How do I feed and maintain an active sourdough starter?Updated 4 hours ago

These instructions are for maintaining an active sourdough starter. If you have a new packet of dried starter, follow our 5 Day Activation Schedule first.

How to feed your starter

Weigh the starter itself, excluding the jar and lid. Feed it half its weight in flour and half its weight in water. For example, 100 g of active starter gets 50 g of flour and 50 g of water. Stir to combine.

Refrigerated starter routine

Our guide recommends feeding once a week or before baking. Take the starter out of the refrigerator the day before you want to bake, feed it, and leave it on the counter overnight. After using starter in your bread dough, feed the remaining starter and return it to the refrigerator.

Troubleshooting a starter that is losing strength

Our guide describes refreshing a weak starter by leaving it on the counter and feeding it a few times at 12-hour intervals. See the full guide for the maintenance, refreshing, and storage instructions.

Read Feeding a Sourdough Starter and watch the feeding video.