The Best Ever Donairs
Get ready to indulge in "The Best Ever Donairs," a beloved East Coast classic that balances bold, savory flavors with a creamy, tangy twist. This recipe features spiced ground beef, perfectly seasoned with oregano, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and just a hint of cayenne for optional heat, baked into a tender meatloaf and sliced thin for optimal texture. The homemade donair sauce, a rich blend of sweetened condensed milk, zesty white vinegar, and garlic, elevates every bite with its signature sweet-and-tangy kick. Serve the flavorful meat on warm, toasty pita bread, loaded with fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, sliced onions, and crisp shredded lettuce, and enjoy the ultimate fusion of comfort and flavor. This easy-to-follow recipe takes only an hour from start to finish and yields six generously portioned servings, making it a perfect choice for a family dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Ground beef (lean)
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Onion powder
- 1.5 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoons Cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 can (14 ounces) Sweetened condensed milk
- 1.5 cups White vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder (for sauce)
- 6 pieces Pita bread
- 2 medium Tomatoes, diced
- 1 medium Onion, finely sliced
- 1 cup Lettuce, shredded
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with breadcrumbs, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
Mix the ingredients thoroughly, kneading with your hands for 5 minutes until it forms a dense and uniform mixture.
Shape the meat mixture into a tight loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
While the meatloaf bakes, prepare the donair sauce by whisking together the sweetened condensed milk, white vinegar, and garlic powder in a bowl. Chill the sauce in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Once the meatloaf is cooked, allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing it thinly.
Warm the pita bread by heating it in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1 minute on each side or wrapping it in foil and placing it in the oven for 5 minutes.
Assemble your donairs by placing a few slices of the spiced beef onto warm pita bread. Top with diced tomatoes, sliced onions, shredded lettuce, and a generous drizzle of donair sauce.
Fold the pita in half to enclose the fillings or roll it into a wrap-style shape. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5077 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 201.9 g | 259% | |
| Saturated Fat | 87.4 g | 437% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 861 mg | 287% | |
| Sodium | 7911 mg | 344% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 525.9 g | 191% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 34.3 g | 122% | |
| Total Sugars | 246.0 g | ||
| Protein | 322.9 g | 646% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 1576 mg | 121% | |
| Iron | 44.1 mg | 245% | |
| Potassium | 6325 mg | 135% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
