Little Wife in the Woods

How to Make Your Own Sourdough Starter from Scratch

Easy steps to making your own sourdough starter from scratch! Learn how to make a thriving starter in just seven days and everything you need to know to maintain it. Get full, step-by-step instructions here…

how to make sourdough starter
simple method for making sourdough starter
little wife in the woods sourdough starter

When I first began making my own sourdough starter over a year and a half ago I found it very confusing. Maybe it was just my overcomplicated brain but I found that when most people tried to explain sourdough, by way of blog, video, and books- I struggled to understand. I learn most things much easier when I just step out on my own and learn by trial and error.

Here I am going to try my best to explain to you, in very simple instructions, how I learned to make my own sourdough starter from scratch! I am one hundred percent certain there are people who understand sourdough far better than me and if you can glean better from more detailed instructions please go visit the other blogs I mention at the end of this post. My goal is to show you step by step what has worked for me and to create a very (hopefully) stress-free approach to sourdough.

What do you need to make your own sourdough starter?

You will need a few basic things to begin a sourdough starter from scratch. Most of these items are probably already in your home!

The first thing you will need is a vessel to keep your sourdough in. I find that a wide mouth, quart size mason jar works beautifully. The reason you will want wide mouth is so you have enough space to stir your ingredients in and to scrape the sides of the jar after stirring.

Any glass or ceramic is an acceptable vessel. You will want to make sure the jar has thick enough glass so it does not crack when going from he refrigerator to room temperature but other than that you should not have to be too picky. You will also want to make sure that whatever vessel you choose has a lid that keeps air out, preferably something with a good seal around it.

sourdough guide book

Want even more information? My mini e-book for the Beginner’s Guide to Simple Sourdough is HERE!!!
Get quick, easy answers and even more info on my simple sourdough method that has been tried and proven successful.

Click here to Shop

The Best Flour for Sourdough Starter

Another thing you will need to decide on besides a vessel is what flour you want to use. It is important to start out with a simple white flour. I use King Arthur unbleached flour, or Walmart’s unbleached flour. (I prefer unbleached flour for everything for health reasons.) King Arthur has done the best and I have the most consistent results when using this brand.

A few other items you will need getting started are a fork for stirring, and water (some prefer filtered, I go bak and forth depending on the day). If you want to think even more futuristically you can go ahead and purchase a bread pan as well.

How long does it take to make a sourdough starter?

Time and methods vary depending on who you are taking advice from but I have found that seven days works best for mine. It is important to realize that since we all live in different locations, keep our homes at different temperatures, and have different humidity levels we could each make a starter the same way and each end up with differing results.

Because of this key fact I cannot tell you exactly how to make your starter work best for you, I can only give you the main principles and help you learn ways to adjust to your own individual needs.

How to Adjust the Needs of YOUR sourdough starter?

Knowing the facts above will help you in learning just what to do with your starter.

1. Because of differing humidity levels in our homes and in the environment day to day, you may find that you need to adjust the hydration of your starter. The word “hydration” is simply referring to the amount of water that you mix (or feed) into your starter. Here is how you can tell if your starter is getting too much hydration- if you notice a clear liquid settling on top hours after feeding your starter, it is overly hydrated. You can adjust this by using a little less water at the next feed.

2. When adjusting it is important to know what to look for in the texture of your starter. If you add too much water your starter will be very runny and will not stick at all to a fork. If you have too much flour it will cling to the fork and not fall off at all when tipped over the side of the jar. A “just right” starter will have the consistency of a thick pancake batter. It should not be so runny it will not stick at all but should not stick to the fork forever.

3. Because our climates are different and our homes are set to varying temperatures rise times in recipes often looks very different for everyone. For instance, I live in East Tennessee. It gets into the mid-upper 80s on average this time of the year (June). I also keep my home at about 70-72 degrees during the day, and even cooler at night. If my recipe says to let something rise for four hours, it would likely look very different for a person living in Toronto, Canada who keeps their home on 67 in the month of June. It would take them significantly longer to get the same rise I got in four hours.

Why do I need to discard starter?

Discarding is removing a certain amount (usually half) of the starter before feeding again. This process used to really confuse my brain because it just did not make sense. Wouldn’t you want more starter instead of less?

The main reason is that without discarding you would end up will way too much starter to deal with. Each day your starter will likely double in size from about day four on. Because of this you would end up with an exorbitant amount of starter. You would also have to feed it more because of the high volume.

earthly wellness ad

Have you heard of Earthly Wellness? 
Earthly is a company dedicated to providing only natural, herbal wellness products and supplements for the entire family! They have everything you need to start your non-toxic, chemical free journey to wellness! Go check them out at the link below and use code LITTLEWIFE10 to enjoy 10% off your first purchase.

Click Here to Shop!

Discard is not a waste! You can keep discard stored in the refrigerator for up to six months. It can be used for low-rise recipes. (Things like pancakes, crackers, cookies, etc.)

It is not necessary to continue discarding if you are using your starter regularly or storing in the refrigerator (read below for storage methods).

How to store starter?

A properly maintained starter will last generations! There have been stories of grandmothers passing them on to granddaughters as wedding gifts.

There are two ways to store. The first method is to leave on the countertop. If you choose this method you will need to feed your starter daily (if you forget a day or two it will be okay). This method is best for those who plan to use their start daily or up to every three days. If for whatever reason you cannot make bread and maintain your starter on a particular week (vacation, surgery, busy week, etc.) just switch to the second method until you can get back at it!

The second method is storing your starter in a sealed container in the refrigerator. This method is better for those who only want to make bread or other sourdough goodies occasionally (once a week or less). To follow this method simply place your starter in the refrigerator, take it out twenty four hours before you plan to use, feed it, and let it rise to doubled. You can place a starter in the refrigerator any time during the life of your starter.

