7-Day Sourdough Starter Tutorial: Craft Your Own From Scratch!

Embark on a 7-day culinary journey with us as we guide you through the art of creating your very own sourdough starter from scratch. In this comprehensive tutorial series, we'll break down each day's steps to nurture and cultivate the magic of sourdough right in your own kitchen.
Day by day, you'll learn the science and tradition behind crafting a living, bubbling sourdough starter. From the initial mix of flour and water to the daily feedings and observations, we'll demystify the process and make it accessible to bakers of all levels.
By the end of this 7-day tutorial, you'll have a robust, flavorful sourdough starter ready to elevate your bread-baking adventures. We'll also share tips, troubleshooting advice, and creative ways to use your sourdough discard.
Stay tuned for a week filled with floury hands, sourdough wisdom, and the anticipation of creating bread that's not just delicious but also nourishing and easily digestible.
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel to stay updated with each day's tutorial, ensuring you never miss a step in your sourdough journey. Hit the notification bell to be the first to know when each new episode drops.
Thank you for being a part of our community and sharing our passion for the art of sourdough baking. Let's embark on this 7-day adventure together and discover the joys of homemade sourdough. 🌾🥖 #SourdoughStarter #HomemadeBread #BakingTutorial #FromScratch #ArtOfSourdough #TheDenmanHomestead

[@shakes-nw1fe]

As a man who is trying to learn to be more self sufficient and Homestead as much as I can on my small suburban home. Thank you. I’m working on my permit for chickens and this will keep me busy until I can take my required class to complete my chicken permit.

[@ellensledsens5952]

My starter's name is Janou. I started on the day of my baby girl Janou's funeral. Almost 45 years ago now. If you take good care of the starter, it can last a very very long time. I can highly recommend it to everyone because it is the tastiest bread🍞 there is.🧡🧡🧡

[@maryannedeering1663]

Hugs❤❤❤

[@evelynjoy6809]

I like how you figured out the 1 to 1 ratio.

[@angelnolan2840]

Great detailed instructions, you made it make sense to me. The math they are teaching kids now makes me cry too LOL

[@LewisAcreFarm]

I don't know if anyone else had this issue but there was about 10-15 seconds of black screen/ no sound video right about the time you were talking about the little yeast packets. I thought something happened to my phone! I backed up the video and it was definitely the video. I hope to try this later this fall when things slow down for me some. Thanks for a great tutorial!

[@thedenmanhomestead]

Oh no!

[@steveberdie7745]

Norma here. Yes it happened to me as well. I thought it was my phone too. lol

[@cherismith5481]

It did the same thing to me! Was so weird. Did it to me in the middle of one of Jakes videos also, but, that one lasted longer. 😢

[@robynbaer9628]

I began my sourdough starter yesterday and it’s doubled in size from yesterday to today. I’m so excited I just can’t hardly even contain myself. Thank you Stephanie.

[@robynbaer1704]

I started my Starter today 9/27, wish me luck. 😊

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

Love the rubber band idea. Dry erasure didn’t work for me so I will be using rubber bands from now on.also glad you mentioned chlorine. It is a starter killer for sure.

[@paulajaquez2887]

Never in my 62 years have I ever heard of people naming their sourdough. But, to each his own.

[@AuntiePea]

Its just for fun…😋

[@intothefirecrime6523]

Omg that cat on the fridge 😂

[@billiemobley6424]

Thank you so much,I love your fur babies!

[@sheilajones4338]

Steph love watching you....from West Texas 😊

[@ModestCatholicRose]

Watching from North Texas❤

[@MyArt215]

Thank you so much it has been a lot clearer to me now and now I get it

[@karenbarnes5517]

Very easy to follow directions thanks! Rubber bands is good idea 👍 never even thought about myself

[@andrewsackk]

I absolutely loved that your kitty and dog and family members just casually strolled in and out during your recording! That’s a true indication of a loving and happy environment. Thank you for the tutorial !

[@crmfilling1960]

Great step by step video. The only thing I know is my grandmother always had better rise when using a wooden spoon. The metal spoons seem to slow down the rising process. I know from years of making starters every time I used a metal object the rise was not as fulfilling as with wooden spoons. I have tried 2 batches identical except 1 used metal spoon other used wooden. The wooden spoon had better rise, more activity, and a better flavorful finished product. Just letting you know. Grandma said it was because metal was colder so it slowed it down each time.

