You went shopping and got your weekly sourdough bread supply, so it’s ready for excellent meals and seductive late-night snacks.
But now that you’ve gotten your fresh sourdough home and its delightful scent is filling your kitchen, how can you best store it to keep it tasty and fresh?
5 BEST WAY TO STORE SOURDOUGH BREAD:
There are many ways to store sourdough bread, but not all methods are created equal. Here are five of the best ways to store your sourdough so it stays fresh and delicious.
1. Room Temperature in a Bread Box
One of the best ways to store sourdough is at room temperature in a bread box with the lid slightly ajar. This will allow the bread to breathe and prevent it from becoming gummy or moldy. If you don’t have a bread box, you can also store it on the counter in a paper bag with the top open.
2. Room Temperature Wrapped in a Towel
Another great way to store sourdough is at room temperature wrapped in a clean towel. This will help to keep the bread moist and prevent it from drying out.
3. In the Fridge Wrapped in Plastic
If you need to store your sourdough for a longer period of time, you can wrap it in plastic and store it in the fridge. This will help to keep the bread fresh for up to two weeks. Just be sure to bring it back to room temperature before eating so the flavor is at its best.
4. In the freezer Wrapped in Plastic
You can also wrap your sourdough in plastic and store it in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it out overnight in the fridge and then let it come to room temperature before slicing and enjoying.
5. Sliced and Frozen
If you want to be able to grab a slice of sourdough bread without having to thaw the whole loaf, you can slice it and then store the slices in the freezer. Just pop a slice or two in the toaster whenever you’re ready to eat them.
No matter how you choose to store your sourdough bread, just be sure to wrap it tightly so it doesn’t dry out. And always let it come to room temperature before eating for the best flavor. Enjoy!
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SOURDOUGH STORAGE: THE FIRST TWO DAYS:
After you bake your sourdough bread, you’ll want to let it cool completely before storing it. This is important because if the bread is still warm, the steam will make the bread soggy.
Once the bread is cooled, you have a few different storage options:
1. Room Temperature
The best way to store sourdough bread during the first two days is on a kitchen counter, wrapped in a clean tea towel or stored in a bread box.
2. Refrigerator
You can also store sourdough bread in the fridge, but it will dry out faster than if you stored it at room temperature. So if you plan on storing your sourdough bread in the fridge, make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
3. Freezer
If you want your sourdough bread to last longer, you can store it in the freezer. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe bag.
STORING SOURDOUGH BREAD AFTER THE FIRST TWO DAYS:
- Slice the bread before freezing: If you plan on eating the bread within two weeks, slice the bread before freezing it. This will make it easier to thaw and reheat later on.
- Wrap each slice in wax paper: Wax paper will help keep each slice of bread from sticking together.
- Place the wax paper-wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag: This will help protect the bread from freezer burn.
- Label and date the bag: This will help you keep track of how long the bread has been in the freezer.
- When you’re ready to eat the bread, simply remove as many slices as you need and thaw them at room temperature or reheat in the oven or microwave.
SOURDOUGH STORAGE:DAYS 3-5
At this point, the bread should be starting to dry out a bit. If it feels very dense or gummy, it likely needs more time to fully fermentation process.
To store:
Wrap the loaf in a clean tea towel or beeswax wrap and store at room temperature on your countertop or in a cool, dark cupboard. Bread stored in this way will stay fresh for 3-5 days.
DAYS 6-10:
After day five, the bread will begin to stale. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—some people actually prefer their sourdough bread on the more well-done side.
To store:
Wrap the loaf in a clean tea towel or beeswax wrap and store at room temperature on your countertop or in a cool, dark cupboard. Bread stored in this way will stay fresh for 6-10 days.
DAYS 10+:
At this point, the bread is quite stale. It’s not necessarily bad, but it’s not as good as it was when it was fresh.
To store:
Wrap the loaf in a clean tea towel or beeswax wrap and store in the freezer. Bread stored in this way will stay fresh for up to 2 months.
When you’re ready to eat it, thaw the bread at room temperature or in the oven (set to a low temperature). Then, refresh it by heating in a 350F oven for 10 minutes. This will make the bread crusty and delicious again.
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HOW TO REFRESH FROZEN SOURDOUGH:
If you’ve stored your sourdough in the freezer, there are a few ways to refresh it so it tastes delicious again.
One way is to let the bread thaw at room temperature. This can take several hours, depending on the size of the loaf. Once the bread is thawed, place it in a 350F oven for 10 minutes to refresh the crust. Another way to refresh frozen sourdough is to place it, still frozen, in a 450F oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the crust is crisp and the bread is warmed through.
Conclusion:
There are a few different ways to store sourdough bread, depending on how long you want to keep it. For short-term storage, keep the bread in a cool, dry place. For medium-term storage, refrigerate the bread. And for long-term storage, freeze the bread. When you’re ready to eat the bread, thaw it and then bake it in a 350F oven for 10 minutes to refresh the crust. You can also place the frozen bread in a 450F oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the crust is crisp and the bread is warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Have Any Tips for Storing Sourdough Bread?
There are a few different ways to store sourdough bread, depending on how long you want to keep it. For short-term storage, keep the bread in a cool, dry place. For medium-term storage, refrigerate the bread. And for long-term storage, freeze the bread.
How Do You Refresh Sourdough Bread?
If you’ve stored the bread in the fridge or freezer, you can refresh it by baking it in a 350F oven for 10 minutes. You can also place the frozen bread in a 450F oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the crust is crisp and the bread is warmed through.
Can I Store Sourdough Bread in Zip Lock Bag?
Yes, you can store sourdough bread in a zip lock bag. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
