How to Bake Sourdough Bread at Home: A Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners in 2024

1. Gather your ingredients and equipment
2. Prepare the sourdough starter
3. Mix and knead the dough
4. Let the dough rise
5. Bake the sourdough bread

Gather your ingredients and equipment

Gather flour, water, salt, and your sourdough starter. You will also need a mixing bowl, a kitchen scale, a clean kitchen towel, and a Dutch oven or baking stone.

Prepare the sourdough starter

Take your sourdough starter out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Feed it with equal parts flour and water, and let it sit at room temperature until it becomes bubbly and active.

Mix and knead the dough

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, water, salt, and sourdough starter. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Let the dough rise

Place the dough in a clean bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise at room temperature for several hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Bake the sourdough bread

Preheat your oven and place your Dutch oven or baking stone inside to heat up. Once the oven is hot, carefully transfer the risen dough into the Dutch oven or onto the baking stone. Bake the bread until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Let it cool before slicing and enjoying.