Hi sourdough-loving friends! I am excited to write this article to help answer the question ‘what to serve with sourdough bread’? While eating it plain is fantastic, you may be wondering about some simple yet creative ways to serve your sourdough bread, whether for guests or your family. I’ve compiled 30 simple ideas to take your sourdough experience up a notch!
What is Sourdough Bread?
There is nothing quite like homemade sourdough bread. It is made from a fermented dough that contains naturally occurring wild yeast and bacteria. Unlike bread made with commercial yeast, which relies on a single strain of yeast for leavening, sourdough bread is leavened through the natural fermentation of flour and water. The fermentation process begins when flour and water are combined to create a starter, also known as a sourdough culture or sourdough starter.
When making sourdough bread, a portion of the sourdough starter is mixed with flour and water to create the dough. This dough is then allowed to ferment for an extended period, typically several hours overnight before being shaped, proofed, and baked.
The fermentation process not only leavens the bread but also provides a distinctive tangy flavor and chewy texture to the finished loaf of bread. Additionally, sourdough bread is known for its potential health benefits, including improved digestion and nutrient absorption, thanks to the fermentation process.
Here is my basic sourdough bread recipe!
What is a Sourdough Starter?
A sourdough starter, also known as a sourdough culture, is a living mixture of flour and water that contains wild yeast and lactobacilli bacteria. It serves as the leavening agent for sourdough bread and other baked goods.
To create a sourdough starter, flour, and water are combined in a container and left to ferment at room temperature. As the mixture sits, wild yeast and bacteria present in the environment, as well as on the surface of the flour, begin to colonize the mixture. This fermentation process can take several days to a week, during which the mixture may bubble and develop a sour aroma.
Once the sourdough starter is established, it must be regularly fed with fresh flour and water to keep the yeast and bacteria active and healthy. Feeding the starter involves discarding a portion of the mixture and replenishing it with equal parts flour and water. This helps maintain the balance of microorganisms and ensures that the starter remains active and capable of leavening bread.
A well-maintained sourdough starter can last indefinitely, as long as it is regularly fed and cared for. Many bakers cultivate their own sourdough starters, which can develop distinct flavors and characteristics based on factors such as the type of flour used, the environment in which it is kept, and the feeding regimen. If cultivating your own starter isn’t your thing, sourdough starters can be passed down and multiplied, so ask your friends or find a seller online who can ship you a dehydrated starter!
Here is an in-depth article on how to start one from scratch!
What To Serve with Sourdough Bread? (30 Ideas!)
The moment you’ve all been waiting for. Below is a categorized list of some of my favorite recipes and ideas to pair with plain ol’ sourdough bread. Let me know what your favorites are!
Spreads and Dips
1. Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer in which toasted slices of sourdough bread are topped with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and sometimes cheese or cured meats. It originated in central Italy, where it was traditionally served as a way to make use of day-old bread. To make bruschetta, slices of delicious sourdough bread, are toasted or grilled until golden and crispy. They are then rubbed with a clove of raw garlic. Next, the bread is drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and topped with a mixture of diced tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Additional toppings such as grated Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, balsamic glaze, or prosciutto may also be added, depending on personal preference.
2. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread makes one of the best side dishes and can be served alongside a variety of main courses, such as pasta, grilled meats, or soups. Some variations of garlic bread include adding cheese, such as mozzarella or Parmesan, on top before baking. To make garlic bread, cut the sourdough loaf and then spread with a mixture of minced garlic and softened butter or olive oil. I like to add fresh herbs such as parsley or basil for extra flavor. The bread is then baked or toasted until golden brown and crispy on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside.
3. Artichoke and Spinach Dip
Spinach and artichoke dip is a creamy, flavorful dip that combines cooked spinach, artichoke hearts, cheese, and various seasonings. Sourdough toast is fantastic with artichoke dip, though you can also leave it un-toasted.
4. Butter
This one might be the simplest on this list. We love to use butter on our toasted or un-toasted bread. It’s simple and flavorful. We often fry up an egg, toast some sourdough, spread it with butter, and put the egg on top. It’s delicious, simple, and filling! You could also try making garlic butter by melting some butter and combining it with fresh or dried garlic.
5. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is another great spread for sourdough whether toasted or not. I’m all about that from-scratch life, so here is a tutorial on making cream cheese at home. But if that’s not your thing, you know where to find it at your local market or grocery store! Cream cheese makes a great base for various dips or use it plain to spread on a slice of sourdough bread.
6. Avocado Toast
A staple of the Millennial generation, avocado toast, is healthy, flavorful, filling, and can be created with lots of variety. I was teaching at an intensive for a few weeks a couple of summers ago and I went to one coffee shop every morning for breakfast and they had the most delicious avocado toast. It has some sort of aioli drizzle with hot sauce, hard-boiled egg, and cracked black pepper. It was SO good! If fancy is not your thing, smash your avocado, add salt and pepper, and call it good, I doubt you’ll be disappointed!
7. Pesto
Pesto is the best when made at home with fresh garlic and basil. Just blend up some garlic, basil, olive oil, salt, and pine nuts and you’ve got a tasty spread or dip. You can eat this with the bread toasted or not. If this is too much work, you can splash some olive oil in a dish, add dried herbs and salt, and call it good.
Soups
8. Tomato Soup
The classic tomato soup will come through for you, especially in colder months. Tomato soup goes great with a grilled cheese sourdough sandwich! Or cut your sourdough into small bits, bake them for some sourdough croutons, and add to your soup. Or eat plain sourdough dipped in your soup, I don’t think you’ll go wrong any way you choose!
9. Butternut Squash Soup
This is by far my favorite soup in the Fall. The flavors are so seasonal and warm and fantastic. I usually eat sourdough bread on the side with my soup (sometimes toasted, sometimes not). Add some butter and you’re good to go.
