It's ALIVE! And that's why it brings that lovely tang and flavor sourdough bread is known for. While it may take time, making a homemade Sourdough Starter could not be easier, and the results are well worth the wait!
**This post is being updated from the original publication in 2012. The recipe has remained completely unchanged from the original post with only the photos being updated. This article now also includes a video presentation along with a printable recipe card including nutritional information.
I have a true love for baking yeast bread and have for as long as I can remember. That said, I've never made sourdough bread before. Something about it always seemed a little scary to me.
But then a saw a tweet from Jen of My Kitchen Addiction about learning how to make your own sourdough starter.
I quickly hurried over to her site, read through her instructions on how the starter gets started, and realized that this was going to be a piece of cake bread. What was I waiting for???
HOMEMADE SOURDOUGH STARTER {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
2 cups lukewarm water
2-¼ teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast
3-½ cups bread flour (I used all-purpose unbleached flour)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
-In a non-metal bowl, combine the lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar.
-Stir to dissolve the yeast completely and let the mixture rest for approximately 5 minutes. It will become quite foamy.
-Add the flour to the yeast mixture and stir well to combine (the mixture will be a bit wet, lumpy, and sticky but that's what you're looking for.)
-Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap. Be careful not to cover it too tightly as the starter requires some fresh air for the fermentation process to take place.
-Leave the mixture on your kitchen counter at room temperature for 5 days, making sure to stir it thoroughly every day, at least once or twice each day.
-You'll notice a strong yeasty, fermenting smell (I thought it smelled a bit like aging apples), and the mixture will bubble and rise and look like it's taking on a life of its own. THAT'S GOOD! This is exactly what you're looking for!
-After 5 days time, you're ready to use your starter to bake any sort of delicious concoction you can think of that calls for sourdough starter (OR you can keep it in your refrigerator to use at another time).
***NOTE - When using the starter that has been kept in the refrigerator, make sure you take it out of the refrigerator the night before you plan on using it so the starter can come to room temperature.
-ALWAYS stir your starter before use!
--To replenish the starter after you've taken some for baking, simply stir in 1 cup of flour, ½ cup of water, and a pinch of sugar and mix well before returning it to the refrigerator.
-Each week, give it a few stirs and you'll be ready to bake scrumptious sourdough items at almost a moment's notice!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
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Anonymous says
I live in Hawaii and the weather is very warm these days. We also have alot of ants and other critters that might get into the bowl over the 5 days. Any suggestions? Really appreciate your help.
Renee Goerger says
Hmmmm. Let see. The only thing I might suggest is to cover your starter tightly with the plastic wrap (where I know I said cover it loosely in my instructions)and also maybe cover it with a clean kitchen towel as well. Don't forget to stir it several times a day and then re-cover it tightly. Not sure this will work for you, but hopefully it will.
Renee
SweetSugarBelle says
I will get you the recipe and ideas asap....actually send me your emailing addy in an email.
Red Star Yeast says
We hope you inspire more people to try sourdough!! Can't wait to see what you make with your starter.
Renee says
Red Star Yeast, I hope I inspire people to try the starter too. I'll be posting my sourdough breads soon so you can see how they turned out. I can't wait to bake more delicious items with my starter. It's so fun!!!
Renee says
Callye, I've not heard of a fruit starter before but would love to know more about it. What do you use it for and how is it made? Sounds like something I'd like to try 😉
Renee says
Paula, I've made two different recipes with my starter so far and both have been completely delicious. I'm glad you've decided to brave the unknown world into sourdough starter too. Guess we were scared for nothing, right?
SweetSugarBelle says
Oooh! What a good idea. I love how starter smells, lol. Have you ever tried the fruit starter, Renee?
Paula says
I saw Jen's post on the starter and made my own for the first time. After five days I baked my first ever two loaves of sourdough bread and we've been enjoying it ever since. The fear of sour dough starter is gone. Glad you tried it too and are enjoying the bread.
Canterbury Cakes says
Wow - that's so straightforward. Thanks for sharing.