If you dont plan to eat your sourdough bread within the next few days or a week, then the best option is the freezer. During sourdough . Typically made from wheat (or alternative grains), yeast, and other ingredients, bread stays fresh for only a short period before it starts to go bad. Your email address will not be published. Some common bread preservatives include calcium propionate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sorbic acid. Required fields are marked *. This is typically written on the back of the packaging, or somewhere on the package if there is no date. This is why its usually sold frozen instead of room temperature (4). To get a soft crust, the crust of the bread must be thin and flexible. After feeding your starter, it should get bubbly and increase in volume over the course of a few hours. Some bakeries likewise avoid preservatives you can check the ingredient list or ask the baker if youre unsure. This is gotten when the dough is in a sourdough culture i.e fermented dough using lactic acid and yeast. I like to use my white flour within 12 months of the milling date (if it's listed). Bread is more likely to spoil if stored in warm, moist environments. We also have to clarify whether "regular" bread is homemade yeasted bread or commercial store bought bread that has added improvers and preservatives. Before I bought a cooling rack I used to put two cups upside down on the table and place the loaf on top of them. How long does sourdough bread last in the fridge? When the oven is hot, very quickly run water over the stale loaf of bread. Bread is an essential food in many kitchens. If you want to get really fancy, you can fry the bread in a bit of oil on the stove, then rub the bread with a raw garlic clove. Its available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and it works well for making a wide variety of different types of meals. Can you freeze sourdough bread? Pita, Sourdough, Ezekiel, Naan, and More, 10 Healthy Ways to Replace Conventional Wheat Bread, 15 Bread Recipes That Are Low-Carb and Gluten-Free, Why Ezekiel Bread Is the Healthiest Bread You Can Eat. Wondering how long does sourdough bread last? Refrigerated dough for biscuits and rolls also eventually spoils because it contains oils that go rancid. For more information, check out ourDisclaimer. In order to maximize the shelf life of sourdough bread, proper storage methods should be adhered to. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a7f8908cf6e63643d404c6b42f61ad09");document.getElementById("f4bcf0ddf8").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As mentioned above, bread tends to become stale quickly. Be mindful of melting ice and condensation that could cause the bread to become soggy. It is advisable not to refresh bread more than once. Over a period of a few days, the sourdough bread reduces in edible quality because the moisture inside the bread will slowly move outwards to the crust. Because there are no preservatives, you will get the most out of that loaf in the first four days. She currently runs her own cottage bakery and teaches cooking classes in Northern Colorado. In 2017, Savannah and her partner sold everything that wouldn't fit in their suburban and traveled the US where she got a job cooking in each city they stayed in. Feed it at least twice daily and it will always come back within a week or two and be ready to bake with again. What to do with bread once you notice mold on it is a common household dilemma. Overall the bread is still good, but it has lost some of its texture. So lets have a look at that, after which I will tell you what methods I use to make my sourdough bread stay fresh for longer, and one special trick that will allow you to store sourdough bread for months and keep its taste and texture intact. This article tells you whether flour expires. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. And water for three days before adding it to your bread dough. However, you can prolong the shelf life by delaying it from staling and growing molds. Type of bread and ingredients used Sandwich,. Many factors influence breads shelf life, which is the length of time it lasts before starting to go bad. After crust formation is over, the bread will keep baking while the crust is developed and thickening. The diced pieces can be added to Pie fillings. This means that bread may still be safe to eat even after its best-by date (6). How Long Does Sourdough Bread Last In The Freezer? "But be on the lookout for mold, especially if stored in a moist environment. Storing it in the refrigerator overnight aids and improves the proofing which will eventually result in great flavor and digestibility. Freeze the bread. Is Bread Bad for You? And the freshly baked aroma will be gone. Moldy bread may produce mycotoxins, which are invisible poisons that are unsafe to eat. If baked correctly, sourdough bread is not meant to mold