Can You Freeze Sourdough Starter

If you’re an avid sourdough baker, you know the importance of having a thriving sourdough starter on hand. But what happens when life gets in the way and you can’t maintain your regular feeding schedule? That’s where freezing your sourdough starter comes in handy.

In this blog post, I will show you a simple way to freeze your sourdough starter to extend its shelf life and ensure you always have a backup. This blog post is all about frozen starter and the freezing process of dried starter.

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Benefits of Freezing Your Sourdough Starter:

Frozen sourdough starter comes with several benefits. Firstly, it is a convenient way to keep your starter for an extended period of time. Thawing it takes only a couple of days, and you can have a fresh loaf of bread in no time. Secondly, the process is super easy and takes very little hands-on time. Lastly, having a backup sourdough starter in the freezer is perfect for emergencies. You never know what might happen, and having frozen starter is a great way to make sure you have a backup sourdough starter.

Tips:

When freezing sourdough starter, it is important to follow a few tips to ensure the best results. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Use silicone muffin cups, regular muffin liners, or line a muffin pan with plastic wrap for easy removal.
• Thaw the sourdough starter and feed it a few times before using it for baking.
• Use an active fresh starter that has been recently fed for the best results.
• Only freeze a mature starter that has enough established lactic acid bacteria and live yeast to make it healthy enough for freezing.
• Store the sourdough starter in a deep freeze at cold temperatures to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the date of freezing on the container to keep track of the freshness.

By following these tips, you can successfully freeze and store your sourdough starter for future use.

Tools You May Need:

When it comes to freezing food, having the right tools can make all the difference. Here are some items that you may find helpful:

• Silicone ice cube trays or muffin cups: These are great for freezing small portions of food and are easy to pop out.
• Freezer-safe plastic bag or airtight container: A ziplock freezer bag is a good option for storing larger portions of food.
• Glass jar like a mason jar: This is perfect for storing soups, stews, and other liquid-based dishes.
• Baking sheet and a piece of parchment paper: This is useful for freezing items like berries and sliced fruit before transferring them to a bag or container.
• Beeswax wrap: This is a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap for wrapping food.

Make sure to label your containers with the name of the food and the date it was frozen.

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FAQ:

Is it better to freeze or dry sourdough starter?

When it comes to storing sourdough starter, drying is a better option if you plan to store it for a long time. Frozen sourdough starter can last up to 12 months, whereas a dry starter can last for years in a dry place.

How long will sourdough starter last in the fridge?

Sourdough starter can last for up to two months in the fridge without feeding. With regular feeding, it can last indefinitely in the fridge.

Is sourdough still healthy after freezing?

Yes, freezing does not harm the majority of the yeasts in sourdough starter. While some yeasts may die off, the majority will still be alive and thriving, waiting to be reactivated.

Can you freeze sourdough bread?

Yes, sourdough bread freezes really well and can last up to six months. Simply place it in a freezer-safe bag and store it in the freezer. Check out this post for the best way to freeze sourdough bread.

Does freezing harm sourdough starter?

Freezing sourdough starter may cause some of the natural yeast to die off, but the majority of the yeast will still be alive and unharmed. The yeast will become dormant in cold environments, but once you begin to feed it, it will become active and start multiplying again.

Can you freeze sourdough starter discard?

While feeding an active starter is a better idea, freezing sourdough starter discard can also work. It may take longer for the starter to become thriving and active after thawing, so it’s best to freeze discard that has been more recently fed.

How To Freeze Your Sourdough Starter:

Once you have a mature sourdough starter, it’s important to maintain it by feeding it regularly. When you have an active starter, you can freeze it for later use. Here’s how to freeze your sourdough starter:

1. Feed your sourdough starter until it’s active and bubbly.
2. Spoon the starter into silicone muffin cups, ice cube trays, or a muffin pan lined with regular muffin liners or plastic wrap.
3. Freeze the starter until completely frozen for about 3-4 hours.
4. Remove the frozen sourdough starter from the mold and place it in a freezer-safe ziplock bag.

When you’re ready to use your frozen sourdough starter, simply thaw it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before using it. Remember to feed the thawed starter before using it in a recipe.

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How To Thaw And Reactivate A Frozen Sourdough Starter

If you have a frozen sourdough starter, you can easily reactivate it by following these simple steps:

Thawing:

1. Place the frozen sourdough starter in a jar and let it sit at room temperature on a counter covered with a tea towel or paper towel with a rubber band.
2. Allow the starter to thaw for around 12 hours.

Reactivating:

1. Feed equal parts flour and warm water to the thawed starter. If you froze 75 g starter, feed it 75 g of water and 75 g of flour.
2. Leave it for 12 hours in a warm spot.
3. Discard half of the starter and feed equal portions of flour and water. So if the amount of starter you have is about 1/4 cup after discarding, feed 2 tablespoons of warm water and 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
4. Repeat this process until the starter doubles in size 4-12 hours after feeding. It may need a few feedings before it becomes really active. But this is how you get active sourdough starter from your frozen starter.

READ MORE ABOUT SOURDOUGH HERE!

• Get Baking Today: Beginner Sourdough Starter Recipe
• Ingredients for Better Sourdough: Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Loaf
• Sourdough Bread: A Beginner’s Guide to Delicious Homemade Loaves
• Bulk Ferment vs Cold Ferment: Which is Better for Your Bread Dough?
• Can Sourdough Starter Go Bad? Tips for Keeping Your Starter Fresh
• Long Fermented Sourdough Bread: A Guide to Achieving Perfectly Tangy Loaves
• Should you Clean your Sourdough Starter Jar?
• Purchase all of my Sourdough Supplies Here!

Storage:

If you want to store your sourdough starter for up to 12 months, you can place it in a freezer safe bag or a freezer-safe container. Alternatively, you can create a dried sourdough starter which is great for long term storage that doesn’t rely on electricity. So you will always have sourdough starter on hand to make homemade sourdough bread. I am so glad you read this post and hopefully answered your question of “Can You Freeze Sourdough Starter?”