Dash Riprock's Real Halifax Donair

Experience the iconic taste of the Canadian East Coast with Dash Riprock’s Real Halifax Donair, a deliciously spiced and savory recipe that captures the heart of Nova Scotia’s beloved street food. This authentic donair features a perfectly seasoned beef loaf made from ground beef, fine breadcrumbs, and a blend of aromatic spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano, kneaded meticulously to achieve its signature dense texture. Paired with the famous creamy-sweet donair sauce—made from sugar, evaporated milk, and a splash of white vinegar—each bite is a harmony of bold, tangy, and slightly smoky flavors. Served on warm, soft pita bread and topped with fresh diced tomatoes and onions, this homemade donair is perfect for dinner, game night, or reliving your favorite late-night snack. Whether you're a Halifax native or exploring this dish for the first time, this recipe delivers an irresistible taste of Nova Scotian tradition in every savory wrap.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 900 grams Ground beef
• 125 grams Fine breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1.5 cups Sugar
• 1 can Evaporated milk
• 4 tablespoons White vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder (for sauce)
• 6 pieces Pita bread
• 2 cups Diced tomatoes
• 1 cup Diced white onion

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and salt.

Step 3

Using clean hands, knead the mixture thoroughly for 5–10 minutes to create a dense meat mixture with no air pockets. This step is crucial for achieving the proper donair texture.

Step 4

Shape the meat mixture into a tight loaf and place it on an oven-safe wire rack over a baking sheet. This allows the fat to drip away during cooking.

Step 5

Bake the donair meat in the preheated oven for 60–75 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Step 6

Once cooked, let the meat rest for 15 minutes. Then, slice it as thin as possible using a sharp knife or meat slicer.

Step 7

While the meat is baking, prepare the donair sauce. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, evaporated milk, white vinegar, and garlic powder. The mixture will thicken as you stir. Chill the sauce in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Step 8

Warm the pita bread in a dry skillet or oven for a few minutes to make them pliable.

Step 9

To assemble the donairs, place several thin slices of the spiced meat onto the center of a warm pita. Top with a generous drizzle of donair sauce, diced tomatoes, and diced white onion.

Step 10

Fold the pita around the filling like a wrap or gyro, and use parchment paper or foil to hold it together if needed.

Step 11

Serve immediately and enjoy this authentic Halifax donair experience!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2734.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5023.7

Total Fat 175.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 66.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.6g
Cholesterol 651.3mg	0%
Sodium 6209.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 655.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.6g	0%
Total Sugars 373.0g
Protein 231.8g	0%

Vitamin D 283.2IU	0%
Calcium 1500.5mg	0%
Iron 36.3mg	0%
Potassium 5505.7mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.8%

Protein: 18.1%

Carbs: 51.1%