A Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough
Sourdough baking shouldn’t feel like rocket science. It’s a fun (and tasty) hobby that can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. If you’re just starting out, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.
Keeping a sourdough starter is kind of like having a pet (but way less work). You feed it, watch it grow, and in return, it helps you bake amazing things!
I know at first that sourdough feels super complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! Yes, there’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the basics down, it’s easy to fit into a busy schedule. As a work-from-home mom with three kids and a bunch of pets, I like to keep things simple.
Sourdough isn’t just about baking bread, either. You can use your starter in so many different ways (trust me, I don’t just bake loaf after loaf over here!).
Why is everyone obsessed with sourdough? Because it’s fun and delicious! It adds amazing depth of flavor to bread and other baked goods. Plus, many people find sourdough easier to digest because of the fermentation process.
Sourdough Basics:
What is sourdough?
Sourdough is a natural yeast. Unlike commercial yeast (the kind you buy at the store), sourdough is made from wild yeast and bacteria that live in flour and the air around you. This gives it a unique flavor and helps your dough rise naturally.
Sourdough has a slightly tangy flavor, but you can control how sour it tastes based on how you feed and use your starter. Since every starter picks up wild yeast from its environment, no two taste exactly the same!
What is a sourdough starter?
A sourdough starter is a mix of flour and water that captures natural yeast and bacteria. As it ferments, it becomes active and can be used to make bread rise.
Making a starter is simple: just mix flour and water, then feed it daily for about two weeks until it’s bubbly and ready to use. Don’t want to wait? You can buy a dried starter online or get some from a friend!
Feeding your sourdough starter
Feeding your starter is easy—you just add fresh flour and water.
- If you keep it on the counter, feed it every 12 hours.
- If you store it in the fridge, feed it about once a week.
For more specific instructions on how to feed your starter, please visit my post on how to feed a sourdough starter.
What is sourdough discard?
When you feed your starter, you remove a portion to keep it from growing out of control. This is called “discard,” but don’t let the name fool you—it’s still useful!
You can use discard in pancakes, muffins, crackers, and tons of other quick recipes. No need to waste it!
What is a hydration level?
The word “hydration” refers to the ratio of water to flour in your starter:
- 100% Hydration (Most Common) – Equal parts flour and water by weight.
- Low Hydration (Stiff Starter) – More flour than water; great for enriched breads like challah.
- High Hydration (Liquid Starter) – More water than flour; often used for specific recipes.
Unless a recipe calls for something specific, stick with a 100% hydration starter—it’s the most versatile!
What tools do you need?
You don’t need fancy equipment to bake with sourdough. To get started, all you really need is:
- A jar for your starter
- A mixing bowl
- A kitchen scale (optional but super helpful!)
If you get into more advanced baking, you can add tools like a Dutch oven, bench scraper, or proofing basket, but they’re not required.
Ready to start baking?
Sourdough is a fun and rewarding hobby that doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with a simple starter, experiment with discard recipes, and enjoy the process. You’ll be amazed at what you can create!
Visit my recipe index to find all the sourdough recipes you could ever need!
Want more hand holding? Grab my simple sourdough course!