fast. Stale bread is usually soft and somewhat moldy. Open it at all, and it lasts up to eight months if you refrigerate it immediately. French toast works well with any type of bread that has gotten a little dry from being left out for too long. Are there little mold spots just beginning around the edges? to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We recommend starting with 4 ounces all-purpose flour (3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) and 4 ounces water (1/2 cup). __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"2303a":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"3faf7":{"name":"Main Accent Dark","parent":"2303a"},"67e11":{"name":"Main Accent Light","parent":"2303a","lock":{"saturation":1,"lightness":1}}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"2303a":{"val":"var(--tcb-skin-color-0)"},"3faf7":{"val":"rgb(35, 51, 0)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":79,"l":0.1,"s":1.08}},"67e11":{"val":"rgb(245, 240, 234)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":32,"l":0.94,"s":0.37}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"2303a":{"val":"rgb(55, 179, 233)","hsl":{"h":198,"s":0.8,"l":0.56,"a":1}},"3faf7":{"val":"rgb(2, 0, 52)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":242,"s":1,"l":0.1,"a":1}},"67e11":{"val":"rgb(235, 243, 246)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":196,"s":0.37,"l":0.94,"a":1}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, How Long Does Sourdough Bread Last? Any of these ideas will be a delicious use of your sourdough bread! Packaged it will last 4-5 days before going bad ( link). That way you're not wasting any! Add some salt and pepper, then store in an airtight container, ready to use when you need it. According to "sell by" dates, bread is good for three to five days after opening, but it can actually be consumed much longer after that as long as there is no mold growth. Combine the starter, flours, and water (hold off on the salt) in a large bowl and mix well, until all of the flour is moistened and the dough has formed a cohesive mass. The freezer time shown is for best quality only - sourdough bread that has been kept constantly frozen at 0F will keep safe indefinitely. Bread can also become stale by losing its crust, which can be caused by cracking, drying, shrinking, or burning. But based on what most people can do at home without any special equipment, 3 months is the average. But true sourdough bread bought from the store should last at least a few days. TODAY, NAAN recipe: the fluffiest and tenderest texture A24.com. I have an entire article dedicated to how you can do this, which you can find here: How to Freeze Sourdough Bread Without Losing Taste or Texture. If it is store-bought that contains additives, it can last up to 7 days, maybe longer. Can You Freeze Sourdough Bread? This means that, after this time, the bread is no longer fresh, but its still safe to eat. The general rule of thumb to follow is that the bread is good until it molds. Sourdough's natural acidity discourages bacteria, allowing it to last longer than other bread. All rights reserved. If you keep your sourdough bread out in the open it will last for 2 days, but if you store it in a sealed container and keep it at room temperature it will last for up to 5 days. As long as the sourdough bread . In the fridge, it will keep for about a week or so, and in the freezer it will last indefinitely. Moldy sourdough bread needs to be placed into the trash and not consumed under any circumstances. Im here to help you learn how to cook, and to show you that its not as difficult as you might think! Refrigeration can increase the shelf life of both commercial and homemade bread by 35 days. Store bought sourdough bread lasts about 5 to 7 days in the pantry. The use-by date on a food product is generally written with the date that the food should be eaten. Bread is one of the most versatile foods in the kitchen. Freshly baked sourdough should be stored at room temperature and consumed within 5 days. The crust of sourdough bread is determined by many factors. Cooling sourdough slowly after baking, can keep it crisp and crusty. May taste more sour than first 24 hours. link to Storing Sourdough Starter in the Fridge - Beginners Guide, How Long Should I Let My Sourdough Bread Rest? It can be a quick and easy snack or something you can serve at a dinner party. Choice of storage also determines how crusty your sourdough will be. You can also subscribe without commenting. When Im not baking sourdough, I love to hang out with my three boys on our farm, tend to my jungle of indoor plants and drink good coffee. All of them are very simple to make and taste incredible. You can eat sourdough bread. If you keep grinding past a bread crumb consistency you will make flour. This can be used in small quantities to make another loaf of bread, or add it to cookies or other baked goods. If leaving sourdough at room temp really is a problem, then freezing sourdough would be a better option than putting it in the fridge. Frozen slices can be toasted as they are, without defrosting. Required fields are marked, Name * * * * * * * * * * * * *, Email * * * * * * * * * * * * *. Sourdough bread should ideally not be refrigerated, as the bread will dry out and become stale faster than at room temperature. Simply cut the bread into cubes before toasting. "Bubbles are the sign that the starter is alive and thriving!". There is no single best ratio, but I've found a ratio of 1:5:5 fed twice daily at 12-hour intervals to produce a sourdough starter that's strong and healthy. