Rehydrating Your Starter!
Thank you so much for purchasing a dehydrated sourdough starter kit from Wild Sourdough Co.! I’m so excited to be part of your sourdough adventure and can’t wait to see your creations rise, flourish, and fill your home with the magic of homemade bread. Whether you’re brand new to baking or a seasoned pro, this page has everything you need to bring your starter to life. Let’s get you on your way to fresh, bubbly, and beautiful sourdough loaves!
01
Rehydrate + Feed
Add one packet of dehydrated starter to a clean, sanitized jar with a lid. Pour in 3 tablespoons of warm water (80–85°F), think cozy bath temp, warmed on the stove or in a kettle (no microwaves, please!). Give it a good stir with a wooden spoon, pop the lid on, and let it hang out for 10 minutes. Next, add 2 tablespoons of unbleached organic bread flour and mix it well until it’s smooth and lump-free. Cover it up again and leave it on your counter for 18–24 hours. Try to keep the room between 74–85°F so your starter stays comfy and gets bubbly!
02
Feed
After your starter has rested for 18–24 hours, remove the lid and add 2 tablespoons of flour and 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of warm water. You're aiming for a texture like thick pancake batter, smooth, but still a little dense. Give it a good stir, cover it back up, and let it sit on the counter for another 18–24 hours. While it’s doing its thing, it’s time for the fun part: naming your starter (if you haven’t already)! It’s a beloved sourdough tradition, every bubbly creation deserves a name.
03
Feed Again
Today’s the day—you might spot some bubbles forming... hooray! That means your starter is waking up. Remove the lid from your jar and give it another feeding: 2 tablespoons of flour and 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of warm water. Stir it well, seal it up, and let it sit for another 18–24 hours. You may notice it rising and bubbling even more—so exciting! If not, try moving it to a warmer spot. A great trick: place it inside your oven with just the light on (but only while it's growing—don’t turn the oven on!). If your home is cooler than 70°F, your starter might take a little longer to show signs of life, so be patient and keep it cozy.
04
Feeding for Growth
Today you might notice your starter has risen and fallen over the last 18–24 hours, leaving behind some streaky “stretch marks” on the sides of the jar—totally normal and a great sign! Time for another feeding: add ⅔ cup of flour and ½ cup + 1 tablespoon of warm water. Stir it really well to combine—no dry spots allowed! Pop the lid back on and let it sit for another 18–24 hours. You should see it growing even more today. If it starts getting a little too wild and puffy for its jar, feel free to move it to its new permanent home a little early. This stage is when your starter loves to show off!
05
Move to a Permanent Home
Your starter is officially ready for its forever home, YAY! 🎉 Transfer it to a clean jar of your choice—just make sure it has plenty of room for rising and a lid that isn’t airtight (important!). Your starter releases gas as it grows, and locking the lid can build up pressure. Simply placing the lid loosely on top works perfectly. From here on out, you’re free to feed your starter as you please!
I highly recommend sticking to a 1:2:2 ratio—that’s:
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1 part starter
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2 parts bread flour
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2 parts water
Pro tip: I like to slightly under-measure the water (just a smidge!) to keep the consistency nice and thick, like pancake batter. 👩🍳🥞
Once you’ve fed it, give it a good mix and let it rest until it doubles in size. Now that it’s more mature, this can happen faster than the original 18–24 hour window—so keep an eye on it! ⏱️
If you ever have questions or want to show off your sourdough progress, don’t hesitate to reach out on Instagram, TikTok, or by email at wildsourdoughco@gmail.com. I’m here to help every step of the way 💛