Old-fashioned sourdough bread is a classic favorite, but it can be challenging to store correctly. If not stored properly, it can become dry, go stale, and even develop mold. But worry not – with these five easy steps you can preserve your delicious sourdough bread and enjoy it for days.
Pre-slice Your Sourdough Bread
The best way to store your sourdough bread is to slice it before storing it. Slicing your bread allows the moisture inside the loaf to escape gradually, which will help keep it from going stale as quickly. If you’re not ready to eat the entire loaf at once, slicing it before storing makes it easy to take out a few slices as needed for toast or sandwiches.
Wrap Your Sourdough Bread in Foil
Once sliced, wrap the loaf in aluminum foil. This will protect it from drying out and ensure that your slices are moist and delicious. Be sure to wrap the foil around the entire loaf, so that no air can get in and dry it out.
Store Sourdough Bread in the Refrigerator
It’s best to store sourdough bread in the refrigerator as it will last longer. The cooler temperature keeps the moisture in the bread, keeping it from going dry and stale. Be sure to place the wrapped loaf in an airtight container to prevent spoilage.
Reheat Your Sourdough Bread
If you want to enjoy the taste and texture of freshly baked sourdough, you can reheat it in the oven. This will revive the texture of your bread and help to keep it fresh longer. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350F, unwrap the foil and place the loaf in the oven for five to ten minutes. The result will be a crispy crust and a moist interior.
Freezing Sourdough Bread
If you plan on keeping your sourdough bread for a longer period of time, you can freeze it. To freeze, pre-slice and wrap the loaf in aluminum foil, then place it inside an airtight, freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen sourdough can last up to three months and still retain its quality.
With these five easy steps, you can store your sourdough bread (yes, unlike the gluten free gatorade, it contain gluten) and enjoy its delicious taste and texture for days. Pre-slicing your bread, wrapping it in aluminum foil, storing it in the refrigerator, and reheating or freezing it will help keep your loaf fresh, moist, and delicious.
Best way to store sourdough bread in freezer
The best way to store sourdough bread and make sure it lasts for months is to store it in the freezer. While this may seem counterintuitive, freezing sourdough bread can actually keep it fresher for longer than refrigerating it. If stored correctly, you can enjoy your delicious, homemade sourdough for up to three months in the freezer.
If you’ve never practiced freezing your sourdough, don’t worry – it’s really quite easy. Here’s what you need to know to store your sourdough bread correctly in the freezer.
- Allow your bread to cool before freezing
When you’re finished baking your loaf of sourdough, it’s important to let it cool completely before you put it in the freezer. If you put the loaf in the freezer while it’s still warm, condensation will form and the texture of the loaf will suffer. Instead, give it at least four hours of cooling time before you put it in the freezer.
- Wrap the loaf well in foil
Once your bread is cool, wrap it in foil to create an airtight barrier. This will help to keep moisture out and prevent freezer burn. Make sure the whole loaf is wrapped tightly, and even consider adding an additional layer of plastic wrap for extra protection.
- Label the loaf
To keep your sourdough bread organized in your freezer, write the date it was made on the outside of your foil package. This will help you keep track of which loaf is the freshest.
- Place the loaf in the coldest part of the freezer
Different parts of the freezer have different temperatures, so you want to place your sourdough in the coldest area. This could be in the back of the bottom shelf or in the back corner of a side-by-side refrigerator.
- Defrost the loaf correctly
When you’re ready to enjoy your fresh sourdough, allow at least 10 hours of defrosting time at room temperature. Place the frozen loaf on a cutting board or parchment lined baking sheet. Don’t try to defrost in the oven or microwave, as this will dry out the loaf.
Once your sourdough is defrosted, you can slice and enjoy it as you normally would. You can also re-freeze any leftover slices. Just make sure you wrap them well in foil before putting them back in the freezer. Have you also asked yourself does peach cobbler need to be refrigerated? Well, check our blog for the right answer!
Freezing your sourdough is a great way to make sure it stays fresh for months. Just follow these simple tips and you can enjoy the taste of freshly-baked sourdough any time of year.
