We’re from the east coast of Canada, where you’ll find all the delicious food. Then again maybe I am biased being a Nova Scotian. One of the foods that I love so much is a donair. I have many many memories of eating donairs. I craved them while I was pregnant with my oldest. This is a recipe for homemade donair meat so you can make your own donairs and more at home.
Watch a Step-by-Step Instructional Video for this Recipe
How to Make Donair Meat with Ground Beef
This donair meat recipe will get you an amazing homemade donair. Delicious donair pizza, donair burgers, donair poutine, and whatever else you can think of. We have been making this for many years now, and love it in every form.
What You Need:
- 1 lb of lean ground beef
- donair spice mix
It really is quite easy to make your own donair meat. First, decide what you want to use the meat for.
Sliced Donair Meat:
This is best used with ground beef that has not been frozen, previously frozen doesn’t form shape (burgers, loaf) well.
You are going to mix your raw lean ground beef and spice mix together. I recommend using a mixer with a bread hook. It works really well to get it mixed together.
Then take your ground beef mix and shape it into a log, as though you were making meatloaf for example.
Bake at 400 for about 30 minutes or until cooked through.
Crumbled Donair Meat:
In our case we did not want sliced meat so we browned our ground beef, making sure to break it up as it cooked into fine pieces.
Drain off any fat once completely cooked and then mix the donair spice mix into the ground beef.
Find More Donair Goodness:
Homemade Donair Meat Recipe
Use this homemade donair meat recipe for all your donair needs and wants.
Ingredients
- 1 lb of lean ground beef
Donair Spice Mix
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion power
- 1/2 tsp garlic power
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp flour
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
For sliced donair meat:
- This is best used with ground beef that has not been frozen, previously frozen doesn't form shape (burgers, loaf) well.
- You are going to mix your raw lean ground beef and spice mix together. I recommend using a mixer with a bread hook. It works really well to get it mixed together.
- Then take your ground beef mix and shape it into a log, as though you were making meatloaf for example.
- Bake at 400 for about 30 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from stove when fully cooked.
- Allow to cool a bit before attempting to slice into thin slices.
Crumbled donair meat:
- In our case we did not want sliced meat so we browned our ground beef, making sure to break it up as it cooked into fine pieces.
- Drain off any fat once completely cooked and then mix the donair spice mix into the ground beef.
What Is Donair Meat? A Flavorful Slice of Canadian Culinary History
Originating from the Eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia, donair meat is a deliciously seasoned beef or lamb mixture that’s cooked slowly on a spit—or baked at home—to create a savory, spiced dish wrapped in pita bread and topped with sweet donair sauce, onions, and tomatoes. A spinoff of the traditional Middle Eastern döner kebab, the Canadian donair is known for its unique sweet garlic sauce and bold flavor profile.
If you’re making homemade donair meat, you’re not just preparing dinner—you’re recreating a regional classic with a growing fan base across North America.
Best Tips for Making Donair Meat at Home
To get the perfect texture and flavor for your donair meat, keep these key tips in mind:
- Use lean ground beef (or lamb): 80/20 ground beef is ideal for a tender but sliceable loaf.
- Blend thoroughly: Mix the meat with spices and baking soda until it becomes a sticky, uniform paste—this replicates the dense texture of spit-roasted donair.
- Bake tightly packed: Use a loaf pan or hand-form a log and wrap it tightly in foil to mimic the shape and consistency of traditional donair meat.
Donair Meat Variations You Can Try
There’s more than one way to enjoy donair meat! Here are some fun and tasty variations:
- Spicy Donair: Add crushed chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or harissa to kick up the heat.
- Donair Pizza: Use thinly sliced donair meat as a pizza topping with donair sauce in place of marinara.
- Donair Salad: Skip the pita and serve donair meat over a bed of lettuce with chopped tomatoes, onions, and garlic sauce drizzle.
- Donair Poutine: Layer donair meat over fries with cheese curds and hot gravy for a Canadian comfort food mashup.
What to Serve with Homemade Donair Meat
Looking to complete your donair night? Pair your donair with:
- Homemade donair sauce (sweet garlic or tzatziki)
- Toasted pita or naan bread
- Pickled turnips or cucumbers
- Garlic rice or roasted potatoes
- A crisp side salad with lemon vinaigrette
How to Store and Reheat Donair Meat
Donair meat is perfect for make-ahead meals and leftovers.
- Refrigerate: Store sliced donair meat in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze tightly wrapped portions for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet, oven, or microwave with a splash of water or beef broth to keep it moist.
- Final Thoughts: A Homemade Donair Worth Repeating
Making your own donair meat at home is simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor. With the right seasoning blend and cooking method, you can recreate this East Coast Canadian classic in your own kitchen. Serve it up traditional-style or explore creative donair variations for the whole family to enjoy.