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It’s graduation season and that means grad parties galore! Whether you’re supplying all the food yourself for your own celebration or asked to bring a dish, here are 57 ideas for side dishes for a graduation party that will help you set that table and focus on the grill.
With graduation season approaching it’s time to start looking for some quick and easy sides to serve so you can not only focus on your main dishes, but also the guest of honor – your graduate! I’m here to help with a huge list of ideas for you!
Side Dishes for a Graduation Party (57 Easy Sides)
1
Hot Dog Pretzel
Frozen rolls and hot dogs turn into fun and easy Pretzel Dogs! Serve with your favorite cheese dip and you have a winning appetizer.
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2
Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
A classic appetizer for kids and adults alike, Pigs in a Blanket will be the first thing you run out of at your next party. Simply roll mini sausages in a crescent roll and bake! Dijon mustard or shredded cheese, along with coarse salt take these over the top!
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3
Smoked Chicken Wings
Smoked Chicken Wings have made it to the weekly rotation now that the weather is beautiful and we're outside more. Chicken wings have always been a family favorite, but smoking has become my go-to way to cook them. The deep wood flavor you get from low and slow smoking is far superior to those heavily breaded deep fried wings you get in a restaurant.
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4
Crockpot Chicken Wings
For Crockpot Chicken Wings all you need are a few chicken wings and some BBQ sauce. Then finish them off on the grill or under the broiler!
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5
Cowboy Caviar Recipe
This Cowboy Caviar Recipe is a Tex-Mex inspired dip that has been around for years! Enjoy on its own, with chips or spooned onto tacos! It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer.
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6
Fried Zucchini Recipe
Fried Zucchini is wildly addicting and our favorite way to eat zucchini lately. Served as a side or appetizer, these will quickly disappear, just as fast as you can fry them up!
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7
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes are unripened tomatoes generously coated with a Panko and cornmeal seasoned breading and fried until golden brown and crispy. These are a must have in the summer when tomatoes are in season.
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8
Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini fritters are perfect for a fast and easy snack or light lunch. Top with sour cream, cheddar cheese or even green onions and enjoy!
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9
Everything Bagel Stuffed Peppers
Get ready for quite literally the EASIEST recipe ever! Everything Bagel Stuffed Peppers have only 3-ingredients that come together in no time. Great make-ahead low carb snack or even a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
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10
Broccoli Salad with Sunflower Seeds and Bacon
This is the best Broccoli Salad recipe that will be devoured at your next barbecue! It's sweet, creamy and crunchy with fresh broccoli, homemade dressing and lots of bacon!
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11
Apple Pecan Salad
Apple Pecan Salad is made with crunchy, salty, and sweet ingredients all tossed together with a homemade balsamic dressing. Enjoy!
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12
Ham Salad Recipe
A classic chunky Ham Salad recipe with ham, pickles, onion, and celery all mixed together with mayonnaise and seasoned with salt and pepper!
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13
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Light, refreshing with a slight zing this is my Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe! It's a classic that is perfect as a side dish or as a snack.
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14
Creamy Potato Salad Recipe (No Eggs!)
Cooked potatoes, onions, and celery all tossed in a vinegary mayonnaise dressing. This is a creamy potato salad recipe minus the eggs!
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15
Deviled Egg Potato Salad
Deviled Eggs and Potato Salad are combined into this ultimate Deviled Egg Potato Salad recipe! Perfect as a spring or summer side dish.
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16
Ambrosia Salad Recipe (with Sour Cream)
If you want a salad that tastes just like dessert, Ambrosia Salad is the ticket! Made with fresh pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, coconut, and mini marshmallows and stirred together with a sour cream/whipped cream dressing.
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17
Classic Coleslaw Recipe
This Coleslaw Recipe is a classic, from scratch recipe that will make you never buy store-bought coleslaw dressing again! Here's how you can prepare this perfect summer side dish.
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18
Cowboy Caviar Recipe
This Cowboy Caviar Recipe is a Tex-Mex inspired dip that has been around for years! Enjoy on its own, with chips or spooned onto tacos! It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Check out this recipe
19
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls Recipe
Four ingredients and a hot oven are all you need to make cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Rolls! Delicious fresh or saved for school lunches!
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20
Taco Dip
Taco Dip is a super easy and oh so delicious appetizer that combines refried beans, a cream cheese and sour cream layer and all your favorite taco toppings. Serve with tortilla chips at your next party!
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21
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This easy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is creamy, spicy and perfect for a party appetizer! Pair with chips, veggies and/or crackers. Enjoy!
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22
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip is delicious with vegetables and crackers. Be careful though because it's SO addicting!
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23
Black Bean Dip Recipe
This is a warm and spicy Black Bean Dip Recipe! Made with spices, black beans, salsa, and cream this dip is perfect with chips!
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24
Fresh Tomato Salsa
This Salsa Recipe is so fresh and easy to make! You only need a few basic ingredients and 10 minutes. Adapt as you like!
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25
*EASY* Deviled Eggs
A classic Deviled Eggs Recipe, just in time for Easter! This is the quintessential appetizer for Spring that everyone seems to love.
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26
7 Layer Dip
This 7 Layer Dip is a classic appetizer that everyone loves! Packed with beans, cheese, salsa and all things Mexican, grab some chips and dig in!
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27
How to Grill Corn
Grilling some chicken or burgers this summer? Well look no further for your new favorite summer side dish. Learn how to grill corn with this simple tutorial!
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28
Corn, Tomato & Avocado Salad
Corn, Tomato & Avocado Salad is a healthy salad perfect for the late summer months. Filled with fresh corn, avocados, sweet basil, cherry and golden tomatoes, peppers and zucchini.
