What is Sourdough Bread?

To put it simply, sourdough bread is slow-fermented bread. It is made using a natural fermentation process that involves wild yeast and bacteria. Unlike commercial or instant yeast, which is added to the dough to make it rise quickly, sourdough relies on a sourdough starter—a mixture of flour and water that captures wild yeast and bacteria from the environment. From a health standpoint, it is far superior to conventional breads. It has a lower phytate level making it more nutritious and easier to digest, and many people who struggle to digest store-bought bread can enjoy sourdough with no issues. 

Plus, It has a tangy and chewy texture on the inside, and a delicious crispy exterior, making it perfect for sandwiches, soups, and more!

In 2023, my resolution was to bake more bread. What started as a way to reduce our exposure to unnecessary ingredients became so much more. I found a love for baking and providing delicious homemade meals for my family.

I researched recipes and started baking sandwich bread, and once I mastered that, I was ready to move on to something more. That’s when I started experimenting with sourdough and created my best sourdough recipe. I now make 

What do I need to make sourdough bread?

You’ll need a few things to make my best sourdough recipe, so let’s go over them. We’ll chat about ingredients in a little bit, but here are the supplies you’ll need to gather to make your loaves.

Banneton/ proofing baskets or round bowls

Hand towels for layering in your bowl and for covering dough during rest periods. 

sharp knife or lame for scoring

Dutch oven– I have not made sourdough in anything but a Dutch oven, but it is possible to bake bread without one! You can use an oven-safe dish instead. 

Large bowl for mixing

Kitchen scale

Optional:

Piece of parchment paper to place the dough on for baking

Bench scraper

Bread knife– I love this knife. As someone who bakes bread every week, this makes my life so much easier!

Ingredients

This recipe makes 2 loaves

1000 grams of flour- I use all-purpose flour and have never had an issue. Bread flour also works well for this recipe.

650 grams room temperature water water

210 grams active sourdough starter

25 grams salt

Step-by-Step instructions

Today’s post covers a lot, but don’t worry! you’ll learn everything you need to perfect my best sourdough recipe and feel confident that your loaves with be a great success.

The great thing about this recipe is that it’s perfect for beginners. I’ll explain everything in simple terms so you know what to do. You don’t need a bread machine or a stand mixer, just a few simple supplies and a little time!

I usually make round artisan loaves, but this bread can be shaped into a more rectangular shape if that fits your needs better.

Making your own bread starts with an active sourdough starter. You can buy dehydrated starters from others, but why not learn how to make your own?

How to make a sourdough starter

Before you can even think about making even simple sourdough breads, you need a healthy starter. As I mentioned, sourdough uses wild yeast instead of commercial yeast, which means you need to have a healthy starter filled with healthy bacteria and yeast. I know this sounds odd if you’ve never made sourdough before, but you’ll get the hang of it!

To make a starter, grab a glass jar with a lid you can gently place on top. You don’t want to seal it as this prevents bacteria and yeast from growing. Your starter needs to breathe.

For 10 days to 2 weeks, you’re going to feed your starter a mixture of equal parts flour and water. Don’t worry about anything further than that for now. If your jar is more than halfway full, scoop out a spoonful and toss it. Once you’re more comfortable trying new recipes, sourdough discard can be used in hundreds of different ways to enhance a recipe, but we’ll cross that bridge another time.