Important terms for the beginner to know

Here are just a few terms (some I may have already mentioned) that you should know in the beginning.

  • Hydration: the amount of water you give your starter combined with the amount of humidity in the atmosphere.
  • Feeding: adding more flour and water to your starter
  • Discard: removing (usually half) of your original starter
  • Rise: when starter multiplies in mass
  • Peak Rise: the highest point in rise just before it begins to go down again

If you would rather save your time and energy you can now purchase Little Wife in the Woods sourdough starter over on Etsy! Our sourdough starter is made from our well established, active starter created with 100% organic flour. It takes just three days to reactivate and you are on your way to making delicious sourdough recipes!

Other great resources to get you started

While I could keep throwing information at you, I will stop there to keep from overloading your mind. This is all you need to know to get started. I will be doing several other follow-up posts on this topic to deal with troubleshooting, long-term maintenance, and recipes. Here are a few other resources I found (and still find) extremely helpful.

Both of these ladies have amazing sourdough recipes! Of the two I would say that Lisa is much easier to follow, using very simple instructions. Glenda is a tiny bit more complex but if you are interested in the health benefits of sourdough she is a great go-to!

Follow along on Instagram @littlewifeinthewoods for more step by step instructions, troubleshooting, and techniques!

Sourdough Starter

An easy to understand, day-by-day guide to making your own sourdough starter.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 7 days

Equipment

  • 2 wide mouth, quart mason jars (or another type of vessel- see blog post above)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag unbleached King Arthur all-purpose flour
  • Water

Instructions
 

  • DAY ONE
    In a wide mouth glass jar mix 1 cup flour and just under 1 cup water. Texture should be like a thick pancake batter, not too runny but not too firm. Adjust water or flour according to the texture described above.
    Allow to sit on the countertop uncovered or loosely covered (with a napkin or coffee filter) for about 24 hours. (If you need to feed a few hours earlier or later this is completely fine.)
  • DAY TWO
    Discard (remove) half the starter and store in a separate mason jar in the refrigerator.
    Feed the remaining starter 1/2 cup flour and just under 1/2 cup of water. (Review the section about hydration and adjusting the needs of your starter in the blog post.)
    Allow to rest around 24 hours on the countertop.
  • DAY THREE-DAY SIX
    Follow the steps from day two. Discard, feed, allow to sit 24 hours.
    By day three or four there should be bubbles forming. Around day four-five your starter should begin rising when fed.
    If you forget to discard, just discard the next day.
  • DAY SEVEN
    Discard and feed starter in the morning. Allow to rise 5-6 hours.
    Feed starter again (do not discard). You may need to place starter in a larger jar or bowl for the second feed because of the amount of rise.
    Allow to rise 3-4 hours or until peak rise. You are ready to make bread!

Notes

Choosing an easy recipe to start with is very important. 
 A simple sandwich loaf or bagels would be my top recommendations! 
You can see my recipe for an easy sandwich loaf here- https://littlewifeinthewoods.com/?p=346
For bagels go check out Lisa at farmhouseonboone.com!
Keyword bread, easy sourdough, sourdough, sourdough course, sourdough starter

After have successfully made your starter be sure to come back for easy to follow, simple recipes for beginners!

[jetpack-related-posts]

How to Make Taco Seasoning From Scratch

This all-purpose taco seasoning recipe is perfect for tacos, burritos, fajitas, and more! It is easy to make and does not have all the nasty preservatives that store bought packets have. Packed full of flavor you and your family will be sure to enjoy this recipe!

taco seasoning from scratch

This recipe is designed for two pounds of meat. You can adjust it based on how much meat you are using. You can make in bulk or store extra seasoning in a glass container for six months to a year depending on the freshness of your spices (check the expiration dates!).

Also, check out this link for the adorable spice jars I use in my kitchen!

All-Purpose Taco Seasoning

Perfect for tacos, burritos, fajitas, and more!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4-1 tsp cayenne pepper *adjust amount based on how spicy you want the seasoning.

Instructions
 

  • 1. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl.
  • 2. Stir with a fork or small whisk.
  • 3. Add to meat or rice to season.

Notes

*For less spice, use no or 1/4 tsp. cayenne. For more spice use up to 1 tsp. depending on the level of heat you want in your seasoning. 
*This recipe is made for use on 2lbs of meat. Adjust based on amount of meat you are using. 
*Can be made in bulk and stored in a glass jar for six months to a year depending on freshness of seasoning. 
Keyword fajita seasoning, from scratch cooking, homemade seasoning, latino seasoning, mexican rice seasoning, mexican seasoning, mexican seasoning from scratch, seasoning, seasoning from scratch, taco seasoning
[jetpack-related-posts]

Simple Homemade Laundry Detergent: Easy Recipe Made with Natural Ingredients

This homemade laundry detergent has been a game changer for my little family! It is made from just a few simple, natural ingredients and the process is so easy. You can have ready to use, toxin free laundry soap in less than five minutes.

homemade laundry detergent with natural ingredients

What I Love About this Homemade Laundry Detergent

What is not to love, honestly?

One factor that I am particularly thrilled with is the fact that all the ingredients are easy to find. You can pick it all up at the Walmart, Target, or basically any store that has general grocery goods. I have looked at a few other recipes that called for strange products I could never find and while I am sure they are great recipes I just do not have the time to go on a rabbit hunt for detergent supplies at this point in my life.

Also, can we just mention the fact that it makes a TON of detergent!? The way this recipe is created you will not be having to make more detergent every couple weeks (although, it is so easy to make you totally could!). For my family of three- this includes a baby who really likes to dirty some clothes- I make this detergent about every 5-6 months depending on life and what is going on.

Another reason I love this homemade laundry detergent recipe is that it is very affordable. I have not done the math but I would say that this probably costs somewhere between $5-$7 per five gallon bucket, maybe less if you get good deals on supplies! Let’s low ball it and say each five gallon bucket lasts your family three months- that is only $20-$28 spent on laundry detergent per year.

