Donair

Rating: 3.94 stars
36 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 10
  • 4 star values: 18
  • 3 star values: 5
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 1

Donairs are a delicacy prevalent in the Canadian east coast, and certainly centered on the City of Halifax, they are very simple to prepare and very delicious. Make a double batch of the meatloaf, and freeze the second loaf for later, in fact the second loaf will be better! When cold you can slice it thinner and fry up the slices in the frying pan as you need them.

By SABMAN
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Ingredients

6
Original recipe yields 6 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

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  • In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, cayenne pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and salt. Press into an 8x8 inch square baking dish, or casserole dish.

  • Bake for 2 hours in the preheated oven, until cooked through. Set aside to cool for at least 1/2 hour, the meat will slice even better if it is actually chilled completely.

  • To make the sauce, combine the evaporated milk, sugar and vinegar in a jar with a lid, and shake well to blend. Set aside to thicken.

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and slice off thin slices of the meat loaf. Fry the slices briefly 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 the pita breads a little on each side to soften.

  • Load up one side of pitas with meat slices, tomatoes and onion. Spoon sauce over the filling, and fold pitas in half, then towards the center. Voila, you're eating!

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
517.4 calories; 28.1 g protein; 67.4 g carbohydrates; 70.1 mg cholesterol; 659.4 mg sodium. Full Nutrition

Reviews (31)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

GOGOJO
Rating: 4 stars
01/05/2005
this is a great donair recipe but you have to put in oregano.I usally make about 3lbs at a time.Do not use low fat milk. When making the sauce alway mix equal amounts of sugar and can milk ( mix them with garlic powder to taste) mix well then add vinigar 1 tlbsp at a time but still stir slowly keep adding vinigar by the tlbsp till thick.I also like to eat mine on tortilla wraps with some greenpepper added to everything else.You can also make a pizza with this meat.Use a pizza crust spread sauce all over then put some meat on it springle with onions and tomatoes and top with mos-cheese and a bit more sauce.Heat till cheese melts and enjoy. If you freeze the meat cut it up first and put a few slices between freezer paper. then you can take out what you want when you want it. Read More
Helpful
(38)

Most helpful critical review

DASHRIPROCK
Rating: 3 stars
04/24/2004
firstly u should never use low fat canned milk always use whole can milk. never mix the sauce in a plastic bowl it wont set up. the ingredients listed are good but it is missing the most important one (ground oregano).per pound of ground beef u should use 1 tsp. also when making this recipe italian seasoning is needed.5 tsp. per 1 lb. as far as the sauce goes try 1 can milk 3/4 cup sugar 2tsp. garlic powder mix this well then add between 4-6tsp. white vinegar. mix the vinegar in slowly it will make 4 thicker sauce.i find that u need a bit of fat in the meat 4 the spices 2 fully spread out therefore medium works better Read More
Helpful
(64)
36 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 10
  • 4 star values: 18
  • 3 star values: 5
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 1
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
DASHRIPROCK
Rating: 3 stars
04/24/2004
firstly u should never use low fat canned milk always use whole can milk. never mix the sauce in a plastic bowl it wont set up. the ingredients listed are good but it is missing the most important one (ground oregano).per pound of ground beef u should use 1 tsp. also when making this recipe italian seasoning is needed.5 tsp. per 1 lb. as far as the sauce goes try 1 can milk 3/4 cup sugar 2tsp. garlic powder mix this well then add between 4-6tsp. white vinegar. mix the vinegar in slowly it will make 4 thicker sauce.i find that u need a bit of fat in the meat 4 the spices 2 fully spread out therefore medium works better Read More
Helpful
(64)
GOGOJO
Rating: 4 stars
01/05/2005
this is a great donair recipe but you have to put in oregano.I usally make about 3lbs at a time.Do not use low fat milk. When making the sauce alway mix equal amounts of sugar and can milk ( mix them with garlic powder to taste) mix well then add vinigar 1 tlbsp at a time but still stir slowly keep adding vinigar by the tlbsp till thick.I also like to eat mine on tortilla wraps with some greenpepper added to everything else.You can also make a pizza with this meat.Use a pizza crust spread sauce all over then put some meat on it springle with onions and tomatoes and top with mos-cheese and a bit more sauce.Heat till cheese melts and enjoy. If you freeze the meat cut it up first and put a few slices between freezer paper. then you can take out what you want when you want it. Read More
Helpful
(38)
Michelle
Rating: 4 stars
02/16/2004
I too have not lived in Halifax for 6 years now but managed to find a donair recipe a couple years back. This recipe is good but try this for improvement; for the meat add a teaspoon of oregano for the sauce use 2 tablespoons of vinegar and also add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Don't use a jar...add the vinegar last and quickly and don't stir too much this will make it thicker. No this is not pizza corner but my is it a good fix:) Read More
Helpful
(33)
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Mary Helen
Rating: 4 stars
05/11/2009
Good Recipe. As someone who has grown up in Halifax enjoying this amazing treat I agree that it needs a little oregano. It is a strong herb but gives you that authentic taste. The only suggestion I want to make is about the sauce. If you are like me you don't want to wait for the sauce or when I order out they never give you enough. Instead of the evap. milk and sugar use a can of sweetened condensed milk. Add the 1/3 cup of vinegar and a pinch of garlic powder. Whisk it all together and put in the fridge until ready to eat. DO NOT skip the step of browning the meat in a skillet it adds so much to the overal taste. If you've never had this before try it it will become a family favourite. Read More
Helpful
(18)
Dennis B
Rating: 4 stars
05/11/2010
Alternate sauce recipe: Use a can of sweetened condensed milk grate 1-2 cloves of garlic into a fine paste and wisk it in. Add 1/4 C of white vinegar and wisk it quickly but not too much (10-12 strokes is perfect). let it set in the fridge for 10-15 minutes and voila... Donair sauce that you can literally stand a spoon in. This sauce keeps longer than the standard and will not separate like the regular sauce. Enjoy!! A very important step in the meat prep is to run it through a food processor or grinder three times. This makes a more homogeneous loaf that's easier to slice. More pepper is a good idea as well (up to twice as much.) Read More
Helpful
(18)
Steph 2007
Rating: 5 stars
07/05/2007
I have lived in Nova Scotia and have not been back in years. I craved donairs and found this recipe. The recipe was great especially the second day since I could slice the meat thinner after it was chilled. The time also allowed the sauce to thicken - still need it a tad thicker to be perfect but still good and I did not use nonfat milk. Read More
Helpful
(11)
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SWEETNOTHINGS
Rating: 3 stars
12/18/2008
kudos for idea!! I was so excited to try this but it really didn't do justice to the donairs out here in BC (IMO). There are some adjustments to be made as other reviewers have noted. The sauce seems particularly odd to me the taste just didn't sit well with me and I tried everything to make it taste better! I think plain yogurt or taziki would be better. The meat needs alot more spice and herbs. However this recipe gave me the new idea to make my own 'lunch meat' with homemade meatloaf that I can freeze in individual slices Thanks! Read More
Helpful
(10)
Kate
Rating: 5 stars
06/16/2009
This donair recipe was GREAT! Read More
Helpful
(9)
TAYTAR
Rating: 4 stars
01/30/2004
I went to university in Halifax and have been jonesing for a donair for sooooooooo long-for that I'm giving this recipe 4 stars however...it's not quite the same as pizza corner. I think the meat is missing something more garlic and more cayenne. Also the sauce is a little thin maybe because I used fat free milk should there be garlic in the sauce? I'll keep trying though because you can't beat a great donair! Read More
Helpful
(8)
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