIC & STILTON

Pork burgers make a welcome change from the usual beef. Subtly flavoured with sage and garlic, I top these tasty patties with slices of creamy Stilton cheese before popping under the grill to melt. Add a crunchy, tangy apple and cabbage slaw to your bun and you’ll see burgers in a whole new way.

LAMB KOFTE KEBABS

Lamb Kofte Kebabs always feel like a treat to me. Juicy minced meat with a touch of onion, garlic, herbs and spices, served with good bread, salad and garlicky yogurt, never fails to please.

AUBERGINE WITH PORK & CHILLI-GARLIC SAUCE

This is an utterly delicious but easy Chinese-inspired stir-fry. Golden fried aubergine braised in a heady sauce including juicy minced pork, ginger, garlic, spring onions, soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, and chilli oil.

BACON WRAPPED MEATLOAF

Using quality minced beef, this simple meatloaf tastes so good there’s no need for any sauces, gravy or toppings. Without fillers such as breadcrumbs, but flavoured with herbs, onion and a little cheese, this bacon wrapped loaf is suitable for lower carb diets.

HASLET: ENGLISH PORK & SAGE MEATLOAF

This old fashioned but much-loved English pork meatloaf is flavoured with sage and onion and is easy to make at home with a few everyday ingredients. Although you can eat it hot, haslet is most often served cold in sandwiches, with pickles, or salad.

SHAKSHUKA WITH MERGUEZ SPICED MEATBALLS

Whether you’re new to the spicy North African dish of Shakshuka or already love it, you’ll want to try this incredible version. To the rich pepper and tomato stew with its topping of eggs, I’ve added merguez-spiced meatballs.

THAI SPRING ROLLS WITH PORK & PRAWNS

Who doesn’t lovely a hot, crispy spring roll? My Thai-inspired version has rice noodles, Chinese mushrooms, prawns, minced pork, carrots, bamboo shoots and beansprouts, all flavoured with garlic, chillies, coriander and fish sauce.