Supplies Needed

Personally I find it cheaper to buy these supplies in bulk. I bought all the supplies last spring and I still have enough for probably three-four more batches. (So basically, I will not be buying any more supplies for at least two more years!)

  • 32 oz. Dr. Bonner’s unscented Castile soap
  • 55 oz. Arm and Hammer washing soda
  • 4 lb. package baking soda
  • 1 gallon white vinegar
  • Essential oils of choice
  • 5 gallon bucket

Where to Get Supplies

Finding quality supplies for making this laundry detergent is no longer a hassle with Thrive Market! I purchase most of the supplies to make this recipe from my one-stop online store for all things organic and natural ingredient! Thrive Market offers especially great deals on the castile soap used for this recipe and other natural home care products.

Thrive Market offers affordable prices on all things organic and made with natural ingredients! I purchase the castile soap I use for this recipe and others from Thrive along with things like quality essential oils, cleaning products, snacks and pantry staples, and so much more. They offer hundreds of brands with thousands of products dedicated to bringing you quality ingredients at affordable prices! Click my link below to get up to $60 in FREE groceries AND 25% off for a limited time!

Click Here to Learn More!

The five gallon bucket used for this recipe can be found at most home improvement or gardening stores- Lowe’s, Home Depot, Tractor Supply to name a few.

Recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent

Ingredients

  • 5 cups boiling water
  • 1 cup castile soap
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup washing soda
  • 30-40 drops of essential oils of choice (a few favorites are lavender, orange and clove, eucalyptus and cedarwood)
  • 5 gallon bucket with lid

Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients except boiling water to the five gallon bucket.
  2. Add five cups of boiling water and stir until water is dissolved.
  3. Fill the rest of the bucket with warm water until the bucket is full (not too full or it will slosh out when you move it- yes, that is experience speaking!).
  4. Store in a cool, dry place. Use 1/2 cup for a medium-large size load. I use extra if the laundry is extra dirty or smelly.

*Note- because it is such a large batch and will likely be setting for longer periods of time, you may notice the detergent start to separate. Just give it a good stir and it will all come back together.

Click here for our all natural laundry scent booster recipe!

homemade laundry detergent with natural ingredients

Easy Homemade Laundry Detergent

Natural ingredient, homemade laundry detergent that is easy to make and smells amazing! Cleaning your clothes completely toxin free has never been easier or more affordable with this bulk batch of laundry soap.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 5 gallons
Equipment Method

Equipment

  • 5 cups boiling water
  • 1 cup castile soap
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup washing soda
  • 30-40 drops of essential oils of choice (a few favorites are lavender, orange and clove, eucalyptus and cedarwood)
  • 5 gallon bucket with lid

Method
 

  1. Add all the ingredients except boiling water to the five gallon bucket.
  2. Add five cups of boiling water and stir until water is dissolved.
  3. Fill the rest of the bucket with warm water until the bucket is full (not too full or it will slosh out when you move it- yes, that is experience speaking!).
  4. Store in a cool, dry place. Use 1/2 cup for a medium-large size load. I use extra if the laundry is extra dirty or smelly.

I would love to hear from you! Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this recipe. Want more natural living, real food recipes, and more? Sign up for the email list so you never miss a post!

Subscribe

Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date

*
dummy-img
Recipes

How to Make Your Own Breadcrumbs From Scratch

littlewifeinthewoods Feb 11, 2025
Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Feb 7, 2025
How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

Feb 3, 2025
7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

Feb 1, 2025
[jetpack-related-posts]

Easy Pizza Crust Recipe: The BEST Homemade Pizza Crust

easy pizza crust recipe
very easy pizza crust recipe
easy homemade pizza crust recipe

This pizza crust recipe is great for a family pizza night! Use it as your go to for all things pizza, cheese bread, and more! Get the full recipe and tips for a better pizza crust here…

Pizza Crust Tastes Plain

This can be a problem because your main pizza chain restaurants basically always flavor their crust! To avoid the problem of your crust tasting like cardboard try thinking outside the box with different seasoning combinations. Here are a few to try:

  • Garlic butter
  • Italian (use an Italian seasoning mix)
  • Garlic and herb
  • Cajun butter
  • Pepper Flakes

Get creative and see if it helps step up your pizza game!

Here’s another idea when it comes to plain tasting crust- stuff it!

There are few who will disagree that stuffed crust pizza is better. My favorite way to stuff a crust is with ground sausage and mozzarella cheese! It’s amazing dipped in some marinara sauce. It also helps the pizza last longer because it is so filling.

Pizza Crust Tastes Yeasty

I had this problem for years while trying to come up with the type of crust recipe I wanted. You put in all that hard work just to get to the end and it taste like I just poured some pizza sauce over yeast! I think this is where a lot of people give up on homemade pizza crust. Here are a few ways you can correct a yeasty tasting pizza…

  • Make sure you let the dough rise sufficiently. A good rule of thumb when working with any kind of dough is to let it double in size.
  • Check to make sure your yeast is in date. Store yeast in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh longer
  • Avoid fast or quick rise yeast.
  • Dissolve yeast all the way before using.
  • Use enough honey or sugar to offset the yeast flavor.

If you are still having yeast problems after trying the solutions above it may be that the recipe you are using just is not for you.

Crust Does Not Rise

This can be an issue if you have not allowed to dough to rise sufficiently before baking. When dealing with most rising doughs you are working with a two-three rise system. Simply meaning that before it will rise during the baking process you must first allow the dough to rise.

After mixing all of your ingredients and kneading the dough you need to let it rise by doubling in size. This could take several hours depending on your climate and the temperature of your house. Yeast and sourdough react to heat. If you are having trouble getting a good rise try these tricks below.

