Sourdough is one of the most classic recipes in the world, dating back thousands of years. With such a rich history, it felt only right to share this staple recipe as one of my firsts, and did I mention it tastes amazing? With such simple ingredients and versatility, what’s not to love!
For many, the art of sourdough baking has served as a gateway into the world of cooking from scratch and embracing a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. During the pandemic, sourdough baking transformed from a niche hobby into a viral phenomenon. And trust me, once you start the journey of creating your own sourdough, it becomes addicting! The hard work, patience, and the sheer joy of pulling a warm, crusty loaf from the oven are incomparably rewarding. There’s something deeply satisfying about sourdough that, in my opinion, far surpasses the taste and texture of store-bought bread.
Watching so many people fall in love with sourdough has been incredibly inspiring, and I hope it empowers them to explore even more scratch-made endeavors. Sourdough, with its subtle nuances and need for tender care, is considered one of the more challenging recipes to master. But I firmly believe that if you can nurture a sourdough starter to life and bake a beautiful loaf of bread, you’re well-equipped to tackle any of the from-scratch recipes in Staples Made Simple. Sourdough is not just about baking; it’s a stepping stone to a more intentional and gratifying way of living.
Today on the blog, I’ll be discussing my tried-and-true sourdough starter recipe, plus how to feed your starter so it’s happy and has the best baking potential. I promise, the first time you bake this sourdough, you will never go back.
Why Sourdough?
The real question I should be asking is why not sourdough? Not only is this recipe so simple, but the fermentation process is quite fun and offers excellent health benefits.
The process of making sourdough involves capturing wild yeast and bacteria naturally present in the environment to create a fermented dough. This fermentation process gives sourdough its distinct tangy flavor, chewy texture, and longer shelf life compared to bread made with commercial yeast.
While some might view bread as an “unhealthy” food, homemade sourdough has a lot of great health benefits. The fermentation process breaks down complex carbohydrates and proteins, making them easier to digest. Sourdough bread also has a lower glycemic index, compared to bread made with commercial yeast, meaning it causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels. Additionally, sourdough bread contains higher levels of certain nutrients, such as B vitamins and minerals, due to the fermentation process.
How To Start Your Own Sourdough Starter
Creating your own sourdough starter requires few ingredients, but a lot of patience and love. As your start begins to ferment, it almost takes on a personality of its own, requiring to be fed and taken care of. To me, this is one of the joys in baking a recipe from scratch. The time you put in can truly be tasted at the end.
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Water
Seriously, that’s it!
Sourdough Starter Steps:
- Begin by mixing equal parts of flour and water in a clean container. Typically, I start with 100 grams of flour and 100 grams of water (i.e. ½ a cup).
- Stir the mixture until well combined.
- Loosely cover the container with a clean cloth or plastic wrap.
- Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, you may start to see some activity in the form of bubbles or a slightly sour smell. This indicates that wild yeast and bacteria are beginning to colonize the mixture.
- Discard half of the starter and feed it with equal parts of fresh flour and water (i.e. 100 grams or ½ a cup each).
- Stir well and let the starter sit for another 24 hours.
- Repeat this process of discarding half and feeding with fresh flour and water every 24 hours for about a week or until the starter becomes active, bubbly, and doubles in size within a few hours of feeding.
PS. Don’t throw away your discard, save it in a jar and in the fridge. You can pretty much use it in any baking recipes!
Maintaining Your Sourdough Starter
You made your starter, now what?
Maintaining a sourdough starter is crucial not only for the success of your baking projects but also for fostering a deeper connection to the food you create. The why is simple: a healthy, active starter is the heart of sourdough baking, responsible for the leavening and flavor that make sourdough bread.
The how centers on establishing a routine that fits into your daily life. Regular feedings of equal parts flour and water (by weight) keep your starter vigorous and ready for action. Think of your starter as a pet that requires consistent care—feeding it at the same time each day can help. If daily maintenance sounds daunting, remember that a starter can be kept in the fridge, slowing down its metabolism and reducing its feeding needs to once a week.
When you’re ready to bake, simply wake your starter up with a couple of room-temperature feedings to restore its vitality. This process ensures your sourdough starter remains a robust, dynamic culture, capable of raising beautiful loaves time and again. By integrating these practices into your routine, maintaining a sourdough starter becomes not just an act of preparation for baking, but a meaningful ritual that enriches your connection to the craft of traditional bread-making.
I have a full blog post on how I maintain my sourdough starter linked here!
Enjoy The Sourdough Starter Journey
Once your sourdough starter is active, you can use it to make delicious sourdough bread and other baked goods. Remember to feed your starter regularly to maintain its health and activity. To learn more about how to feed your starter correctly, read my post here.
Experimenting with sourdough can be a rewarding and enjoyable journey. For so many, sourdough is the first step to falling in love with homemade baking. As you become more familiar with the process, the fun now comes in exploring different recipes, techniques, and flavors to create your own signature sourdough creations.
Sourdough baking is a process that requires patience and practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts don’t turn out perfectly. I’ve had many flops before and it’s an important part of the process. With time and experience, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of sourdough and create the most delicious bread. Enjoy the journey, you’ve got this!
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