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Home » Recipes » Family meals

Savoury Mince

Published: Apr 27, 2025 by Libby Hakim · 7 Comments

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There’s something wonderfully comforting about a big pan of Savoury Mince bubbling away on the stove. It’s one of those classic Aussie dinners that might take you straight back to childhood — it's simple, hearty, and packed with flavour.

This savoury mince recipe is quick and easy – you'll have it on the dinner table within the hour and the leftovers are freezeable. Whether you're feeding a hungry family, stretching the budget, or just craving a taste of the good old days, this retro classic ticks all the boxes!

Jump to:
  • Ingredient notes
  • Instructions
  • Serving and storing
  • Top Tip
  • More marvellous mince recipes
  • Savoury Mince Recipe

Ingredient notes

This recipe is incredibly versatile and adaptable.

I've used premium quality beef mince here, but you could substitute any type of mince meat – lamb, chicken or whatever you have on hand.

I use butter for the flavour boost, but you could use olive oil or vegetable oil instead.

I prefer savoury mince with potato, carrot and celery, but you could use any vegetables. Peas, capsicum and corn are other popular choices. Whatever you use, make sure it adds up to 2 cups of cubed vegetables.

All ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Equipment

You'll need a large saute or frying pan and a wooden scraper spoon (the wooden spoon with the flat edge at the tip).

Instructions

Start by finely dicing the onion and chopping the vegetables into cubes. Aim for cubes about 1cm x 1cm x 1cm.

Next, heat the butter in large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent (see image 1).

Increase the heat to high and add the beef mince. Cook, using a wooden scraper spoon to chop the mince as it cooks, until browned (see image 2).

Add chopped carrot, celery and potato (see image 3). Cook for another 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add flour and salt and pepper (see image 4). Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.

Next, add the beef stock cube, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds (see image 5).

Add water and bring to a simmer, stirring well, until mixture starts to thicken (see image 6). Continue to simmer for 15 minutes in total, stirring occasionally. Add extra ½-1 cup of water if mixture starts to dry out (it should be cooking in a small amount of gravy/sauce) (see images 7 and 8).

Serving and storing

Serve savoury mince immediately. It's perfect with rice, mashed potato or on hot buttered toast. As a kid, I loved it with tomato sauce.

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge, covered, for a couple of days or placed into an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months.

Top Tip

For savoury mince with extra sauce/gravy, use double the amounts of butter and flour.

More marvellous mince recipes

There are so many wonderful ways to turn mince into something special, including these recipes:

  • Cabbage Mince Chow Mein in frypan.
    Cabbage Mince Chow Mein
  • cottage pie.
    Cottage Pie
  • rissoles stacked on top of each other with a little gravy on top.
    Rissoles
  • chilli con carne australia recipe.
    Chilli Con Carne

Made this recipe and love it? Please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. (And it really makes my day to hear how Nana Ling's recipes are being made, shared and loved all around the world! - Libby x)

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Savoury Mince served with toast.

Savoury Mince Recipe

Libby Hakim
An easy, versatile and flavoursome dinner that's been served up for decades.
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Australian, British, English, New Zealand
Servings 4 servings
Calories 406 kcal

Equipment

  • large saute or frying pan

Ingredients
  

  • 30 grams butter (use 2 tablespoons for savoury mince with more sauce)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped (or 2 small onions)
  • 500 grams beef mince
  • 1 carrot (diced into small cubes)
  • 1 celery stick (diced into small cubes)
  • 1 medium potato (diced into small cubes)
  • 1 tablespoon plain flour (use 2 tablespoons for savoury mince with more sauce)
  • salt and pepper (about ¼ teaspoon of each or to taste)
  • 1 cube beef stock
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups water (may need an extra ½-1 cup towards end of simmer)

Instructions
 

  • Heat butter in large pan over medium heat.
  • Add onion and cook until translucent.
  • Increase heat to high and add the beef mince. Cook, using a wooden scraper spoon to chop the mince as it cooks, until browned.
  • Add chopped carrot, celery and potato. Cook for another 3 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to medium and add flour and salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
  • Add beef stock cube, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
  • Add water and bring to a simmer, stirring well, until mixture starts to thicken. Continue to simmer for 15 minutes in total, stirring occasionally. Add extra ½-1 cup of water if mixture starts to dry out (it should be cooking in a small amount of gravy/sauce).
  • Serve immediately with rice, mashed potato or on hot buttered toast.

Notes

Storing: You can store leftovers, covered, in the fridge for 2 days.
Freezing: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition: The nutrition information is an automatically generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
Ingredient notes:
  • I recommend premium quality beef mince but you could substitute any type of mince meat – lamb, chicken or whatever you have on hand.
  • I use butter but you could use olive oil or vegetable oil instead.
  • I prefer savoury mince with potato, carrot and celery, but you could use any vegetables. Peas, capsicum and corn are other popular choices. Whatever you use, make sure it adds up to 2 cups of cubed vegetables.
Tips:
  • Top up with water if necessary as it simmers to prevent it drying out.
  • For savoury mince with extra sauce/gravy, use double the amounts of butter and flour.

Nutrition

Calories: 406kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 22gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 238mgPotassium: 522mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2805IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?If you love it, let me know!

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Comments

  1. Anthony Stibbe says

    February 10, 2026 at 7:07 am

    5 stars
    My childhood revisited! Thank you! Even my 84yo father agrees it tastes just like he remembers! Back in rotation!

    Reply
    • Libby Hakim says

      February 10, 2026 at 1:00 pm

      You're welcome! I've just started adding more of these retro dinner recipes to the collection. They were all so popular for a reason - quick, simple and delicious! Thanks for rating and reviewing. Happy cooking, Anthony!

      Reply
  2. Rose Murphy says

    May 02, 2025 at 3:51 pm

    Wonderful recipe! I add some cream cheese at the end, just before serving, and stir it through till it melts. Creamy flavour without the cream.

    Reply
    • Libby Hakim says

      May 05, 2025 at 10:06 am

      Lovely idea! Thanks, Rose 🙂

      Reply
  3. julie Trenna Cahill says

    May 02, 2025 at 9:08 am

    5 stars
    I enjoy all your recipes, Thankyou so much, I hope you enjoy your weekend xx

    Reply
    • Libby Hakim says

      May 05, 2025 at 10:07 am

      Thanks for those kind words, Julie. Happy cooking x

      Reply
  4. Libby says

    April 27, 2025 at 5:00 pm

    5 stars
    A tried and tested recipe!

    Reply
5 from 3 votes

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Hi, I'm Libby, a recipe collector and writer. I love everything about home cooking and share modern classics and recipes that have been passed down for generations – I hope you find a few that bring back treasured memories.

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