How to Eat Sourdough Bread (2025)

If you’re feeling tired of basic slices of your sourdough loaf, I’ll show you how to eat sourdough bread so you never get bored with it! Keep reading for my favorite ways to serve various types of sourdough bread!

How to Eat Sourdough Bread (1)

It’s pretty rare to have a day at the farmhouse when a sourdough loaf is not sitting on the counter ready to slice into.

With all the recipe testing I do, sometimes we even have more bread than my big family of 9 can eat.

So, over the years, I’ve had to get creative with ways to eat sourdough so nothing goes to waste and we don’t get tired of it.

I’ve learned that the ways you can serve and change up your sourdough baking are endless.

If you are thinking of getting started with sourdough, you’ll be completely ready to dive in after you see all the ways you can enjoy it every day!

Why I love sourdough (and you will too!)

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It takes some dedication to create and maintain a sourdough starter. You may have even wondered if it is worth all that effort.

I, like many other sourdough bakers, think it’s more than worth the effort.

As a foodie, I love the depth of flavor sourdough has that you simply don’t get with a packet of instant yeast.

It also has so many diverse uses. I use sourdough to make breads of all kinds, cookies, brownies, pancakes, and more!

The health benefits of sourdough bread

You’ve probably heard that sourdough bread has more health benefits than traditional yeast bread.

This is true for a few reasons. First, the sourdough’s fermentation process helps reduce the antinutrients, such as phytic acid, in grains, which makes it easier for our bodies to digest.

It also activates enzymes that make all those key nutrients in grains more absorbable to us.

While you are absorbing all those nutrients, you also won’t have a huge blood sugar spike, thanks to sourdough’s lower glycemic index.

FAQ

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Do you toast sourdough bread?

You certainly can toast sourdough bread. I love to toast my soft sandwich bread or multigrain bread in the morning. Add a little butter and jam or avocado, and it makes a perfect side to your eggs.

I’ll also toast my sourdough French bread with butter and garlic for the perfect garlic bread side dish.

What kind of bread can you make with a sourdough starter?

Just as there are many uses for your typical sourdough boule, there are also many forms sourdough bread can take on.

I use sourdough to make soft sandwich bread, sweet breads, quick breads, and more.

Is sourdough the healthiest bread?

Sourdough is one of the healthiest types of bread. Thanks to the sourdough fermentation process, it is easier to digest and helps your body absorb more of the nutrients found in grains. It also has a lower glycemic index compared to commercial yeast bread.

What do I need to make sourdough bread?

The most important thing to have on hand for sourdough bread is an active sourdough starter. You can learn how to make one here and how to maintain it here.

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As for the other tools you’ll need …

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosurehere.

Sourdough bread tools you may need

Everything you need for your sourdough starter

A sharp knife to cut crusty loaves

A serrated knife for softer, sandwich loaves

Lame or razor blade

Mixing bowl

Banneton basket

Dutch oven

How To Eat Sourdough Bread

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Now for the part you’ve all been waiting for – my favorite ways to enjoy delicious sourdough bread!

All on its own

A slice of sourdough bread can be a star all on its own. It’s even better when you add delicious toppings.

Used as a snack or side, here are my favorite toppings for a piece of sourdough toast:

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  • Homemade herb butter
  • Grass fed butter and strawberry jam
  • Mashed avocado with black pepper
  • A few slices of smoked salmon or trout
  • Basil walnut pesto
  • Your favorite spreadable cheese – goat cheese is a favorite for this!
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Best sourdough bread for all the toppings: Toasted soft sandwich bread or a no-knead boule for an extra crunchy crust

For the best start to your morning

Yes, you can eat your delicious avocado toast for breakfast and have a slice of sourdough with butter and jam for breakfast.

That’s not where the sourdough goodness ends for the most important meal of the day though. Here are some other delicious recipes.

Sourdough Breakfast Strata

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Who doesn’t love a breakfast casserole! Easy to throw together, hearty, and can feed a big family, I love this sourdough breakfast strata. Your taste buds will love it, too!

Best bread for this one: A crusty, tangy Artisan Sourdough Loaf

Breakfast Sandwich

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Super hearty and filling, use sourdough to make a delicious, easy breakfast sandwich.

What type of sourdough should you use? Anything from my soft einkorn sandwich bread to a crusty no knead loaf to sourdough english muffins. Pick your favorite on this one.

French Toast

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Although you can use a variety of breads for French toast, my absolute favorite is made with my Sourdough Brioche.

It is so soft and sweet. It makes a great base for the most decadent breakfast you could dream of!

As an appetizer

Bread can be a delicious pre-dinner warm up. I have a few tried and true recipes i love to use for an appetizer.

Cheesy Sourdough Pull Apart Bread

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All you need is a no knead boule, some mozzarella, garlic, butter, and herbs to turn your loaf into a delicious, cheesy masterpiece.

Sourdough Cheese Bread

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Soft, tangy sourdough bread twisted with cheese and baked until golden and melty. It’s a crowd pleasing app if I ever saw one.

This uses a recipe more similar to my sandwich bread. It’s soft and made in a loaf pan.

Sourdough Baguette dipped in Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

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Hummus is an easy dip to whip up, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in flavor. Sometimes we will eat it with veggies or flatbread, but lately I’ve been loving it with my sourdough baguettes. The crunch and tang of the bread blends perfectly with this creamy, smoky dip.

And if you don’t have any hummus ingredients on hand, you could always make an Italian olive oil dip for your bread instead!

For the sandwich lovers

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When it comes to building a sandwich, you may think it’s what you put in between the slices of bread that makes the biggest impact.

The middle is important, but the right bread can take a sandwich from boring to high-end cafe worthy.