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Sourdoughs natural acidity discourages bacteria, allowing it to last longer than other bread. How long do brioche buns last in the fridge, freezer, and at room temperature? One other sign, that is even harder to miss, is mold. Feed the starter with flour and water, then leave it at room temperature for 3-4 hours before storing it in the refrigerator till whenever it is needed. After that, you might notice the bread's texture changes a bit as it begins to dry out. But you can easily make it last longer by doing the following things: By doing those things you can easily add up another 3 or 4 days to the shelf life of your sourdough bread. It doesn't matter if you store it on the counter or in the refrigerator, or even what kind of bread you buy whether it's sprouted multi-grain, sourdough, bagels, lavash, or tortillas in what seems like no time at all, you see the first signs of mold. Add extra water or flour if needed to form a soft, sticky dough. People will often pass their starter down to the next generation as a family heirloom. How Long Does Sourdough Bread Last in the Freezer? Luck? Theres no coming back from that and you must make a new starter. Leave it there for about 7 to 10 minutes. Or dried out so much that its only possible use now is to line your garden bed. It may be a dusty white, orange, or pink color which is a very bad kind. The answer is yes! Pour this mixture into individual bowls or ramekins then cover tightly with plastic wrap before refrigerating overnight so all liquids can be absorbed by the bread; this is what makes it so moist when baked later on. But even so, its a lot better than cutting the bread too soon. Sourdough bread will only last 2-3 days in this condition. Check that the loaf is getting warm and soft, if not then repeat the process. The shelf life of stuffing depends on a variety of factors, such as the sell by date, the preparation method and how the stuffing was stored. link to How Many Slices in a 12, 14, 16 and 18 Inch Pizza? does sourdough bread go bad? Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. Ezekiel bread is made from sprouted grains and doesn't contain added sugars. However, sourdough starters can be stored in the refrigerator. So my advice is to not hurry and throw out the bread after 5 days, first you should check if the sourdough bread has actually gone bad. It goes from perfect to slightly stale if it sits around longer than this. My bread baking story began in 2011 when I decided to give up commercial yeast. It may not mold in this time, but it would be inedible after this amount of time (unless it's been frozen). You can leave sourdough containing dairy on the counter to ferment overnight with no issues. My experience is that it will last even longer if it's frozen then thawed. Savannah has trained under more than 50 chefs and done everything from running a food truck to making chocolate. I was a big bread lover (and still am) and having to stop eating bread was quite hard at that time but I felt I was on a right way to give my body a chance to heal itself. This is not entirely as efficient as a cooling rack, but it had good results. Also, ensure it is cooked off before slicing. At this point the bread is still edible, but it definitely lost some of its appeal. Whether you choose to freeze it so that it is still available for you to come back to in several weeks, or prefer to store it in a container to eat within 5 days, as long as there is no signs of molding on your loaf, youre good to go! Therefore, its best not to eat moldy bread, as it could harm your health (7). Remove the loaf of bread from the bag and lightly run it, very quickly, under cold water. Here are some of the best methods to make your sourdough loaves last that bit longer (they will work for most artisan bread): Yes sourdough bread should always be stored at room temperatures and never in the fridge. Once your sourdough loaf has been sliced, it will stale more quickly since there will be more surface area exposed to the air than if it was left as an entire loaf. A week after the first week, the yeast will be fully active again and the bread will begin to go stale. Hi, I'm Kate! If you want