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If you’re one of the thousands of people who has recently started baking
sourdough bread
, you know that feeding the starter—and discarding some of it—is part of the process. But caring for your sourdough starter doesn’t have to be wasteful. From cookies to pancakes, there are many sourdough discard recipes that can help you use up your extra starter.
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What Is Sourdough Discard?
Sourdough discard is the portion of sourdough starter that you remove during the feeding process. To feed your starter, you discard half of it and then add 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup water for every 1/2 cup of remaining starter.
As our
guide to making a sourdough starter
explains, removing half of the starter keeps the flour and water to a minimum while keeping the yeast from competing for food. It also prevents you from ending up with a massive amount of starter!
What to Do with Sourdough Discard
Just because you remove excess starter during feedings doesn’t mean you actually have to physically discard it. You can keep your sourdough discard in a covered jar in the refrigerator and incorporate it into other baked goods—try sourdough pizza crust, waffles, cinnamon rolls and the sourdough discard recipes listed below.
The discard will add a tangy, acidic flavor to your recipes. For a stronger flavor, mix in the liquid that forms on top of your starter. If you want a milder sourdough taste, pour off that liquid before using your starter or discard.
In its discard state, sourdough may not be lively enough to leaven bread. However, you can always feed it before use if you need some extra rise.
To gauge whether your sourdough starter is ready for baking
, remove it from the refrigerator 4 or 5 hours before use and measure its expansion. If it doubles in size, it’s ready to use with no additional yeast needed.
How Long Sourdough Discard Lasts
Sourdough starter can last for decades if you feed it regularly. But sourdough discard, which you typically don’t feed, has a shorter shelf life—even if you store it in the refrigerator. The discard’s flavor will get a little funkier over time, so we recommend tossing it in the compost or trash after about a month. Never flush it down the drain because it can clog your pipes.
10 Sourdough Discard Recipes
While there are many ways to use your extra starter, the following sourdough discard recipes are approved by our Test Kitchen.
You can also experiment with incorporating sourdough starter or discard into other recipes. You’ll need to reduce the amount of flour and liquid in the recipe accordingly, but the proportions will vary depending on the dish.
Sourdough Cookies
This
Sourdough Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe
uses 2 cups of sourdough starter as the leavening agent—no additional yeast required! Just add sugar, butter, flour and baking soda—as well as vanilla, oats and chocolate chips—to get a delicious batch of homemade cookies.
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Sourdough Biscuits
These
Golden Sourdough Biscuits
get a boost of flavor by adding a cup of discard. Try our Test Kitchen-approved recipe, or play around with your own recipe. Just make sure to reduce the flour and buttermilk quantities if you’re experimenting.
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Sourdough Crescent Rolls
You may never want to use store-bought crescent rolls again after you learn to make your own!
Sourdough English Muffins
This
Sourdough English Muffin recipe
requires a little bit of preparation, but it’s a great way to turn your sourdough discard into a winning dish. After feeding the discard and letting it rise overnight, you’ll mix the dough, form the muffins and let them double in size for about 45 minutes. Then griddle them to golden-brown perfection!
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Sourdough French Bread
You can use sourdough starter to make other types of bread besides the classic
sourdough bread loaf
that you think of. This
Sourdough French Bread recipe
uses 1/4 cup of sourdough starter, as well as one package of active dry yeast.
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Sourdough Pancakes
This recipe
for sourdough starter hotcakes couldn’t be easier. Simply feed your discard the night before you plan to make the pancakes. Then add sugar, salt, eggs and baking soda, along with any extra flavorings like pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract or berry-flavored yogurt.
Sourdough Cake
Sourdough discard makes a fantastic addition to quick breads like banana bread and zucchini bread, as well as desserts like this
Sourdough Applesauce Cake
. This cake tastes incredible on its own, and it only gets better when it’s glazed with a sweet and buttery icing.
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Sourdough Crackers
Give your favorite homemade crackers—like these
Thyme-Sea Salt Crackers
—a boost of tangy flavor by adding sourdough discard to the dough. Find a cracker recipe and add 120 grams of sourdough starter, or about 1/2 cup. To compensate for the added ingredient, reduce the recipe’s flour and water by 60 grams each, or about 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup water.
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Sourdough Muffins
This recipe for
Cranberry Sourdough Muffins with Streusel Topping
calls for 1 cup of sourdough starter and no additional yeast. With chopped hazelnuts, fresh cranberries, dried apricots and orange zest, these muffins are bursting with sweet and tangy flavors.
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Sourdough Coffee Cake
This
Cranberry Sourdough Coffee Cake
is an adaptation of
Amish friendship bread
, which also uses a starter. The coffee cake recipe calls for 1 cup of sourdough starter and no additional yeast.
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Recipes That Start with Sourdough Bread
1 / 30
Open-Faced Prosciutto and Egg Sandwich
We love breakfast at any time of the day in my house. I came up with this healthy egg sandwich as something new for brinner (aka breakfast for dinner), but they’re fabulous no matter when you serve them. —Casey Galloway, Columbia, Missouri
Banana Bread Pudding
Warm and indulgent, this banana bread pudding makes a wonderful main dish for a weekend brunch or a family breakfast.
