How to Bake Sourdough Bread at Home: Step-by-Step Guide with Starter Recipe and Tips for 2024

1. Prepare the sourdough starter
2. Mix the dough
3. Let the dough rise
4. Shape and score the dough
5. Bake the sourdough bread

Prepare the sourdough starter

To make a sourdough starter, mix equal parts of flour and water in a jar and let it sit at room temperature, feeding it daily with more flour and water until it becomes bubbly and active.

Mix the dough

Combine the sourdough starter with flour, water, and salt in a large bowl, then knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Let the dough rise

Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for several hours, folding it over on itself a few times during the rise to develop gluten.

Shape and score the dough

After the dough has risen, shape it into a round loaf and place it in a floured proofing basket. Once it has risen again, score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.

Bake the sourdough bread

Preheat the oven with a Dutch oven inside, then carefully transfer the dough into the hot Dutch oven and bake with the lid on. Remove the lid and continue baking until the bread is golden brown.