My favorite sourdough for sandwiches:

  • Soft sandwich bread for a classic (Try my multigrain version or rye bread for more flavor!)
  • An artisan loaf for an elevated sandwich
  • Sourdough ciabatta for the perfect chew and airy texture
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And here are some of my favorite sandwich ideas to get you inspired:

  • Meatball Sub Recipe
  • Grilled Cheese made with cheddar cheese — a classic pairing
  • Tuna Melt
  • Salmon Burgers
  • Open face pizzas. Slice a baguette in half, top with sauce, cheese and your favorite pizza toppings, bake until melty.
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Paired with dinner

Slices of sourdough bread can be an easy, delicious side dish.

For example, the best way to eat any soup is by pairing it with a small slice (or big slice!) of sourdough bread.

Here are the best breads to pair with soup:

French Sourdough Bread

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The sourdough version of French bread adds so much more flavor — plus those health benefits! It goes great with a bowl of hot tomato soup.

Sourdough Baguettes

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This one will take some time to get perfectly — a golden crust and airy interior — but once you do, you’ll make it again and again. This bread goes great with my split pea soup.

Sourdough Artisan Bread

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An artisan loaf gives you the perfect crunch of a sourdough crust with a delicious open crumb. You’ll love it for any soup. It goes great with a hearty chicken noodle soup.

Sourdough Bread Bowls

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Although there is no easy way to make these fun bread bowls, they are worth it for a special occasion! Your family will love them.

Other ways to make sourdough side dishes:

Sourdough Garlic Bread

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The tangy flavor of the sourdough makes this so much better than what you can get in the freezer section at the grocery store.

Easy Sourdough Dinner Rolls

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Making these soft dinner rolls is sometimes a nice change from a slice of our regular bread. I especially love to make these for big family gatherings and holidays.

The sweet tooth’s favorites

Sourdough is known for its savory tang, but it can be made into a sweet type of bread, too.

Babka with chocolate filling

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A similar dough to my sourdough brioche, with a few minor adjustments and chocolate filling, you get a delicious sweet treat.

Sourdough Bread Pudding

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Made with my brioche dough, this bread pudding is rich and decadent. It is a great dessert for a crowd, especially in the winter.

Chocolate Bread

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This chocolate version of a sourdough boule will be your new favorite dessert! Soft on the inside, crusty on the outside, and chocolaty all throughout, you won’t be able to resist!

For the stale loaves (or failed attempts)

We’ve all had a loaf start to go stale or had a sourdough boule not turn out so great. No need to throw it out (as long as it is still edible).

Sourdough breadcrumbs

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Homemade sourdough bread makes the absolute best bread crumbs. When you have some stale bread, you can make these to use in everything from salmon burgers to toping a macaroni casserole.

Croutons

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Upgrade your salad with a little crunch! Sourdough croutons add flavor, texture, and heartiness to any salad.

You can use pretty much any type of sourdough loaf you have on hand to make breadcrumbs or croutons!

How to Eat Sourdough Bread (2025)

FAQs

Is it okay to eat sourdough bread every day? ›

The type of flour used — all-purpose, whole wheat, rye — can affect the nutritional content of sourdough bread, says Wee. But generally speaking, sourdough bread is a healthy option and can be eaten regularly as part of a nutritious, balanced diet.

How many slices of sourdough should you eat a day? ›

Whether or not it is healthy for you to consume sourdough every day depends on the rest of your diet. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends 6 servings of grains per day. For reference, one slice of sourdough bread is a single serving.

Who should not eat sourdough bread? ›

Sourdough breads can be made from any type of flour, but the most common is wheat flour, which does contain gluten. As a result, it's not suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Gluten-free sourdough bread is available and can be made with flour from: Rice.

Is sourdough bread anti-inflammatory? ›

Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet. The best sourdough and rye bread varieties to reduce gut inflammation are those made from whole grains.

Do you discard sourdough every time you feed? ›

You must discard some of your sourdough starter each time you feed it.

What is the healthiest sourdough bread? ›

Whole grain and whole wheat sourdoughs offer more healthy nutrients. If possible, opt for whole wheat or whole grain sourdough, as these will have much higher levels of fiber and micronutrients than their white counterparts.

Is store-bought sourdough bread healthy? ›

Sourdough bread is also an excellent source of antioxidants. Studies have shown that antioxidants like the peptides found in sourdough can lower the risk for certain types of cancer, signs of aging, or chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

Why not use a metal spoon with sourdough? ›

And it can dissolve some metals. However, what happens when sourdough and metals contact each other depend on the metal and the length of exposure. If the metal is a stainless steel, there will be no problems.

What is the healthiest flour for sourdough bread? ›

Compared to whole wheat flour, rye flour is said to be the most nutrient- and amylase-dense option for a sourdough starter. Overall, it has a lower gluten protein content than wheat flour, which means it produces slack, sticky, and dense doughs.

Is sourdough bread better for your stomach than regular bread? ›

Sourdough bread may be easier to digest than white bread for some people. According to some studies, sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic, which means that the fiber in the bread helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines. These bacteria are important for maintaining a stable, healthy digestive system.

Should I toast sourdough bread? ›

Toasting sourdough bread directly on the stove, especially over an open flame, is a great way to add a charred, smoky flavor that you can't get from other methods. This technique is perfect for those who love a bit of crunch and a rustic touch to their toast.

How do you heat up sourdough bread? ›

Follow the easy instructions below to experience the great flavor of Boudin San Francisco Sourdough Bread. Mist or sprinkle water to the surface of the bread and place directly in a 425° F pre-heated oven for approximately 5-6 minutes, just long enough to warm up the bread. Do not microwave.

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