Simple Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread
This same day sourdough sandwich bread is a great recipe to use when you need to make bread quickly or when you need to use up some discard. Compared to this made from scratch sourdough bread recipe, the crust is super soft. The crumb is light and airy and perfect for sandwiches!
The Sandwich: A Versatile Lunch and Dinner Entree
I love sandwiches, especially in the Summer. They are light, delicious, and satiating. Sandwiches are also perfect to pack in your children’s lunchbox or when you are on the go. It is hard to get bored with them because there are so many options to choose from. My personal favorites are turkey, provolone, tomato, mayonnaise with red onion and also roast beef, mayo, with cucumbers..delicious! Cold cuts are amazing but during the winter months, we love getting out our panini press and making beautiful hot pressed sandwiches. Pesto, tomato, fresh mozzarella, and homegrown basil is one I often make but there are many other delightful options! Sliced chicken breast with bell peppers, cilantro, pepper jack, and made from scratch chipotle sauce is a smoky option with a spicy kick! Pair any sandwich with a warm bowl of soup such as this creamy potato soup and you have the perfect cold weather meal the family will adore. This recipe for Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread makes the perfect base for these yummy lunch ideas.
Did you know that there are many different ways to eat a sandwich? Yes, it’s true!
What is Sourdough Discard?
Sourdough discard is the portion of starter you don’t feed during routine maintenance. You can choose to dispose of it or bake with it. Alot of times it does not have the strength to leaven the bread so supplementary yeast might be required to get the rise the particular recipe needs. For recipes like tortillas, brownies, and cookies, you will not need a strong rise. Sourdough discard is perfect for these recipes. I don’t usually keep a jar of discard separately after I have built up my sourdough starter. I will use discard recipes with my unfed starter before adding a fresh feeding. It essentially works the same way but it will take up less space in your fridge or kitchen.
History of Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread’s history stretches back to ancient Egypt, where it was a staple food. Its discovery was accidental, resulting from a flour and water mixture left out, which was then colonized by wild yeast and bacteria, causing it to rise and develop a sour taste. What a happy little accident!
Benefits of Sourdough Discard
Sourdough discard is rich in probiotics, which can help promote a healthy gut microbiome and improve digestion. It’s also a good source of fiber, which can help regulate blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and promote feelings of fullness.
Why you will love this recipe
Quick to Make: While traditional sourdough is more rich in health benefits due to the fermentation process, sometimes I do not have days to make bread. Rather than running to the grocery store, I have grown to love this easy recipe that utilizes my sourdough starter and only takes an afternoon to make. If you live a hectic life, you will love this recipe!
Taste and Texture: Also, not everyone in the family is a fan of the texture and tang of traditional sourdough. This bread comes out soft and buttery, more like you would buy from the store without all of the additives and preservatives.
What pan do I use to bake Simple Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread?
When you are baking any kind of sandwich bread, it is important to use a loaf pan. There are two types that you can use, an open tin or a Pullman bread Tin. A Pullman bread tin is essentially a bread loaf tin with a lid. It creates more even, square shaped slices like you would find in the grocery store. If you do not have one, you can find it here. If you like your sourdough sandwich bread with more of a rounded top, you will want to use an open tin. This is what I normally use when baking this bread.
Both types will work well and aim for a tin size that is about 4x8x4 inches.
How to Shape Sandwich Bread
Shaping sandwich bread is easy. Even your kids can do it! This dough has been leavened with instant yeast vs wild yeast so it might feel a little more sticky than traditional sourdough. To make it easier to work with, simply lightly flour your hands before shaping the loaf.
First, remove your dough onto the counter with the smooth side facing down and the stickier side facing upward. You can lightly flour the surface if needed, however you will want to avoid that if at all possible. Even just a tad too much can really change the texture of your bread, leaving it more dense than desired. By putting the smooth side down, you can cut down on the amount of added flour you are using.
Gently pull the dough so that it forms a rectangular shape with the shortest edge closest to you.
