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Active bubbly sourdough starter in a glass jar on a kitchen counter

Easy Sourdough Starter Recipe (Beginner Friendly)

Learn how to make a healthy, bubbly sourdough starter from scratch with just flour and water. Perfect for beginners!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
7 days
Total Time 7 days 10 minutes
Servings: 1 jar
Course: Baking, Basics
Cuisine: American
Calories: 30
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 60g
  • 1/4 cup filtered water 60g
  • 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 60g
  • 1/4 cup filtered water 60g

Equipment

  • 1 Glass jar (16 oz / pint size) Wide-mouth jar works best
  • 1 Kitchen scale For accurate measurements
  • 1 Wooden spoon or spatula Silicone also works
  • 1 Rubber band To mark the starter level

Method
 

  1. In a clean glass jar, mix 1/2 cup whole wheat flour and 1/4 cup filtered water until it forms a thick paste. Cover loosely and let it sit in a warm spot for 24 hours.
  2. Check for small bubbles. Discard half of the starter, then feed it with 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup filtered water. Stir well, cover loosely, and rest for 24 hours.
  3. Repeat the discard and feeding process every 24 hours. The starter should start to smell slightly sour and show more bubbles.
  4. Continue feeding daily. By day 5 to 7, the starter should double in size within 4-8 hours of feeding and have large bubbles.
  5. Perform the float test: drop a small spoonful of starter into water. If it floats, your sourdough starter is ready to bake with.

Notes

Storage: Keep your sourdough starter at room temperature if you bake often, or store it in the refrigerator and feed it once a week.
Troubleshooting: If your starter is not bubbling, place it in a warmer area and make sure you are using filtered water instead of chlorinated tap water.
Important: If you notice pink, orange, or black mold, discard the starter immediately and start again with a clean jar.
Beginner Tip: Whole wheat flour helps activate the starter faster during the first few days.
Using Sourdough Discard: Don’t throw away discard. Use it for pancakes, waffles, crackers, or pizza dough recipes.