The Height Method

We all know that heat rises. Try placing your dough somewhere high during a rise. On to of your refrigerator, on a high cabinet or shelf are a few ideas.

The Oven Method

This one never fails me! You have two options: one, place the bowl of rising dough on the stovetop of a heated oven. The heat from the oven will cause the dough to rise. Two, heat your oven to 350 degrees for ten minutes then turn it off. After the oven has cooled down but is still decently warm, place the dough in the warm oven and allow to rise.

Be careful not to let the dough over rise or it may have a slightly yeasty taste.

Now that we have covered the basic tips for a homemade pizza crust let me share with you my favorite recipe!

I hope you enjoy this and that it turns out great. Remember you can be creative with seasoning and stuffing the crust. Here I will just give the basic crust recipe and you can add your own spin on it with the fun stuff!

Homemade Pizza Crust

Delicious homemade pizza crust that does not taste "homemade".
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 2 med/large pizzas

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp active, dry yeast (not fast rising)
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 2 tsp honey (or 1 tsp sugar)
  • 5 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 egg
  • 3 1/2-4 cups all-purpose, unbleached flour

Instructions
 

  • Dissolve yeast in warm water.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or regular large bowl if you do not own a stand mixer) add the rest of ingredients in the order they appear above. If using a stand mixer you may need to switch to dough hook as dough becomes thicker.
  • Knead until smooth. (About 15-20 minutes in the stand mixer.)
  • On a floured surface shape the dough into two even balls. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degree.
  • After dough has risen sufficiently, roll out on a floured surface. Roll out dough until it is about a 1/8-1/4 inch thick. Place on pan or pizza stone and shape crust.
  • Bake crust for 5 min. without sauce or toppings.
  • Add sauce and toppings then bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
  • Allow the pizza to cool about 8-10 minutes before cutting.

Notes

This recipe makes two medium/large pizzas or one large pizza and a side like bread sticks, garlic knots, etc. 
dummy-img
Recipes

How to Make Your Own Breadcrumbs From Scratch

littlewifeinthewoods Feb 11, 2025
Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Feb 7, 2025
How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

Feb 3, 2025
7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

Feb 1, 2025
[jetpack-related-posts]

How to Make Sourdough Chicken and Dumplings From Scratch

*this post contains affiliate links.

Delicious and classic sourdough chicken and dumplings spruced up with the flavor of sourdough starter and from scratch perfection! Enjoy this smooth, creamy broth filled with chicken, and soft, homemade sourdough dumplings.

sourdough chicken and dumplings recipe

Benefits of Adding Sourdough

I absolutely love chicken and dumplings (chicken and dumplins if you are from the south) and I love all things sourdough! The combination was so perfect. It is definitely a great cold-day kinda meal (although I’ll for sure be making it any time of the year!). One of my favorite things about this chicken and dumplings recipe is it uses sourdough discard. I am always looking for fun and creative ways to use my discard. I hate throwing it out! You can also use fresh, active starter with great results as well.

Among the many health benefits we could discuss, the biggest benefit sourdough starter brings to this recipe is the adde flavor! I have tried several dumpling recipes over the years and you truly cannot match the flavor of the sourdough. This added ingredient just takes this already delicious meal up another level!

Don’t have a sourdough starter? You can! What if I told you that I truly believe anyone can learn to make and maintain a sourdough starter? You do not have to be a scientist, have loads of time, or even understand everything about it to make delicious food and keep your starter alive! If you are wanting to learn to make your own sourdough starter from scratch you can read all about that in this post! We also sell our dehydrated starter over in the Etsy store for a quicker, more convenient start to your sourdough journey!

In the meantime get my non-sourdough recipe for Chicken and Dumplings in this post!

Making Sourdough Chicken and Dumplings From Scratch

Sure, you could buy cans of cream of chicken, chicken broth, and even canned biscuits to use for dumplings. You would have the recipe made in about half the time and it probably would not taste that bad! However, around here we are all about food from scratch. We believe in feeding ourselves and our families nourishing meals as much as possible. Real food with real ingredients.

If you are new to cooking meals from scratch this may sound complicated but I highly recommend giving it a try! You will soon notice results in your energy levels, hormone balance, and overall health. The truth is it does not even take that much longer to through a from scratch meal together when you have the ingredients and learn the process. Make sure you subscribe to your email list so you do not miss out on from scratch recipes like this one!

There is no better way to support your body naturally this fall than with herbal products from Earthley Wellness! My friends over at Earthley work hard to provide families with affordable, natural products to support the immune system, cold prevention, and naturally relieve symptoms such as coughs, headaches, and more! Go check them out at my link below. First time customers get 10% off with code LITTLEWIFE10!

Click Here to Shop!

My Process for Making Sourdough Chicken and Dumplings From Scratch

Having the right processes in place can really cut down the time and hassle of making meals from scratch. This entire meal takes me around 30-45 minutes to prepare and even shorter if I prep things ahead of time. Here’s how I make it work…

  • Step One. Cut the chicken breasts in half down the middle to make them thinner then boil. This takes around 10-15 minutes if fully thawed out. Another time saving tip would be to cut the chicken pre-boiling which will cook it faster. You can even have the chicken boiled and cut/shredded days ahead of time.
  • Step Two. Allow chicken to cool while starting the broth. (I like to make my broth in the same pot I boiled the chicken in making this a one pot meal for easy dish clean up!)
  • Step Three. While thickening the broth, start making up the dumpling dough if you have not already prepped it. Roll it out and cut it/shape it into a ball while the broth is warming back up to cook the dumplings.

This process for sourdough chicken and dumplings seems to work the best for me but you may find you need to tweak it a bit for yourself! The point is that from scratch meals do not have to take forever to make.

