Sourdough Bread (New & Improved Recipe) | Food Wishes

This new and improved sourdough bread recipe and technique took over a year to develop, but it was more than worth the time and effort, since I think this is the best tasting sourdough I’ve ever had. This sourdough features a lovely open crumb encased by a crisp, gorgeous crust. This video maybe my longest ever, but I wanted you to see all the steps in real time. Enjoy!
While the recipe and ingredient amounts are different, I want to give a special thank you to Maurizio Leo from The Perfect Loaf, since I used a lot of his techniques in this production. If you’ve not seen his sourdough demos, I highly recommend you check them out!
For the fully formatted, printable, written recipe, follow this link: www.allrecipes.com/how-to-mak...
To become a Member of Food Wishes, and read Chef John’s in-depth article about New and Improved Sourdough Bread, follow this link: / @foodwishes
You can also find more of Chef John’s content on Allrecipes: allrecipes.com/recipes/16791/e...

[@vanvanvanyvan]

Hello chef john been watching you since 2013, working now as a cook on the ship i learned a lot from you 💯 take care always chef ❤️

[@foodwishes]

Thank you!

[@vanvanvanyvan]

@@foodwishes Omg youre welcome chef ❤️ by the way chef your dough is so sexy! Its the Marilyn Monroe of all the sourdough 🔥

[@AndreaShink]

@vanvanvanyvan Which cruise line are you on?

[@vanvanvanyvan]

@@AndreaShink carrnival

[@rawworking]

Congratulations

[@robertkreamer7522]

There is something satisfying to the soul about making your own bread . For me it is equal to meditation.

[@lookoutforchris]

Bread is life.

[@MertKleebach]

In a very dark time in my life I literally only fell asleep to your voice john. I also cooked a lot in that time, thank you for both

[@boggybunny8338]

I swear! Everytime I'm struggling with a recipe or preparing to make one, Chef John comes in clutch! 🤣

[@leonhardeuler675]

I'm the opposite. Just a few days ago I made a terrible loaf of bread. Several times I've needed him and he comes along with "here's what you shoulda done" a few days later.

[@CanonNovice]

@@leonhardeuler675I just mixed an easy loaf and wish I had seen this first. Well, I will have one to compare with his recipe. I plan to make his version next.

[@boggybunny8338]

@@leonhardeuler675 personally I was on the whole quarantine sourdough craze and I basically made a bread bowl, I a literal bread in the shape of a bowl. THEN, I just started up my sourdough journey again last week. I made my first edible loaf but needed help. Lo and behold, he comes to the rescue!!

[@PlayaSinNombre]

I am so disappointed that there is no FoodWishes bench scraper in the mercy store 😢

[@movingforwardLDTH]

I appreciate your not fast forwarding through the steps - it helps to see how the dough changes! ❤️

[@cherrybombcoffee]

Ive watched many sourdough videos, and that was probably the quickest most confident score ever. Nice loaf, man.

[@Waffles783]

Call me absolutely insane but I'd watch the full 27 hour uncut version. Put it on when I start, keep the video playing the background for the next day, and Chef John becomes my timer and I do everything exactly as he does? Perfect.

[@doommaria]

I almost cried when you took the finished bread out. It was that beautiful.

[@tmaris]

Watching you for 10 years now and this is the first video that I saw with my 5 year old son. He thought you were making pizza! Thank you for all the things that you've taught me!

[@beargillium2369]

You CAN make sourdough crust pizza and it's pretty amazing

[@W4ABN]

I've made a pizza with sourdough in a 12" cast iron skillet that had to be my best looking pizza I've ever made. I used a bunch of olive oil so the crust didn't dry out so much.

[@tmaris]

@@W4ABN that is also my go to method. Sourdough crust on a cast iron skillet with plenty of olive oil. Kids love it!

[@iKampfer]

Wow, this is the longest Food Wishes video recipe yet! Nearly 20 minutes. Someone add that to the Food Wishes trivia game!

