Simple Sourdough Bread Recipe for Beginners

February 18, 2026 - By Kelly Krebs

This simple sourdough bread recipe for beginners is perfect for anyone trying to start their sourdough journey. It’s easy and delicious!

One of my goals last year was to get into sourdough and make my own bread. I have tried multiple recipes and am part of a few sourdough groups. This recipe is the first simple sourdough recipe that I mastered, and it’s definitely the easiest one I have found. I think this recipe is one every sourdough beginner should try. This is my everyday artisan loaf recipe because it is easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious. It’s perfect for a weekly bread recipe that takes minimal effort.

Last week, I asked my Instagram followers to choose between this simple sourdough bread and easy baked spaghetti as the next recipe on the blog. I love this setup because you get to choose which recipe you’d like to see on the blog next. This recipe won, and I’m so happy to share it with all of you.

If you’d like to have a say in the next recipe I post, follow me on Instagram and wait for my next “this or that” recipe post. Here’s the link to my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomorrowisamotherdayblog/

Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost to you).

Ingredients for Simple Sourdough Bread

165 grams of unfed starter
400 grams of warm water
650 grams of bread flour
15 grams of salt

Directions

In a large bowl mix starter and water with a dough whisk. Add bread flour and salt. Mix together until dough forms. It will be shaggy
Cover bowl with lid or damp towel to bulk ferment for 3-12 hours until dough is proofed. The dough should be round, smooth, with bubbles on top, and should wiggle when you shake bowl.
Shape on floured counter top. Place in floured banneton basket, cover with plastic wrap on counter for one hour.
Place in fridge for cold ferment for 15 hours.
Dump loaf on parchment paper or silicone sling. Score dough however you choose and place dough in Dutch oven and put the lid on it.
Place Dutch oven in oven. Set oven to 450 degrees and set timer for 1 hour.
Remove Dutch oven from oven, take lid off the Dutch oven, lower oven temperature to 425, place Dutch oven back in oven, and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
Remove Dutch oven from oven, remove the loaf from Dutch oven, and place on cooling rack.
Cool for 1-4 hours before slicing.
Enjoy!

Simple Sourdough Bread Loaf — Whisk Starter and Water

What You’ll Need To Make This Simple Sourdough Bread

Tips and Tricks for This Recipe

How to shape a sourdough loaf (with pictures): First, you flour your surface and place the dough on it. Then, you pull the edges into rectangle shape, looking like a piece of paper. Then, fold the sides to make one-third. Then, roll it into a ball. Lastly, take your right hand and scoop the side of the dough, push it away from you on the counter, and then pull towards you to create tension.

Do I need to stretch and fold? No, with this recipe, you don’t have to stretch and fold. It will still turn out great. In these pictures, I didn’t stretch and fold. There are times I have included stretch and folds to make the dough tighter. If you want to add some stretch and folds, you can start 30 minutes after mixing all the ingredients. Then do stretches and folds three more times with 30-minute intervals.

Feeding Schedule for this loaf: You want to feed your starter the day before. This recipe uses unfed starter. That means that the starter was fed the day before and is hungry. The day before you plan on mixing the ingredients, feed your 50 grams of starter with 100 grams of room-temperature water and 100 grams of King Arthur’s All-Purpose flour.

More Recipes To Enjoy:

Final Thoughts

I hope you find this simpler sourdough bread recipe as easy as I do. One thing about sourdough is that it’s like an experiment with every recipe. Sometimes it takes more than one try to get it right. It’s ok. I have never once made a loaf that was so bad I couldn’t eat it. It may not always look great, but it’ll taste good. Just keep trying, and once you get it, it’s worth it.

If you have any questions about this recipe, let me know in the comments. I’ll try to explain it and help you as much as I can.

If you want to try this recipe, don’t forget to pin it for later or share it on your socials. I appreciate all the love and support!

Thanks for reading,

Kel