Baking Sourdough bread is very pleasing as I find a lot of pleasure while baking this tasty wonder. I often cook sourdough bread as my children like them and usually ask me to bake them.
However, there are times when I have leftovers that I need to store so that they could be consumed later.
I have my fair share of experience in How to Store Sourdough bread, and it is time to share that experience with my dear readers.
I will be sharing nine methods to store this bread and keep it fresh for longer. So without further ado, let us get right into it.
How To Store Sourdough Bread?
There are many ways to store sourdough bread so that it can stay fresh and not mold on you, especially when you are desperate for a slice and do not have time to bake. Here are nine methods which I use from time to time to store sourdough bread.
#1: Plastic Bag Storage
The first method that you can use to store sourdough bread is to keep it in a plastic bag. However, this method comes with a caveat that you are going to be greeted with a softer crust the next time you want to consume it.
Therefore, you can use this method only for a short time, and you know that the bread will be gone by then.
#2: Keep Sourdough Bread In a Paper Bag
Another method to store sourdough bread is using a paper bag instead of a plastic bag. This method is more eco-friendly than keeping the bread in a plastic bag; however, you are going to find that the bread will dry out very fast if you use this method.
So just as I said before, use this method only if you know that you are going to be eating the bread in a short while.
#3: Bread Box (Bread Bin)
The next method I generally use to keep sourdough bread fresh for longer is storing it in a bread box. A bread box can serve the dual purpose of keeping the bread fresh while adding decorative value to your kitchen.
Many types of bread bins are available on the market; however, not all are effective. However, these are a great way to keep your sourdough bread fresh longer.
#4: Store Bread on the Counter With a Towel or Linen Bag
If you have freshly baked sourdough bread, you can keep the bread on the kitchen counter wrapped in a towel or linen.
This should only be done if you know that you will have the bread consumed in the next 24 hours. If not, move to other methods on this list. But at most, keeping the bread on the counter will work for 48 hours.
#5:Keep Sourdough Bread In a Dutch Oven
A dutch Oven is a great appliance that can be used to bake sourdough bread. But did you know that the Dutch Oven can be used as a bread box as well which you can use to keep your sourdough bread for longer?
This method may fail; however, if you have to use the Oven for more baking but if storing is a concern, a Dutch oven will do you no wrong.
#6: Beeswax Wraps
A great method to store Sourdough bread is storing them in beeswax wraps, which can also be reused. These wraps are more eco-friendly than plastic bags, but you can also be sure that they will keep the bread fresh for longer periods.
Beeswax wraps can be had for cheap online, so you do not need to worry much about procuring them.
#7: Place the Cut Side Down on a Breadboard
Once you have sliced the bread, one thing you need to remember This will ensure that the bread will not dry out faster and keep the crusts soft for later consumption.
#8: It is advised to avoid the refrigerator
You should not use the refrigerator to store sour bread as keeping it there will recrystallize the starch molecule, which will cause the bread to be stale very fast.
Therefore it is not recommended to keep your sourdough bread in the Fridge. Instead, go for freezing the bread.
#9: For Extended Storage, it is recommended to freeze it.
If you want to keep sourdough bread fresh for a long period of time, let’s say three months, you can freeze the bread.
Before committing the bread to a freezer, you should make slices of it and then wrap it in beeswax wrap or put it in an airtight container. Once you have done so, put the bread in the freezer, and that’s it.
How Long Will Sourdough Bread Stay Fresh
Keeping Sourdough bread fresh depends on what type of container you are using or what type of storage option you are considering.
If you keep the bread on a counter, the bread will only remain fresh for 48 hours. Similarly, keeping it in a bread box or a Dutch oven will give you at max a week of freshness.
However, if you want to keep the bread fresh for a very long period of time, like three months, the best option is to keep the sourdough bread in the freezer.
Does Sourdough Bread Need to be Refrigerated?
No, you do not need to refrigerate sourdough bread. It is a no-no that I and many other bakers strictly forbid. The reason behind it is that once you keep the bread in the refrigerator, the cold air is enough to keep it cool but does not freeze it.
This will cause the starch molecules in the Sourdough to recrystallize, which will cause the bread to be stale faster.
So, the best course of action instead would be to keep the sourdough bread in a freezer, which will keep the bread fresh for longer and from staling.
What’s the Best Thing to Store Sourdough Bread In?
The best thing to store sour bread is in a bread box. These will keep the bread airtight and secure them from molding. However, this is not foolproof as many bread bins are not airtight containers.
Therefore, if you are sure that the bread will be consumed in a few days, keep it in a bread box. However, if you know that the bread has to be kept for a long time, freeze it to maximize the freshness.
What is the Best container To keep Sourdough bread Fresh?
The best thing to keep sourdough fresh for is a bread bin. However, this method would serve you for a week at max.
After that, you may see signs of the bread going stale. A Dutch oven can also serve as a bread storage option; however, you may need the Oven to bake other things.
However, if you want to keep the bread fresh for a long time, you should freeze it. Do not go for the Fridge, as the bread will go stale in a very short period of time.
Can You keep Sourdough in the Fridge for a week?
The maximum amount of time that you can store sourdough bread in a fridge is three days. Otherwise, you will see that the bread has gone stale if you go for a longer period of time.
The best course of action to keep your sourdough bread fresh for three months is freezing the bread.
Final Verdict
This was everything that you needed to know about storing sour bread. To summarise, you can keep the bread in a plastic bag or, if you want to be more eco-friendly, in a paper bag or beeswax wrap.
A bread bin or a Dutch oven is also good for storing the bread for longer. However, if you want to keep the bread fresh for a long time, say three months, freeze it.