Want quality ingredients at an affordable price? Thrive Market helps me achieve my goals of providing my family with quality, from scratch meals! Thrive offers affordable pricing on natural ingredient pantry staples, snacks, cleaning products, and so much more. Shop thousands of products from hundreds of trusted, clean label brands that ship right to your door! Use my link below and get a free $60 gift when you sign up!

Click here to Shop!

Fermentation vs. Unfermented Dumplings

The choice to ferment or not ferment the dumpling dough completely comes down to dietary needs as well as convenience. This sourdough recipe does not require you to ferment the dough. However, if you have a dietary restriction such as a gluten intolerance or sensitivity you will find the best result is to always ferment the dough in any recipe even if it is not required.

Fermenting this dough requires about 6-8 hours on the countertop or 8-12 hours (overnight) in the refrigerator. This requires a lot of planning and prepping ahead of time but it is very doable.

Ingredients You Need for Sourdough Chicken and Dumplings

Here is a list of ingredients you will need for a quick and convenient overview of how to make these sourdough chicken and dumplings….

  • chicken breasts
  • salt
  • pepper
  • chicken broth
  • butter
  • all-purpose flour
  • sourdough starter
  • sugar/honey
  • baking powder
  • additional seasonings (to taste)

I hope you enjoy this recipe for sourdough chicken and dumplings as much as I do! Leave us a comment and let us know what you think! Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list. Thanks for being here!

processed sugar free apple pie

Join our Mailing List

Sign up with us now and be the first one to know about our exclusive offers and product updates.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

By submitting your information, you`re giving us permission to email you. You may unsubscribe at any time.

sourdough chicken and dumplings

Sourdough Chicken and Dumplings From Scratch

A delicious spin off of a classic meal using sourdough discard.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course, Soup

Ingredients
  

Broth

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour heaping
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp pepper
  • extra seasoning to taste
  • 3-4 cooked and shredded chicken breasts

Dumplings

  • ⅓ cup sourdough discard
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 1½ tsp sugar or honey
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¾-1¼ cups all-purpose flour

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot cook chicken breasts on high heat until fully cooked (about 15-20 minutes).
  • Allow chicken to cool while melting butter on medium heat in a meium-large pot.
  • After butter melts, add all-purpose flour one tbsp at a time and whisk well to avoid sticking/burning. Add two cups of chicken broth and whisk until the butter/flour mixture (roux) is fully dissolved. Turn heat up to medium-high and continue to stir until the broth thickens. Add the remaining four cups of broth and allow to boil and thicken for about five minutes.
  • Cut or shred chicken and add to broth mixture as it is thickening.
  • After broth thickens and chicken is added turn heat to low. In a medium sized mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer combine sourdough starter and water.
  • Add sugar or honey, baking powder, salt, and ¾ cup of flour. Mix well. Add ¼ cup of flour until you get a thick ball of dough. The dough should be firm but pliable like a thick biscuit dough.
  • Roll dough out onto floured surface and cut with a cookie cutter into the shapes you prefer or roll into balls. (We prefer a more thin, noodle like dumpling that tends to cook more evenly and quickly.)
  • Turn heat back up to medium-high and bring back to a simmer/low boil. Add dough strips to boiling broth a few at a time and stir to keep them from sticking.
  • Once all the dough had been added cook for an additional 5-8 minutes. Stir and enjoy!
Keyword chicken and dumplings, chicken recipe, dinner recipe, easy meals from scratch, easy sourdough recipe, from scratch dinner, from scratch meals, sourdough beginner recipe, sourdough discard recipe, sourdough dumplings
How to Make Sourdough Egg Noodles From Scratch
Recipes

How to Make Sourdough Egg Noodles From Scratch

littlewifeinthewoods Jul 30, 2024
The Best Easy Sourdough Lemon Bread Recipe

The Best Easy Sourdough Lemon Bread Recipe

Jun 26, 2024
Sourdough Breadsticks Recipe: Simple and Quick Breadsticks From Scratch

Sourdough Breadsticks Recipe: Simple and Quick Breadsticks From Scratch

May 1, 2024
The Best Sourdough Pull Apart Bread: Easy Bread Recipe

The Best Sourdough Pull Apart Bread: Easy Bread Recipe

Apr 12, 2024
[jetpack-related-posts]

Soft and Easy Sourdough Sandwich Bread Recipe for Beginners

Have you been looking for an uncomplicated, easy to understand sourdough sandwich bread recipe? When I began making sourdough bread I found it extremely hard to find recipes that did not use big, complex terms, and require excessive measuring. Having been self taught I could not understand what they were saying and being a busy person I did not have the time to de-code all they were saying. After much trial and error I finally discovered a method that worked best for my busy life and was completely uncomplicated!

soft and easy sourdough sandwich bread recipe

Sourcing Quality Ingredients

Making your own sourdough sandwich bread is always 100% healthier than buying it from the store! There are so many less chemicals and preservatives. However, if you are making it you might as well make it with healthy ingredients! That’s why we use Thrive Market to source natural, organic ingredients at affordable prices. I purchase things like organic baking powder, whole wheat flour, and other ingredients for from scratch meals at a fraction of the cost!

Click here to sign up for your first month and get $60 in FREE groceries!

thrive market ad

What is so great about this sourdough sandwich bread?

The art of sourdough has been around for thousands of years but has been lost to modern society. During the pandemic of 2020 it made a huge comeback and can now be seen everywhere on social media! But what is so great about this pretty bread everyone is making or is it just a fad that will eventually blow over?

While it most likely will blow over for many, those of us who enjoy making all our food from-scratch will continue to feed and maintain a starter every day. Here’s why…

Why We Will Be Making Sourdough Forever

  1. Because of the health benefits. All the good bacteria in sourdough it is extremely beneficial to the health of the digestive system. Those who have gluten intolerance can usually eat sourdough without having flare ups because of the way the gluten is processed during the making of sourdough versus other types of bread.
  2. Because we know where it comes from. Bread made right in our own kitchens gives us the peace of mind store-bought breads cannot. Even brands that claim to be “organic” or “all-natural” seem to add things in to preserve the bread. When we make it ourselves we can rest assured that every ingredient will be healthy and safe for our families.
  3. Because we love it! There are probably many more reasons I could list for why we will be making sourdough forever but to narrow it down, it is because we just enjoy making a quality loaf of fresh bread. You can too! It is so simple. Sourdough bread baking is really a form of art and you get to be the artist.

