Recipe Ideas for Graduation Parties

The month of May is graduation season. Whether it is graduation from high school, college, or another level of education, May is prime time for graduation parties. From backyard BBQs to patio cookouts, graduation parties are the perfect time to gather together with family, friends, and good food to celebrate the graduates in your lives. If you are attending or hosting a graduation party this season, here are some recipe ideas for all of those graduation parties.

Bite-Sized Meatballs

One of the best appetizers or snacks for any party, but especially a graduation party where there are guests of all ages, is bite-sized meatballs. All you need is high-quality meat, a savory or sweet sauce, and a slow cooker. Don’t forget the toothpicks and napkins!

If you need a variety of recipes for some graduation inspiration, try these Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs. If you are looking for something savory with a pinch of spice, try these Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, or for something fun for all ages, try a batch of these Pizza Meatballs.

Burgers or Sliders

Backyard burgers are great for any occasion and that includes graduation parties. First, you will want to start with the best meat for burgers then you will want to make your selection on toppings to help elevate your basic backyard burger. If you want to channel the vibes of different cuisines, try some of these recipes:

● Asian Pork Burgers with Broccoli Slaw
● Greek Gyro Burgers
● Hawaiian Turkey Burgers
● Heavenly Elk Cheeseburgers with the Works
● Island-Style Teriyaki Pork Burgers
● Pulled Pork Bacon Burgers
● Sweet as a Peach BBQ Burgers

If you prefer lighter, smaller bites, try mini bite-sized sliders with a spicy aioli sauce.

Charcuterie Boards

Charcuterie boards are a fun way to feed large groups of graduation guests. The best part about charcuterie boards is you can cater your featured items according to your guests and their dietary preferences. You can even choose hand-selected ingredients that match your graduate’s school colors, this is especially great for a sweet treat charcuterie dessert board.

Chicken or Duck Wings

If you are hosting a garden graduation party with some light refreshing fare you may opt for zesty Garden Ranch Wings or perhaps you want something extra special and elegant with these Spicy Duck Wings. If you have your grill ready for the summer grilling season, consider firing it up and tossing on some Grilled Chicken Wings slathered in some tangy and tasty BBQ sauce.

Kabobs

If you are planting a springtime garden and have a bumper crop of veggies, you may want to consider serving up some graduation kabobs. Choose from grilled fruit, meat, and veggies, or perhaps all three. If you are still waiting for your own backyard garden to grow, consider making a trip to the local farmers market for some locally grown fresh produce picks. For homemade kabobs, consider some of these tasty combinations:

● Balsamic Steak and Mushroom Kabobs
● Chicken Bacon Ranch Kabobs
● Chimichurri Sirloin Kabobs
● Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Kabobs
● Juicy Lamb Kabobs
● Teriyaki Pineapple Shrimp Kabobs

Tacos

Tacos may not be what you think about when you are planning for a graduation party, but if you are looking to throw a fun fiesta, this would be the perfect option. Tacos are also a great dish that can easily feed the masses. Simply put together a build-your-own taco bar and let guests handcraft their favorite taco toppings. Choose from chicken tacos, fish tacos, or steak, and pick up some taco and fajita seasoning mix then it is time for a graduation fiesta!

Happy Graduation

Graduations are a great time to get together with family and friends and celebrate the closing of one chapter and the exciting beginning of what’s to come in the next chapter of life. What better way to commemorate the graduate than with a party packed with family, friends, and really good food? Use these graduation inspiration ideas for your next graduation get-together and enjoy. Happy graduation, graduates!

Big thanks to Ashley Martens for this fantastic article that gets us all geared up for Graduation Season! Whether you’re celebrating with a backyard BBQ or a fancy feast, Ashley’s tips are sure to make your gathering memorable. For more delicious ideas, health tips, and inspiring reads, head over to the US Wellness Meats Discover Blog—we’ve got plenty more where this came from!