A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (2024)

A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (1)

A Sourdough Series

Who knew there were so many things you could do with sourdough, right?! I get it…Sourdough is a large topic so I thought I would tackle this in baby steps! Here is the breakdown:

How I am Gluten Intolerant and Enjoying Bread Again

Sourdough Basics ~What is a sourdough starter and what is sourdough bread

A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe{Organic and GMO-Free}

Organic Sourdough Hamburger Buns Recipe{Organic and GMO-Free}

A Traditional San Francisco Sourdough Bread Recipe{Organic and GMO-Free}

Organic Sourdough Bagel Recipe{Organic and GMO-Free}

I highly recommend that you start with the first post and work down the list in the order that I have them. I have posted them within the level of difficulty. Beginners sourdough being the easiest to organic sourdough bagels being the most challenging.

All can be achieved. And as always, ask away in the comment section below this post!

A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe

Alright, so let’s move onto this recipe. This is a super easy dough to work with and is great for beginners. It really is super simple and I promise you that you are in for quite a treat!

As I mentioned above, make sure your sourdough starter is good and active. If you store it in the refrigerator, be sure to feed your starter 3 times (with 8-12 hours in between). Your starter will be very active and will create a light and airy loaf of bread.

Mix together the sourdough starter, salt, water, and flour. It is best to keep the dough really sticky like this.

A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (2)

You want a sticky and wet dough…

Don’t worry, it will transform to a smooth dough, but a wetter dough creates a lighter, less dense loaf.

Knead the dough for 15-20 minutes. Watch this quick one-minute video where I show you how the dough looks like when you start and what it will look like once you are finished kneading it.

Dough Turns Into A Smooth and Elastic Dough

Once you are finished kneading the dough, split the dough into two equal portions. This recipe makes 2 loaves.

Sometimes I like to make 1 loaf and use the other section for pizza dough or hamburger buns (yes recipes are coming out for both).

Look how smooth and elastic this dough looks after it has been kneaded for 20 minutes.
A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (3)

Use a Banneton or Loaf Pan

Form your dough into a ball and place it into a floured banneton (I bought this one) and place the smooth side down (leaving the pinched bottom face up).

You can also use a 5″x9″ greased loaf pan if you desire. If you use a loaf pan, note that the crust won’t be as crunchy as that of a banneton loaf.

A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (4)

Proof Your Dough

Allow the dough to proof (or rise) for 2-8 hours. I know the time varies dramatically, but this time will differ with the changing temperatures.

I am in Florida and it takes my dough about 4 hours to proof.

Cover it with greased plastic and wait for it to double in size.

A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (5)

This is what it looks like when it doubles in size. It is now ready to go into the oven.

A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (6)

Invest in a La Cloche Dome Baker

Note, you can NOT bake this bread in the basket. It is best to have a stone la cloche dome baker (like this one) that is preheated in your oven.

Gently flip over into the preheated la cloche, score the bread if desired (however, for this recipe I prefer not to score the dough), and bake at 400 F for about 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 200 F.

When the bread is finished baking, allow it to cool a few minutes before removing from the pan (if you used one).

You want to remove the loaf when using a pan so that it doesn’t become soggy.

A Beautiful Sourdough Bread

Your loaf will look something like this! Allow to cool completely and serve with a good portion of butter.

A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (7)

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A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (8)

★★★★ 3.7 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Halle Cottis
  • A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (9)Prep Time: 4 hours
  • A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (10)Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (11)Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (12)Yield: 2 loaves 1x
  • A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (13)Category: bread
  • A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (14)Method: baking
  • A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (15)Cuisine: american

Print Recipe

Description

This sourdough bread recipe is perfect if you are just starting out. I find this recipe works best using a 9″x5″ loaf pan.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/3 cup or 500 g bubbly sourdough starter [url href=”http://www.culturesforhealth.com/san-francisco-sourdough-starter.html” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”](I get mine here)[/url]
  • 1 tbsp or 10g unrefined sea salt
  • 3 1/3 cup or 456g of organic white GMO free flour (I get mine here)
  • 1 cup or 250g filtered water (you may need more, up to 1 1/2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl or with a heavy-duty mixer with a dough attachment. If the dough won’t come together into a dough, add a little more water. Keep adding in water until a dough forms.
  2. Knead the dough by hand or with a mixer for about 20 minutes. When the dough has been kneaded enough, you should be able to stretch the dough and see through it (like pizza dough) and it shouldn’t break easily (see video above). This is when you know that the dough is ready for the next step.
  3. Split the dough in two equal portions and place in a greased bread loaf pan (I found this to work best with this recipe and for beginners) or you can place it into a floured banneton. To form the dough for a loaf pan, fold the edges in and then roll the dough and pinch the ends together. This will resemble the loaf pan slightly. Place pinch side down in loaf pan.Cover with a greased piece of plastic wrap and lay a light kitchen towel on top of the pans. If making a round loaf, pat out slightly into a circle and fold edges into the middle. Flip over and make the dough into a circle as shown above. Put the smooth side down and the seams up.
  4. Allow to proof (or rise) for 4-8 hours or until the dough doubles in size. This time can vary greatly depending on the weather.
  5. Preheat an oven to 450 F.
  6. If using a banneton, flip your bread out onto a La Cloche Dome Baker. If using a 9″x5″ bread pan, just leave it in the pan.
  7. I find it best not to score the top of the dough on this particular recipe. This dough is a wet dough and when scoring, it tends to deflate or fall a bit.
  8. Reduce the temperature of the oven to 400F and put the bread in.
  9. If using a La Cloche Dome Baker place the lid on. After 20 minutes remove the lid to allow the bread to brown.
  10. Cook for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the bread reaches 200F.
  11. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing. This is very important because if you slice into a warm loaf, your bread will be gummy in texture. Resist temptation and allow it to cool.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Cultures for Health
Sourdough Starter purchased from Cultures for Health

A Beginners Organic Sourdough Bread Recipe {Organic and GMO Free} (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest flour for sourdough starter? ›

Whole wheat flour is an excellent choice for creating a sourdough starter due to its nutrient-rich composition and potential for fostering a robust microbial community. However, it's important to note that the quality of whole wheat flour can vary between brands.

