The Best Easy Sourdough: My No-Fuss, Always-Delicious Recipe

Jessica Kelly
Sep 10, 2024
7 min read

Hey friend,

Let me tell you a little story.

A few years ago, if you’d told me I’d be baking my own sourdough bread regularly, I probably would’ve laughed and said, “Yeah, okay, in all my free time!” I had five kids running around, chickens to chase, and a million things on my to-do list. Sourdough felt like one of those intimidating, fancy things that required a degree in artisan baking or a small bakery in France.

But then I tried it. And you know what? It wasn’t fancy at all. It was simple. Messy. Imperfect. And so worth it.

This is the best easy sourdough recipe because it fits into real life—my life. No complicated steps, no babysitting dough, no stress. Just a few basic ingredients, a little patience, and the best reward: a crusty, golden loaf that makes you feel like an absolute rock star in the kitchen.

So, let me pull up a chair and walk you through how I make it.

Why I Fell in Love with Sourdough (and You Will Too)

It started with the eggs.

When we began raising chickens, fresh eggs were the highlight of my kitchen. But something was missing. What’s the point of having farm-fresh eggs if you’re not sopping up the yolk with a thick slice of homemade bread? Store-bought just didn’t cut it.

So, I decided to try sourdough. And after a few wonky loaves (and more than a few flour-dusted counters), I cracked the code. This best easy sourdough recipe became part of my rhythm—just another cozy ritual in our home.

But here’s the best part: sourdough isn’t just delicious. It’s real food. No weird additives, just flour, water, salt, and a bubbly starter. The fermentation makes it easier to digest, and the flavor? Nothing beats it.

4 loaf batch of my easy recipe

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

Here’s all you need for this bread magic:

• Water – Filtered if you can, because your starter deserves the best.

• Active Sourdough Starter – Bubbly, lively, and ready to rise.

• Salt – Sea salt is my go-to, but use what you have.

• Flour – Bread flour gives the best texture, but all-purpose works too.

That’s it. Four ingredients. No extra fluff.

Simple Tools

You can also make this bread with simple tools you already have in your kitchen. A bowl, a scale (sorry this is a must), a whisk or spoon, parchment paper, scissors, and a bread pan. However, the bread upped it’s game with a few sourdough baker tools including: a large scale, a bread lame (for scoring), a banneton basket, a danish dough whisk, a dough scraper, a Dutch oven (7 qt or larger), bread mats (to save on parchment paper costs). My favorite products can all be found in my sourdough essentials on my amazon storefront. And by the way, if you know a friend who wants to start sourdough, this would make a great birthday gift idea. You can also find more tips and tricks to making the best dough in my sourdough resources packet on Etsy. This will help you understand your starter better as well as why we need to do certain steps. You will also find ways to up your sourdough game in this packet.

How I Make the Best Easy Sourdough Bread

Always start with the starter. Feed your starter 3-6 hours before you’d like to start mixing your dough. You need active starter for this recipe.

1. Mix It Up (Get Your Hands In There)

In a big ol’ bowl, I combine water, starter, and salt. Then I dump in the flour and stir it all together. You could use a spoon, but honestly? Hands are better. There’s something satisfying about squishing the dough between your fingers. Plus, it’s the best way to make sure every bit of flour is mixed in.

No kneading, no folding. Just mix until it’s a shaggy, sticky dough.

2. Let It Rest (and Go Live Your Life)

Once it’s mixed, I cover it with plastic wrap or a lid and let it hang out on the counter for 3-8 hours.

If I’m on top of things, I start it in the morning and bake by dinner. If I start it at night and accidentally sleep in? It might be a little over-proofed, but guess what? It still tastes amazing. Sourdough is forgiving like that.

Look for small bubbles, a jiggly texture, and the windowpane test (where you stretch a bit of dough thin without it tearing). But don’t overthink it. You’ll get the feel for it.

3. Preheat Like You Mean It

About 30-60 minutes before baking, I crank the oven up to 450°F and pop my Dutch oven inside to heat up. The hotter, the better. This is how you get that crispy crust.

4. Shape (Rustic is Beautiful)

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently shape it into a ball. Don’t stress—it’s rustic bread, not a wedding cake. I plop it onto parchment paper and cover it with a bowl or let it rest in a banneton basket if I’m feeling fancy.

Let it chill for another hour. Or, if I’m planning ahead (rare), I stick it in the fridge overnight for extra flavor.

5. Score and Bake (The Fun Part)

Dust the dough with flour and score the top with a sharp knife. I usually go with a simple slash, but sometimes I get artsy. The point is to let steam escape and give it that beautiful artisan look.

Carefully (and I mean carefully) lower the dough into the hot Dutch oven. Lid on for 20 minutes, then off for another 20 minutes.

Your house will smell like a bakery at this point. You’ve been warned.

6. The Waiting Game (Or Not)

Once it’s out, let it cool on a rack for at least an hour. I say “at least” because, honestly, I rarely make it that long. More often than not, I’m tearing off a warm piece and slathering it with butter while it’s still steaming.

Is it a little gummy if you cut too soon? Sure. Do I care? Not one bit.

My Favorite Sourdough Tips (From One Baker to Another)

• Feed Your Starter: A happy starter makes happy bread. Feed it 4-6 hours before baking.

• Dutch Oven Magic: If you don’t have one, use a heavy pot with a lid. The steam is what gives you that crispy crust.

• Don’t Rush the Proof: Cooler kitchens slow things down, warmer ones speed it up. Let the dough do its thing.

• Experiment: Mix in herbs, seeds, or even a handful of cheese. Sourdough loves a little personality.

Why This is the Best Easy Sourdough Recipe for Busy People

This bread doesn’t demand your time. It fits into your life, whether you’re juggling kids, work, or just trying to make dinner happen.

It’s the kind of bread that looks impressive but feels cozy. The kind of bread you rip apart with your hands, dunk into soups, or toast for breakfast.

And once you bake this loaf, you’ll wonder why you ever hesitated.

Final Thoughts: Bread that Feels Like Home

Here’s the thing. Baking bread isn’t just about the end result. It’s about slowing down. It’s about the feel of dough in your hands, the smell of bread filling your kitchen, and the joy of slicing into something you made from scratch.

This best easy sourdough recipe is more than bread. It’s comfort. It’s connection. It’s a little reminder that simple things can be the most satisfying.

So go ahead, give it a try. And if you end up with flour in your hair and dough on the counter, well, welcome to the club.

Happy baking,

Jessica

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