Looking for creative ways to use your sourdough discard? In this article, I’ll show you How To Add Sourdough Discard To Any Recipe, so you can reduce waste and make delicious baked goods at the same time.
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What is Sourdough Discard?
Sourdough discard is the portion of the sourdough starter that is removed and not used during the feeding process. Instead of being utilized, it is often thrown away, hence the term “discard”. Despite its seemingly useless nature, sourdough discard carries a tangy flavor that can add depth to your dishes and, at the same time, helps with leavening. It is also worth noting that this byproduct of sourdough starter can be used in many recipes, making it a versatile ingredient that should not be underestimated.
Sourdough Discard In Your Recipes
When adding sourdough discard to your recipes, it is important to consider its acidity and leavening power, which can have a significant impact on the outcome of your dish. Because discard is naturally acidic, it can lower the pH of your recipe, so you may need to adjust the other ingredients accordingly to achieve the desired taste. Additionally, the discard can help with leavening, so you may need to reduce the amount of baking powder or baking soda in your recipe to prevent over-leavening. It is important to strike a balance between the acidity and leavening power of the sourdough discard to ensure that your recipe turns out just right.
The type of flour you use in your discard recipe can affect the flavor, texture, and rise of the baked good. Generally, bread flour or all-purpose flour is the most commonly used flour in baking because they have a higher protein content, which gives the dough structure and helps it rise.
However, you can use other types of flour as well, such as whole wheat flour, rye flour, or spelt flour, depending on the recipe and the desired outcome. It’s worth noting, however, that different flours have different absorption rates, so you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe accordingly to achieve the right consistency. Moreover, each type of flour has its unique flavor and texture, so experimenting with different flours can be a fun way to create a unique recipe that suits your taste.
With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to master the art of using different flours and achieve the perfect texture, flavor, and appearance in your baked goods. It’s always a good idea to experiment with different types of flour to find the one that works best for your sourdough discard recipe. I personally enjoy using Organic Einkhorn All-Purpose Flour
How Much Sourdough Discard Should I Add
The amount of discard you should add to your recipe depends on the recipe itself and the level of sourness you want to achieve. As a general rule, you can replace up to one-third of the flour in the with sourdough discard.
However, it’s worth noting that the amount of liquid in the recipe can greatly affect the texture and consistency of the dough. If the dough is too dry, it may be difficult to roll out or shape, and it may not bake evenly.
Conversely, when the dough is too wet then it may not hold its shape or may spread out too much during baking. I would suggest paying close attention to the amount of liquid in your recipe and to adjust it accordingly.
Depending on the recipe and the type of flour you’re using, you may need to add a little bit more liquid to achieve the right consistency, or you may need to reduce the amount of liquid to prevent the dough from becoming too wet.
With a little bit of experimentation and trial and error, you’ll be able to find the perfect balance of liquid to create a dough that’s easy to work with and bakes up beautifully. It’s always a good idea to start with a smaller amount of discard and adjust it based on the results. If you want a more pronounced sourdough flavor, you can increase the amount of discard in subsequent batches.
What Is The Brown Liquid On Top Sourdough Discard?
The brown liquid that you see on top of your sourdough discard is called “hooch.” It is a sign that your sourdough starter is hungry and needs to be fed. Hooch is a result of the alcohol produced by the yeast in the starter. To revive your starter, you can pour off the hooch and feed it with fresh flour and water. It’s important to maintain a regular feeding schedule to keep your starter healthy and active.
20 Sourdough Discard Recipes
There are many creative ways to incorporate sourdough discard into your cooking and baking repertoire. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- 1. Sourdough Pancakes: Use your sourdough discard to make fluffy and delicious pancakes. This is my #1 go-to method!
- 2. Sourdough Waffles: Similar to pancakes, but with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Yum!
- 3. Sourdough Biscuits: Add tangy flavor to classic buttery biscuits.
- 4. Sourdough Pizza Crust: Use your discard to make a flavorful and chewy pizza crust.
- 5. Sourdough Bagels: Give your bagels a sourdough twist for an extra layer of flavor.
- 6. Sourdough Pretzels: Soft and chewy pretzels with a tangy twist.
- 7. Sourdough Chocolate Cake: Add depth of flavor to a classic chocolate cake.
- 8. Sourdough Banana Bread: Use your discard to make this classic banana bread even better.
- 9. Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls: Add tangy flavor to sweet and fluffy cinnamon rolls.
- 10. Sourdough English Muffins: Make your own tangy and chewy English muffins.
- 11. Sourdough Crackers: Crunchy and tangy crackers made with sourdough discard. 12. Sourdough Bread Pudding: Use leftover bread and sourdough discard to make a rich and decadent dessert.
- 13. Sourdough Donuts: Add tangy flavor to classic fluffy donuts.
- 14. Sourdough Brioche: Make a buttery and rich brioche with tangy sourdough discard.
- 15. Sourdough Tortillas: Use your discard to make flavorful and soft tortillas.
- 16. Sourdough Baguette: Add a tangy twist to a classic French baguette.
- 17. Sourdough Focaccia: Make a chewy and flavorful focaccia with sourdough discard.
- 18. Sourdough Scones: Add tangy flavor to buttery and flaky scones.
- 19. Sourdough Croissants: Make buttery and flaky croissants with a tangy twist.
- 20. Sourdough Cakes: Use your discard to add tangy flavor to a variety of cakes, from lemon to carrot to apple.
Discard Tips:
- Use equal parts sourdough discard and flour to make pancakes, waffles, and muffins. The sourdough discard will add a tangy flavor and help with leavening.
- Add sourdough discard to your bread dough to give it a tangy flavor and improve its rise.
- Use the discard as a substitute for buttermilk or yogurt in recipes. It will add a tangy flavor and help with leavening.
- Add sourdough discard to your pizza dough for a tangy flavor and improved texture.
- Use sourdough discard as a marinade for meat or vegetables. The acidity will help tenderize the food and add flavor.
- Make sourdough discard crackers by combining it with flour, salt, and butter. Roll out the dough then cut into shapes, and bake until crisp.
- Use sourdough discard to make your favorite cake for a tangy flavor and improved texture.
As you can see, there are many ways to use sourdough discard in your cooking and baking. Experiment with different recipes and see how sourdough discard can enhance your dishes.