[@Mordal1222]

After all he is the Martin Scorsese of making his sourdough bread video a movie

[@louisaleroux5610]

That is the most beautiful 'pain au lavain' I've ever seen. Love you. Hugs from France

[@philipp594]

So hyped .... want more technique focused videos from the Chef John ...

[@joeyhardin1288]

I make your sour dough bread once a week and have shared your videos a hundred times, as I will with this one. Thank you!

[@veecee3669]

Chef John, believe me, it's no hardship watching you take all the steps to make a stunning (yes, stunning) loaf of sourdough bread. Who knew it would be so relaxing watching you fold dough?

[@nir_aviv]

Love you too, Chef John! I watched the entire thing even though I can't eat gluten :) I started watching your videos years ago, and you taught me how to cook basically from scratch. Ever since, I've been the Uncle Ben of having to watch every one until the end.

[@AdmiralPeach]

This is an amazing & thorough method to get excellent results. However if you are new to sourdough, please don’t get overwhelmed by all the steps! There are many things you can cut out & still get an excellent loaf ❤ I add starter straight from the fridge to the dough, let it rest for 30 mins, do just one set of ‘flop & turns’ then cover & bulk ferment overnight. Next morning I do one more set of flop & turns, shape & put the dough onto baking paper in a large bowl & cover. Let it rise for a few more hours until almost doubled & jiggly, score & bake in a preheated cast iron pot! Much easier but still excellent crumb structure :)

[@coolcanoechic]

Hi Chef John! Finally! 😂. I like your steps. The tri-folds are nice. I learned from King Arthur baking school, a different method. I’m definitely going to try this method. It has more folds and I also like the wheat flour because it adds more flavor. The ice cube trick is a keeper. If I learn anything from this, add ice cubes! Your video tutorial is perfect. Nice job. Yes. It always takes two days. It’s worth it. We love you too! ❤

[@a.k.2894]

Ive switched to only baking sourdough from yeast bread about 2 months ago. Never buying store bread again. Thank you for another great recipe.

[@moniekf6964]

Same!! As soon as I got a bit of sour dough starter, i now feel responsible to maintain it. And it would certainly sound foolish to buy something, while I can have this amazingly tasting thing that is just a few folds away 😅

[@a.k.2894]

@@moniekf6964 exactly!! And we know exactly what we’re putting in our bread, whereas who knows what they’re doing with that processed nonsense. The other day I read “yeast” as one of the ingredients in a sourdough baguette stop n shop was selling 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@a.k.2894]

@@moniekf6964 and nothing, absolutely nothing smells better than fresh baked homemade bread.

[@peterpoulos2247]

This was by FAR the most successful sourdough bread I have ever made. I am literally NOT going to bother looking at any more recipes, unless Chef John comes up with another new and improved of course.

[@Akforgetmenot]

I was “gifted” two sourdough starters, or maybe cursed with two starters. I have had some success, definitely more failures.😅 You have explained every step! Awesome video!!! Not too long!!!

[@hans_____]

Baking sourdough is one of my favorite hobbies. I convert most recipes with wheat to sourdough. Lately I've been making sourdough pasta which is incredibly easy now that I have an attachment to my kitchenaid mixer. I have to stop myself from making it everyday lol.

[@majesticpbjcat7707]

This might be the first time I've ever seen someone 'cop a feel' on a proofing sourdough loaf.

[@ellengrace4609]

Lol I started working in a hoagie/pizza shop when I was 14. I was assigned to make the Stromboli with a 17 year old guy. He’d always softly caress the dough balls and I found it a bit creepy. So that part brought back creepy memories. 😂 Ended up dating that guy for 5 years. Did not end well. 😣

[@williamwoody7607]

I’ll never complain about the price of good bread again.

