Halifax Donair

Why You’ll Love It

Classic: There’s a reason why the traditional Halifax donair is so famous. Make this recipe and try this classic recipe for yourself. You will soon discover why it’s so popular!
Simple: It isn’t a difficult recipe to make. You need to make the donair meat and bake it, and then create the donair sauce, and serve the two in flatbreads or wraps with tasty accompaniments.
Easy to love: You’re going to be hooked on these. It’s usually love at first bite! There’s just something special and unique about the iconic Halifax donair.

Halifax Donair Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Ground beef: Ground beef is the main ingredient for the donair meat, but you can sub ground lamb if you prefer, or use some of each.
Oats: This ingredient might make you do a double-take, but they’re perfect for holding together the meat mixture perfectly. They act as a binder and don’t add an oat flavor to the donair meat.
Flatbread: Use naan bread, pita bread, a wheat wrap, or similar.
Sweetened condensed milk: This is the main ingredient in the donair sauce. The sweetness contrasts beautifully with the savory meaty flavors.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper add lots of flavor to the meat mixture.
Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar in the meat mixture and white vinegar in the donair sauce adds an acidic touch to cut through the rich flavors of the meat and sweet sauce.

How to Make an East Coast Donair

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Prepare the sauce: Mix the sauce ingredients together, and then cover and refrigerate.
Prepare the meat: Combine the oats, milk, egg, apple cider vinegar, and seasonings. Add the meat and knead. Shape the spiced ground beef mixture into a log and double-wrap in foil.
Cook the meat mixture: Put the foil-wrapped meat on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 45 to 60 minutes, or until 160°F in the center. Cool completely in the refrigerator.
Sear slices of the meat mixture: Thinly slice the meat log and sear in a pan.
Assemble the Halifax donair: Layer the meat and sauce on a flatbread with chopped onions and tomatoes, then roll up and serve immediately.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, make sure you’re using gluten-free flatbread and oats.
Another meat: Ground lamb works well or you could use a blend of ground beef and ground lamb. You could even try chicken or pork.
Different sauce: Not a fan of the sweet garlic sauce? Sub your favorite garlic sauce, tzatziki sauce or lemon vinaigrette. If you don’t mind the sweetness but prefer a sugar-free option, you can use sugar-free condensed milk (here) which is made with Splenda instead of sugar.
Add some cheese: A couple of thin slices of fresh mozzarella cheese are an optional extra.
Flatbread options: You can use pita bread, flatbread, naan bread, or any kind of donair wraps. Don’t use very thin wraps in case they tear.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Start your meal with Greek lemon chicken soup.
Side dishes: Pink beet hummus is tasty alongside, or perhaps you’d prefer coleslaw pasta salad.
Dessert: Treat yourself to something sweet, perhaps toffee bars, Nanaimo bars (another Canadian favorite), or lofthouse cookies.

How to Store Halifax Donairs

Store: Keep the meat, the wraps and the other ingredients separate and refrigerate everything, then use within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze the donairs but without the sauce or salad veggies.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat: Assemble the Halifax donairs and reheat in the microwave or in a hot oven, adding the salad vegetables and sauce afterwards.