to bake sourdough for an event or gathering the next day, keep the loaf whole until right before the event, don't cut into it (even if you're tempted to check the crumb). How to Store Sourdough Bread: Effective Ways of Extending Shelf Life, How to Cut Sourdough Bread to Get Even Slices, Mold on Sourdough Bread How to Tell If Sourdough Bread is Bad, Sourdough Shapes: Bread Shaping Techniques and Tips. Ranging on how to tell if it is bad, and how to store it to make it last longer. Put a sheet pan under the whole thing to catch any melting water if needed. It may just need a little moisture and heat before it will feel like the same loaf again. While your sourdough culture may be fine living in the fridge, a loaf of sourdough bread should always be stored at room temperature. This magic all starts with your sourdough starter - whether it's your own sourdough starter you've made or one you've purchased. Savannah grew up in Kansas City, where she learned to cook brisket and ribs from her Mom and Grandmother. So the fridge is not a good place to store your bread, if you want it to last longer. Bread pudding is another fabulous option at this stage. If you keep your sourdough bread out in the open it will last for 2 days, but if you store it in a sealed container and keep it at room temperature it will last for up to 5 days. But its best to keep your bread far away from the refrigerator, as this will help your bread dry out faster. Its true that sourdough has a longer shelf life than other types of bread. Vitamin A 1%. Opened/Unopened Pantry Refrigerator Freezer; Past Printed Date: Past Printed Date: Past Printed Date: Bakery Bread lasts for: 2-3 Days: Not Recommended: 6 Months: Packaged Bagels (Soft) last for 5-7 Days Crispy crust & soft interior, freshly baked aromas. You can also increase shelf life by freezing bread or keeping it dry and well-sealed. Now, the only way Ive ever known a starter to die is when someone heated it up past 140F. Store-bought vs homemade bread have a very similar shelf life, though store-bought may stay softer for a few more days due to preservatives. This depends on whether it's true sourdough bread made with wild yeast or whether it's commercially yeasted bread that's just had 'sourdough flavor' added. Of all food, bread is perhaps the most perishable. But as you can imagine, freshly baked sourdough bread wont taste the same and wont have the same texture as one that is 5 days old. The bread will be ok like this for up to 48 hours. How long does store bought sourdough bread last? This is one you might have never heard about. Freeze the loaf whole if you want it to last for four months. The first week is when the bread is still fresh but the yeast is beginning to go stale. You should use both aluminium foil and plastic wrap or a heavy-duty freezer bag to prepare sourdough for the freezer. A sourdough starter is alive and needs to be fed on a regular basis to stay strong, happy, and ready to leaven bread. Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here. Here are 7 simple steps that you need to follow in order to freeze your sourdough bread without losing taste or texture: My favorite way of defrosting sourdough bread is to put it in the toaster for just a couple of minutes. The fat content in dairy will actually preserve the texture of sourdough bread in many cases and will keep it softer for longer - just like this sourdough buttermilk loaf. Sourdough bread. So overall I wouldnt recommend you to put your sourdough bread in the fridge. How Long Does Sourdough Bread Last At Room Temperature? Bake the bread in the oven for 6-10 minutes. If you need a loaf quickly, spritz lightly with water and toss it in a 325 F oven for between 20-30 minutes. One sign that a sourdough bread has gone bad is the smell. Adding dairy to sourdough will not make it spoil faster. But it will also go stale faster. This will prevent moisture from accumulating and promoting mold. If you dont want to freeze your bread, calculate how much you eat in a week and only purchase that amount. There is nothing to do but eat it. The best way is to smell and look at the bread: discard any bread that has an off smell or appearance; if mold appears, discard the entire loaf. It is not something that would be used as a regular part of the diet, as would be the case with breakfast cereals or pasta. Simply slice the bread and cut it into finger-food sized pieces. This is the best and most complete sourdough bread recipe You ever need, consistently rewarding you with world class beautiful and tasty sourdough bread ever. If you live in a hot, humid climate or keep the bread in a warm area it will begin to mold faster, usually within five days. The absolute best way to store all your loaves is in a bread basket right in your kitchen. As long as there is no mold forming on your loaf then feel free to eat past this point. It's a good idea to allow your sourdough to cool