Original Canadian East Coast Donair

4.40 (86)
⏱ 585 mins 🍽 Serves 6 🌶 canadian 🏷 Main course

This recipe guides you through creating a classic Canadian East Coast donair from scratch. It involves preparing a well-seasoned beef loaf that is baked, then sliced and fried until crisp. The dish is completed with a distinctive sweet and creamy sauce made from evaporated milk, sugar, and vinegar. The final assembly sees the spiced meat and sauce wrapped in warmed pita bread for a handheld meal. The process requires some advance planning for the best flavour and texture.

Original Canadian East Coast Donair

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
  • 0.5 cup white sugar
  • 0.25 cup white vinegar, or to taste
  • 6 large pita bread rounds

Method

  1. Prepare the meat mixture by combining the ground beef, cayenne pepper, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, paprika, and oregano in a large bowl. Form this mixture into a loaf shape, place it on a baking tray, cover with plastic, and refrigerate it overnight.
  2. Heat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  3. Place the meatloaf in the heated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, turning it over once halfway through, until it is fully cooked and no longer pink inside. The internal temperature should reach at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let the loaf cool completely to firm up for slicing.
  4. While the meatloaf bakes, prepare the sauce by whisking the evaporated milk and sugar together until the sugar dissolves. Gradually mix in the white vinegar, adding it 1 teaspoon at a time until you achieve your preferred flavour. Chill this sauce until you are ready to use it.
  5. Cut the cooled meatloaf into slices that are 1/4-inch thick. Cook each slice in a skillet until it becomes browned and crisp, which should take about 5 minutes for each side.
  6. Lightly sprinkle the pita bread rounds with water and briefly heat them in a dry skillet to warm through.
  7. For serving, place several slices of the fried meat into each warm pita. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of the chilled sauce on top, then roll the pita into a cone shape. Wrap each assembled donair in aluminium foil to contain the sauce and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories450 kcal
Fat14 g
Sugars24 g
Protein22 g
Sodium814 mg

Recipe details

CategoryMain course
Cuisinecanadian
AuthorDel