How to store sourdough Bread⏲️:
Everyone wants to know how to store their sourdough to keep it fresh for the longest! Here are some tips to keep your sourdough fresh, even when prepared in advance!
Remember, you should always let sourdough bread cool completely before slicing or storing it!
Short-term storage:
If you think you’ll be finishing your loaf within the next couple days, you can leave it out on the counter! Sourdough bread actually stays fresh for longer because of it’s fermentation (and development of lactic acid😉) I generally don’t leave a loaf out for more than 2 days (over Shabbos), but you can leave it for up to 5 days!
Once sliced, it can get stale faster, so I’d recommend wrapping it well in a towel, foil, or plastic wrap!
Paper bags are actually more beneficial for storing sourdough bread (that’s why bakery bags are generally paper!) Paper allows the sourdough to “breathe” while maintaining freshness!
But a plastic bag works just fine too! (That’s what I use!)
How Do I keep my crust crispy after my bread cools?
As your bread sits out on the counter, the crust may soften. The best way to crisp it up is to spray (or sprinkle) some water on the loaf, and reheat on a high temperature (200 c) for about 5-10 min!
How to freeze sourdough❄️:
It’s a very common myth that it’s not good to freeze sourdough! I freeze every loaf I make! (and ciabattas, bagels, focaccia, etc!) When reheated, the bread still tastes fresh and delicious! I freeze all my breads in plastic (ziploc) bags, sealed tight and they stay fresh and delicious!
If you’re nervous about a freezer taste, or you’re keeping your loaf in the freezer long-term, you can try wrapping your loaf in plastic wrap and then place it in a plastic bag, or wrap it in foil. This way, it will last longer in the freezer! Be sure to allow your loaf to cool completely before freezing (that may be letting it cool overnight!)
Freezing Sliced sourdough🍞:
If you’d like to slice a loaf before freezing, follow the same steps as above. Allow your loaf to cool completely, slice, and place in a ziploc bag in the freezer! I freeze my ciabatta and bagels sliced too, for easy toasting!
Freezing Dough:
Technically, you can freeze the sourdough dough, but I’ve never tried it! You can put shaped ciabbata rolls on parchment paper, freeze, and once frozen transfer them to a ziploc bag. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw on a parchment-lined sheet until the dough reaches room temperature and bake!
I do freeze pizza dough! I stick the dough it in a plastic ziploc bag, sealed tight, and when ready to use it, I let it thaw on the counter, shape it, and bake!
How to thaw frozen sourdough❄️:
To thaw a frozen sourdough loaf, remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature for a few hours. Then, spray the loaf with water to moisten the crust (this is optional but beneficial) and then reheat in a hot oven (200-225 c) for 5-10 min
Reheating sourdough for shabbos:
To reheat your loaf for Shabbos, follow the same steps as above. Allow the loaf to thaw on the counter for a couple of hours, then spray some water on it (so the crust doesn't get too crispy) and heat in a hot oven for about 10 minutes. Then wrap it in foil, leaving the top open so the crust stays crisp, and place it on a pan on the hotplate!
What to do with sourdough bread gone stale😬:
If you accidentally left your bread out for too long and it got stale, you don’t have to throw it out! You can make delicious sourdough croutons for soup or salad! Just cut the sourdough into chunks, spray with olive oil, spice as desired, and stick in a hot oven (225 c) for about 10 min, checking on it and mixing in between! They’re delicious!
