Canada's Unique Halifax Beef Donair

This tasty sandwich is made with spiced ground beef that is slow roasted and then sliced into thin strips. It is served in a pita bread wrap with tomatoes, onions, and Donair sauce, a sweet sauce made from evaporated milk, sugar, vinegar, and garlic powder.

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Course: Hand Food, Lunch, Snack

Cuisine: Canada, North American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 2

Cooling time: 30

Total Time: 2 40

Servings:

Author: My Hungry Traveler

Equipment

2 9 x 13-inch baking pans

Ingredients

2 lbs Ground beef
1 tbsp Ground coriander
2 tbsp Onion powder
2 tbsp Garlic powder
2 tsp Dried oregano
½ tsp Cayenne pepper
1 tsp Dried thyme
2 tsp Salt
1 tbsp Coarse black pepper

Flatbread and Condiments

6 large Pita bread, steamed*
1 large Tomato, chopped
1 small Red or sweet onion, chopped
Donair sauce Donair sauce

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Instructions

Mix the Halifax Donair Meat: In the bowl of a stand mixture or large bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the donair meat. Mix well to combine. If using a stand mixer, mix meat mixture with the dough hook attachment for 5 minutes on medium low. Otherwise, use your hands to knead the meat. Form the donair meat into a log by shaping the donair meat mixture into a log about 8-inches long. Wrap log tightly in aluminum foil squeezing out any air and seal the ends tightly. Move log to refrigerator chill for anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours.
Cook the Halifax Donair Meat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175℃). Bake wrapped log for 1½ hours. Remove foil and continue baking for 30 minutes, turning once. Let meat cool before slicing.
Assemble and Serve Halifax Donair: While meat is cooling, make Donair sauce. Chop tomato and onion, and steam pita bread (see Notes). Slice meat thinly, either crosswise or lengthwise by cutting one end to stand the log straight up and making long ⅛-inch thin slices (more authentic). Place a warmed pita bread on a plate. Top with a pile of donair meat, tomatoes, and onions. Drizzle with donair sauce, roll pita tightly and dig in!

Notes

*To steam the pita bread, place them on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, or until softened.
You can also add other toppings to your donair, such as mozzarella cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, and hot sauce.
Any leftover meat may be refrigerated in an airtight container for about a week. Warm meat and serve on warmed fresh pita.

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