Is it OK to use organic flour for sourdough starter? ›

The choice of Organic Flour for Sourdough can make a noticeable difference in the fermentation process. Organic flours often have a diverse microbial profile, which can enhance the depth of flavors in the sourdough. You might also like: Fioreglut Caputo: A Gluten-Free Alternative for Your Favorite Recipes.

What is the best organic flour for sourdough bread? ›

Organic strong bread flour made from hard wheat is the best option, especially if you are a beginner. We love Sunrise Flour Mill's Heritage Bread Blend. This type of flour provides the easiest and strongest gluten development, making it easier to knead and shape. Additionally, it gives the best rise in the oven.

Does sourdough need to be organic? ›

Can you use non-organic flour to bake sourdough bread? - Quora. I would stick to grain based flour's for best results, though using gluten free flour based on other starches and proteins will work with some practice and study. On the whole I would avoid non organic substances since, other than salt, they aren't food.

What is the best flour to start a sourdough starter? ›

Using a percentage of whole-grain rye flour helps kickstart the starter creation progress. The additional nutrients in rye flour, combined with keeping the mixture warm and highly hydrated, have increased the reliability of creating a new starter.

What's the best flower to use for sourdough bread? ›

Bread flour (or baker's flour) is a high protein, white flour that is milled specifically for baking bread and sourdough. You'll get the best results for your sourdough bread from using bread flour. The most popular bread flour in the US is King Arthur Bread Flour.

What is organic sourdough starter? ›

Simply put: a sourdough starter is a live fermented culture of fresh flour and water. Once combined, the culture will begin to ferment and cultivate the natural yeasts found in our environment. A small portion is added to your bread dough to make it rise. Commercial yeast IS NOT required.

How long does a sourdough starter last? ›

As we have seen, a sourdough starter can last indefinitely with proper care and maintenance. So, don't let your starter go to waste – nurture it, experiment with it, and let it be your trusted companion on your sourdough journey for years to come.

How do I make my sourdough starter stronger? ›

10. How do I make my sourdough starter more active?
  1. Keep your starter warm, 74-76°F (23-24°C) or warmer.
  2. Use more whole grains in each feeding.
  3. Feed your starter when it's ripe (not too early, and not too late)
  4. Don't place it into the refrigerator.
Jun 6, 2022

Do you need special flour for sourdough bread? ›

Substituting all purpose flour in a sourdough recipe that specifically calls for bread flour is not always an even swap. You'll need to REDUCE the total amount of water first. All purpose flour absorbs less water than bread flour, which can make the dough too sticky to work with otherwise.

Why do you have to use unbleached flour for sourdough starter? ›

You need to use unbleached flour to make a starter, preferably a whole wheat or whole rye. The process of bleaching destroys any wild yeast naturally present on the grain, and stripping the outer layer of the kernels to make white flour removes a large percentage of those same yeasts.

Is organic sourdough better than non organic? ›

When thinking of the end product, non-organic flour can produce a less flavourful loaf, but still offer a good rise and structure. The starter itself may seem less active than its organic counterpart, however it can still produce a successful and satisfying bread.

Does sourdough feed gut bacteria? ›

Yes, sourdough contains the gut-friendly lactobacillus bacteria, but the high heat of baking destroys these probiotics. So, unless you'd like to eat the raw dough, sourdough is not a probiotic food. However, it does have some digestive benefits.

How long does organic sourdough bread last? ›

Sourdough's natural acidity discourages bacteria, which means you can keep it fresh for longer. You can generally expect sourdough to last for four to five days at room temperature.

Does flour matter in sourdough starter? ›

It's really up to you what flour you choose to feed your own sourdough starter with - as long as you stick with a wheat flour for a regular sourdough starter. You can use a rubber band to show you the level your starter began and show you if it's doubling or even tripling.

Why is rye flour better for sourdough starter? ›

Whole wheat and rye flours provide more nutrients for your starter and ferment more actively, but working with rye flour makes starter maintenance easier than whole wheat. Rye provides increased fiber and nutrients similar to whole wheat flour, but because of its lower gluten amount it's much easier to stir.

Is bread flour or all purpose better for sourdough? ›

Bread flour is a high protein flour, usually made from hard wheat varieties. It contains about 12- 13% protein, depending on the brand. Because it's a “strong” flour, it's excellent for chewy bagels, artisan-style sourdough bread and anything else that needs structure and height.

Is Einkorn flour good for sourdough? ›

Einkorn flour is certainly no stranger in my kitchen. I grind it fresh and use it in nearly every loaf of bread I bake. As the whole-wheat component for all artisan sourdough, I like the deeper, nuttier flavor it adds; but 100% einkorn sourdough is a whole other matter.

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