Published: by Jessica Fisher
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Time to celebrate a high school or college graduation? Throw a super soiree or backyard BBQ with these budget graduation party food ideas. You can pick and choose which items to make homemade while saving money on all the party food with these tips and ideas.
Be sure to check out our easy recipes for Buffalo Chicken Bites, the very best Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip, and the most delicious Chocolate Orange Cake for the perfect dishes your peeps will love. I can’t wait to hear what graduation party food ideas you choose!
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You’ve done it. You’ve successfully survived a child’s journey through high school or college. You’re super proud of them and you want to celebrate in style.
Unfortunately, the budget is a little tight, and groceries are a little bit overpriced these days. Never fear!
You can still host one of the best graduation parties on a budget, using the Good Cheap Eats System and some budget recipes that will please your guests as well as your pocket book.
With six kids, I regularly feed a small army, even more so when we invite friends and family over. Having hosted large spring and summer parties, I’m familiar with what’s required for a graduation party as well as how to do it on a budget.
You don’t have to sacrifice a good time to enjoy a great celebration! I’ve gathered some of my best graduation party food ideas as well as tips for success because I want your party to be the best celebration without breaking the bank.
Tips for Success
The Good Cheap Eats Systems is a group of strategies our family has used not only to get out of debt (60k over the last recession!), save for extensive travel, pay for braces and college, and host large wedding parties and brunches.
It can help you pull off a great graduation party, too.
1. Shop your kitchen.
I find it best to let what I already have on hand guide my meal planning and choosing the graduation party foods ideas that fit what we already have.
Maybe you have a lot of ground beef in the freezer? Then cheeseburger sliders are a great option. Found mozzarella cheese on sale and stocked up? Make a pizza dip or pizza rolls for easy appetizers. Got a load of ice cream? Make a homemade ice cream cake.
2. Plan frugal meals.
You definitely want to make the graduation party special, but you don’t need to go overboard, especially when you’re on a budget.
Think about foods that are generally affordable or are similar to more expensive options, such as BBQ chicken legs instead of the pricier chicken wings. Chicken salad sandwiches made with rotisserie chicken may be a better deal than single chicken pieces.
Pork is typically cheaper than beef, so Pulled Pork will be a better option than burgers. Think affordability when you generate your list of graduation party food ideas.
3. Make a plan for leftovers.
While you’re certainly not going to serve leftovers at a party, you want to make sure that what you do serve doesn’t go to waste.
Calculate wisely what you’ll need so that you don’t have so much left over that it goes to waste. Additionally, make a plan to use it or share it with others so you’re not eating potato salad for days.
Be sure your graduation party food ideas match how your family typically likes to eat.
4. Visit the store with the best prices.
Where you shop matters! A recent trip to Whole Foods was like a journey to another country. That place charges twice as much as my “expensive” local grocery stores.
Unless you’re going for a very specific item that you can’t find elsewhere, be sure to shop more affordable outlets, like ALDI, Costco, Walmart, or Smart & Final.
5. Shop the sales and clearance.
In the days and weeks leading up to your graduation party, scan the grocery sales to see what bargains you can work into your menu. Shop with an eye to alter some of your plans if a killer clearance sale presents itself.
Be mindful of summer sales on chips, grilling meats, watermelon, corn on the cob, and veggie trays which all top the list of affordable graduation party food ideas.
Bonus tip –> after graduation season and other holidays, check out the clearance sales. You may find lots of goodies you can use for regular weekday meals or upcoming summer holidays.
6. Cook from scratch.
While you can buy most of your graduation party foods at Costco, it will cost you. Making your own meat and cheese platters and assembling your own veggie trays will take a little more time, but they will be fresher, taste better, and ultimately save you money.
Where practical, cook from scratch. This Red Potato Salad Recipe is fire, so easy to make and so much cheaper than the deli!
Most prepped food is good in the fridge for up to 4 days, so you can easily prep graduation party foods a good two to three days in advance, allowing you to enjoy some leftovers the day after.
7. Freeze it.
If there’s anything you can make ahead of time to freeze, do it. Angie, a member of the Good Cheap Eats Club, has prepped cheesecakes, concentrate for Strawberry Lemonade, and pulled pork for her graduation parties and other get-togethers.
This can save you a lot of hassle before the event as well as save you time on food. Be sure to check out our Budget Brunch Party Menu as it may be a good fit or have some overlap with your graduation party food ideas.
FAQs
What are some inexpensive ideas for a graduation party?
Choose foods that are generally affordable and easy to prepare in advance. Sandwich or taco fillings are always cheap and easy, as is a burrito bar.
How can I serve cold food for several hours without people getting sick?
Food should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The key is to keep cold food cold for the entirety of your event. Place drinks in coolers full of ice. Purchase small kiddie pools or inflatable table-top coolers to fill with ice and then set your serving trays on the ice.
What’s the best way to serve hot food at a graduation party?
Hot food should be served hot so that food-borne illness doesn’t occur. That’s no cause for celebration! Serve hot foods in a crockpot, instant pot, or in chafing dishes. Avoid allowing foods to enter the “danger zone” which is between 40 and 140 degrees F (4.4 and 60 degrees C).
Graduation Party Food Ideas
These recipes are some of our favorite Good Cheap Eats for a graduationparty.
Beverages
Regardless of the ages of your guests, serving refreshing and affordable mocktails is always a good idea. These drinks recipes are perfect for making in bulk at a graduation party
Homemade Ginger Ale
Homemade Ginger Ale is crisp, tangy, and ultimately refreshing. Drink as much as you like; it's easy to make more!
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Blue Lagoon Mocktail
The easiest and most refreshing Blue Lagoon Mocktail requires just four ingredients: Blue curaçao syrup, lemonade, ice, and seltzer. You won't believe how refreshing it is!
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Ginger Lemonade
This ginger lemonade comes together in just five minutes with three ingredients! It's delicious, refreshing, and the ultimate thirst quencher.
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Sherbet Punch
Sherbet, juice, and club soda combine for a refreshing sherbet punch, perfect for showers and other special occasions. Mix and match the elements for your favorite colors and flavor combinations.
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Pink Lemonade with Strawberries
Get ready for summer by stirring up a batch of Pink Lemonade. It's a delicious way to cool off, tart and sweet and perfectly refreshing.
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Lemonade like Chick-Fil-A Makes
Homemade lemonade tastes so much better than the frozen concentrate. This recipe is super simple and delicious, just like what chick-fil-a makes
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Cherry Limeade Recipe
Cherry Limeade is a fun and refreshing drink. Make it with lime and tart cherry juices instead of dyed syrups and artificial flavors for a real food treat.
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Homemade Cranberry Soda
Make your own homemade cranberry soda with tart cranberry juice, honey syrup, and sparkling water. What a fun treat!
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Mojito Mocktail
Chill out with this lime-mint cooler. A Mojito Mocktail is ultra refreshing with cooling mint, tart lime, and the fizz of club soda. It's a great non-alcoholic drink to share with friends and family.
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Cold Brew Concentrate
Save money and time when you make your own coffee drinks at home with homemade cold brew concentrate. It's easy and quick to make!
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Iced Coffee
Save some change and prep your own iced coffee at home with this easy iced coffee recipe. Enhance it with milk and coffee ice cubes.
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Looking for Budget Party Food Ideas?
Be sure to check out our archives of party food recipes and tips for saving money on those important celebrations.
Appetizers
While not required, appetizers are a great addition to your graduation party food. They’re easy to serve, simple to customize, and light on the budget.
Vegan Charcuterie Board
A Vegan Charcuterie Board featuring olives, pickles, vegetables, crackers, pretzels, and hummus is sure to please everyone at the table, even the meat eaters! It's a super festive way to snack plant-based.
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Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dip
Enjoy dipping veggies, pizza, or chicken tender into this easy homemade ranch dip. It's delicious and made with all real food ingredients.
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Spicy Chicken Dip
This Spicy Chicken Dip is out of this world. Creamy, cheesy, spicy, and full of tender chicken pieces, this dip will please kids and adults alike.
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Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
This Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is packed with flavor from jalapeno, bell pepper, garlic, and onion, as well as creaminess from cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar. It's perfect for dipping!
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Easy Vegetable Tray
Purchased vegetable trays are convenient, but they can be costly. Here’s all you need to create a super easy veggie tray and save money.
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Fresh Fruit Platter Recipe
Arrange a pretty platter of fruit with this easy fruit tray recipe. Customize it to suit your tastes and what's in season or on sale.
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Jalapeño Artichoke Dip
Parmesan cheese, artichokes, and diced jalapeños combine in a hot and bubbly Jalapeno Artichoke Dip that is sure to please. Offer toasted baguette for a deliciously easy appetizer.
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Really Homemade Seven Layer Dip
This easy seven layer dip recipe is homemade – meaning less processed and more deliciousness! It’s the perfect appetizer for taco night as well as holiday get-togethers.
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Main Dishes
You’ll want about 6 to 8 ounces of hearty proteins for your graduation party guests. Think about some of these mix-and-match options for main dishes:
Grilled Brats with Peppers and Onions
Enjoy the smoky goodness of grilled brats with peppers and onions. With just a handful of veggies, you've got the makings of a great brats dinner in less than 30 minutes!
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Best Ever Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Looking for a simple yet flavorful way to cook pork? Combine a homemade rub with a cheap cut of pork and cook it slowly in the slow cooker for a fantastic filling for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, and tacos.
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Shredded Beef Filling
Shredded beef is a great filling for tacos, burritos, and taquitos. This recipe cooks up easily in the slow cooker.
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Cranberry Chicken Salad
With tenderchicken breast, celery, dried cranberries, and a tangy poppy seed dressing, this classic Cranberry Chicken Salad is a treat!
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Meat and Cheese Platters
Host a party or even a casual meal with friends and serve Homemade Meat and Cheese Platters can make the meal so easy and cheap!
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Sloppy Joes from Scratch
Sloppy Joes are a quick and easy dinner that won’t break the budget. In fact, you can very easily — and economically — make this savory meat mixture completely from scratch. No cans, mixes, or ketchup required.
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Slow Cooker Ham
Make a Slow Cooker Ham for your next holiday feast. It’s easy. It’s delicious. It’s a good cheap eat that will make you the hit of the party.
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Grilled Buffalo Chicken
Buffalo wings are a tasty treat, but sometimes you want something meatier. This Grilled Buffalo Chicken is just the thing! Full of flavor and easy to prep, you’ll have a great dish to throw on the grill.
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Spice-Rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Homemade spice blends are a cheap and easy way to add flavor and texture to your favorite grilled meats. Try this grilled pork tenderloin with its warm, spicy rub.
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Grilled Pork Chops with Basil-Balsamic Marinade
Fresh basil and tangy balsamic vinegar add rich flavor to these grilled pork chops. Make a double batch and freeze one for a later date.
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Pork Carnitas Tacos
Love the Pork Carnitas Tacos that you order at the local taco shop? Bring that delicious goodness to your home kitchen. Using the slow cooker makes the process super easy. You will wow your crowd with these delicious homemade Pork Carnitas Tacos.
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Easy Slow Cooker Chili
This Easy Slow Cooker Chili really is easy. Cook up meat and onions, open some cans, dump some spices, and walk away. The slow cooker does all the work for you!
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Side Dishes
Offer a variety of side dishes, allowing at least one cup per person.
White Bean Salad
Enjoy this filling, yet easy and refreshing white bean salad dotted with sweet peppers this summer. This bean salad recipe is a perfect side dish for all your grilling recipes.
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Lemon Orzo Salad
Dotted with sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, marinated artichoke hearts, and tangy feta, this delicious Lemon Orzo Salad comes together quickly in less than 30 minutes!
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Corn Salad
Sweet juicy corn, crunchy pepper, and kicky green onion combine in a delicious corn salad you'll want to enjoy all year long. Serve it as a side salad or as a topping for tacos or nachos.
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Pasta Salad with Tortellini
Enjoy a quick and delicious Tortellini Pasta Salad full of fresh veggies and a vibrant dressing. It’s perfect as a packable lunch, a fast main dish, or an easy side.
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Pesto Pasta Salad with Cranberries& Feta
Enjoy an easy supper or side dish with this make-ahead Pesto Pasta Salad with Cranberries & Feta Cheese. It’s packed with flavor and makes a colorful addition to your buffet.
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Antipasto Pasta Salad
Blend all your favorite antipasto flavors into a convenient pasta salad. This recipe blends spicy salami, tangy parmesan, hearty garbanzo beans, and the crunch of fresh vegetables.
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Tuna Macaroni Salad
Enjoy this Tuna Macaroni Salad as a cool main dish this summer or as a substantial side dish at your next barbecue. It packs super well for lunch on the go.
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Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Cheese
Stir up this quick and easy, old fashioned macaroni salad recipe in minutes. Studded with celery, red onion, and cheddar cheese, wrapped in a creamy mayo dressing, this pasta's packed with flavor and perfect for picnicking.
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Deli Potato Salad
This Deli Potato Salad is one of those summer dishes that is filling without heating you up. A traditional potato salad recipe that goes great with grilled meats, sandwiches, and salad buffet meals, it’s a great after-anything kind of snack.
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Loaded Potato Salad
With spring here and summer just around the corner, it’s time to dust off your repertoire of side salads for picnics and cookouts. Be sure to include this Loaded Potato Salad recipe with smoky bacon and sharp cheddar.
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Desserts
The best desserts for a graduation party are the ones that are good at room temperature and are easy to serve, such as cookies and cupcakes.
You may want to have a special cake like a Lemon Poppy Seed Cake to fete the graduate, but keep in mind that will be more difficult to serve, especially if you have an open house and guests are coming and going.
Take some good pics of the cake, then portion it out so guests can help themselves when they’re ready.
These are easy serve yourself desserts, perfect for parties:
Lemon Blueberry Cookies Recipe
Brighten someone's day with a batch of these sweet and tangy Lemon Blueberry Cookies. With their chewy cookie texture bursting with berries, they're a perfect sweet treat.
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Coffee Cookies
Enjoy a classic cookie infused with espresso in these Coffee Cookies. They are an absolute treat, packed with great coffee flavor.
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Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
Traditional thumbprint cookies feature nuts, these don't. Oats take their place and offer a nutty texture without the allergen.
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Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar
No brown sugar? No problem! You can still make Chocolate Chip Cookies without brown sugar. It's easy and just as delicious.
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Oatmeal Craisin Cookies
These Oatmeal Craisin Cookies, in all their whole grain, antioxidant goodness, bake up in a flash and make a great treat for kids of all ages.
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Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
These Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies combine all that’s good in a cookie: hearty oats, earthy cocoa powder, and sweet chocolate chips. They get a little extra kick from cayenne pepper and ground cinnamon.
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Easy Lemon Cupcakes
These Easy Lemon Cupcakes may start with a box, but they get zing and zip from yogurt and lemon added to the mix. They are simple and delicious!
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Maple-Sweetened Chocolate Cupcakes with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting
Honey and maple stand in for sugar in these delicious cupcakes. Enjoy a naturally sweet treat in these chocolate cupcakes with honey cream cheese frosting.
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Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Bake up these easy banana cupcakes topped with chocolate cream cheese frosting for a frugal but luscious treat.
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Jumbo Strawberry Cookies Recipe
Brighten someone's day with a batch of these buttery, oat-filled Strawberry Cookies. With their oaty, cake-like texture, they're a perfect sweet treat.
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Chocolate Coconut Bars
Know what’s better than standard Magic Bars? Chocolate Coconut Bars! Layers of chocolate cookie crumbs, chocolate chips, and shredded coconut meld together with sweetened condensed milk in this caramel-y, crunchy, delicious treat.
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Chocolate Dipped Oreos Recipe
Chocolate sandwich cookies dipped in chocolate and sprinkled in extra deliciousness? Yes, please! Chocolate-Dipped Oreos are a fun, festive treat for any holiday or special event.
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Double Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Enjoy salted toffee, chocolate-y goodies with these Double Chocolate Toffee Cookies. They are perfect for gift giving — or hoarding them all to yourself.
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Chocolate Baked Donuts
Save some coin and bake your own chocolate donuts. Super delicious and loaded with chocolate, these chocolate baked donuts are a fun treat to make.
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