Buttermilk Dinner Rolls

Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves: 12 Cuisine: American

Buttermilk dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and slightly tangy, perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Their golden crust and tender crumb make them a versatile side dish that pairs well with soups, stews, or salads, appealing to both bread lovers and those seeking homemade comfort food.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 large compressed yeast
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup soft butter or part shortening
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon soda
  • 2 eggs
  • 5 or 6 cups flour

Instructions

  1. Add crumbled yeast and sugar to lukewarm buttermilk and let stand for 10 minutes.
  2. Add melted butter, salt, and soda to the mixture.
  3. Beat well and add half the flour and the unbeaten eggs.
  4. Beat well again.
  5. Add remaining flour gradually to make a stiff dough.
  6. Let the dough rise until doubled in bulk.
  7. Shape the dough into rolls.
  8. Let the rolls rise again.
  9. Grease muffin pans thoroughly.
  10. Bake at 325°F for 20 minutes.

Tips & Substitutions

For best results, ensure your buttermilk is at room temperature before mixing. If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute with a mixture of milk and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. For a richer flavor, consider adding a bit of garlic powder or herbs to the dough. To enhance the texture, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour. These rolls are also excellent for making Barbecue Muffins.

Serving Suggestions

These buttermilk dinner rolls are perfect as a side for soups, stews, or any hearty meal. They make a delightful addition to holiday dinners and pair beautifully with roasted meats. For an extra touch, serve them warm with butter or honey. They also complement well with vegetarian recipes, making them versatile for various diets.

Storage & Reheating

To store leftovers, place the cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or microwave them for about 15-20 seconds until warm.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Buttermilk Dinner Rolls contains roughly 277 calories, with 4g protein, 40g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 738mg per serving (32% of the Daily Value).

277 kcal 14% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 3.7g 7% DV
Total Fat 11.6g 15% DV
Carbs 40.5g 15% DV
Fiber 0.5g 2% DV
Sugar 0.2g

Electrolytes

Sodium 738.5mg 32% DV
Potassium 262.4mg 6% DV
Cholesterol 130.5mg 43% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 32mcg 4% DV
Vitamin C 2.1mg 2% DV
Vitamin D 0.1mcg
Calcium 105.8mg 8% DV
Iron 1.1mg 6% DV
Diet fit Under 400 cal
Contains Milk Egg Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use active dry yeast instead of compressed yeast?

Yes, you can use active dry yeast in this recipe. Simply dissolve it in the lukewarm buttermilk along with the sugar and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until bubbly. This will activate the yeast, similar to using compressed yeast.

How can I make these rolls ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough and let it rise, then shape the rolls and place them in greased muffin pans. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and rise again before baking. This saves time for special occasions.

What can I do if my dough isn't rising?

If your dough isn't rising, check the temperature of your environment; it should be warm but not hot. Also, ensure your yeast is fresh. If it’s too cold, try placing the dough in a slightly warm oven or near a warm stove to encourage rising.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

🍽 Looking for more dinner ideas? Take our Dinner Quiz for personalized recipe suggestions →
Dinner Ideas Hub
American recipes → Vegetarian recipes → Dairy recipes → Dinner recipes → All recipes →