How do I know my sourdough starter is active?

On many sourdough recipes you will see the term “active” in regards to your sourdough starter. This simply means that you have fed your starter, it has doubled in volume, and it is bubbly. A good way to test this is to scoop out a little bit of starter and add baking powder to it. If the baking powder fizzes and expands, your starter is active and ready to go!

sourdough guide book

An easy way to stretch the meat budget- pair it with delicious, from scratch sourdough bread! Don’t know where to start? Try this Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough to learn all about how to make and maintain your own starter.
*23 quick read pages filled with my simple, easy to understand method of sourdough
*free beginner recipe
*troubleshooting guide
*and more!!

Shop Here!

Why does my dough have to sit so long?

Another question I had when I began using sourdough was why does it have to sit or be refrigerated for eight hours in a lot of recipes? This process is called fermentation. That is what allows the good bacteria to be completely absorbed by your bread and for the gluten to break down. You do not have to let it sit this long in some cases but it is recommended.

The easiest time to let your dough ferment is at night when you are asleep or at the very beginning of the day. One of the more complicated things about sourdough is that you need to calculate the time it takes to make if you are wanting your bread by a specific time. Here is how I do this…

I count backwards. Let’s say I want a fresh loaf of sourdough bread done in time for supper at 7pm. I know that my bread normally take forty minutes to bake. No later than 6:20 it needs to be going into the oven. Then I will estimate the time it will take for the dough to rise, roughly two to four hours.

I will go with the longest amount of time. Therefore it needs to be rising around 2:20. This leaves my 8-12 hour ferment time anywhere from 2:20am-6:20am. I am likely not going to be up at 2:20 so I will either start it at 6:20 or, let it ferment longer than 12 hours. Longer fermenting is completely fine! I will never get out of bed at indecent hours just to make bread!

Do not let the clock become an obsession. Making bread is so fun but if you are stressing about timing and everything going by the books it will not be an enjoyable process. Just roll with it!

How long will my sourdough sandwich bread last and how to store?

This will depend on the humidity of where you live but the sandwich bread is freshest and tastes best when used within one week. I store our bread in a ziplock bag, making sure to let all the air out. Keep it in a cool, dry place like a bread box or in a cabinet.

Thanks for checking out this recipe! Don’t forget to sign up to join the email list so you never miss a post!

Subscribe

Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date

*
sourdough starter

Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread Recipe

My go-to, everyday recipe for a soft and buttery sourdough sandwich loaf.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Course bread
Servings 1 loaf

Equipment

  • 1 Bread Pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup active, bubbly sourdough starter
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • ¼ cup salted butter melted
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 2-2½ cups all-purpose flour

Instructions
 

  • Combine sourdough starter and warm water in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add melted butter, honey, and salt. Mix in one cup of flour by hand or on low speed with a stand mixer. Continue to add flour ½ cup at a time until dough is just slightly sticky but pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Allow the dough to ferment in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours or on the counter top for 4-6 hours. Cover with a damp towel for best results.
  • After fermenting, shape dough into a loaf and place in greased pan. Allow to double in size, takes about three-five hours. (Heat causes bread to rise so if you are having trouble getting it to rise you can heat your oven, turn it off, let it slightly cool, then place the bread in it to rise.) Cover the dough with a wet towel to keep the top of bread from getting dried out.
  • After dough has doubled, bake at 350℉ for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Keyword beginner sourdough recipe, bread, easy bread, easy sourdough, easy sourdough bread, fluffy, fluffy bread, simple sourdough, soft bread, soft sandwich bread, soft sourdough bread, sourdough, sourdough bread, sourdough sandwich bread, sourdough starter
dummy-img
Recipes

How to Make Your Own Breadcrumbs From Scratch

littlewifeinthewoods Feb 11, 2025
Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Feb 7, 2025
How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

Feb 3, 2025
7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

Feb 1, 2025
[jetpack-related-posts]

Slow Smoked Bacon Wrapped Breakfast Roll Recipe

Recipe by Jimmy Ruckman

Introducing smoking, grilling, and over-the-fire recipes from my awesome, “smoking” hot husband! (His dad jokes are obviously rubbing off on me!)

My husband Jimmy has always enjoyed cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. He has a sixth sense for using herbs and seasonings to maximize flavor of each recipe. If you are a man (or woman) wanting to get out of your comfort zone and into the kitchen you have come to the right place! Jimmy will be sharing simple, easy to understand recipes here monthly.

*Because we understand that not everyone has a smoker available we have also created adapted instructions on how to make this in your oven. Cook time and temperature will be adjusted (it will not take as long as mentioned below in the recipe section).

