Simple Sourdough Starter From Scratch (No Discard or Kit Needed)

There’s a common belief that sourdough is complicated… that you need special kits, expensive jars, or even a starter from someone else to begin. You don’t. A sourdough starter is simply flour + water + time. That’s it.

The natural wild yeast already exists in your kitchen and in your flour you’re just creating the perfect environment for it to grow.

This simple sourdough starter method is beginner friendly, low cost, and perfect if you’re starting your from scratch kitchen journey.

Why Make Your Own Sourdough Starter?

• No need to buy a starter kit
• No special equipment required
• Much cheaper than store bought options
• Completely natural fermentation
• Easy to maintain once established

Once you create your starter, you can keep it alive for years… even decades. You can check out the recipe here:

Jasmine

Sourdough Starter From Scratch (no discard or dried starter)

Make your own sourdough starter from scratch with just flour and water! In about 5–7 days, you’ll have a bubbly, active starter ready to bake delicious sourdough bread. No commercial yeast required just patience and love.

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Prep Time 7 days d

Course: Ferments

Cuisine: Breads

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 60 grams whole wheat or all purpose flour
• 60 grams water

Equipment

• 1 1 litre jar
• 1 scales
• 1 spatular

Method

 

1. Day 1: Mix 60g flour with 60g warm water in your jar and stir thoroughly until smooth. Cover loosely with the lid. Let sit at room temperature for 24 hours.
2. Day 2: Discard about half of the starter and add 60g flour and 60g warm water. Stir well, cover loosely, and let sit for another 24 hours.
3. Days 3–5: Repeat the Day 2 feeding process daily: discard half, add 60g flour + 60g water, stir, cover, and rest. By day 5, your starter should be bubbly, airy, and have a pleasantly sour aroma.

Notes

Notes:

• Feed your starter daily while establishing it.
• Once active and strong, you can store it in the fridge and feed it weekly.
• If it ever develops an off smell or mold, discard and start fresh.

Tips for Success:

• Use non-chlorinated water if possible.
• A warm, stable kitchen temperature helps speed up fermentation.
• Feed daily for daily baking or keep in the fridge and feed weekly for weekly baking.
• Whole wheat flour tends to jumpstart the activity faster than plain white flour.

Final Thoughts

Making sourdough doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need starter kits, fancy jars, or expensive tools. Just flour, water, and patience. Sometimes the simplest methods are the most beautiful and sourdough is one of them.

Next Step: Once your starter is ready, you can use it in my Lazy Girl ADHD Friendly Sourdough Recipe to make your first loaf! This recipe has been adapted to NZ high grade white flour and has a slightly lower hydration ratio to help hold its shape.

As always please feel free to reach out if you try this recipe and let me know what you think!

Love Jas Xx