Next, fold each side and roll up the dough like a log and tuck the ends under. If you create more tension on the top of the loaf, it will make a much more smooth appearance and crust once it is baked.
Shaping Simple Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread Dough
Then, place into your buttered bread tin.
Bake
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and let it warm up for about 10 minutes before misting the top of your bread with water and placing into the oven. Bake for around 40 to 45 minutes until the loaf is a beautiful golden brown.
Remove the loaf tin and allow to fully cool on a wired rack. Slice and enjoy!!!
Simple Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread
Equipment
- 1 Stand Mixer with Dough Hook Attachment
- 1 Digital Scale
- 1 Bread Tin Open Tin or Pullman Loaf Pan
Ingredients
- 100 G Sourdough Discard-unfed sourdough starter
- 250 G Water
- 500 G Bread Flour You can also use All Purpose
- 10 G Salt
- 20 G Sugar
- 60 G Butter (room temperature)
- 7 G Instant Yeast
Instructions
- In a bowl of a stand mixer, combine sourdough discard, water, and flour and mix until a shaggy dough is formed. Allow to rest for 30 minutes.
- Next, add the salt, sugar, butter, and yeast to the bowl and mix for about 6 minutes. The dough will be well combined, silky, and elastic. You should hear a slight "slapping" sound as the dough beats the sides of the bowl. If you do not hear it, keep mixing. Cover and let rise until doubled. This will be faster than traditional sourdough due to the instant yeast. Usually this will take about an hour or so but it depends on the temperature of your home.
- Once you see that the dough has doubled in size, dump out onto the counter, smooth side facing down. Gently shape your dough by pulling it into a rectangular shape with the short side closest to you. Then, fold each side longways and roll up like a log. Tighten the top of the dough by pulling the dough towards you without lifting it.
- Butter your loaf tin, then place dough in the pan. Allow to rise until the dough is slightly above the rim of the pan. The takes about an hour but depends on the temperature of your kitchen.
- Now it is time to bake. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and allow to warm for about 10 minutes. Then, place your dough in the oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until it is a nice golden brown.
- Once it is done, remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool. Once cool, turn out of pan, slice, and enjoy! This bread will keep for a few days on the counter in a plastic bag or freeze it for longer storage.
If you’ve made this recipe, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below! I’m always committed to sharing my favorite recipes that I feel you will want to make over and over again.
Love baking with sourdough? You’ll love From Scratch Sourdough Bread, Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls, and my Sourdough tortillas.
Easy Sourdough Discard Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re looking for more delicious ways to use your sourdough discard, here are some simple, cozy recipes you can try next.
Learn the Art of Sourdough
Ready to take your sourdough skills to the next level? My 23-page Art of Sourdough guide walks you through tools, techniques, and beginner-friendly recipes so you can bake with confidence and ease. Visit the Resource Library by clicking below to get your free download!
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What a delicious looking recipe. Love to try it soon.
I would love to know your thoughts if you try it! Thanks!
This bread looks amazing — I love how simple and delicious it seems! 😋
It is VERY simple! It is great if you need bread in a hurry and the kids love it too!
I’ve been wanting to start my sourdough journey but have been too nervous. This is super helpful and will for sure bookmark this! Going to look through your blog for more!
I understand starting anything new can be a little intimidating! Sourdough is not as difficult as it seems I promise! Make sure to visit the Sourdough Chronicles on here for all my sourdough related content to help you get started. Also drop by the free resource library. I have a little guide I created just for beginners along with recipes to help you get started on your journey. Good luck Sara!
This bread looks delicious drizzled with honey!
This bread looks delicious drizzled with honey!
That is one of my favorite ways to eat it! Jam would also be lovely. Let me know if you try it. I would love to hear your thoughts! 🙂
Love this recipe! I just started my sourdough journey this month. I have made a few easy recipes with my discard, and have been looking for some more!
What an exciting time in your life! You will love creating with sourdough. The possibilities are endless! Make sure to check out the Sourdough Chronicles on here for all of my sourdough related content. I hope it will bring a lot of inspiration your way. Best of luck, Catherine!