Texas Roadhouse is a popular steakhouse chain known for its hand-rolled bread and cinnamon butter. The warm, soft rolls served before each meal are one of the restaurant’s signature items. With their sweet honey-butter glaze and fluffy interior, the rolls are hard to resist. But what about customers with dairy restrictions? Are the famous Texas Roadhouse rolls dairy free?
The Short Answer
Unfortunately, standard Texas Roadhouse rolls are not dairy free. The rolls contain milk, butter, and whey – all dairy ingredients. So they are not suitable for vegans or those with milk allergies or lactose intolerance. However, Texas Roadhouse does offer gluten-free rolls that are also dairy free.
Examining the Texas Roadhouse Roll Ingredients
To determine if Texas Roadhouse rolls are dairy free, we need to examine the ingredients:
- Enriched bleached wheat flour (bleached flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Sugar
- Yeast
- Palm oil
- Butter
- Salt
- Dough conditioners (wheat gluten, sodium stearoyl lactylate, calcium sulfate, l-cysteine, ascorbic acid, enzymes)
- Egg yolk
- Malt
- Diastatic malt
- Natural flavor
- Whey
- Soybean oil
- Potassium sorbate
- Citric acid
As you can see, the standard rolls contain several dairy ingredients:
- Butter – Butter is made from milk fat, so it contains dairy.
- Whey – Whey is a byproduct of cheesemaking, so it contains milk proteins.
- Egg yolk – Egg yolks are considered dairy by some who follow vegan or dairy-free diets.
In addition, the “natural flavors” used may contain dairy-derived ingredients like casein or whey. So in their classic form, Texas Roadhouse rolls definitely contain dairy and are not vegan or dairy-free.
Gluten-Free Rolls Are Dairy Free
The good news is that Texas Roadhouse does offer gluten-free rolls that are also dairy-free. The gluten-free rolls are made without milk, butter, or whey. Here are the gluten-free roll ingredients:
- Brown rice flour
- Water
- Tapioca starch
- Sugar
- Yeast
- Cellulose gum
- Xanthan gum
- Salt
- Cultured dextrose
- Guar gum
- Citric acid
- Soybean oil
- Vegetable glycerin
- Ascorbic acid
As you can see, the gluten-free Texas Roadhouse rolls contain no dairy ingredients. So these rolls are safe for vegans and those avoiding milk.
Reasons the Rolls Contain Dairy
There are several reasons why standard Texas Roadhouse rolls are made with dairy ingredients:
- Flavor – Butter, milk, and whey all contribute to the rich, sweet flavor of the rolls.
- Texture – The dairy ingredients help create the soft, fluffy texture the rolls are known for.
- Browning – Butter and milk assist with the golden brown coloring and crust formation.
- Preservation – Whey extends the shelf life of the rolls.
Removing the dairy would alter the taste, mouthfeel, appearance, and freshness that customers expect from Texas Roadhouse rolls. So for now, the restaurant chooses to keep dairy in the classic roll recipe.
Suggestions for Ordering Dairy-Free at Texas Roadhouse
If you need to avoid dairy, you still have options for enjoying a meal at Texas Roadhouse:
- Request gluten-free rolls when ordering. All locations have them available.
- Order a side salad instead of rolls with your meal.
- Ask for olive oil rather than butter to dip your rolls.
- Modify menu items to be dairy-free – steaks, chops, and seafood can all be prepared without butter.
- Choose dairy-free sides like baked potatoes, fries, roasted veggies, or rice.
- Ask about vegan entree options like barbecued tofu.
- Inform your server of any food allergies or dietary needs when ordering.
With some simple modifications, you can still enjoy the Texas Roadhouse experience without the dairy.
Does Cinnamon Butter Contain Dairy?
The sweet cinnamon butter served alongside the rolls is also not dairy-free. Here are the ingredients in Texas Roadhouse cinnamon butter:
- Salted butter (cream, salt)
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon
- Natural flavor
As you can see, regular salted butter is the primary ingredient. So the cinnamon butter contains dairy and is not vegan friendly or appropriate for dairy-free diets.
However, Texas Roadhouse may be able to provide olive oil and cinnamon as a dairy-free alternative for dipping gluten-free rolls. Some locations will also allow you to request coconut oil or vegan butter instead of dairy butter.
Nutrition Information for Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Here is the nutrition information for a standard Texas Roadhouse roll:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 |
| Fat | 4.5g |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Sodium | 310mg |
And here is the nutrition data for a gluten-free Texas Roadhouse roll:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Fat | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 25g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Sodium | 440mg |
As you can see, both versions of the rolls are high in carbs and relatively low in protein. The gluten-free rolls contain a bit less fat but more sodium than the original rolls.
Comparing Texas Roadhouse Rolls to Other Restaurant Rolls
How do Texas Roadhouse rolls compare to rolls served at other popular chain restaurants?
| Restaurant | Dairy-Free? | Calories per Roll |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Roadhouse | No | 150 |
| Olive Garden | No | 210 |
| Outback Steakhouse | No | 160 |
| Longhorn Steakhouse | No | 180 |
| Red Lobster | Yes* | 150 |
*Red Lobster biscuits are dairy-free, but are made on shared equipment with dairy products.
Texas Roadhouse rolls have fewer calories than many competitor rolls. Only Red Lobster biscuits are lower in calories. However, Red Lobster biscuits are the only major chain rolls that are dairy-free.
Copycat Recipe for Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Want to enjoy Texas Roadhouse-style rolls at home? Try this top-rated copycat recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm whole milk (105-115°F)
- 1/4 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 4 1/4 cups (18 ounces) bread flour, plus more if needed
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
Instructions
- In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the milk, water, egg, sugar, salt, and melted butter.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the bread flour and yeast. With the mixer on low, slowly pour in the wet ingredients and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough on medium speed for 6-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough seems too sticky, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- On a floured work surface, gently deflate the dough. Divide into 12 equal portions and shape into balls.
- Place dough balls in a lightly greased 9×13 baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake rolls for 18-20 minutes until tops are golden brown. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.
- Serve the rolls warm with cinnamon butter.
These homemade rolls taste just like the ones from Texas Roadhouse! Be sure to let them rise sufficiently for the softest, fluffiest texture.
Conclusion
Standard Texas Roadhouse rolls are not dairy-free or vegan, since they contain butter, milk, whey, and egg ingredients. However, the restaurant chain does offer gluten-free rolls that are safe for dairy-free and vegan diets. When ordering, those with dairy restrictions or allergies can request the gluten-free rolls with olive oil instead of dairy butter. With some simple substitutions, you can still enjoy hot bread with your steak or ribs at Texas Roadhouse.