[@LewisAcreFarm]

I know that metal will react with the acid in tomatoes so it's possible that the metal is reacting withe the bacteria in the starter which, in turn, alters the taste and finish of the starter.

[@gerigoetzinger8539]

Inspirational video, I tried twice and failed, but you have INSPIRED me to try again your video showed me some mistakes I made. Thank You! 👍

[@sianbloor4779]

Thanks for this Steph. Very easy to follow!

[@shawnfranke2637]

Thank you for sharing this! I’m going to start with getting a scale! Then I’ll report back! 😂 Stay safe and blessed all! ♥️🙏♥️

[@shawnfranke2637]

Yep. It’s been more than a ‘hot minute’ here on this whole process! I DO want to let you know? My ‘starter’? Yep, his name is Steve. 😂 Steve the starter sourdough! Thanks ‘Steve’! 😘🥰❤

[@shawnfranke2637]

Day 3! -100, +50h2o/+50ap

[@gracemorrison5595]

I think I will give this a try never done one before. Thank you Steph

[@MrsH352]

Hi Stephanie………Thank you so much for your clear, very understandable instructions 😊. I have been baking bread for many years, but when trying to make a starter had problems. Tossed lots of failed starters which were costing time and money😢. However, I came across your channel, your wonderful explanation and charming personality. I thank you for sharing your steps as I have regained my confidence again 😊. Than you and God’s blessings to you all 🙏

[@trudiharmon7640]

Great video Stephanie what a fantastic video. Now Megan is going to have lots more friends. Great step by step guide. Have a great day take care and God Bless. 💕🙏🧑🏻‍🍳

[@Sk8trmom]

Thank you for this video. I’ve been wanting to start. ❤

[@elisariojas2964]

Thank you Stephanie, you always have the best tutorials

[@jillywells1232]

This is so good, thank you for doing one step at a time! I am on day seven and not to sure what I am meant to do next! ❤❤❤

[@thedenmanhomestead]

You can keep doing what you are doing or stick it in the refrigerator if you aren't ready to bake with it.

[@marywillaby6663]

I used the gallon Ziploc bags when I did this. Worked great

[@janinepennell2130]

Thanks Stephanie, I may give this a try. I have a scale!🤗💖

[@karryann54]

Thank you ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@steveberdie7745]

Norma here. Thank you for the detailed instructions. Paw Paw never really gave a tutorial on how he makes his starter or even what starter actually is. Now I know. lol

[@sharononeill449]

Omg Steph you are amazing ❤️🐓🐈‍⬛🦆🚜🌻🐝🐷🐄🐄

[@nansnyder7770]

Thanks for the video on sour dough starter Stephanie 💙💜🙏🙏 Will check it out 😊💪

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

Thank you so very much.

[@mel49ers]

Thanks want to try this

[@carrolganoe9896]

Another great tutorial! Thanks, Stephanie

[@twylaking8148]

Thanks....great tutorial.

[@hansenmarc]

I just started looking, but I’ve found lots of no-discard recipes on KZbin for making sourdough starter. Have you tried any of them? Thank you for sharing your approach to making sourdough starter!

[@hetheringtonfamily8798]

I am going to try this 😊

[@roserosenberg5805]

Thanks so much!!

[@bettyannsworld514]

You have inspired me!

[@anthonyterry8162]

Throwing my starter out and trying this one. Wish me luck!

[@carlamorris5410]

Not gonna lie I am still nervous but your instructions make me feel more at ease. I need to get a scale and then I am gonna give this a go! I have wanted to do sourdough for a long time!!

[@EGGstravagantkitchen]

Started mine with 25 grams. Didn’t want to waste so much discard.

[@MonettMcHazlettErmis]

Mine is named, (Maud)! Lol! I love her already!❤️ This is wonderful! ❤️ Thank you so much for the step by step instructions. ❤ I'm so excited for this new journey! ❤️

[@karenbarnes5517]

Hi 👋 Stephanie 🎉❤

[@SUZYRIDE]

Steph, another awesome instructional video!! Love the rubber band tip 👍🏼

[@carmendoyle9786]

Thank u for this video u made so easy ! Always wanted to do this ! I think here in Canada we getting covid scared again ;( I think less thing will be on shelf again . They asking us tj wear mask again ;( only in certain places thank u 🙏

[@krissielee2599]

Ty for your video! Just started my starter on Saturday and today just fed it! ❤

[@Coach_Moore_MV]

How is it going with your starter? I’m only asking because I have been having real trouble with mine for the past 6 weeks I started Iike 4 times

[@debicole58]

My mother made the best sourdough rolls They were huge. I hope I can learn how to do the starter.