Smoked Bacon Breakfast Roll

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 7 hours
Servings 2 Rolls

Equipment

  • Smoker or Oven
  • Large sheet pan
  • Large Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 2 packs regular cut bacon
  • 2 lbs breakfast sausage
  • 1 medium size potato
  • 1/2 lb block pepper jack cheese
  • 6 scrambled eggs
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 tsp dried sage
  • 2 tsp chives
  • 2 chopped jalopenos
  • Full Metal Jacket seasoning to taste
  • Onion powder to taste

Glaze

  • 1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Honey
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions
 

Instructions for Cooking on a Smoker

  • 1. Begin by firing up the smoker. You will need to maintain a temperature of between 200-260 degrees the entire cook time. 230 is a good temperature to shoot for. This will effect your cook time. Higher temperature will take about four hours. Lower temperatures will take up to six hours.
  • 2. Scramble six eggs and season as desired.
  • 3. Shred a medium sized potato with a cheese grater.
  • 4. Weave both packages of bacon separately on a flat surface as pictured. Weaving involves crossing horizontal and vertical stripes of bacon under one piece and above another.
  • 5. Divide uncooked sausage into one pound portions and spread on top of bacon weave (about a 1/4in thick). Then begin to build your roll by adding sliced cheese pieces to cover sausage, cover cheese slices with cream cheese, and add shredded potato on top of cream cheese.
  • 6. Add additional seasonings to taste. (Optional: drizzle honey on top of unrolled weave for extra flavor.)
  • 7. Gently and tightly roll up the bacon weave.
  • 8. Place on an old sheet pan. Combine topping ingredients and drizzle on top of both rolls.
  • 9. Place in the smoker for 4-6 hours being careful to maintain a temperature of around 230 degrees.
  • 10. After cooking thoroughly you may want to sear the rolls in a skillet to give the bacon the desired crunchiness. This step is optional depending on your preference.

Instructions for Cooking in the Oven

  • 1. Follow instructions 1-8 above, only preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  • 2. Cook rolls in the oven for 2-3 hours. If you notice the rolls are becoming too cooked on top cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

Notes

* Checking bacon weave for doneness: Because of varying temperatures on the smoker you may be concerned if the rolls are completely cooked. You can check by inserting a thin knife into the side of the roll. If the sausage is cooked thoroughly (is not pink) it is safe to say it is complete. 

We hope you enjoy this recipe! If you like it please share and if you have and questions or comments we love hearing from you! Be looking for more smoker, grill, and over-the-fire recipes from my amazing husband.

[jetpack-related-posts]

How to Make Flatbread From Scratch

This quick and easy recipe for flatbread is so simple! These from scratch flatbreads are soft and chewy. Top with whatever meat, veggies, and cheese you have on hand. Get the full recipe in this post!

how to make flatbread from scratch

What sides go well with flatbread?

There are a lot of sides that would go great with this recipe! Sweet potato fries (pictured above) are a good option. Regular potatoes cooked in a cast iron skillet, fried onion rings, salads, and chips with salsa would be wonderful choices.

Because the flatbread is so savory, anything that has more of a sweet/salty taste really ties things together for a top notch meal!

Click here for more quick and easy dinner ideas!

How to Serve Flatbreads

You can always serve them plain (as pictured above) if you are cooking for yourself or your family. Another option if you are making for a group or party would be to make them in a rectangular shape and cut them in triangular pieces to serve as a small snack or finger food. If serving to toddlers it may be easier for them to eat if you shape them in small bite size circles.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • Extra oil to coat pan

Top with any sauce, veggies, meat, and cheese!

Thrive Market helps me achieve my goals of providing my family with quality, from scratch meals! Thrive offers affordable pricing on natural ingredient pantry staples, snacks, cleaning products, and so much more. Shop thousands of products from hundreds of trusted, clean label brands that ship right to your door! Use my link below and get a free $60 gift when you sign up!

Click Here for Your Free Gift!

How to Store Flatbread

You can make flatbread crust ahead of time for convenience and store in the freezer for up to six months. Just pull them out to defrost a few hours before your meal and they are ready to go!

If you have leftovers you can easily store them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. it is important to keep them flat so all the toppings do not fall off in the process of storage. They are fine to store in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Want more from scratch recipes like this one? Make sure to sign up for the email list so you never miss a post!

Subscribe

Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date

*

Easy Flatbread Recipe From Scratch

Soft and delicious flatbread made from scratch, topped with chicken, cheese, veggies, and herbs!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

Flatbread

  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • Extra oil to coat pan

Garlic Herb Butter

  • 2 tbsp. butter melted
  • 1 tsp. garlic
  • 1 tsp. fresh cilantro

*Toppings

  • 2 cooked chicken breasts chopped into strips
  • 1` onion diced
  • handful cilantro
  • 8 oz shredded cheese

Instructions
 

Flatbread

  • 1. Heat about a quarter inch of olive oil in a large skillet on medium-low heat.
  • 2. Mix flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. Add water and oil.
  • 3. On a floured surface, roll out flatbread in the desired shape.
  • 4. Place flatbread in heated skillet and cook for two minutes per side or until light brown spots appear. (You may need to adjust time and or heat depending on your stove.)
  • 5. Once finished move flatbreads to a baking sheet.
  • 6. After brushing with garlic butter, add chicken, onion, cilantro, and cheese.
  • 7. Bake in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Garlic Herb Butter

  • Melt butter. Stir in garlic and cilantro. Brush onto untopped flatbreads with a spoon or butter brush.

Notes

*You can top Chicken Flatbreads with whatever you have on hand. 
dummy-img
Recipes

How to Make Your Own Breadcrumbs From Scratch

littlewifeinthewoods Feb 11, 2025
Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Feb 7, 2025
How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

Feb 3, 2025
7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

Feb 1, 2025
[jetpack-related-posts]

How to Make Your New Year Goals Actually Happen This Year

The new year is always filled with dreams, goals, and hopes! As we enter it we begin to reflect on the past year, all of its accomplishments, and all of its failures. Many times I am amazed to find that I did not accomplish what I desired in some areas, while in other areas I seemed to grow. I certainly do not have all the answers! However, after some deep analyzation of what goals were actually achieved, I made a list that may help you make your goals for the new year become a reality.

1. Make sure your goals are actually achievable.

This is so important! How often have we made the goals so unreachable, only to find ourselves discouraged when we do not reach them? I am in no way suggesting that we should not challenge ourselves. Only make sure they are attainable. You may find that over time you need to adjust your goals to work for your schedule and that is okay!

