Did Ina Garten Just Cancel Thanksgiving Rolls?

I’ve never met a dinner roll I didn’t like. Those warm, pillowy puffs of bread make any meal feel more special. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, the humble dinner roll has become a pretty controversial topic—even among culinary icons like Ina Garten. In a recent interview with Williams Sonoma, she weighed in on whether particular store-bought Thanksgiving items got a thumbs-up. And when it came to whether dinner rolls deserved a spot at the Thanksgiving table, she responded with a laugh. “Do you really need dinner rolls for Thanksgiving? I certainly wouldn’t make my own.” Her Thanksgiving menu backs this up—there’s nary a roll in sight! 

Known for her straightforward approach to hosting stress-free dinners, the queen of the Hamptons prefers to focus on standout dishes rather than bread rolls, which can take up valuable oven space and prep time. When our editors caught wind of this hot take, let’s just say they had some strong opinions to share. Though Garten later recovered by adding she might buy “really good” rolls from a bakery, her ambivalence was already out there—and we have thoughts.

Who Needs a Dinner Roll, Anyway?

For some of our editors, Ina’s opinion on dinner rolls resonates deeply. “I have feelings,” jokes Carolyn Malcoun, associate editorial director. “The only carbs I need or want on Thanksgiving are mashed potatoes. In fact, I start building my plate with mashed potatoes first. I don’t need a roll to sop up extra gravy; that’s what mashed potatoes are for!” 

In fairness, that gravy-potato combination is exactly what makes some of our favorite comfort foods so cozy—including our Chicken, Potato and Gravy Bowls.

“No to bread and no to dinner rolls,” agrees Penelope Wall, EatingWell’s assistant general manager. “I feel like there are so many delicious things I want to eat and make space for at Thanksgiving, and dinner rolls are just going to fill me up before I can fit everything in!” And we hear her. With turkey, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, green beans, sweet potato casserole and more on the table, it’s easy to see why rolls might feel like unnecessary bulk. We haven’t even gotten to dessert yet!

Commerce writer Kristin Montemarano agrees but suggests an alternative approach for traditional dinner roll lovers because “there are millions of other exciting options that can stand on their own,” she explains. Last year, for example, she made brown butter cornbread and served it with maple butter. And before that, she made rosemary biscuits with cranberry compote. Traditional? Nope! But she certainly nailed it with something festive and flavorful. Want to know what she’s making this year? “An Irish stout brown bread…with salted and whipped Irish butter,” she says proudly.

We think Garten would be able to get behind the idea of swapping in a fun dinner roll alternative—after all, her menu does include one bonus carb in the place of the dinner rolls: her easy Fig and Cheese Toast appetizer.

So, traditional rolls are a no-go at the dinner table. But I needed to know—what about buying them for the next day’s leftover sandwiches, otherwise known as my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner? Malcoun is still a hard no. “Soft sandwich bread is the right answer for that,” she says.

Why Turn Down a Delicious Dinner Roll?

But not everyone is ready to dismiss dinner rolls from their holiday spread. Senior commerce editor Brierley Horton is at odds with Ina. “I have to 100% disagree with Ina! Dinner rolls are a must when you’re serving picky eaters (especially kids),” she says. “I can’t tell you how many Thanksgiving dinners I’ve had with my kids where they mostly just eat dinner rolls and a few bites of turkey.” 

She’s hopeful that her kids’ palates are “finally” broadening but says she’ll still serve rolls—if only for the “mini leftover sandwiches” she makes with them. “The best part about rolls,” adds senior editor Megan Ginsberg, “is that later on, when you or your guests are ready for round two, you simply toast rolls, rewarm gravy and assemble the most delicious turkey sandwiches!” She’s firmly on team dinner roll, especially when it comes to the post-feast possibilities. “There’s nothing like a just-out-of-the-oven hot, buttery roll,” she says. Sorry, Ina.

But it was associate food editor Alex Loh who put it most passionately. “On Thanksgiving, I have one goal and one goal only: eat as many carbohydrates as possible—and dinner rolls are a must.” They’re an “excellent” start to any meal, she explains. “So, why wouldn’t you start with them on Thanksgiving?” Touché, Alex! Touché!

And even if you feel like you’ve got the bread covered with dressing or stuffing, don’t forget about the power of carb-on-carb flavor. “Bread and butter is already a top-tier combination but when you add a little turkey or some stuffing, it takes it to another level,” Loh adds. “Because bread on bread is iconic.” Hard to argue with that kind of logic, honestly.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re Team Dinner Roll or Team Skip-the-Roll, there’s no denying that this simple side dish sparks joy (and heated debate) among even the most seasoned food professionals. While Ina might prefer to save her oven space for other dishes, the choice ultimately comes down to your family’s traditions and preferences. And hey, if you do decide to serve rolls this year, we have a lot of recipes to choose from–like classic Parker House Rolls, a simplified slow-cooker option and even a spicy take on your standard dinner roll. Alternatively, taking Ina’s advice to grab them from your favorite local bakery might be the stress-free solution everyone can agree on.