Sourdough breadmaking can feel intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. At its core, sourdough is about patience, observation, and a few consistent habits. With some simple tips, you can improve your results and enjoy the process along the way.
Start With a Healthy Starter
Your starter is the foundation of good sourdough. A healthy starter should be bubbly, active, and reliably double in size a few hours after feeding. If your bread isn’t rising well or tastes overly sour, the starter is often the culprit.
Feed it regularly, use it when it’s at its peak, and don’t rush it. A strong starter makes everything else easier.
Measure Ingredients Carefully
Sourdough is more forgiving than it seems, but consistency matters. Using a kitchen scale instead of measuring cups helps ensure accurate ratios of flour, water, and salt. Small differences can affect texture, hydration, and fermentation, especially as you learn what works best in your kitchen.
Pay Attention to Dough, Not the Clock
Fermentation times vary based on temperature, humidity, and starter strength. Instead of strictly following the clock, watch the dough. Look for signs like increased volume, bubbles on the surface, and a slightly domed shape.
Learning to read the dough is one of the most valuable skills in sourdough baking.
Keep It Simple
It’s tempting to try complex recipes, fancy scoring patterns, or multiple add-ins right away. In the beginning, focus on mastering a basic loaf. Simple flour, water, salt, and starter will teach you more than any complicated recipe.
Once you’re confident with the basics, experimenting becomes much more enjoyable.
Don’t Skip Proper Shaping
Good shaping creates surface tension, which helps the loaf rise and hold its structure in the oven. Take your time during shaping, even if the dough feels sticky or soft. A well-shaped loaf often bakes up taller with a better crumb.
Preheat Your Oven Thoroughly
A hot oven is essential for oven spring. Whether you’re using a Dutch oven or baking stone, give it plenty of time to preheat. Steam during the early part of baking also helps the loaf expand and develop a crisp crust.
Embrace Imperfection
Not every loaf will be perfect—and that’s okay. Dense crumbs, uneven scoring, or flatter loaves are all part of the learning process. Each bake teaches you something new, and even the “mistakes” are usually still delicious.
Great sourdough doesn’t come from complexity; it comes from consistency. A healthy starter, careful observation, and a willingness to learn will take you further than any advanced technique.
Keep it simple, be patient, and enjoy the process—because sourdough baking is just as much about the journey as the loaf itself.