[@CheeseDud]

I’ve been using Maurizio’s recipe as my go-to recently (have a loaf in the oven as I type) but am excited to try this one! I often recommend your last recipe for sourdough beginners

[@jamesmrichardson4708]

Chef John, I very much enjoyed this video (as I do all your content). I had been obsessed with sour dough bread making prior to the pandemic, and thought I had a pretty good system with consistent results. This method looks much easier to master to me. Sadly, also during the pandemic, I made the choice to cut carbs and sugar out of my diet and actually lost 70 lbs in five months. I now watch these bread making videos as a reminder of tastier days. Keep up the great work! I'll continue to eat vicariously through you.

[@Gggi1987]

My sourdough starter is still going strong thanks to the first video of yours I watched back in 2017! Thank you so much for this new sourdough version and for all you do to inspire!

[@frizzlefry5904]

I am just growing my 1st mother... really great video, as always, thank you.

[@janetgerney2094]

So very excited to see you making sourdough, Chef John! I've been making sourdough bread since my kids were small. We didn't have a lot of money for groceries, so I started making 2 loaves a day (which disappeared quickly, between meals and pb&j sandwiches for lunches). I smiled through this *long* video! Cheers, Chef...I love you too!

[@raeannemery258]

Thank you so very much, Chef John! I've been baking sourdough for about a year now. I never knew what the terms meant and why all of the turning and kneading. You've explained it so I now understand it. Again, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!

[@cocopop6824]

Have started baking bread - but could not get a true SF loaf - missing steps like Levain and folding (similar to focaccia) so thank you! Over the years you have taught me so much about techniques - that make all the difference! You rock!

[@jonny9884]

Love and appreciate you, too ! Thanks for taking the time and effort to share all this, and look forward to getting into baking sour dough bread. I miss it, had a lot of it from San Francisco growing up, but can't really find it where I live presently. Anyway, hope to make this myself at some point !

[@tomtomtomato1]

Last sour d'oh loaf I made came out stupendous, which I learned from your last video. Vis a vis after seeing this Improved version I hope to recreate. Thank you so much Chef John! Happy face all day. You've fed us the rest of our lives bless you good man.

[@versusforward]

Perfect timing Chef John! I just started a new starter yesterday, so I'll hopefully be making this Sunday. 🤞

[@catmaaske1908]

I love sourdough bread and always enjoy your videos which is why I sat through it. Thank you for your teaching.

[@chapativsmcd]

Love you Chef John 🌹 hope you’re happy and healthy always

[@BrakesBake]

So impressed to see you doing this episode. I’ve been doing Sourdough for 4 years and I love it. Wonderful job!

[@WastrelWay]

Although it takes a long time to make, you can start another one every day and as long as you keep working you can have all the bread you'll need.

[@valettagray2782]

Absolutely enjoyed and appreciated this video. It was perfect, as was my loaf of sourdough following your recipe and techniques. Printed out the instructions and is now my go-to bread. Thank you!!!

[@user-cr8nz5su1u]

Thank you for posting this in detail. I have a new appreciation for the process now. Wow! And it looked great!!!

[@Keniv.]

Chef John, this was such an amazing video! It was so much fun to watch you construct this sourdough bread! My husband and I will make this bread this weekend. Thank you so very much!

[@Moonlightpickers]

Good timing, just thinking of getting a starter going again!

[@holoexp8940]

I love baking bread, I love chef john. Thank you sir

[@JoleneZari]

Thank you, Chef Jonh! You are amazing ❤

[@FrazierMtnCheese]

What a great looking bread 🍞 👌

[@gabrielcarvalho6354]

That's a helluva good-looking bread. Beautiful crust and great crumb structure, my friend.

[@rawworking]

Really appreciate your teaching. I have been making Shakshuka every week since your recipe for one was posted. Thanks heaps.

