If you’re looking for a side that will have everyone asking for seconds at your holiday feast, this Garlic Bread Rolls for Thanksgiving Recipe is an absolute game-changer. Soft, buttery, and infused with the perfect punch of garlic and fresh parsley, these rolls are the kind of comforting bread that just feels like a warm hug on your Thanksgiving plate. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll never want to settle for store-bought rolls again!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Soft & Fluffy: The dough kneads into a soft, tacky texture that bakes into irresistibly tender rolls every single time.
Bursting with Garlic Flavor: Garlic butter brushed on hot rolls seals in that rich, aromatic goodness your whole family will crave.
Great Make-Ahead Option: You can prep these in advance or freeze for later, making Thanksgiving less stressful in the kitchen.
Visual Appeal: That perfect golden brown top with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt makes these rolls as pretty as they are tasty.

The image shows a white dish filled with seven shiny, golden-brown dinner rolls bunched together in two rows. Each soft roll is topped with small bits of green parsley and finely chopped garlic, sprinkled evenly with coarse salt. One roll is slightly pulled away, revealing a fluffy, light inside with a soft texture. There is a woman's hand partially holding this separated roll on the top left of the frame. The background and surface are a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Bread Rolls Thanksgiving, garlic bread rolls, easy holiday bread, buttery garlic rolls, Thanksgiving side dishes

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient works together to give you that classic garlic bread roll everyone loves, with the perfect softness and a buttery, garlicky punch. Be sure to use fresh parsley to brighten the flavor and measure your flour carefully to get the dough consistency just right.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, two bright green sprigs of fresh parsley, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine sea salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl containing instant yeast powder, a small white ceramic bowl with warm milk, a whole large brown egg with a smooth clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl with softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl with minced fresh garlic, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with flaky sea salt crystals, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Bread Rolls Thanksgiving, garlic bread rolls, easy holiday bread, buttery garlic rolls, Thanksgiving side dishes

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the salt level in the rolls and garlic butter perfectly.
Minced garlic: Fresh garlic makes all the difference for that punch of warmth and aroma.
All-purpose flour: Important to measure properly using the spoon-and-level method so your dough isn’t too dry or sticky.
Chopped fresh parsley: Adds a fresh herbal note and pretty green flecks in the dough and butter.
Granulated sugar: Just a touch to feed the yeast and balance flavors.
Instant yeast: Quick rising and reliable, but you can substitute active dry yeast if you’re patient.
Fine sea salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
Whole or 2% milk: Warmed to 110°F for activating the yeast and tenderizing the dough.
Large egg: Adds richness and a beautiful color to the rolls.
Beaten egg (for brushing): Creates that gorgeous golden, shiny crust on top.
Flaky sea salt (for finishing): Optional but highly recommended for a delicate salty crunch on top.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love to play around with this Garlic Bread Rolls for Thanksgiving Recipe sometimes – it’s easy to tweak to suit your taste or dietary needs. Feel free to make it your own!

Herb Boost: Adding rosemary or thyme along with parsley creates an earthy flavor I adore that pairs beautifully with turkey.
Cheesy Delight: Stir in some shredded Parmesan or mozzarella into the dough for an extra rich, savory twist—my family goes crazy for this one.
Whole Wheat Swap: For a healthier touch, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour; you may need to adjust liquid slightly.
Dairy-Free Option: Use a plant-based milk and vegan butter to make this recipe allergy-friendly without losing any of the buttery goodness.

How to Make Garlic Bread Rolls for Thanksgiving Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Garlic Butter and Dough

I always start by melting the butter with minced garlic on low heat until fragrant—about 1-2 minutes. This butter mixture needs to cool slightly while you gather your dry ingredients. It’s a little step that makes such a flavorful difference! In your mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, parsley, sugar, yeast, and salt. Then add warm milk, one egg, and that fragrant garlic butter. Knead with a dough hook on low for about 10-12 minutes until smooth and just a bit tacky. If it’s too sticky to work with, sprinkle in flour a tablespoon at a time — but you want the dough soft, not stiff.

