How to Store Sourdough Bread - Wholehearted Eats (2024)

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These are the best (and worst) ways to store sourdough bread and - guess what - most of them are free! Storing sourdough at home is easy and straightforward, no weird tools or extras needed for perfect bread every time.

For some more handy go-to recipes, tips, and tricks, see my guides on lemon juice substitutes, how to cook beans in the oven, and how to make your own gluten-free sourdough starter from scratch.

How to Store Sourdough Bread - Wholehearted Eats (1)
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  • How to Best Store Sourdough
  • How Not to Store Sourdough Bread
  • Top Tips
  • FAQ
  • Sourdough Bread Recipes

How to Best Store Sourdough

Cloth Bag or Tea Towel

Cloth bags and tea towels are nice options that hold in some of the moisture but also allow your bread to breath. This can lead to a harder outer crust, especially for whole grain breads, but is my top choice. This is best when the bread hasn't been cut yet.

Cut Side Down

This is the method I used when I worked at a natural bakery. It holds in the moisture from the exposed area of the bread but allows the crust to breath and stay crisp. Ideal for one or two-day storage.

Paper Bag

Paper bags are a good option to keep your bread fresh. They can let quite a bit of air in which will cause your bread to dry out within 3 days or so, but will usually keep it from going mouldy (stale bread can still be used!). Like a cloth bag, this is ideal for unsliced bread.

Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are breathable but keep in more moisture than something like a paper or cloth bag. I find that they can lead to a chewy crust, though. Wraps are best used to cover a cut-side of bread if you want to leave the crust open to the air but don't have a good spot to keep your bread like for the cut side down method.

Bread Box

A great option but one that needs extra space and a special kitchen item. Natural wood bread boxes are ideal because they regulate moisture more effectively than metal ones.

Freezer

If you can't eat a full loaf in a few days, slice and freeze your bread in a plastic bag or airtight container. Thaw these slices right in the toaster for easy single-slice sourdough toast.

How to Store Sourdough Bread - Wholehearted Eats (2)

How Not to Store Sourdough Bread

In the Fridge

Never store your bread in the fridge- it is not the optimal environment for sourdough as it dries it out much faster than if you kept your bread at room temperature.

In Plastic Bags

Plastic bags prevent any moisture from escaping, and will make your bread become soggy and mouldy, as it will just sit in any water that has condensed.

Top Tips

  • Cool fully: wait until your bread is fully cooled before slicing and storing. If you cut into it too soon, the inside might stay doughy and sticky.
  • If your bread does go stale: turn it into croutons, make bread crumbs, or use it in salads like panzanella, or in a stuffing recipe.
  • Freshen the bread: alternatively you can preheat the oven to 300°F. Hold the loaf of bread under a running tap and cover the exterior lightly in water, avoid wetting any open cut-side. Bake for 5-15 minutes, until it becomes soft and fresh again.
  • Use it for gluten-free: these methods all work just as well with gluten-free sourdough bread as they do with regular sourdough bread!

FAQ

Does sourdough bread need to be refrigerated?

Sourdough bread should not be refrigerated. Storing it in the fridge will make it dry out faster.

How do you store sourdough bread so it stays crusty?

A loaf with higher hydration (more water to flour ratio) will stay crisp longer, but storing it in a breathable cloth bag or tea towel will help to keep it crusty. Freshen the loaf with the water method if it's gotten a little tough.

How long can I keep sourdough bread?

Sourdough bread lasts a little longer than yeast bread, and can usually be stored for up to 5 days. Freeze it if you don't think you'll be able to eat it all within that time.

Sourdough Bread Recipes

  • The Best 6 Ingredient Millet Bread (Sourdough)
  • Gluten Free Sourdough
  • Basic Sourdough
  • How to Make Gluten Free Sourdough Starter

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How to Store Sourdough Bread - Wholehearted Eats (7)

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How to Store Sourdough Bread

These are the best (and worst) ways to store sourdough bread and - guess what - most of them are free! Storing sourdough at home is easy and straightforward, no weird tools or extras needed for perfect bread every time.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Author: Sophie

Ingredients

  • Cloth bag or tea towel
  • Paper bag
  • Cutting board

Instructions

  • For bread that hasn't yet been sliced, keep it in a cloth bag or wrapped in a breathable tea towel (like linen or cotton) for 3-4 days. This is ideal.

    Cloth bag or tea towel

  • Uncut bread can also be stored in a paper bag, but it does get tough sooner, so only keep it this way for a day or two.

    Paper bag

  • If you've already started slicing your bread, keep it cut-side down on a cutting board or other work surface.

    Cutting board

  • Sliced sourdough bread can be frozen for several months in airtight bags or containers. Thaw in the toaster for an easy quick way to have homemade bread.

