How to store sourdough bread and the best ways to keep it fresh? We put a lot of time and energy into making our amazing homemade sourdough bread and want it to last as long as possible. Here are 8 different ways to store sourdough bread.
Sourdough Bread
Have you been bitten by the sourdough bug? I first started baking with sourdough back in the summer of 2019 and haven't slowed down since.
If you don't have your own sourdough starter and want to get started I would love to help! Check out my tutorials or reach out to me with questions.
One thing our family cannot get enough of is how insanely fresh homemade sourdough bread smells, tastes, and makes us feel. Once you make the switch, all other bread just won't measure up.
Sourdough bread is very unique as it's made with a sourdough starter as the leaven. This is a naturally occurring process where wild yeast is trapped inside a mix of flour and water and will actively raise a loaf of bread.
All that is then added is more flour, water, and salt. No sugar, preservatives, dairy, nothing! After several years of eating mostly homemade sourdough, I can now detect when bread is using loads of sugar.
The only downside? Fresh bread does not keep very long...
How Long will Sourdough Bread Last?
Because fresh sourdough bread doesn't have any of the things mentioned above it is more susceptible to drying out and getting moldy much faster than commercial bread.
Honestly, with a family of 4 it's gone before we even have to worry about that.
However, I do like to make multiple loaves at a time and it is nice to keep them fresh as long as possible.
Homemade sourdough bread, when stored properly, can last up to 4-5 days. While it is best fresh or even the next day, there are ways you can give your bread a longer shelf life.
If your bread does start to stale there is good news! You can quickly make it into croutons or bread crumbs.
How to Store Sourdough Bread
Some important things to keep in mind are:
- The bread must completely cool before any type of storing. Sourdough bread has a ton of moisture and trapping all that inside a storage bag or container while it is cooling will just lead to it getting soggy and eventually molding faster. Allow the loaf to completely cool on a cooling rack before storing.
- Keep the bread in a dry environment.
- The loaf will start drying out the second it is cut into. It will last longer as a whole loaf, but once cut, it will need to be used or frozen within a couple of days. Keep the excess air out as much as possible.
8 Ways to Store Sourdough Bread
Here are 8 different ways we can slow down the staling process of a fresh sourdough loaf. The goal is to have a dry place and to eliminate exposure to air.
This is hands down the most effective way I have found to store sourdough bread. While plastic is never my first choice, these bread bags will keep my loaf fresh for over a week.
Any other method they just dry out or mold so quickly.
These bags also are a great way to gift your bread. Use some twine or ribbon with a little note.
- Brown Paper Bag:
This is another great bag option. This version will come at a slightly higher price compared to plastic bags.
These also make great gift bags and looks as if your bread came straight out of a bakery.
- Linen Bag
A linen bread bag is both cute and practical. You can make your own out of scraps or find some cute patterns on Etsy.
The only downfall to cloth is that it does allow air to circulate around the bread which can cause it to go stale faster.
- Bread Boxes
A bread box can be a good way to keep your bread. It can add to the decor in your kitchen or pantry, and keeps the bread off the kitchen counter.
- Plastic Wrap
Just using plastic cling wrap is a quick and effective way to store your bread. Once it is completely cooled, wrap it in a couple of layers and it will stay fresh for days.
- Aluminum Foil
If you do not want to use plastic cling wrap, aluminum foil is another great way to store your sourdough.
- Dome Cake Plate
This method is effective and also adds to the aesthetic of your home. Display that bread proudly in a domed cake plate. The best place to find these is at thrift stores.
This is a great way to store bread. Not only does it look so pretty but the dome helps keep air and moisture away from the bread.
- Tea Towel
If you think you will use the bread in a day or two you can simply keep it on the cutting board.
Just lay the loaf cut side down and drape a tea towel over the top. This will keep the inside soft and the outside crisp.
This method will only last a few days and then it will start to dry out and get stale.
Can Sourdough Bread Be Frozen?
Sourdough bread can absolutely be frozen. It's a great solution for long term storage and extends the life of your loaf.
To freeze, allow the bread to completely cool. This is the most important piece. Any remaining moisture will ruin the bread and cause freezer burn.
It can be stored in the freezer as bread slices or as an entire loaf.
Wrap the bread tightly in plastic freezer wrap or aluminum foil and freeze. It can also be saved in a freezer bag. Just make sure all the air is removed.
To freeze slices, place a piece of parchment between each slice and store in a gallon ziplock bag.
Sourdough will last 3 months or longer in the freezer.
How to thaw sourdough bread? Allow the bread to raise to room temperature naturally. Just remove from the freezer and place on the counter to thaw.
What is your favorite way to store your bread? Do you find any of the above methods useful? Let me know in the comments!
Do you want to learn how to make your own homemade sourdough bread? Check out my tutorials below and recipes below:
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