The Secret Gold in Your Kitchen: Amazing Uses for Sourdough Discard

When I first began my sourdough journey, I had no idea what I was doing. I had done all the research, looking for a way to provide a healthy alternative to store-bought bread and goodies for my family. While I still occasionally use commercial yeast, I’ve learned how important sourdough is for gut health. According to reliable sources, sourdough fermentation can make nutrients in bread more bioavailable and may help support healthy digestion. But let me tell you—starting out was overwhelming.

I watched video after video, read blog post after blog post, and still felt completely lost. Finally, I found someone to learn from and followed their recipe. My first attempt? A total failure. I’m sure the instructions were fine, but my chaotic nature got in the way. I thought about giving up, but something inside me pushed me to keep trying for my family. Have you seen the preservatives in store-bought food? Shocking! While we’re not a perfect preservative-free home, starting to make things from scratch opened my eyes. Why did we need so many ingredients in our food?

So, I started over. This time, I trusted my gut (pun intended). Instead of weighing or measuring precisely, I went by feel. By day seven, I had a starter and baked my first loaf of bread. It wasn’t the prettiest loaf, but it tasted amazing. From there, I began sharing what I learned through trial and error, eventually writing my first blog post on how to start your own sourdough starter. Later, I created a video to show you my process, and it’s been such a hit. That video alone has received so many views and comments. (Yes, I know—cut the music next time. I’m learning!)

Why Do We Discard Sourdough Starter Early On?

One of the most common questions I receive is about discard: Why do we discard when creating a sourdough starter? In the early stages, discard is literally just flour and water. It doesn’t contain active yeast yet, so it’s not useful. You could use it to start another starter for a friend or family member, but otherwise, it’s not valuable. If you kept feeding without discarding, you’d end up with an enormous amount of starter, requiring more and more flour to sustain it. That’s just not practical!

Discarding is simply part of the journey to building a healthy, vibrant starter. I’ve thought about creating another video showing how to start a sourdough starter using smaller amounts of flour and water to reduce waste. Would you like to see that? Let me know in the comments or via email—I’d love your feedback!

I’m also working on reviving a freeze-dried sourdough starter and documenting the process. Would you be interested in seeing how it turns out? Stay tuned for updates and let me know if that’s something you’d like me to create a video about!

Mature Sourdough Discard: The Real Gold

Now, discard from a mature starter is a whole different story. This stuff is pure gold! It’s one of my favorite ways to use sourdough because it doesn’t require waiting for anything to rise, and you can conveniently store it in the fridge. As a busy wife, mom, and pastor’s wife, I don’t have time to feed my starter and bake every single day. I’ve learned to make sourdough work around my schedule. That’s why I’m a big fan of freezer-friendly sourdough recipes, which you’ll find plenty of on my blog and YouTube channel.

If I can’t use my discard right away, I store it in a jar in the fridge. I’ve even added discard to the same jar over time, like when I need 2 cups for my Dutch baby recipe. The most I’ve left discard in the fridge is about two weeks. Some people scrape off the black hooch and revive it after a year, but personally, I’m out when it turns black. A little hooch is fine, but let’s not push it!

Delicious Ways to Use Sourdough Discard

I have several discard recipes on the blog that are perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike:

• Sourdough Dutch Baby
• Sourdough Biscuits 
• Sourdough Tortillas
• Sourdough Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
• Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
• Sourdough Donuts
• Citrus Berry Sourdough Blossoms
• Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Berry Delicious Sourdough Cobbler

And more recipes are always on the way! My daughter has even requested sourdough cheese crackers, so those will be coming soon.

Turning Waste Into Something Beautiful

One of the greatest lessons from sourdough is how something seemingly wasteful can become something beautiful and valuable. Much like how God takes the broken or discarded pieces of our lives and turns them into something amazing, sourdough discard can transform into delicious creations that nourish and delight. Even when we feel worthless, God sees our potential and creates beauty from our lives. Just as we turn sourdough discard into something nourishing, God works through us to bring forth goodness and purpose.

Your Turn!

I love hearing from you! Send me your questions, share your favorite recipes, or suggest something new for me to try. I’m always looking for inspiration and love trying creative ideas. Let’s continue this journey together. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your sourdough skills, I’m here to encourage you every step of the way.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are.

Ready to bake? Let’s get started!

About Me:

Latest Post!

• Heart & Home: A February Blend for Cultivating Love
• Creating a Cozy Atmosphere of Love
• Crispy Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers: Irresistible & Easy Recipe
• Thriving Through Life’s Chaos: Faith, Love, and Family
• Trusting God in Difficult Times: How to Have Faith Over Fear