Step 2: Shape and Let Rise

Once your dough is silky and smooth, I like to divide it into 12 equal pieces for perfectly sized rolls. Using a kitchen scale helps me keep them consistent at about 67 grams each — it takes the guesswork out and makes all the rolls bake evenly. I shape each piece into a tight ball, pinching the seam underneath so they don’t unravel. Arrange these in a buttered 9×13 pan, cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and set in a warm spot. This is the hard part because you’ll have to wait about 1-2 hours until they double in size — but trust me, it’s worth it!

Step 3: Bake and Finish with Garlic Butter

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Just before baking, I brush the rolls with beaten egg wash. This step gives that perfect golden sheen once baked. Bake for 20-30 minutes until they’re puffed, golden, and begging to be tasted. While the rolls bake, quickly make more garlic butter by melting butter with garlic and stirring in fresh parsley. When the rolls come out, brush generously with this garlic butter. If you like, sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top — I always do. Serve them warm because they are at their absolute best right out of the oven!

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Bread Rolls for Thanksgiving Recipe

Use a Kitchen Scale: Measuring your dough pieces ensures rolls bake evenly and look professional without extra effort.
Don’t Overdo the Flour: Adding too much flour can make these rolls tough; stick to the recipe and add flour gradually.
Warm Milk is Key: Make sure milk is warm, not hot—around 110°F—to activate yeast without killing it.
Brush Rolls Immediately: Applying garlic butter right when rolls come out gives maximum flavor absorption and gloss.

How to Serve Garlic Bread Rolls for Thanksgiving Recipe

Garlic Bread Rolls for Thanksgiving Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love finishing these rolls with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt — it gives that subtle crunch and balances the garlic butter’s richness perfectly. Sometimes I add just a touch more fresh parsley on top for color and freshness, especially if I’m serving guests.

Side Dishes

These garlic bread rolls shine alongside classic Thanksgiving dishes like herb-roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. They’re also fantastic for mopping up gravy or stuffing, making your meal feel cozy and complete.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I sometimes arrange the rolls in a wreath shape on a baking sheet before baking, finishing with rosemary sprigs for a holiday vibe. Another fun idea is to serve them in individual mini cast iron skillets, brushed with garlic butter right at the table for a fresh, rustic presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover garlic bread rolls keep beautifully when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I learned that keeping them sealed tight helps maintain softness, so no sad stale rolls here.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, these rolls freeze wonderfully. I freeze them baked or shaped (after the first rise), just wrapped tightly in plastic and foil. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before baking or reheating.

Reheating

To reheat your garlic bread rolls, I pop them into a 350°F oven wrapped loosely in foil for about 10-15 minutes. If you want to revive the garlic butter flavor, brush some more on top before serving—this always delights my family.

FAQs

Can I make these garlic bread rolls without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can knead this dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 12-15 minutes, or until it’s smooth and slightly tacky. Just be patient—it takes a bit longer but works just as well.
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes! If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm milk first and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy before adding to your dry ingredients. This wakes up the yeast properly to get your dough rising.
Why are my rolls dense instead of fluffy?

Dense rolls usually mean the dough wasn’t kneaded enough, or the yeast didn’t have time/conditions to rise properly. Make sure your milk is warm (not hot), the dough is kneaded until smooth and elastic, and that you allow enough rising time in a warm spot.
Can I make these ahead and refrigerate before baking?

Definitely! After shaping the rolls, cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, bring them to room temperature and let them finish rising for about 30 minutes before brushing with egg wash and baking.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Garlic Bread Rolls for Thanksgiving Recipe turns out each time—soft, buttery, and loaded with the right amount of garlic punch. When I first tried making rolls from scratch, I struggled to find the perfect balance of flavors and texture, but this recipe nails it every time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at homemade bread for the first time this holiday, you’ll find these rolls are forgiving, rewarding, and a total crowd-pleaser. Give them a try this Thanksgiving—I promise your guests will be raving about them for years to come!