

A sourdough starter is often likened to a pet, but unlike a puppy, if you forget to feed it when you’re supposed to, nothing bad will happen. Because even though starters are technically alive, they’re incredibly resilient. Really, a starter is more like a shape-shifting plant — it can be fed daily for maximum activity, the same way you’d water a finicky plant, but it can just as easily go months (months!) in the fridge without a meal, like a cactus in the desert.
If you forgot to feed your starter when you were supposed to (see below for ideal timing), it’s almost certainly going to be OK. Here’s what to do:
Generally, there are two routines you may choose for feeding your sourdough starter:
Twice daily at room temperature: If you’re a regular sourdough baker, the best way to have ripe starter when you need it is to keep your starter on the counter at room temperature and feed it twice daily, about every 12 hours.
Once a week in the fridge: If you are a more casual sourdough baker, it’s easiest to keep your starter in the fridge and feed it once a week. (We recommend leaving it on the counter for a few hours after feeding to start fermenting before returning it to the fridge.) Then, a day or two before you want to bake, give it a couple of feedings at room temperature before using it to bake.
The guidance below applies to both feeding schedules. Please note: If you typically keep your starter at room temperature and aren't going to be able to feed it for an extended period of time — maybe you have a hectic week coming up, or are leaving town for a few days — stick it in the fridge until you're able to return to it. It can last much longer in the fridge without a meal than it can on the counter. Once you get back on a regular schedule, bring it back to room temperature.
Don’t worry — your starter is fine. Just pick back up with your typical routine and your starter will settle in easily. To be safe, give it one or two feedings before you bake with it to make sure it’s at full strength.
Your starter is probably looking a little neglected and acting sluggish. However, it’s almost certainly not dead — it takes a lot to kill a mature sourdough starter! If you store your starter in the fridge, feed your starter once and leave it at room temperature, then monitor its progress over the next 12 hours. (A straight-sided clear container like our Glass Sourdough Crock is perfect for this.) As long as it increases in size over this period of time, it’s still alive. And to get it back up to a healthy and vigorous state, keep feeding it until it doubles in size within 6 to 8 hours. This may take another several feedings and up to a few days.
(Temperature can also affect how quickly starter moves; it will be slower in colder environments and quicker in warmer ones. If you struggle with either of these, a temperature-controlled sourdough home can help regulate your starter’s environment.)
That’s still OK! Black liquid on top of your starter looks scary, but in reality, it’s nothing to be concerned about. This thin liquid (called “hooch”) is merely alcohol and water generated by your starter’s wild yeast as it feeds. You can either stir it back into the starter and feed as normal or drain it off and then feed it — the choice is up to you.
Note: Though rare, if your starter has pink or orange streaks, that can be a sign of spoilage. It’s best to throw it out and start again.
As before, resume feedings and keep an eye on your starter’s activity. It may not show any sign of life after the first feeding, or even the first several feedings, but eventually, it should start to bubble and rise. (If it doesn’t, it really is dead — time to start another one or purchase our fresh sourdough starter.) And remember, your starter isn’t back to fully healthy (and ready to bake) until it doubles in size within 6 to 8 hours, so keep feeding until it’s at this level of activity.
If your starter is sluggish from neglect, you can add a little whole grain flour like rye or whole wheat to your feedings. The minerals and other food present in whole grains encourage growth in your starter, accelerating fermentation of both the bacteria and the yeast in the starter. This step will help get your starter ready for use more quickly, like revving the gas. Learn more here: Sluggish starter? Add a little whole grain flour.
Pick up everything you need to make your best sourdough bread in our Sourdough Shop collection.
Cover photo by Danielle Sykes; food styling by Liz Neily.
March 9, 2024 at 9:33am
I forgot to discard half of my starter, but I fed it. Did I kill it?
March 9, 2024 at 3:51pm
In reply to I forgot to discard half of… by Barb (not verified)
No worries, Barb! Just be sure to always discard with future feedings.
January 26, 2024 at 2:44pm
Hi!,
I began my starter nine days ago… When I feed it, it doubles in size and has bubbles on top. Does this mean it’s ready to bake with? I read somewhere that you can do a float test to see if it’s ready… Can you elaborate? Also, when can you start using the discard from your starter? After your starter is already established?
February 3, 2024 at 2:09pm
In reply to Hi!, I began my starter nine… by Kaye (not verified)
Hi Kaye! It sounds like your starter may be ready to go. Generally, we are looking for a starter to double or triple in size within 4 to 8 hours after feeding, something that has good bubble formation as well as that fantastic aroma. I'll link a blog right below that dives a bit deeper into what to look for: Ripe Sourdough Starter: What does that look like? As for the float test, we have another blog specific to that process! The Float Test for Sourdough With discard, you really can use that as soon as your starter is showing signs of ripeness. Happy Baking!
January 26, 2024 at 10:54am
Why does my sourdough bread have huge holes in it? I am missing half of the bread!
February 4, 2024 at 9:20am
In reply to Why does my sourdough bread… by Linda Mouton (not verified)
Hi Linda, although many folks strive for an open crumb structure, large gaping holes aren't usually considered desirable and most often indicate a shaping and/or proofing issue. To troubleshoot further about what happened with your sourdough bread, please don't hesitate to give our Baker's Hotline a call. We're here M-F from 9am-9pm EST, and the number to call is 855-371-BAKE (2253).
January 14, 2024 at 4:43pm
I just made bread that is way too sour. What happened
January 21, 2024 at 11:39am
In reply to I just made bread that is… by J (not verified)
Hi J! There are a number of factors that could have contributed to that outcome. The health of your starter, the level of your dough's acids and the relationship between time, fermentation, temperature and proofing. We have an amazing three part blog series that dives into this very topic and offers remedies and tips for when your loaves are either too sour or not sour enough. I'll link them right below for your review:
How to make your sourdough bread more (or less) sour, part 1
How to make your sourdough bread more (or less) sour, part 2
How to make your sourdough bread more (or less) sour, part 3
January 14, 2024 at 11:58am
I typically feed my starter once a week, but I don’t necessarily bake every week. Occasionally, I will use the portion I would normally discard and instead I immediately use it in a recipe, but not a “discard” recipe. I just use it as though it were freshly fed. Seems to work fine for me, bread tastes great, or am I just not seeing something amiss?
January 18, 2024 at 10:24am
In reply to I typically feed my starter… by Angie (not verified)
Hi Angie — if it's working for you, that's all that matters! We do have a whole blog about baking with unfed starter straight from the fridge, which might be helpful for you to check out too.
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