How to Store Sourdough Bread (for fresh bread every time)

Learning how to store sourdough bread is a game changer on how to enjoy a fresh loaf longer. After spending all the time making a loaf of bread, it is equally as important to ensure it does not go stale before you get the chance to eat it!

It is one thing to make a sourdough starter from scratch and it is another to turn it into a loaf of sourdough bread. With all the hard work, energy and money it takes to make a delicious loaf of bread- being able to enjoy it for days afterward is an important part of the process. 

In our household, we make this soft sourdough rye bread or this Aldi sourdough bread dupe every week or two. Each recipe makes two loaves. One is automatically sliced and stored in the freezer, the other is eaten throughout the week.

It does not take us long to eat through a loaf of sourdough bread! However, if we do not get to it fast enough, it can turn into stale bread. 

As someone who formerly ate all gluten free bread (which was about as dry as cardboard), I appreciate a good loaf of sourdough bread. Test these tips out and let us know what you think! 

Why bread gets stale

Bread goes stale when exposed to air after it is cut. When sliced, the water within the bread begins to evaporate. This causes the bread to become hard and dry in texture after it is sliced.

Additionally, this is why bread dries out faster when stored in the refrigerator. Humidity levels in the fridge are low – causing bread to dry out more.

If you want to store bread on the counter – make sure you place the sliced half face down. This will prevent air getting to the bread quickly. If the front piece becomes dry, slice it and move further down the loaf.

Nothing is worse than stale bread when you want a slice of fresh bread. Though you can turn it into sourdough French toast casserole with cream cheese or process it into sourdough breadcrumbs, we want our bread to stay as close to “fresh” as the day we baked it. 

Best place to store sourdough bread

There are a variety of places to store sourdough bread. The best way to store sourdough bread depends on the climate of your home. Consider both humidity and temperature. Do not be afraid to try out new options if you are not getting the results you had hoped for.

We asked our readers and these are the best places to store sourdough bread – according to you!

• Plastic ziplock bag (with the corner opened)
  • Reader Tip: If you have a salty topping on your bread (like everything but the bagel seasoning), know this may sink into the bread as it sits. It also may cause additional moisture in the bag. Add a paper towel into the bag to reduce moisture content.
• Wrap in a beeswax wrap or use a beeswax bag
• Aluminum foil or plastic wrap
• Linen Bread Bag
  • Allows air to transfer through – does not trap moisture. This will ensure a crusty loaf stays crusty while also preventing it from drying out.
• Paper Bag
• Wrap in a kitchen towel
• Bread box
  • These are made of stainless steel. They keep some moisture within the box which is great if you live in a dry climate.
• Place inside a cake stand (or a glass bowl on top a wooden cutting board)
  • Reader Tip: An old wives tale is to throw a piece of celery in with the bread to keep it fresh even longer 
• Place it in a sealed Pyrex container or an airtight container

Storing sourdough bread in the freezer

We store both sourdough bread and an extra supply of sourdough starter in the freezer. To keep bread fresh from the freezer, follow these steps.

1. Allow the bread to cool completely after it is baked. This will ensure ice crystals do not form on the exterior of the bread.
2. Slice the bread within 24 hours of baking the loaf to ensure it is ‘fresh’ when coming out of the freezer.
   • We love using a bread knife for even slices (and to not squish the bread).
3. Store in a bag big enough where pieces can move around (and are not squished). You do not want the bread to re-form a loaf shape when sitting in the freezer.
4. Optional – place pieces of parchment paper or wax paper in between pieces of bread.

When you are ready to enjoy a slice of bread, pull a slice or two out of the freezer. Allow it to come to room temperature or immediately place it in the toaster or a pan with butter.

How do you store sourdough bread? Let us know in the comments below!