How long do shop-bought mince pies last?

Always check the packaging, but usually, mince pies should be eaten within 3 days of opening, ensuring you cover them or keep them in an airtight container. Homemade mince pies usually last for up to 1 week in an airtight container or tightly wrapped. Leftover mince pies can easily be crushed and mixed with ice cream to make mince pie ice cream or can be made into mince pie rocky road .

Why do we have mince pies at Christmas?

Originally made with meat including pigeon, pheasant, and hare, but as time passed, mince pies evolved into sweet indulgence pies by replacing the meat with a mixture of dried fruits and spices. Mince pies gained popularity during the festive and Christmas season due to a Mediaeval tradition. People would consume a mince pie every day for 12 days, starting from Christmas Day and culminating on Twelfth Night.

Can vegetarians eat mince pies?

Yes, although called mincemeat, it is in fact a mix of dried fruits and spices which makes these vegetarian and often vegan-friendly. Some mince pies still use animal suet, although most use vegetable suet now instead.

Best mince pies for 2023 tried and tested: Sainsbury’s, M&S and more

Stacked mince pies dusted with icing sugar

(Image credit: Getty Images)

By Amanda James

last updated 6 December 2023

We've tried and tasted a whole range of shop-bought mince pies this year so you don't have to. From M&S to Morrisons, from Bettys to Fitzbillies, here are the food experts favourites.

With a wide range of shop-bought mince pies available in the lead-up to Christmas both in stores and online, it becomes challenging to determine which ones truly stand out as the best mince pies for this year. In our annual Christmas foods taste test, we evaluated a range of independent and supermarket shop-bought mince pies. Most mince pies were conveniently offered in either a 4 or 6-packet or box, and the majority were available for purchase online.

Our expert panel who tried and tested the mince pies included Group Food Director Jen Bedloe, Food Editor Jess Meyer, Deputy Food Editor Rose Fooks, Food Writer Amanda James, and Junior Food Writer Georgia Sparks. With years of experience and a vast amount of culinary expertise, this team is well-versed in identifying what makes the best mince pies.

The selection of this year's top-rated mince pies features the best supermarket mince pies including Sainsbury's, M&S, and Morrisons, as well as homemade bakeries such as Bettys, Rosebud Preserves, and Fitzbillies. Earning the most points and taking the top spot for the best mince pie in 2023 was Bettys. These mince pies stood out from the rest with a generous and traditional filling and super buttery pastry. Alongside Morrisons, who scooped the top spot for the best supermarket mince pies.

We’ve also rated various other Christmas foods in our annual taste tests including the best turkey, the best Christmas cake, and the best Christmas puddings, so save time and make light work this year, as they will be a treat over the festive season. You might also like our pick of the best Christmas desserts.

Recent updates

This article was updated on the 11th of December. We checked the prices of all the products featured in the article and updated some of the deals for accuracy.

Where to buy mince pies for 2023

Best tried and tasted mince pies

Why you can trust GoodTo. Our experienced Consumer Editor & parent reviewers spend hours testing products to help you make the best choice. Find out how we test and review products.

1. Bettys Classic Mince Pies, Box of 12 - View at Bettys

Best mince pies overall

RRP: £18 | Delivery: Order online or in any of the 5 Yorkshire Bettys stores | Available: From 17th October | Servings: 12

The 2023 winner of the best Christmas mince pies category was Bettys Classic Mince Pies. These mince pies are freshly baked to order through the festive season. Filled with their own homemade special mincemeat recipe, packed with vine fruits, golden cherries, almonds, and seasonal spices all soaked in brandy and matured to perfection. Finally, encased in an all-butter pastry decorated with extra pastry and gifted in a box.

Food Writer, Amanda James says: "This was a standout mince pie for me, a more than generous portion of filling, with notes of sweet cherries, subtle spices, and a decent soaking of booze. The overall bake was spot on, they were perfectly matured and the pastry was super buttery.”

Bettys Classic Mince Pies - £18.00 - Bettys

2. Rosebud Preserves Mince Pies, 400g - View at Rosebud Preserves *OUT OF STOCK*

Best mince pie, runner-up

RRP: £12 | Delivery: Order online, free delivery over £25 | Available: From 1st November | Servings: 8

A successful family-run business in Yorkshire, Rosebud Preserves was a close contender for the top spot. Handcrafted using organic ingredients, filled to the brim with Rosebuds well-balanced boozy almond and orange mincemeat, and wrapped in an all-butter crumbly pastry. Homemade and great served warm. We liked these mince pies because they were traditional with a slight twist, and topped with sugar, adding a lovely crunch.

Food Editor Jess Meyer says: "Generously filled with a rustic look that makes them feel handmade. Buttery, crumbly pastry, and a very subtle spice level. If you're looking to pass one off as homemade, these are a real winner. Nice cold, but even better warm."

3. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Cherry & Kirsch Mince Pies, 230g - View at Sainsbury's

Best supermarket mince pies

RRP: £2.75 | Delivery: Online and in-store | Available: 22nd October | Servings: 4

A top contender for the best supermarket mince pie is Sainbury’s Taste the Difference Cherry & Kirsch Mince Pies. An all-butter pastry case brimming with traditional mincemeat that’s been infused with Cherry Kirsch for a sweet and comforting twist. The mix is enriched with warming spices, a subtle hint of booze, and plump cherries to capture that iconic, sweet flavour. Crowned with a dusty snowflake design on top.