How to Store Sourdough Bread - Wholehearted Eats (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Sourdough Bread - Wholehearted Eats? ›

For bread that hasn't yet been sliced, keep it in a cloth bag or wrapped in a breathable tea towel (like linen or cotton) for 3-4 days. This is ideal. Uncut bread can also be stored in a paper bag, but it does get tough sooner, so only keep it this way for a day or two.

What's the best way to store sourdough bread? ›

So, with this in mind, I always recommend storing your freshly-baked sourdough loaf in a cotton bread bag or simply wrap it in a cotton tea towel to allow the bread to 'breathe'.

Should sourdough bread be kept in the fridge or on the counter? ›

To maximize the shelf life, keep in original packaging or linen based bread bag and store at room temperature. How long does sourdough bread last in the fridge? Sourdough bread should ideally not be refrigerated, as the bread will dry out and become stale faster than at room temperature.

Can you leave sourdough bread out overnight? ›

Freshly baked sourdough can be left out on the countertop for a day or two before using any of the rest of the methods in this guide. After cutting into the loaf, the crucial step is to ensure you leave it cut side down on your breadboard or chopping board.

How do you store and reheat sourdough bread? ›

Mist or sprinkle water to the surface of the bread and place directly in a 425° F pre-heated oven for approximately 5-6 minutes, just long enough to warm up the bread. Do not microwave. Freeze bread immediately in a tightly sealed plastic freezer bag.

Can I store sourdough bread in a ziplock bag? ›

Ziploc Bags

It's great when you are in a pinch. Cons: Again, if you do not let your bread cool completely before placing it in a Ziploc bag, it could cause condensation. This moisture may make your bread soggy and mold faster.

Can I eat 2 week old sourdough bread? ›

Sourdough bread will keep well for up to 3-5 days at a moderate room temperature of 18-20°C or 64-68°F.

What is the best container for storing bread? ›

One of the best ways to store bread is to keep it in a bread bin, and those with a tight seal will help to keep your loaves fresher for longer. It should be kept in a cool place, but avoid keeping it in the fridge.

What does overproofed sourdough look like? ›

Note: As loaves begin to overproof they lose their height and shape. The crumb becomes more dense. The holes become more ragged and irregular in shape. The crust begins to thin and separate from the crumb.

Why should sourdough not be refrigerated? ›

The most important thing to know is that you should never store sourdough in your fridge. The inside of a fridge is a very harsh environment that's much too cold and dry to store bread in. Your sourdough will get hard and stale much faster in the fridge than if you leave it out.

Do I have to proof my sourdough in the fridge overnight? ›

Ideally, you can proof sourdough in the fridge for up to 36 hours, or even longer if your dough will tolerate it. You don't want to have the gluten structure break down or for the dough to use up all of its energy before it hits the oven. This will result in poor oven spring.

How do you know if sourdough bread has gone bad? ›

It's pretty easy to tell when sourdough bread has gone bad because it will be covered in visible signs of mold growth and will feel hard both inside and out. It may also smell bad too, but not always. Once it's past the fresh stage (first 24 hours) you will notice some deterioration in crust and crumb.

What to wrap sourdough bread in? ›

You can use parchment or even wax paper if you like to see the loaf through the paper! Wrap it the same way no matter which one you're using 👍🏼 add some lavender or rosemary under the string for a special touch.

What is the best thing to store sourdough bread in? ›

Paper Bag. Paper bags are a good option to keep your bread fresh. They can let quite a bit of air in which will cause your bread to dry out within 3 days or so, but will usually keep it from going mouldy (stale bread can still be used!). Like a cloth bag, this is ideal for unsliced bread.

How to freshen up a sourdough loaf? ›

REVIVING A LOAF FOR FRESH EATING

Splash some water over the top of your bread, just enough to become slightly damp. Place the loaf in a 250°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes.

How to crisp up sourdough bread? ›

Put the crust in the oven directly on the rack for 5-10 minutes depending on the size and it's magically transformed into a “fresh” loaf! Soft on the inside, with a satisfying crackle on the outside.

Can you freeze sourdough bread? ›

The good news: You can freeze sourdough bread! That's the perfect way to keep your bread fresh if you won't be able to get through a loaf in a few days. Generally, a homemade loaf can do three to five days at room temperature, before it may go stale or develop bread mold.

What is the best way to keep bread fresh longest? ›

The best thing you can do to truly prolong the life of your bread is to keep it in the freezer. Slicing it first (or cutting it into big chunks) allows you to remove portions as necessary so you don't run into the same problem of handling a whole loaf of bread. In this case, you can store your bread in plastic.

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