States herb covers minced meat item (7)
I believe the answer is:
sausage
'minced meat item' is the definition.
(sausages contain minced meat)
'states herb covers' is the wordplay.
'states' becomes 'usa' (I've seen this before).
'herb' becomes 'sage' (sage is a kind of herb).
'covers' indicates putting letters inside.
'usa' placed within 'sage' is 'SAUSAGE'.
(Other definitions for sausage that I've seen before include "Item butcher sells" , "Not a - means nothing" , "Minced meat and fat in cylindrical skin" , "sort of roll?" , "Assuage (anag.)" .)