[@peterwinstonaldredge6927]

I freaking love sourdough bread. I am fortunate that we have a local restaurant that makes an incredible sourdough. As a young child I helped my mother bake. I can appreciate all the accuracy and care involved with baking. I am loving all the steps you are taking to make this bread. Could I do this? Probably not. But I love that you are keeping this art alive and hopefully inspiring others to do the same. That looks so delicious!

[@theslaughters404]

One of the better sourdough videos I've seen, very detailed and packed with information. Going to try this method on my next loaf!

[@4afrobella]

We love you too Chef John 😊❤

[@kkattrap]

There are so many great tricks in this process. Thanks Chef John, this should up my bread game.

[@Morghena]

Breadmaking is just magic to me, even though I have successfully made a sourdough starter from scratch and baked bread with it in the past. It never ceases to amaze me

[@bkm2797]

Ow that looks like a gorgeous loaf of sourdough bread, reminds me of Acme. John, Thanks so much for sharing! ❤️👍

[@virginiadare02]

Love you, Chef John! I've enjoyed you forever. Just discovering sourdough but can't get my starter to blossom. Keep up the videos!

[@sorscha]

Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for everything you do! Love from long time fans in Australia ❤

[@krschulman]

Loved this video - you included such great details. Looks delicious and perfect! I am going to try to make it this weekend!

[@sandysanzenbacher7313]

I bake sourdough bread and I LOVED this video. We all make it a little bit different and can learn something from watching someone else make it their way. I came away with a few things I want to try on my next bake. Your’s looks so so good, I love blisters on the loaf.

[@samuraibat1916]

Always looking for new videos, tips, and tricks to improve my sourdough. Thanks, Chef John. You da bes.

[@nanhand99]

It looks amazing 🤩 thank you for sharing your recipe

[@CloudNey]

Sourdough is an act of love! ❤

[@gaiagoddess8009]

Started this yesterday. I wasn't so sure about the wheat flour, but glad I used it. I just cut into it after waiting (patiently!!) for one hour post bake before cutting. WOW, WOW!! Best loaf I've ever made in the 3 months I've been on this journey. Best rise ever (higher than yours! LOL!), best crumb (looks JUST like yours), best taste...not exaggerating on any point. I do wish I'd baked a little darker, but it's PERFECT! THIS is my go-to recipe. THANK YOU, CHEF JOHN! ♥

[@guanacom977]

This is why Chef John is the GOAT. 👏🏼👏👏👏👏👏. It didn’t feel long at all …Chef is so engaging, even in a highly detailed instructional video. Will definitely give this recipe and method a go.

[@miniflem1]

The time flew past, Thank you Chef John.

[@catherinekhalili4412]

That dough is a thing of beauty!

[@debbieabruzzini7004]

Appreciated a real-time video to see how dough responds.

[@trayrific]

This was fabulous!! Thank you!

[@StorytimewithSai]

Thank you for sharing this recipe 🥰

[@GKahla]

the effort is seriously worth the investment! beautiful loaf - thank you for sharing.

[@annmcrath445]

Amazing! I watched every second and loved each one. thanks for taking the time to do each step. =)

[@caesarsalad77]

I do a no-knead Dutch oven bread that works pretty well every time, but I definitely want to try the 'real thing.' And with a video this thorough, it's a lot of encouragement to do so!

[@moniekf6964]

Loved watching this. Entertained and inspired all the way through to the end!

[@bop5277]

Love you too Chef John! :) BOP

[@BigSmashKing]

The ending was very satisfying 😄

[@Dalixam]

I absolutely love this slower format. Great video, and I will gladly be the Chef John of this sourdough marathon!

[@darkreddust2135]

Wow. You couldn't have uploaded this at a better time. I was literally just searching for sourdough recipes... my starter is already ready lol

[@kelleyleblanc5025]

I made this loaf!! Notes- I grinded my own rye and wheat, the dough was very wet so I will use 10-15 grams less water next time. The dough stuck to the banneton slightly when I removed it so although the oven spring was still decent, I think it could have risen more and had a better ear. That being said the taste was amazing and texture and crumb were suburb. Definitely less dense and softer than my usual sourdough loafs. Will be using this recipe again :)

[@MrRobinGoodhand]

Looks grand, John, congratulations.