Creamy Sourdough Snack
This bread bowl dip was a big hit at my mom's 50th birthday party! —Darelyn Payes, Hayward, California
Toad in the Hole Bacon Sandwich
Switch up the cheese—pepper jack gives a nice kick—or use sliced kielbasa, ham or sausage in place of the bacon in this versatile grilled cheese sandwich. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Sausage, Kale and Squash Bread Pudding
Who said bread pudding has to be for dessert? I love to serve this for brunch or dinner when I want something hearty and a little unusual. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Berry-Stuffed French Toast
Both kids and grown-ups will enjoy the creamy filling and sweet syrup that flavor these French toast sandwiches. Vary the recipe by substituting fresh blueberries and strawberries and the corresponding jam. —Monica & Lisa Hannahan, Dayton, Ohio
Ham & Jack Pudgy Pie
Pepper jack cheese adds spicy flavor to these warm, melty sandwiches. —Terri McKitrick, Delafield, Wisconsin
Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni Sandwich
Who doesn't love a good grilled cheese sandwich recipe? This super decadent version comes fully loaded with pepperoni and five types of cheese!—Josh Rink,
Taste of Home
Food Stylist
Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches
I jazzed up the quintessential teatime cucumber sandwich to suit my family's tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant. It hit all the right spots! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana
Try these
Tomato sandwiches
, which are enjoyed throughout summer.
Turkey Melt
For those days when you're rushing from work to home to evening activity, this turkey melt sandwich with green chiles is about to become your standby.
Chili Baked Brie
Chili and garlic powder shine in this cheesy loaf that’s best right out of the oven. It’s always a favorite when I entertain. —Mary Spencer, Greendale, Wisconsin
Badger State Stuffing
Your family will love the contrasting sweet, savory and slightly tart flavors in this spin on a Thanksgiving classic. Feel free to use your favorite beer or dried fruit to make the dish your own. —Andrea Fetting, Franklin, Wisconsin
Bacon Grilled Cheese
Level up your grilled cheese with this bacon grilled cheese sandwich. Featuring mustard, mayo, tomato, onion and two cheeses, this sandwich is anything but boring. Serve it with tomato soup and salad for a complete meal.
Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl
When we get together with friends, I like to prepare this creamy spinach dip. It's a real crowd pleaser. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin
Grilled Pesto, Ham and Provolone Sandwiches
These Italian-style sandwiches are loaded with zesty flavors. To lighten them a little, use fat-free mayo. We serve them with minestrone or a crisp salad. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Chicken Florentine Panini
Chicken Florentine Panini, from Lee Bremson of Kansas City, Missouri, brings an Italian flair to this speedy meal. The grilled sandwich combines chicken with provolone cheese, spinach and red onion.
Party Cheese Bread
You can't go wrong with this cheese bread recipe. The cheesy, butter bread is so simple to make but the taste is sinful. Plus it looks fantastic, and people just flock to it! It's better than the usual garlic bread with pasta, too. —Karen Grant, Tulare, California
Blue Cheese Chicken Salad Sandwiches
I'm a big fan of blue cheese dressing, so I decided to go the "no mayo" route and replace it in this chicken salad. So tangy! Serve the chicken mixture on a bed of lettuce if you're in the mood for salad instead. —Giovanna Kranenberg, Cambridge, Minnesota
Bacon, Egg & Avocado Sandwiches
My husband wanted bacon and eggs; I wanted a BLT. We settled our standoff with an irresistible sandwich we've had many times since. —Patti Darwin, Lubbock, Texas
Baked Crab Dip
We enjoyed this exquisite dip at my grandson's wedding reception. It looks fancy but is easy to make. You can even make this crab dip recipe ahead of time by filling the bread bowl early in the day and chilling it until serving. Just remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. —Marie Shelley, Exeter, Missouri
Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Date-Bacon Jam
This sandwich doubles up on melty cheese, but the star of the show is the sweet and salty date-bacon jam. It makes for a truly grown-up version of grilled cheese. —Kathy Cooper, Tucson, Arizona
Grilled Cheese, Ham and Apple Sandwich
In this stepped-up version of a ham and cheese sandwich, melty cheeses, crispy apples and smoky ham are the ultimate combination. —Josh Rink,
Taste of Home
Food Stylist
Brussels Sprouts au Gratin
Brussels sprouts au gratin is topped with creamy sauce, Swiss cheese and bread crumbs. Serve this dish at your next dinner party, and prepare for your Brussels sprouts to be sought after.
Chicken Panini
This melty, decadent and easy-to-make chicken panini is perfect for a quick lunch or a casual weekend treat.
Chicken & Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese
My grilled cheese sandwich combines chicken with sweet caramelized onions, red peppers, Swiss cheese and sourdough bread. It’s oh-my goodness. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida
Mighty Hero Sandwich
My friend Valerie is a gracious hostess. Of all the dishes she's shared over the years, this hero sandwich stands out. It’s easy and colorful, and the marinated veggies give it all kinds of oomph. —Kelley Boyce, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Basil-Tomato Grilled Cheese
The tastes of summer abound in this easy Italian-style grilled cheese sandwich. Not only is it delicious, it's super-fast, so you can get back to those summer outdoor activities. —Sylvia Schmitt, Sun City, Arizona
Chicken Spinach Dip Bread Bowls
My family loves artichoke spinach dip, so I thought I could turn this popular appetizer into a chicken entree. The sourdough bowl makes a fun presentation. I love that with this recipe I can make one for dinner and wrap one for the freezer! —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
Roasted Butternut Squash Panzanella
Squash was a hard sell with my family until I paired it with pumpkin seeds, cranberries and horseradish. Now they love it! —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Grilled Cheese, Bacon and Oven-Dried Tomato Sandwich
Take your grilled cheese sandwich to a place it's never been before with crispy bacon and tangy tomatoes and five—yes, five!—types of cheese. —Josh Rink,
Taste of Home
Food Stylist
Research contributed by
Josh Rink
, Taste of Home food stylist and
Catherine Ward
, Taste of Home Prep Kitchen Manager