[@naomigedeon7867]

Hey Stephanie playing catch up I missed a couple days. Loved the video, you are amazing

[@lindajames4122]

I started a starter last month and all was well for 4 days. It went downhill from there so I threw it out. I was very disappointed. I am going to try again using your instructions. Wish me luck. Your instructions were great.

[@antionettepangaro362]

What a great video. Totally simplified for me. Just one question do I need to have the starter at room temp before using and refeeding?

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

Would be wonderful if you could add written direction in your introduction so we can print or copy n put in Our recipes. I know that’s a hassle but would be so helpful.

[@BlessedBeMyDay]

She has a channel that relies on viewing . If she printed it out , great for you but not for her channel.

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

@@BlessedBeMyDay other channels do.

[@katedonald5661]

Maybe on the website

[@sarahjaneyoung8566]

Cool thanks for showing us this. Ok you have one upped me my dog has ate whole pan of lasagna but never a bag of flour and the lasagna was fresh out of the oven. LOL! Have a good one

[@maureenmowie5497]

I have two starters going just put them in the fridge they are bubbling like crazy had to slow it down lol

[@dulceventura3282]

Can I start with whole wheat and then alternate with every feeding?

[@jenniferharrington917]

Can you explain why we discard? Why can you not just keep feeding? I'm really curious ❤❤❤❤

[@thedenmanhomestead]

You could keep feeding but you'll need a really big jar and LOTS of flour lol

[@jenniferharrington917]

@@thedenmanhomestead ahh ok thanks!

[@dianehunter8681]

All of your videos are so detailed, and I love that. Thanks for all the tips --now I feel more confident in starting my own "starter".

[@Julie0liver]

I have a 13 year old Rewena bread Bug!!

[@VeronicaRonniDorval2638]

👍

[@Carolbearce]

Very cool o watch. One day my lab ate my flour and I’m thinking why? How could it possibly have been good?

[@thedenmanhomestead]

😂 crazy dogs

[@marciahamilton-yt9bo]

What do you feed your dog? Might need to see if it’s getting what it needs or is your dog like my wiener dog and just likes to eat? Can’t leave bread anywhere she will eat a whole loaf!! Getting me in the mood to bake and fall is here in Missouri!!

[@dianesmith2480]

The hardest part is leaving it alone, I think 🤣

[@katedonald5661]

This is great. Question: after you remove some to cook with, and feed it... do you continue on the same schedule of feeding and baking on evey 7th day?

[@thedenmanhomestead]

You can use it daily once the starter is good and going!

[@LewisAcreFarm]

So, on the 7th day, you remove some to cook, feed it, and then on day 8, you can repeat day 7? And continue this indefinitely? Just clarifying...

[@thedenmanhomestead]

@@LewisAcreFarm yes. Just remove some, and feed all over again.

[@katedonald5661]

@thedenmanhomestead thank you! If I put it in the fridge after day 7, how many days do I need to bring it out and feed it before I can use it. Again?

[@kaylanewton3991]

Not trying to be bossy but if you use all purpose flour I would use unbleached works better i think

[@maureenmowie5497]

I always take out when it's risen, i don't stir before removing .

[@peggywade9767]

Sure wish you could have used measuring cups, spoons, I love sourdough

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

Tried the potato sour dough starter. What a nightmare. Lmbo.

[@jinxdick3915]

Would love a potatoes bread recipe

[@joyfilbey2528]

Dark for me too

[@beckylemm3smash44]

I told my partner I wanted to call my starter Michael because he’s bubbly and he said that was so lame 😅 back to the drawing bored.

[@konninoyes101]

❤❤❤💯👍

[@brendarismoen183]

Have you used it in a bread machine?

[@jinxdick3915]

I thought you were only supposed to use wooden utensils for stirring

[@MyArt215]

I noticed you screwed the lid on, isn’t it supposed to be loose?

