Easy Sourdough Starter Recipe (From Scratch)

An active sourdough starter full of bubbles in a glass jar with a spoon.

Easy Sourdough Starter Recipe (From Scratch)

This easy Sourdough Starter uses just whole wheat flour and water to grow a bubbly, active starter from scratch in about six days, ready to bake into bread.

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Keyword Sourdough Starter

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 0

Total Time 5

Servings

Calories 71kcal

Author Jason Decker

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour per day
1/2 cup water per day

Instructions

Day 1: In a glass jar combine 1 cup of whole wheat flour and ½ cup of water. Stir well. The mixture should be slightly thicker than cake batter. Cover the jar loosely with a cotton cloth. Leave it in a dark place for 24 hours. I keep it in the cupboard.
1 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup water
Day 2: The next day, get rid of half of the starter (about ½ cup) and then repeat the steps with the same amount of flour and water (1 cup of whole wheat flour and ½ cup of water). Cover loosely again and leave the jar in a dark place for 24 hours.
Day 3: You should start to see some bubbling activity. You will now need to “feed” your starter twice a day. Today start with about ½ cup of the starter and discard the rest. Then add 1 cup of flour and ½ cup of water and mix well every 12 hours (twice a day.)
Day 4: Repeat instructions from day 3, feeding your starter twice (or every 12 hours.)
Day 5: Repeat instructions from day 3, feeding your starter twice (or every 12 hours.)
Day 6: On the sixth day, your yeast should be ready. You will see that he has risen and has bubbles.

Notes

Be patient: It might take time, but a bubbly and active starter is worth the wait.
Use a clean jar: Ensure your containers are clean to avoid unwanted bacteria.
Stay consistent: Regular feeding, especially in the early days, is crucial.
Warm spot: Keep your starter in a warm location to encourage growth.
Hydration is key: Always maintain equal amounts of flour and water to keep your starter’s hydration levels consistent.
Trust your senses: If your starter smells off or changes color, it’s best to start fresh.

Nutrition