If you’re new to sourdough baking, the thought of creating a starter from scratch might seem daunting. However, with a bit of patience and this step-by-step guide, you’ll soon have a bubbly, active starter ready to bake a variety of delicious sourdough recipes.

What is a Sourdough Starter?

A sourdough starter is more than just a simple mix of flour and water. It is a live, fermented culture, teeming with natural yeasts and bacteria that work together to create the unique flavor and texture of sourdough bread. Unlike commercial yeast, which is cultivated and sold in packets, the wild yeast in a sourdough starter is captured from the environment. This wild yeast is what makes the bread rise without the need for commercial yeast.

How Long Will It Take?

Creating a sourdough starter from scratch typically takes about seven days. However, it can take up to two weeks or more for the starter to become fully active, depending on the temperature and environment in your kitchen. During this time, you’ll feed the starter with fresh flour and water each day, encouraging the growth of wild yeast and bacteria.

Is It Difficult?

Not at all! The process is simple and mainly involves mixing flour and water and waiting. Most of the work is hands-off, and the key is to be patient and consistent with the feedings. Remember, growing yeast in a jar can be unpredictable, so don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than expected.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Sourdough Starter

You Will Need:
• 24 oz. jar (with a lid or plastic wrap)
• Whole wheat flour (for the initial start)
• Unbleached all-purpose flour or bread flour (for daily feedings)
• Water

  • Day 1:
    Combine a ½ cup of whole wheat flour and a ¼ cup of water in your jar. Mix until smooth, cover with plastic wrap or a lid and let it rest in a warm spot (about 75°F) for 24 hours.
  • Day 2:
    Check for bubbles on the surface, which indicate fermentation. If you don’t see any, don’t worry; just let it rest for another 24 hours.
  • Day 3 to Day 7:
    Each day, remove and discard half of the starter, then feed it with a ½ cup of all-purpose flour and a ¼ cup of water. Mix well, cover and let it rest in the same warm spot.

    By day seven, your starter should have doubled in size, with plenty of bubbles throughout. The texture will be spongy and fluffy, and it should smell pleasant. If your starter isn’t quite there yet, continue feeding it for a few more days until it is fully active.


How to Know When Your Starter is Ready
To test if your starter is ready, you can perform the “float test.” Drop a teaspoon of the bubbly starter into a glass of water. If it floats, your starter is ready to use for baking.

Storing and Maintaining Your Sourdough Starter
If you plan to bake frequently, store your starter at room temperature and feed it 1 to 2 times a day. For less frequent baking, store it in the fridge and feed it once a week. When you’re ready to bake, bring your starter back to room temperature and feed it as needed.

How to Make Sourdough Bread

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Ingredients:

    • 1 cup + 1 Tb. water
    • ⅔ cup active sourdough starter
    • 2 Tb. olive oil
    • 4 cups bread flour (such as King Arthur)
    • 1 ½ tsp. fine sea salt


Mix the ingredients until the flour is fully absorbed, and the dough feels rough and shaggy.

Step 2: Rest and Develop Gluten

Autolyse is the initial resting period that helps develop gluten without kneading. Strong gluten formation is essential for good bread. Allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step is crucial for making the dough easier to work with and enhancing the bread’s texture.

Step 3: Shaping and Proofing

After the initial rest, gently shape the dough however you’d like and let it proof (rise) until it has doubled in size. The proofing time will vary depending on the temperature of your environment.

Step 4: Baking

Preheat your oven to 450° F. Transfer the dough to a preheated Dutch oven and bake for 20 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is golden and crisp.

Get Ready for Bread

Creating a sourdough starter from scratch is a rewarding process that connects you to the age-old tradition of bread-making. With patience and a little care, you’ll soon have a living culture that will produce beautiful, flavorful sourdough bread. So go ahead, take the plunge and start your sourdough journey today!