[@ModestCatholicRose]

My starter is named Bubbles😅

[@bethfawkes8056]

I've never wanted to make sourdough bread, but after your wonderful video, I will try this! I can certainly say your sourdough starter is in a much cleaner kitchen. Nothing against Paw Paw, but I think we all know... I am so happy you started your channel. I haven't missed a single one. Take care. Maybe you could show us how to do Amish bread starter too! ;)

[@lindamaskus5142]

Wow, you're worried about pawpaw, but nothing about the cat on the counter. Amazing.

[@katedonald5661]

Paw Paw has a chemistry lab going over there LOL. Love Paw Paw!!

[@bethfawkes8056]

You are right! I forgot about the cat. At least (this time) it was on a different counter. @@lindamaskus5142 🙀😺

[@samanthasloman3821]

Is there a reason why you feed your starter you use white flour instead of the wholemeal that you made it with 💜🇦🇺💜🇦🇺💜

[@mindytg3]

I heard that your starter needs to double in size within 4-6 hours to know when it’s ready. Is this true?

[@cortbucher7522]

I started from scratch today with a new batch of starter. It seems so thick,. Is that normal?

[@petradominguez1815]

Stephanie how can olives this property has a lot of olive trees

[@jenniferharrington917]

How on earth did Luna get your flour?? 😂 is she a counter jumper? 😅 I see her in the background checking your counters😂😂😂

[@ZillaWitDaFade]

I’m gonna name mines: M.A.F.O. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@lindamaskus5142]

7:59 to 8:17 you went dark. Missed that part. 🤷 I was taught to never use metal spoons. Always use wooden utensils.

[@mirandabeck6058]

At about 7mins and 57secs into the video when you are talking about the panic people were in during pandemic your video goes black and audio is silent until 8mins 20 secs in!!! Was that purposeful or youtube cutting that section off?

[@cynthiamulholland2976]

Stephanie why don't you do something more original like Amish Friendship Bread starter or Applesauce Blueberry Bread starter??? I used to sell these recipes on-line & people loved them!!! Sourdough starter & such are very common!!! Please get your cats off your table & countertops!!! That is very unsanitary baby girl!!!

[@cynthiamulholland2976]

You are unnecessarily too detailed!!! PawPaw explained it in much simpler terms!!! 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@marieclaudelabbe8547]

That nice so why are you watching if you saw paw paw recipe I like detail have nice day

[@user-ms8xp4dx2k]

​@@marieclaudelabbe8547 please calm down 😅😂

[@karenlemley8656]

I don't think you thought this out fully. You just went back and forth with instructions and really confused me... especially when you skipped a day. Also we're on day 1 and you go from talking about day 7 and what to do. Boy am I confused!

[@PDXTundra]

I agree. She should have created a script and stuck to it. She’s doing too much thinking while speaking. The cat was entertaining.

[@sharontaylor375]

Ladies,Ladies,Ladies she is showing all levels of learners.what happened to nothing nice to say,SAY NOTHING 😊

[@user-nl3qi5uh5w]

The video was very good but was so disturbed by the cat walking all around the counter, table, fridge, and sitting next to you, I had a hard time watching the video. Just reminded myself that I am not eating it, you are.

[@ModestCatholicRose]

😅😅

[@dawnamendola8690]

This is good tutorial but you lost me a little bit , too much talking , because this process has so many steps when you start over explaining , the steps get lost ... not criticizing just some viewer feedback

[@maryannbrown6606]

I would not allow my cat to jump on my counter tops ! No cat hair in my food!,

[@dawns9364]

This is the longest video I've watched. There was a lot of things you talked about that really wasn't necessary. Please get tonthe point 🤦‍♀️

[@diannecarter5536]

When doing a video it's not wise to have your cat.on top of the refrigerator and walking on your counter.

[@PDXTundra]

Why didn’t you just place the jar on the scale, tare the weight, then add the 50 grams of flour and 50 grams of water? You’re creating unnecessary work. You should be leaving the lid loose so developing gasses can escape.

[@Cloud-yo1he]

You cannot make sourdough with the yeast packets from the store.

[@maryannbrown6606]

Your cat on your counter top, not good

[@brendamabry2542]

👍