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sourdough starter from scratch
5 from 1 vote

Sourdough Starter From Scratch

Learn how to make a sourdough starter from scratch the correct way! This easy sourdough starter recipe is perfect for beginners.
Xena Kai
Prep Time: 29 days 5 minutes
Total Time: 29 days 5 minutes
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Equipment

  • 1 Clear glass jar or cup
  • 1 Plastic Wrap or Cover For Jar
  • 1 Digital Measuring Scale
  • 1 Rubber Band Optional

Ingredients
 

  • 1 Bag Flour
  • 1 Cup Water Can be tap water, bottled water, or filtered water

Instructions
 

Day One

  • Clean your utensils with dish soap and water.
  • Add 25g of flour and 25g of water into the jar. Mix until combined. Make sure to scrape off the sides of the jar.
  • If using a rubber band, place it around the jar to mark the level of where the sourdough starter is. This will help gauge how much the starter grows. Cover the jar. Leave the glass jar in a warm place overnight.

Every Day After Day One

  • 24 hours later, remove starter from the jar so only 25g of starter is left. The starter you removed is called "sourdough discard".
  • Add 25g of water and 25g of flour into the jar. The ratio of this feeding is 1 part starter to 1 part flour to one part water (or 1:1:1). Mix thoroughly and scrape down the sides of the jar. Place rubberband on the level where the sourdough starter is. Cover the glass jar and place in a warm place.
  • Repeat daily until sourdough starter doubles in size regularly within 4-10 hours.

Notes

  1. After ten days, you can start saving the sourdough discard in a separate container. Use this to make yummy sourdough discard recipes. FIND SOURDOUGH DISCARD RECIPES HERE.
  2. There is no need to clean the glass jar daily. You can clean it as you see fit. I usually clean or change out my sourdough jar once a week.
  3. The average time it takes to make a mature sourdough starter is two months. Be patient! 
  4. Once the sourdough starter is 3 months old, you can place it in the fridge and feed it weekly or as needed.