Take Your Own Taco Trip with 5 Unique Twists on the Mexican-Food Favorite

It doesn't have to be Tuesday to have a taco party. If we had it our way, every day of the week would be filled with different variations on the Mexican staple, whether it's classic childhood fare — aka ground beef stuffed in hard-shell corn tortillas — or upscale twists like braised pork belly or fresh lump crabmeat.

Even if you don't have time to travel across the country in search of the best tacos, you can still make your own taco trip at home. Check out five of our favorite unique taco recipes, then tune into the premiere of Taco Trip with host Aarón Sánchez on Tuesday, August 25 at 10pm ET for more new takes on Mexican fare.

Tyler Florence
Cooking Channel
Beef Shoulder, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Olive Oil, Garlic, Onion, Crushed Tomatoes, Ancho
Chile Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Ground Cumin, Bay Leaves, Vegetable Oil, Corn Tortillas,
White Cabbage, Cilantro, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Serrano Chile, Garlic, Limes

Tyler Florence Cooking Channel Beef Shoulder, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Olive Oil, Garlic, Onion, Crushed Tomatoes, Ancho Chile Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Ground Cumin, Bay Leaves, Vegetable Oil, Corn Tortillas, White Cabbage, Cilantro, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Serrano Chile, Garlic, Limes

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Reinvent your fast-food favorite with two easy swaps: slow-cooked beef shoulder instead of ground beef and freshly fried corn tortillas instead of mass-produced hard shells. Homemade guacamole and salsa don't hurt, either.

Don Juan Breakfast Taco University of Texas

Don Juan Breakfast Taco University of Texas

Photo by: Kerri Brewer ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Kerri Brewer, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Yes, you can have tacos for breakfast. This rendition is chock-full of tender potatoes, cheese, eggs and lots of crispy bacon — what more could you ask for?

Fish tacos are great, but crab tacos are even better. Splurge for jumbo lump crabmeat, pickle your own chiles and onions, and then stuff all of that inside fried wonton wrappers for the perfect blend of Asian and Mexican cuisines.

This Asian take on tacos requires a little TLC, but your time and effort will be well worth it once you sink your teeth into slow-braised pork belly. Sorry, carnitas, but you have some porky good competition.

Set your taste buds ablaze with Kelsey Nixon's super-spicy lamb tacos. Whole slices of pickled jalapenos, ancho chiles and chiles de arbol all lend their own brand of smoky heat.

Next Up

Hungry Girl's Guilt-Free Mexican Pantry

Mexican food is delicious, but a lot of the time comes loaded with fat and calories. Another basket of chips, anyone? Hungry Girl pulls together a list of key ingredients for whipping up some guilt-free Mexican cooking right at home!

Say "Taco the Morning to You" with Breakfast Taco and Burrito Recipes

Get breakfast taco and egg burrito recipes for Mexican brunch on Cooking Channel.

A Make-Ahead Game Plan for the Ultimate Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Get Cinco de Mayo recipes for Mexican food and drinks, including tacos, margaritas, queso dip, guacamole, salsa and more on Cooking Channel.

Hanukkah, Mexican-Style

For a new spin on Hanukkah favorites, try Chef Julian Medina's recipes for Potato-Jalapeno Latkes and Tacos de Brisket.

On TV

So Much Pretty Food Here