completely before wrapping it, cutting it or placing it in any type of container. On the other hand, dried bread products, such as breadcrumbs or crackers, usually stay safe the longest because mold needs moisture to grow. 3. Make this classic British dessert with stale sourdough bread. Just long enough to wet the outside. It will take another 1-6 days before it goes moldy. Sourdough bread can last for up to four months in the freezer. A piece of bread may be too stale beyond saving its dryness you can explore it: It can be used in making french toasts, breadcrumbs, and croutons. Ironically, storing your bread in the fridge will actually decrease its shelf-life. The shelf life of bread kept at room temperature ranges from 3-7 days but may vary depending on ingredients, type of bread, and storage method. Place the loaf in a bread pan or baking sheet lined with greased plastic wrap or wax paper to prevent sticking, which also allows the dough to hold its shape when frozen. Foil is better. In general, bread is good for seven days, or until mold appears. On average sourdough bread will last between 3 and 5 days. Slice the bread into 1-inch thick slices and brush each side generously with olive oil. Although some types of mold may be safe to consume, its impossible to tell which fungus is causing the mold on your bread. One other thing that will change is the taste, it will become more sour, which depending on your taste this might be a good thing. Vitamin D 0%. Pantry - 7 to 10 days. Ingredients in sourdough bread are flour, water, sourdough, and salt, sometimes sugar. Crust will be quite hard and interior becoming dry. And while it can lose some of its appeal at this point, toasting it will do more than make up for it. First things first, allow the bread to cool off completely after baking it. After day 5 your sourdough bread would be stale (but not moldy). Although many packaged foods have an expiration date, most breads have a best-by date instead, which denotes how long your bread will stay fresh. I think that we need to differentiate between the shelf life of sourdough bread and how long it would actually be considered fresh - because these are actually two different things! It contains lactic and acetic acid bacteria which keeps it from molding faster. All you need to do is store it as a slice of bread or leave it whole. Take a good look at your bread if youll find molds and then feel it to know if it is stale. It wont be the same as a freshly-baked loaf but it does give you another day or two to use it. Try running your entire loaf of bread under the tap, careful not to soak the sides (you can always pat them dry afterwards). It is not something that you would want to be carrying around with you in your bag. Notably, most homemade breads dont contain preservatives and may use perishable ingredients like eggs and milk. Eating sourdough bread that has gone bad may result in food poisoning and discomfort. This way you can enjoy that crispy crust and soft, airy interior at its best. Sourdough bread doesnt mold fast in fact, it is the most lasting bun. You'll find a guide to adding milk and dairy to sourdough here. All-Clad vs. Calphalon Cookware Broken Down. Whether you make your own bread or grab a loaf from the supermarket, everyone should know when to keep and when to toss old bread. Porous foods like bread can be contaminated with mold below the surface beyond what you can see, which means you shouldnt just discard the moldy spot and continue eating the rest. Sourdough bread can last for up to four months in the freezer. Its very easy to tell if a sourdough bread has gone bad, as the signs are hard to miss. This typically depends on the type of bread. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But to enjoy sourdough at its best, it's recommended to consume it within 24 hours. The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep packaged raisin bread in a cool, dry area. Best Flour for Sourdough Pizza: Is Tipo 00 Really Needed? If you store it properly, sourdough bread can last 4 to 5 days at room temperature because of the benefit of the longer shell-life attached to it. My bread lasts about 2 weeks on the counter, in a plastic bag before it begins to mould, longer if uncut. I believe that anyone can cook a delicious meal, no matter their skill level. If you want to know more about me and the whole story behind this website, click on the button bellow. But there is a solution to it, and that is keeping it in the fridge. She's spent the last 10 years in the restaurant industry where she worked her way up from prep cook to Chef instructor. If you take a break from feeding your starter you should store it in the fridge. Not ideal for sweet recipes. And there is nothing that you can do to prevent this. Stale bread can continue to stay fresh for a longer time if its kept cold, and it can also continue to stay fresh for a longer time if its kept frozen.