Deputy Food Editor Rose Fooks says: “Lovely golden buttery pastry. A sweet subtle cherry-flavoured filling with dark fruits. A pastry snowflake motif adorns the top with an icing sugar dusting. Enjoyed the subtle cherry flavour, which they have achieved without making it overpowering.”

Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Mince Pies - £2.75 - Sainsbury's

4. Morrisons The Best 6 Deep Filled Mince Pies, 378g - View at Morrisons

Best deep-filled mince pies

RRP: £2.50 | Delivery: Online and in-store | Available: Now | Servings: 6

A strong supermarket buy that hits all the spots is The Best Deep Filled Mince Pies from Morrisons. A classic mince pie made with an all-butter pastry, combined with Morrisons indulgent brandy and cider-infused mincemeat, and with a delightful warming blend of spices.

Junior Food Writer Georgia Sparks says: “An all-around great mince pie packed with traditional flavours, juicy fruit, and a generous amount of filling. Well-balanced and classic."

Morrisons The Best 6 Deep Filled Mince Pies - £2.50 - Morrisons

5. Cartwright & Butler Luxury Mince Pies with Brandy, 330g - View at Cartwright & Butler

Best boozy mince pies

RRP: £8 | Delivery: Online, independent shops and luxury department stores | Available: Order now | Servings: 6

For over a century, this family-run business has created artisan food and baked goods. These were a firm runner-up for us, melt-in-the-mouth butter shortcrust pastry exuding mincemeat of brandy, citrus fruit, and subtle spices. A classic mince pie with a classic look too.

Deputy Food Editor Rose Fooks says: “ Lovely short pastry with a rich buttery flavour, simple looking with an imperfect homemade look. These pies were generously filled with mincemeat. The mincemeat was deliciously rich without being overly sweet.”

Cartwright & Butler Luxury Mince Pies with Brandy - £8.00 - Cartwright & Butler

6. Biscuiteers Luxury Frangipane Topped Mince Pies, 400g - View at Biscuiteers

Best mince pies with a twist

RRP: £15 | Delivery: Online | Available: Online | Servings: 6

Multi-award-winning mince pies, Biscuiteers was a favourite for us. Six deep-filled pies packed with a mature mincemeat of all the usual suspects; cranberries, sultanas, currants, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mixed spice, all soaked in brandy, rum, lemon, and orange juice. What makes them unique is their use of a traditional vintage pie blocker, then topped with a layer of almond frangipane for an extra indulgent finishing touch.

Food Writer Amanda James says: “These pies have plenty of filling, the right amount of booze, strong marzipan and citrus flavours with plump fruit, thick pastry, and a pretty design, one for those with a sweet tooth.”

Biscuiteers Luxury Frangipane Topped Mince Pies - £15.00 - Biscuiteers

7. M&S Collection 6 Mince Pies, 334g - View at Ocado

Best warmed mince pies

RRP: £3.50 | Delivery: Online at Ocado, in-store | Available: Order now | Servings: 6

Another top contender for the best mince pie was M&S Collection Mince Pies. Melt-in-the-mouth all-butter shortcrust pastry, deep filled with mincemeat containing dried vine fruits, glacé cherries, cranberries, brandy, cider, clementine juice, and Cognac. Topped with a shortcrust pastry star and a sweet dusting.

Food Director Jen Bedloe says: “A pretty design with the star topping. The filling is very sweet and quite boozy. A nice tall and deep fill finish. Crumbly pastry. Really nice and great when warmed."

M&S Collection 6 Mince Pies - £3.50 - Ocado

8. Fitzbillies Mince Pies, 400g - View at Fitzbillies

Best handmade mince pies

RRP: £8.50| Delivery: Online, nationwide delivery | Available: 9th November | Servings: 6

No Christmas would be complete without a mince pie and the bakers at Fitzbillies take this festive staple to another level. Handmade in the bakery, a crisp buttery shortbread-like pastry encases a mouthwatering traditional mincemeat topped with a sprinkling of caster sugar.

Food Editor Jess Meyer says: "A classic look with generous amounts of mincemeat. The filling tastes great and looks handmade. They’re not too sweet and lovely and moist. Simple look, even better when warmed.”

Fitzbillies Mince Pies - £8.50 - Fitzbillies

Best mince pies from last year

1. Taste the Difference Mince Pies, 325g - View at Sainsbury's

Best mince pie

RRP: £2.75 | Delivery: Book a slot and choose your delivery date | Available: Online and in-store now

The winner in the mince pie best Christmas food category this year was Sainsbury’s Taste Difference Mince Pies. These melt-in-the-mouth mince pies have an all-butter pastry and are packed with a wonderful blend of juicy fruit, and warming spices and infused with a generous amount of brandy. Topped with a simple yet attractive star-shaped pastry with a snowflake on it and dusted with icing sugar.

Deputy Food Editor, Rose Fooks says: "This is an excellent quality traditional mince pie. The filling is not too sweet and the pastry is lovely and buttery. The brandy flavour is subtle but strong enough to allow for a pleasant taste"