These Garlic Herb Parker House Rolls are soft, buttery, and topped with flaky sea salt. Perfect for holiday dinners or any meal. Get the easy recipe!

I think every meal should have warm dinner rolls on the side. These Garlic Herb Parker House Rolls are exactly that: soft, tender, buttery, with fresh rosemary and thyme, a hint of garlic, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. This recipe comes from The Staub Cookbook, written by my friend Amanda Frederickson, so I knew it would be fantastic. (Fun fact: our cookbook photographer Colin Price shot it too.) Let's not waste time, let's make some rolls.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Herb Parker House Rolls

The garlic and herb butter brushed on warm rolls gives them a savory punch that plain rolls just don't have.
The dough uses whole milk and plenty of butter, so each roll is tender and soft.
A final sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a little crunch and a salty finish that makes you reach for another.

Key Ingredients for These Dinner Rolls

Unsalted butter, Using unsalted lets you control the salt level. The butter is used both in the dough and for brushing, so quality matters. You can use salted butter, but reduce the kosher salt by a pinch.
Active dry yeast, This recipe calls for active dry, not instant. Make sure it's fresh and bloom it in the warm milk mixture. If you only have instant, you can add it directly to the flour, but the rise times may be slightly shorter.
Fresh herbs, Rosemary and thyme give a woodsy, aromatic flavor. Dried herbs won't have the same punch, but you can substitute 1 teaspoon each of dried rosemary and thyme if that's what you have.

Kitchen Tools for Making Parker House Rolls

Stand mixer with dough hook (or a large bowl and strong arms for hand kneading)
Cast-iron roasting pan or a 9x13-inch baking dish
Instant-read thermometer to check milk temperature
Pastry brush for brushing garlic butter

Tips for Making Perfect Parker House Rolls

First, check the date on your yeast. Active dry yeast needs to be alive to work. Melt half a cup of butter with milk and sugar, then bring it to exactly 105°F, too hot and you'll kill the yeast. Add the yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it gets bubbly and smells yeasty. If it doesn't, toss it and start over.

Use a stand mixer with the dough hook to make things easier. Start with 4 cups of flour, then add the egg, herbs, half the garlic, and salt. Knead on low until the dough is soft and smooth, tacky but not sticky. If it's too wet, add the remaining quarter cup of flour a little at a time. You can knead by hand, but the mixer saves effort.

Expert Tips for Fluffy Garlic Herb Rolls

When the dough has doubled in size after the first rise, punch it down gently. Cut it into four equal pieces, then shape each into small balls about 2 ounces each. You should get 18 total. Butter your baking dish well, a cast-iron roasting pan works great. Let the shaped rolls rise for 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 350°F.

Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. While they're still warm, melt the remaining butter with the rest of the garlic and brush it over the tops. Sprinkle with the remaining herbs and flaky sea salt. Serve warm for the best texture.

Variations to Try with These Dinner Rolls

You can swap the rosemary and thyme for other fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or oregano. If you love garlic, add an extra clove or two to the butter. For a cheesy twist, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the rolls before the final rise. Or skip the garlic and herbs entirely for classic Parker House rolls, just brush with plain melted butter and sea salt.

What to Serve with Garlic Herb Parker House Rolls

These rolls are great alongside a bowl of tomato soup or a hearty beef stew. They also shine at holiday dinners, think Thanksgiving turkey, Easter ham, or a Sunday roast. For a simpler meal, serve them with a big green salad and some roasted chicken. And if you have leftovers, split them and make mini sandwiches with leftover turkey or roast beef.

How to Store Leftover Garlic Herb Rolls

Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. The garlic butter may soften the crust a bit, but they'll still taste great. Let them come to room temperature or reheat before serving.

How to Freeze Parker House Rolls

To freeze baked rolls, let them cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. They'll keep for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature, then reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes until warm and slightly crisp on the outside.

Best Ways to Reheat Garlic Herb Rolls

The best way to reheat these rolls is in the oven. Preheat to 350°F, place the rolls on a baking sheet, and warm for 5 to 10 minutes. This restores the crust and keeps the inside soft. A toaster oven works too. Microwaving is faster but will make them soft and a bit chewy, fine in a pinch, but not as good.