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29
Grilled Corn Salsa Recipe
This Grilled Corn Salsa Recipe is perfect for a summer appetizer or just as corn salsa dip for any day! Eat with chips or plain!
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30
Hot Onion Dip Recipe
My Hot Onion Dip Recipe is the easiest appetizer ever with only 3-ingredients! Sweet Vidalia onions, Swiss cheese, and mayo are baked until hot and bubbly. It's my favorite go-to when I'm asked to make a last minute appetizer for game day, holiday buffets or any occasion! Serve with pita, tortilla chips, bread or if even fresh veggies if you want to keep it low carb.
Check out this recipe
31
Seafood Pasta Salad (with Imitation Crab)
Seafood (Imitation Crab) Pasta Salad is always such a hit at any potluck or summer cookout. It's a perfect combination of creamy, crunchy, onion-y and even sweet from the imitation crab.
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32
English Pea Salad Recipe
This yummy English Pea Salad, made with fresh English peas, crisp veggies, and creamy dressing plus {bacon and blue cheese}, is the perfect springtime side dish.
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33
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
This Italian Pasta salad recipe has it all! Tender pasta, salty pepperoni, cubed mozzarella, lots of diced veggies and a homemade olive oil and garlic dressing. The longer it sits the better it tastes! Perfect for potlucks, BBQs or simple side dish.
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34
Tuna Pasta Salad
This creamy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe is tangy, crunchy, oniony, and delightful! Perfect for a healthy lunch, light dinner, or snack to store in the fridge.
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35
Easy Roasted Red Pepper Dip
This Roasted Red Pepper Dip is salty, sweet, tangy and creamy. Serve with crackers, vegetables, or slices of bread.
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36
Macaroni Salad
This simple Macaroni Salad Recipe is delicious and can be made in 15 minutes! It’s the perfect creamy, crunchy, fresh and cold summer salad.
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37
Sweet and Sour Meatball Recipe
This Sweet and Sour Meatball Recipe is so simple to make and are perfect appetizers. Odds are you have all the ingredients already on hand!
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38
Jalapeno Artichoke Dip Recipe
Jalapeno Artichoke Dip is creamy, tangy, zingy, spicy, salty, addictive. Basically, world peace in an appetizer. Enjoy with friends or alone!
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39
Classic Hummus Recipe
This Hummus Recipe is a simple and basic Middle Eastern dip that only takes about ten minutes to make. Use a blender or a food processor for best results.
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40
Watermelon Caprese Salad
Juicy watermelon is paired with fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and drizzled with balsamic glaze in this refreshing Watermelon Caprese Salad.
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41
Mint Watermelon Salad
Made with only three ingredients, this is Watermelon Mint Salad! Perfect for summer this salad is cold, refreshing, and naturally sweet!
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42
Doctored Up Baked Beans
Sweet and savory, these Doctored Up Baked Beans are easy to make and a fantastic addition to any summer meal, but you didn't have to slave for hours in the kitchen. Flavored with bacon, molasses, onions, garlic and more, you will fall in love with this classic recipe.
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43
Boston Baked Beans
Tangy yet sweet this Boston Baked Beans recipe can be made on the stovetop or in a crockpot. Don't like tang? I have alterations for that too!
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44
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Strawberry Pretzel Salad is no salad at all, but a delicious dessert made with easy store-bought ingredients like Jell-O, Cool Whip, pretzels and strawberries. Always a hit at potlucks and picnics.
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45
Fruit Pizza Cookies
Soft sugar cookies with sweet cream cheese frosting all topped with colorful and fresh fruit, these are Fruit Pizza Cookies! So good!
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46
Fruit Pizza Recipe
When you need a beautiful and delicious summer party dessert, make this amazing Fruit Pizza, topped with light creamy pudding and fresh fruit.
Check out this recipe
47
Classic Lemon Bars
This Lemon Bar Recipe is the quintessential party dessert, baking up perfectly sweet while still lemony and tart. Very few, simple ingredients are needed to make this recipe from scratch and they always are the first to go at any get-together.
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48
Nutella Deviled Strawberries
A fast, three-ingredient dessert or treat, perfect for any party or afternoon pick-me-up. If you've never had Deviled Strawberries, get ready to live!
Check out this recipe
49
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe
This Cream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe is perfect for any get together or for a snack! It’s also super kid-friendly thanks to the sprinkles.
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50
Actually Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe! Soft baked, very chocolatey and impossible to ruin. All chocolate chip cookies should be this good!
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51
Scotcharoos
This Scotcharoos (or ScotchEroos!) recipe is a CLASSIC featuring a chewy peanut buttery Rice Krispies base topped with chocolate and butterscotch. These will FLY off your table.
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52
No-Bake Cookies
These No-Bake Cookies are the perfect dessert when you're short on time. You just need a pot and a stovetop, and voila…10 minutes to a whole batch of awesome delectable cookies.
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53
Magnolia Banana Pudding Recipe
Perfectly sweet and delicious, this Banana Pudding Recipe will make you never want another dessert again! Best for any holiday or potluck.
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54
Banana Split Cake
Banana Split Cake is a graham cracker crust topped with all the familiar flavors of a banana split including the cherry on top! This no-bake dessert will be devoured by everyone.
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55
Oreo Lasagna Recipe
Oreo, cheesecake mixture, chocolate and vanilla pudding, and homemade whipped cream are layered to create a delicious dessert that will have your family licking their plates clean!
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There you have it! 57 side dishes for a graduation party! I have some salads, dips, easy appetizers and even desserts for you to try out!
If you make these recipes, I would really appreciate it if you would give them a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
