How to Store Sourdough Bread - Wholehearted Eats (2024)

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 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 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

Sourdough Bread Recipes

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