Can you freeze sourdough starter | Easy tutorial
Freezing sourdough starter is an easy and effective way of preserving your starter!
Having had a sourdough starter for well over a decade, I have preserved my starter by dehydrating it https://therosehomestead.com/how-to-dehydrate-sourdough-starter/. However, I recently decided to try to freezing sourdough starter and found it to be a really quick and easy way to preserve my starter for later use or in case of emergency.
If you are brand new to sourdough, I would recommend this post to get started: https://therosehomestead.com/how-to-make-a-sourdough-starter/
*This post may contain affiliate links. I may make a small commission at no cost to you on sales*
Freezing sourdough starter is a very simple process and takes much less time than dehydrating it and is my preferred method for long term storage.
Why would you think about freezing sourdough starter?
When you keep and nurture a sourdough starter for years, the very thought of losing it for some unforeseen reason is scary!
What if you accidentally drop and break the jar leaving glass shards in the starter?
What if your child or significant other washes an almost empty jar of starter?
The list goes on, but the point is, having some starter preserved is really like having insurance on your sourdough starter.
Why freezing sourdough starter is a great way to preserve your starter?
Frozen sourdough starter will last for up to a year in the freezer making it a good long time preservation method for your starter.
For some, freezing sourdough starter will be the best option because dried starter may not work as well when trying to reactivate.
Reactivating a frozen starter is easy and may be quicker than reactivating a dehydrated starter.
Considerations when freezing sourdough starter
Use active sourdough starter
Active starter is starter that has been fed in the last 24 hours. The wild yeast if very active and bubbly.
Another consideration is that you want a mature sourdough starter. A brand new starter will not be strong enough to survive freezing. Freeze a starter that is at least 3 months old.
Sourdough discard is not the best option for freezing sourdough starter as it is hungry and the amount of lactic acid bacteria may not be optimal for freezing.
Dormant stage of frozen sourdough starter
Freezing sourdough starter puts it in a dormant stage. Meaning, it kind of goes to sleep and isn’t fermenting. With this in mind the reactivation process requires a couple of regular feedings to bring it back to life and ready to bake with.
The cold temperatures act like a pause button on a sourdough starter. I find this method to be the best way for me to keep starter on hand in case of emergency.
Equipment you may need to freeze sourdough starter
The best way to freeze sourdough starter is to use either silicone muffin cups or a silicone muffin pan.
Here are the muffin cups I use: https://amzn.to/4dUcZN0
This is a good option for a silicone pan: https://amzn.to/3X3Nxhq
You could also use a silicone ice cube tray.
Freezer safe bags or freezer safe airtight container
You must take care that the container you freeze the starter in is airtight and freezer safe to inhibit freezer burn.
Step by step process for freezing sourdough starter
Feed starter
I keep my starter in a large glass jar. For this application I am feeding it 1 cup flour and 1 cup room temperature water. For best results always feed your starter filtered water.
Stir well and place in a warm spot.
NOTE: The amount of starter you freeze is totally up to you. You can freeze 1 puck or many pucks as long as you have enough active starter on hand to freeze.
It is a good idea to freeze at least 2. That way if you need to use one, there is always one more available.
After the starter gets active and bubbly, spoon the starter into either the muffin tin or the muffin cups.
Place in the freezer overnight.
The next morning, dislodge the sourdough starter pucks from the pan or cups and place in a freezer bag or freezer safe container.
*Do not use a regular ziplock bag since it could lead to freezer burn*
Frozen starter will last in the freezer for up to a year making it a great option for preserving starter for future use.
Alternatively, dry sourdough starter will last for several years on the shelf.
Always label the starter with the date of freezing.
Reactivating a frozen sourdough starter
Take a frozen sourdough starter puck out of the freezer and place in an airtight container on the counter to come to room temperature.
Once the starter is thawed completely, feed the starter 1 cup flour and 1 cup water.
Look for signs of activity after 6 hours.
If it is really bubbly and active, it is good to use.
If it seems sluggish, discard half of the starter and use for pancakes, biscuits, crackers, etc..and feed it one more time to make sure it is good and active before baking your first loaf of bread.
I find the freezing process to be straight forward and an excellent way to preserve sourdough starter.