Grab my Butternut Squash Soup Recipe!
10. Sausage Potato Soup
Like the other soups on the list, sourdough bread is a great companion to any soup recipe. This is one I tried this winter and liked. Again, toasted or un-toasted is fine, butter or not. Your call! Soup and sourdough are the best together!
11. French Onion Soup
For French onion soup, you can cut up some sourdough bread, bake it into croutons, and use it in your favorite French onion soup recipe.
Salads
12. Cobb Salad
I love a good and simple Cobb salad. Add hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and sometimes roasted chicken. I make a homemade ranch dressing and use sourdough croutons to top it with some parmesan cheese. It’s so good!
13. Grilled Chicken Salad
Similar to the Cobb salad, perhaps minus the egg, I love making this fresh salad for dinners. Healthy, filling, and lots of variations to it… that’s my kind of dish!
14. Greek Salad
Greek salad with sourdough croutons is awesome! I like to add feta cheese, tomato, Kalamata olives, banana peppers, and a light Greek dressing.
15. Caesar Salad
If any salad must have croutons it’s Caesar. I’m not a huge fan of Caesar salad, but I know many of you are! Toss Caesar dressing onto some lettuce, add croutons, and parm, and call it good! I would add chicken to it if I want something heartier or more filling.
Sandwiches
16. BLT
We just had this last night and it was oh so good! Toast two slices of sourdough bread (toasting is a must!), add some homemade mayo, tomato slices, bacon, and leaf lettuce. I had baked the sourdough fresh that day, so you can imagine how good this was!
17. Grilled Cheese
Doesn’t get much easier than a good ol’ grilled cheese. Classic in every way. There is a lot of variety here too. Vary your cheeses, add some meat or veggies (like pickles or tomato slices), perhaps some homemade mayo and you’ve got a darn good lunch or dinner!
18. Turkey, pesto, and mozzarella
Combining a few ideas here, but try grilling up some turkey and cheese with a pesto spread (oh, and bacon!). This might just be what I have for lunch today!
19. Chicken Salad
I love a good chicken salad sandwich, especially with homemade mayo, grapes, and celery! You can get super creative with this, adding spices, flavors, and other add-ins to your liking. It’s mostly chopped or shredded chicken mixed with mayo and anything else you can find in your kitchen that sounds good!
20. Tuna Salad
Similar to chicken salad, combine shredded tuna with mayo, celery, and maybe some onion, and you’ve got a great lunch. You could also opt for a tuna melt by grilling the tuna salad sandwich with cheese. Yum!
21. Egg Salad
In the same lane as chicken and tuna, egg salad is another easy lunch or dinner. I like to add chopped pickles to my egg salad as well as homemade mayo, mustard, and a little cayenne pepper for some heat!
Stale Bread
22. Croutons
I mentioned a few times, especially in the soup section, that croutons are a great way to use up your sourdough bread, especially if it’s getting hard or stale. Chop up the bread into bite-sized pieces and dehydrate or bake at 300°F for 20 minutes or until crunchy (if they start burning, lower the temp). You can also season the croutons with some herbs before going in the oven.
23. Sourdough Breadcrumbs
Once the croutons are made, blend them in a food processor to make bread crumbs. This can go great on a variety of dishes. We like it on our baked Mac and Cheese!
Sweet Treats
24. Nutella
Here is a homemade, healthier version of Nutella (but if the store-bought kind is your thing, you do you!). Spread this on toasted or soft sourdough bread and enjoy!
25. Almond Butter or Peanut Butter
Any nut butter is really good on a slice of bread, particularly toasted! Here is a recipe for homemade almond butter.
26. Honey
Spread some butter or nut butter on your sourdough bread and then drizzle some honey over it. Better yet, add some banana slices as well and maybe some chopped nuts! Now we’re in the money!
27. French Toast
Try making sourdough French toast topped with fresh berries, powdered sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup. This is also great for bread that has lost its freshness.
Boards and Platters
28. Mediterranean-Inspired Board
Serve your sourdough bread alongside hummus, tzatziki, olive tapenade, and roasted red pepper dip. Add marinated olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and feta cheese for an amazing meal or appetizer. Grab my homemade hummus recipe!
29. Charcuterie Board
Another nod to Millennials, assemble a charcuterie board with an assortment of cured meats, pâtés, and spreads. Pair your sourdough bread with thinly sliced prosciutto, salami, chorizo, and pâté de campagne. Add cornichons, pickled onions, and grainy mustard or fruit preserves for serious sophistication.
30. Artisanal Cheese Platter
Nothing complements sourdough bread quite like a selection of artisanal cheeses. Opt for various textures and flavors, such as creamy brie, cheddar cheese, tangy goat cheese, and nutty Gruyère. Add some fresh or dried fruits, such as figs or grapes, along with nuts like almonds or walnuts for added crunch. Arrange everything on a wooden board for a rustic presentation perfect for sharing with friends and family. The sky is the limit, get creative!
As you can see, there are endless possibilities when it comes to serving sourdough bread. From artisanal cheese platters to Mediterranean mezze spreads, and wholesome soups to charcuterie boards, there’s something to suit every taste and occasion. So the next time you bake or buy a loaf of sourdough bread, consider these ideas!
Here is my basic sourdough recipe!
Wow! Loved this post. My mouth is watering, and I am inspired! (Before reading this, I must confess my limit was butter & honey or avocado toast, haha..so thank you!!) Do you have a recipe for homemade Greek dressing by the way? Thanks again!
Thanks Jane! I’m glad this was helpful. I do have a greek dressing recipe 🙂 I will send it your way!