Side Dishes for a Graduation Party

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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 with Crescent Rolls

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 come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with deep, smoky flavor throughout. Easy to prep and packed with bold seasoning, these wings are always a hit.

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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

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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11

Ham Salad Sandwich Recipe

12

Grandma’s Cucumber Salad

Grandma's Cucumber Salad recipe is cool, crunchy, refreshing, and easy to throw together on a hot summer day! Great for BBQ's or potlucks. 

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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

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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15

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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16

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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17

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is the perfect way to use up those fresh summer ears of corn! Fresh vegetables and pasta are tossed in a Mexican chili lime sauce and served chilled.

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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 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

Grilled 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

3-Ingredient Easy 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.

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31

Imitation Crab Pasta Salad

This creamy Imitation Crab Pasta Salad is packed with veggies, tons of fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing. It’s easy to make, super satisfying, and perfect for a quick lunch or potluck side.

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32

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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33

Tuna Salad Recipe with Pasta

This creamy Tuna Salad Recipe with Pasta is tangy, crunchy, oniony, and delightful! Perfect for a healthy lunch, light dinner, or snack to store in the fridge. 

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34

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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35

Simple Macaroni Salad

This Simple Macaroni Salad is creamy, crunchy, and packed with flavor from crisp veggies and a tangy mayo dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for picnics, potlucks, or easy weeknight meals.

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36

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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37

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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38

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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39

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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40

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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41

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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42

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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43

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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44

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.

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45

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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46

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!

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47

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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48

Actually Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe! Soft baked, very chocolatey and impossible to ruin. Made with both semi-sweet AND milk chocolate chips for the ultimate bite.

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49

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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50

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 delectable chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies.

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51

Homemade Banana Pudding (Magnolia Bakery Copycat)

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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52

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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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.