Entree: Canada – Atlantic Canada – Donair (Spiced, thinly sliced ground-beef loaf served in pita with a sweet garlic sauce)

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 15 min

Cook 50 min

Additional 10 min

Total 1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

U.S. measurements first, metric equivalents in parentheses. Conversions are approximate; oz means weight ounces, not fluid ounces.

- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup (50 g) plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) evaporated milk
- 1 tsp (5 g) onion powder
- 1 tsp (5 g) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (1 g) dried oregano
- 1 tsp (6 g) kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 14 oz (396 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) white vinegar
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (approx. 0.106 oz (3 g))
- 4 pita pockets
- 1 large tomato, sliced (approx. 6 oz (170 g))
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced (approx. 4 oz (115 g))

Show original ingredient measurements

- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup (50 g) plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) evaporated milk
- 1 tsp (5 g) onion powder
- 1 tsp (5 g) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (1 g) dried oregano
- 1 tsp (6 g) kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 14 oz (396 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) white vinegar
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (approx. 3 g)
- 4 pita pockets
- 1 large tomato, sliced (approx. 6 oz / 170 g)
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced (approx. 4 oz / 115 g)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, evaporated milk, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly combined but do not overwork.
2. Shape the mixture into a tight loaf and place in a lightly oiled loaf pan. Brush the outside lightly with olive oil.
3. Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes, then thinly slice or shave the loaf.
4. Meanwhile, make the sauce: whisk together sweetened condensed milk, white vinegar, and minced garlic until smooth. Taste and adjust garlic or vinegar for balance; sauce should be sweet-tangy and pourable.
5. Warm pita pockets briefly in a skillet or oven. Fill each pita with several slices of the baked meat, top with tomato and sliced onion, and drizzle generously with the sweet garlic sauce. Serve immediately.