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Ingredients

There's no denying that tacos are among the greatest foods ever invented. I always have a little extra room in my heart and belly for some excellent al pastor, chicharron and carne asada street tacos (with a bit of salsa and maybe some diced onion or cilantro), but today I'm going to mix it up.

While there is absolutely no need to try and improve upon perfection (shout out to classic tacos -- you are my life), it can still be fun to try out some offbeat fusion tacos every now and again, whether you're looking to impress guests, make Taco Tuesday more fun for kids or just treat yourself to a tasty solo dinner.

Here are some wacky but delicious taco recipes that you've likely never thought of before but wish you had:

1. Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Blue Cheese Cilantro Ranch

This is a great family-friendly fast weeknight dinner, especially because you can use leftover or rotisserie chicken to hurry along your cooking. Pile high with melty cheddar cheese, fresh seasonal avocado corn "salsa" and blue cheese cilantro ranch for a totally new way to combine your two favorite meals.

2. Vietnamese Banh Mi Street Tacos

These bright, fresh herb-packed tacos are a delight in the heat of summer, and they're versatile, too! The recipe calls for chicken, but you can easily use pork, tofu, braised pork belly or whatever else you got.

3. Amazing Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos

Perfect for kids and adults alike! Get as creative as you want with any of your favorite burger or taco ingredients: Grilled onion pico de gallo (maybe with some chopped roasted peppers and diced tomatoes?), sauteed mushrooms, guacamole, roasted chiles or blue cheese slaw would all be fabulous here.

4. Jamaican Jerk Tempeh Tacos

Whether you love or hate tempeh, this jerk marinade goes so well with it that you'll be amazed at how tasty it can be. (If you really hate tempeh, you can still make this recipe with chicken, tofu or jackfruit though.) Note: steam the tempeh in water or broth for a few minutes before marinating to mellow out any residual bitterness.

5. Chicken 'n Waffle "Tacos"

OK, maybe these aren't technically tacos, since the "tortilla" is actually a waffle, but they follow the basic form and are so delicious that I'm letting it slide. Want to take more of a savory southwestern approach to this hybrid meal? You sure can't go wrong with a green chili waffle shell!

6. Spicy Lamb Tacos (with Mojito Cole Slaw and Cucumber Salsa)

Woo-hoo! Hot, fruity habanero grilled lamb (if habanero is too hot, you can sub for serranos or jalapenos, and feel free to remove the ribs and seeds to make it even milder) is a standout star topped with tangy, creamy mojito coleslaw, cool cucumber salsa and crumbled queso fresco.

7. Pulled Pork Waffle Tacos with Pineapple Slaw

Please don't hate me for including another "taco" that features a waffle "tortilla." Once you taste how delicious this slow cooker, hard-root-beer pulled pork is topped with homemade sweet, smoky pineapple bbq sauce and creamy, tangy and crunchy pineapple slaw, all wedged into a crispy waffle (use frozen ones if you don't feel like going all out), I think you'll forgive me for calling this a taco. I really do.

8. Flank Steak Tacos with Indonesian Salad

With delicious peanut sauce (you can sub this sauce for peanut paste if needed), a quick slaw and flank steak grilled to perfection (here's a good marinade), this is one unusual but surprisingly harmonious knockout of a dinner.

Instructions

Print This Recipe

There's no denying that tacos are among the greatest foods ever invented. I always have a little extra room in my heart and belly for some excellent al pastor, chicharron and carne asada street tacos (with a bit of salsa and maybe some diced onion or cilantro), but today I'm going to mix it up.

While there is absolutely no need to try and improve upon perfection (shout out to classic tacos -- you are my life), it can still be fun to try out some offbeat fusion tacos every now and again, whether you're looking to impress guests, make Taco Tuesday more fun for kids or just treat yourself to a tasty solo dinner.

Here are some wacky but delicious taco recipes that you've likely never thought of before but wish you had:

1. Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Blue Cheese Cilantro Ranch

This is a great family-friendly fast weeknight dinner, especially because you can use leftover or rotisserie chicken to hurry along your cooking. Pile high with melty cheddar cheese, fresh seasonal avocado corn "salsa" and blue cheese cilantro ranch for a totally new way to combine your two favorite meals.

2. Vietnamese Banh Mi Street Tacos

These bright, fresh herb-packed tacos are a delight in the heat of summer, and they're versatile, too! The recipe calls for chicken, but you can easily use pork, tofu, braised pork belly or whatever else you got.

3. Amazing Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos

Perfect for kids and adults alike! Get as creative as you want with any of your favorite burger or taco ingredients: Grilled onion pico de gallo (maybe with some chopped roasted peppers and diced tomatoes?), sauteed mushrooms, guacamole, roasted chiles or blue cheese slaw would all be fabulous here.

