English Reference
Noun

mince

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈmɪns/ UK /mˈɪns/ mince UK spelling minces Cooking

n.meat that has been cut into very small pieces using a machine. You use it to make dishes like burgers, pasta sauce, or pies.

n.meat, typically beef, that has been finely chopped or ground in a mincer. Often used as a base for various culinary preparations.


SIMPLE

I bought some beef mince to make a bolognese sauce.

CONTEXTUAL

The recipe calls for five hundred grams of lean pork mince and a variety of fresh herbs.

COMPLEX

While higher fat content in mince provides more flavour during the browning process, many health-conscious consumers prefer leaner grinds for their everyday cooking.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the meat as a substance; occasionally countable in British English when referring to specific types or portions.

Pitfall
I bought three mincesI bought three packs of mince

Mince is typically uncountable; use a container or weight to specify quantity.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated