Name: Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe – A Must-Have Thanksgiving Side
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 12 rolls
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 packet (about 2¼ tsp) active dry yeast; ½ cup warm water; 1 cup milk; 4 tbsp melted butter; 2 tbsp sugar; 4 cups all-purpose flour; ½ tbsp salt; 1 egg (for egg wash); Extra melted butter (optional)

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Let’s be real—no Thanksgiving Dinner is complete without a basket of warm, soft, golden-brown Homemade Dinner Rolls stealing the show on the table. Sure, the turkey gets all the glory, but we all know people come back for seconds because of the sides. And if your idea of the ultimate Thanksgiving Food Sides includes buttery, pull-apart rolls that melt in your mouth… you’re in the right place.

This is my go-to Dinner Rolls Recipe, and trust me—once you try it, there’s no going back to the store-bought stuff. These babies are fluffy, light, and buttery with that just-baked smell that makes your whole kitchen feel like a hug. I make them every holiday—Thanksgiving Rolls, Christmas, Easter, you name it. Heck, we’ve even used them for mini sliders the next day. They’re that good.

What Makes These Rolls So Dang Good?

Let’s talk dough. This recipe is super simple—no fancy ingredients or intimidating steps. Just a quick-to-prep, soft-as-a-cloud dough (think cinnamon roll vibes). That’s the secret to getting insanely Fluffy Dinner Rolls every single time.

Once baked, you can brush them with regular melted butter for that classic taste. Or, if you're feeling a little extra (and who isn’t during Thanksgiving Cooking?), go with garlic butter for a savory twist. Either way—delish.

Want to really knock it out of the park? Serve them warm with honey butter. Game. Over.

Bake Like a Pro: Roll Tips You Need to Know

Even easy recipes can go sideways if you skip the basics, so let me give you the lowdown:

Water Temperature Matters: Keep it under 115°F. If it’s hotter, you’ll kill the yeast. And FYI—you don’t need to heat the milk. Skip the guesswork, use a thermometer.
Flour Smarts: Don’t just scoop flour straight from the bag! Spoon it into your measuring cup, then level it off with a knife. Too much flour = dense, biscuit-like rolls. And we’re not here for that.
Knead It Like You Mean It: Don’t skimp on kneading. Under-kneading leads to flat, chewy rolls. You want your dough smooth, elastic, and slightly stretchy. IMO, it’s better to over-knead a bit than under-do it.
Shape It Right: I like to pinch the bottom of the dough and roll it in the palm of my hand on the counter. It’s oddly satisfying and makes them look super pro. Want a visual? Check out the video tutorial (because some things just make more sense seen).
Don’t Underdone It: Nobody wants a doughy center. Bake until the internal temp hits 200°F. If you’ve got a kitchen thermometer, now’s its time to shine.

Let’s Talk Leftovers (If You Even Have Any)

These Homemade Dinner Rolls are best eaten fresh and warm—ideally slathered with butter while steam’s still rising. But hey, life happens and you might end up with extras. Good news: they stay soft for a day and make epic next-day sliders. Turkey sandwich on a roll with cranberry sauce? Chef’s kiss.

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Sidekick

In the ever-growing list of must-have Thanksgiving Recipes Side Dishes, these rolls are a front-runner. They pair beautifully with gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole—you name it. Whether you’re hosting the big dinner or bringing a side to Friendsgiving, these Thanksgiving Rolls Recipes will make you the hero of the meal.

So go ahead, give these Thanksgiving Rolls a try. They’re simple to make, hard to mess up, and ridiculously delicious. Just be warned—once you bring them to the table, there’s no turning back. Your family will be requesting them every year.

And honestly? You won’t mind a bit.