4. Jamaican Jerk Tempeh Tacos

Whether you love or hate tempeh, this jerk marinade goes so well with it that you'll be amazed at how tasty it can be. (If you really hate tempeh, you can still make this recipe with chicken, tofu or jackfruit though.) Note: steam the tempeh in water or broth for a few minutes before marinating to mellow out any residual bitterness.

5. Chicken 'n Waffle "Tacos"

OK, maybe these aren't technically tacos, since the "tortilla" is actually a waffle, but they follow the basic form and are so delicious that I'm letting it slide. Want to take more of a savory southwestern approach to this hybrid meal? You sure can't go wrong with a green chili waffle shell!

6. Spicy Lamb Tacos (with Mojito Cole Slaw and Cucumber Salsa)

Woo-hoo! Hot, fruity habanero grilled lamb (if habanero is too hot, you can sub for serranos or jalapenos, and feel free to remove the ribs and seeds to make it even milder) is a standout star topped with tangy, creamy mojito coleslaw, cool cucumber salsa and crumbled queso fresco.

7. Pulled Pork Waffle Tacos with Pineapple Slaw

Please don't hate me for including another "taco" that features a waffle "tortilla." Once you taste how delicious this slow cooker, hard-root-beer pulled pork is topped with homemade sweet, smoky pineapple bbq sauce and creamy, tangy and crunchy pineapple slaw, all wedged into a crispy waffle (use frozen ones if you don't feel like going all out), I think you'll forgive me for calling this a taco. I really do.

8. Flank Steak Tacos with Indonesian Salad

With delicious peanut sauce (you can sub this sauce for peanut paste if needed), a quick slaw and flank steak grilled to perfection (here's a good marinade), this is one unusual but surprisingly harmonious knockout of a dinner.

8 Offbeat But Surprisingly Delicious Loaded Tacos (Recipes)

There's no denying that tacos are among the greatest foods ever invented. I always have a little extra room in my heart and belly for some excellent al pastor, chicharron and carne asada street tacos (with a bit of salsa and maybe some diced onion or cilantro), but today I'm going to mix it up.

While there is absolutely no need to try and improve upon perfection (shout out to classic tacos -- you are my life), it can still be fun to try out some offbeat fusion tacos every now and again, whether you're looking to impress guests, make Taco Tuesday more fun for kids or just treat yourself to a tasty solo dinner.

Here are some wacky but delicious taco recipes that you've likely never thought of before but wish you had:

1. Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Blue Cheese Cilantro Ranch

This is a great family-friendly fast weeknight dinner, especially because you can use leftover or rotisserie chicken to hurry along your cooking. Pile high with melty cheddar cheese, fresh seasonal avocado corn "salsa" and blue cheese cilantro ranch for a totally new way to combine your two favorite meals.

2. Vietnamese Banh Mi Street Tacos

These bright, fresh herb-packed tacos are a delight in the heat of summer, and they're versatile, too! The recipe calls for chicken, but you can easily use pork, tofu, braised pork belly or whatever else you got.

3. Amazing Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos

Perfect for kids and adults alike! Get as creative as you want with any of your favorite burger or taco ingredients: Grilled onion pico de gallo (maybe with some chopped roasted peppers and diced tomatoes?), sauteed mushrooms, guacamole, roasted chiles or blue cheese slaw would all be fabulous here.

4. Jamaican Jerk Tempeh Tacos

Whether you love or hate tempeh, this jerk marinade goes so well with it that you'll be amazed at how tasty it can be. (If you really hate tempeh, you can still make this recipe with chicken, tofu or jackfruit though.) Note: steam the tempeh in water or broth for a few minutes before marinating to mellow out any residual bitterness.

5. Chicken 'n Waffle "Tacos"

OK, maybe these aren't technically tacos, since the "tortilla" is actually a waffle, but they follow the basic form and are so delicious that I'm letting it slide. Want to take more of a savory southwestern approach to this hybrid meal? You sure can't go wrong with a green chili waffle shell!

6. Spicy Lamb Tacos (with Mojito Cole Slaw and Cucumber Salsa)

Woo-hoo! Hot, fruity habanero grilled lamb (if habanero is too hot, you can sub for serranos or jalapenos, and feel free to remove the ribs and seeds to make it even milder) is a standout star topped with tangy, creamy mojito coleslaw, cool cucumber salsa and crumbled queso fresco.

7. Pulled Pork Waffle Tacos with Pineapple Slaw

Please don't hate me for including another "taco" that features a waffle "tortilla." Once you taste how delicious this slow cooker, hard-root-beer pulled pork is topped with homemade sweet, smoky pineapple bbq sauce and creamy, tangy and crunchy pineapple slaw, all wedged into a crispy waffle (use frozen ones if you don't feel like going all out), I think you'll forgive me for calling this a taco. I really do.

8. Flank Steak Tacos with Indonesian Salad

With delicious peanut sauce (you can sub this sauce for peanut paste if needed), a quick slaw and flank steak grilled to perfection (here's a good marinade), this is one unusual but surprisingly harmonious knockout of a dinner.