[@Siasquatch]

Definitely going to try this. Chef John is the best!

[@Quackks00]

Hi chef John, always love your videos and your consistent format. i'm so glad that others like Kenji Lopez Alt also has given you recognition you so deserve. Thank you for these videos and sharing your knowledge and love for food!~

[@getyourfeelgoodbackbjones1576]

So i Purchased a Dutch oven over a year ago. I’ve cooked everything in it except for the sourdough bread. My sourdough starter. We have a birthday in May one month from now. I have Me sourdough pancakes, sourdough biscuits, sourdough, pizza dough, everything except sourdough bread. Thanks to you I will now make the sourdough bread… Lol.

[@greenlizardballs]

I've been following this channel since the "Follow the Sourdough" series. I think that's what got me into cooking. I actually followed along with the whole multi day process. Good times.

[@Stubbyblumpkin]

Chef John original sourdough still might be my favorite video from him. I can’t wait to watch this video

[@agentred8732]

We love you, too, Chef John! I hope that you’re enjoying life in our beloved Sonoma County.

[@mssixty3426]

Oh man, I almost want to try making this sourdough - I just have to find the patience! You ROCK, Chef John!

[@buenfield]

We love you, Chef John!!

[@user-nq1hh7ie8e]

My mouth was watering the entire time! I wanted a taste so bad!

[@dianecooper7502]

Thanks for the show. Looks wonderful but I really don’t have that much patience. Love the ice cube trick which I will use when making the overnight no knead bread I usually make. 👍🏼

[@TheAmazza2]

After watching this incredibly long process, I've never felt better about paying $9 for a sourdough loaf at the farmer's market.

[@brittaneycook4712]

Your videos are always so good and uplifting to me… I would watch an hour long episode if you had it! Lol Keep up the great work! Hope you and your family are doing well.

[@gobnujinten1933]

Chef John amazing as always ❤

[@donnabowers1317]

That was a lovely video, thank you. I’ve watched many of them. Everyone’s a little bit different. But I really liked yours. I will be attempting to do my very first sourdough. I did have a problem with the starter in the very beginning and then I had to start over, at least I thought I had to but anyways I will work on mine this evening and then get it in the refrigerator that way tomorrow I can bake it. Wish me luck.😊

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I’m so happy you said “around the outside” three times. That became a thing with a friend and me because of one of your earlier videos.

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

Also, omg this takes like a whole day to make a loaf of bread. This feels a LOT longer than the last version.

[@00LXS00]

Love you too Chef John!

[@tracye1866]

YAS!!! Thank you!

[@KristenNovak-vf6cn]

Worth every second. This video upped my sourdough game big time.. annnnd then I bought a challenger pan. Thx lol

[@greekfire995]

Now THATS a sourdough loaf! Can't wait to try this recipe too!

[@lincolndacostaeloyjunior9261]

Good to see you rocking even after all of those years

[@StevenD215]

For anyone who ends up with a crust that's too crunchy and thick for their liking, I recently stumbled upon a suggestion to bake it longer covered, so I went from 25 minutes to 30 and it's been a game changer for me. Can probably go even longer than that. I should point out I bake covered at 450 not 500. No more super cut up roof of my mouth.

[@stevenpatsatsis4060]

Chef John, U forgot to tell us we need a day off from work for this one lol. Love ya Chef J !!

[@W4ABN]

Saturday and Sunday 😉😂

[@williamgonzalez2826]

I hope a network comes along and offers you an obscene amount of money to transition to Food Wishes T.V. You are a talent that needs to be broadcast to the masses. I really believe that chef. You inspire many to go beyond what we normally do.

[@BubsyMupsy]

Oh God! Sooo much work for a small loaf of bread! Such a dedication!