How to Make Donair - A Step-by-Step Guide

Donair is a popular Canadian dish that originated in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is a variation of the traditional Turkish döner kebab, which was brought to Canada by Turkish immigrants in the 1970s. The dish has since become a staple in Canadian cuisine, particularly in Atlantic Canada, and is beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Donair is typically made with a combination of seasoned beef, veal, or lamb that is cooked on a vertical rotisserie, allowing the meat to cook eve...

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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
  • ⅓ cup bread crumbs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (Optional)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅔ cup nonfat evaporated milk
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • ⅓ cup vinegar
  • 6 pita bread rounds
  • 3 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 6
  • Yield: 6 donairs

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
  • Prepare meatloaf: Mix together beef, bread crumbs, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl until well combined. Press into an 8x8-inch baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cooked through, about 2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of meatloaf should read at least 160 degrees F ( 72 degrees C.) Set aside until cool enough to slice, at least 30 minutes; the longer it cools, the easier it will be to slice.
  • Make sauce: Combine evaporated milk, sugar, and vinegar in a jar with a lid; shake well to blend. Set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cut meatloaf into thin slices and fry in the hot skillet until browned on each side. Remove from the skillet and keep warm. Flick a little water onto the hot skillet and brown pita rounds on each side to soften.
  • Layer meatloaf slices, tomatoes, and onion down the center of each pita round. Drizzle with sauce. Fold pitas in half towards the center.
  • Nutrition

    517 cal.

    • Total Fat: 15g
    • Saturated Fat: 6g
    • Cholesterol: 70mg
    • Sodium: 659mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 67g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 28g
    • Protein: 28g
    • Vitamin C: 4mg
    • Calcium: 166mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 510mg