Setting goals that are unreasonable for yourself will lead to disappointment and eventually burnout as you try to achieve but constantly fail. Take into consideration your workload as a whole and ask yourself “Will this goal push me to achieve more or encourage me to do less?” The more we feel like we are failing, the less motivated we become to grow in that area.

Are you wanting to spend more time in your devotional life this year? Instead of setting a goal to read fifteen chapters a day and pray for an hour, try starting with two chapters and fifteen minutes in prayer. As you are able, do more.

2. Choose goals that work for YOU.

In the age of social media, we are probably seeing others share their new year goals. Sometimes this sparks ideas in our own minds of what we should (or think we should) be doing ourselves. I am not saying this is always bad, sometimes we find great ideas we never would have come up with on our own. However, we often set expectations for our lives that are not reasonable for the season we are in.

Our responsibilities, personalities, seasons of life, etc. should all determine what our new year goals are. Just because it works for someone else does not mean it works for you. Just because someone on social media, a friend, or a family member sets a goal does not mean you have to. Give yourself grace in what you expect of yourself this year.

3. Set short-term goals to help you reach ultimate goals.

Setting short-term goals to reach bigger goal helps to prioritize your efforts for maximum effectiveness. When you break down your yearly aspirations into monthly, weekly, and daily goals the successfulness of these goals increases. If your goal is to save $5,000 this year, come up with a plan weekly that will help you achieve the goal. If you are wanting to wake up earlier this year, begin by waling up earlier and easier every few days. Big goals are achieved by the every day mundane tasks of life.

4. Be Accountable.

I remember one year as a teenager I had a specific weight loss goal. Because I knew I hate exercising, I decided to ask a friend if she would help me be accountable to the goal I had set for myself that year to exercise. I would text her daily to let her know that I had done my work out. She was not obligated to respond if she was busy. On days that I did not text she would ask if I had exercised. This was enough to keep me motivated to work towards my goal and I had great success!

Maybe you are a more benefits based person and the disappointment of just communicating accountability is not enough. You could try asking a friend to hold twenty dollars for the week and you may only get it back at the end of the week if you have been successful at reaching the goal. Come up with a way that works for you in the area of accountability. You may have to get creative but it will be well worth it!

5. Write them down and review them often.

I often get to the end of the year and as I begin to reflect I realize there were several goals I set for myself that I simply just forgot! Maybe that just means they were not very important but it is still disheartening to think of what I could have accomplished. Whether you simply make a list or you are a vision board kind of person, definitely write down your goals for the year.

It is also important to write them down in a place where they can easily be reviewed. A few good ideas might be to keep a list on your phone, your computer, the refrigerator, in your Bible, or in the front of your yearly planner. Personally, I like to keep a list in multiple places to review throughout the year. I also try to evaluate them every month.

6. Just do them!

Maybe you have some very reasonable yet challenging goals for the year. I know I do!

The biggest part of reaching our goals is to just decide to do them. It’s deciding on the hard days to just get it done. It’s making up your mind on the days following sleepless nights with a sick child to just do it. Whatever the goal is, just do it.

sourdough guide book

Want to start making more food from scratch this year? Bread is one of the easiest places to start making big changes for you and your family! Make it even easier with my Beginner’s Guide to Simple Sourdough or find my dehydrated sourdough starter kit for a streamline, stress-free introduction to sourdough.

Click here to Purchase!

7. Plan for failure.

This may sound like a complete oxymoron considering what I just wrote but you need to plan for failure. Because life does happen and unexpected things do come up, you will likely miss the mark on some days. Do not let failure define your year because of a hard season of life! Get back at it as soon as you are able. Do not try to catch up for lost time, just begin again and give it the best you have.

8. Consider your goals prayerfully.

If anything we do is going to be done well we will have to do it prayerfully. First begin by asking the Lord what goals He would have you commit to this year, then pray daily for His help in fulfilling them. Also realize that some of your goals are completely out of your control. The desires of your heart are in His hands. Commit to Him about the hopes and dreams you have!

Psalm 37:5 Commit they way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

[jetpack-related-posts]

How to Make Easy Potato Soup From Scratch

Delicious and easy from scratch potato soup recipe you can make for dinner in a flash! Creamy, smooth broth filled with potatoes, cheese, and bacon. Get the recipe in this post!

potato soup

Potato soup is a super fast, easy meal that is perfect for the cold seasons! It seems extra cliche to even write up a recipe for such a classic meal. I wanted a from-scratch version for my family and was not finding exactly what I was looking for so I decided to come up with my own. I decided I would share on the blog. Hope you enjoy!

earthly wellness ad

Have you heard of Earthley? Earthley Wellness is a U.S. company dedicated to providing affordable, completely natural remedies with absolutely no junk!! If you are looking tired of the dyes, chemicals, and other toxins that are in mainstream medicine Earthley is a great place to start. Treat everything from colds, fevers, teething, digestion issues, and more! Use my link below and the code LITTLEWIFE10 to save 10% on your first order!

Click here to Shop!

The Best Potatoes for Potato Soup

Many varieties can be used in potato soup, each one adding their own unique flavor. The basic guideline when it comes to making potatoes for soup is to choose a variety with mild flavor and that does not break down too easily when cooking. For this reason, potatoes to avoid would be- yellow potatoes, Idaho potatoes, and small/petite potato varieties.

In my experience the best varieties for soup making are Russet and Red potatoes. Russet breaks down a bit more than red, however, it holds well enough to give those delicious full potato bites. Red potatoes take a while to break down when cooking and give a mildly bold flavor to soups. The best part about either of these options is that the skins can be left in tact and add to the flavor of the soup!

Ingredients for Potato Soup

Making potato soup is a great place to start if you are new to the from scratch cooking game. It is simple, easy, and pretty much fail proof. The ingredients list is also simple. Here’s everything you need…

  • Chicken Broth (learn how to make your own bone broth using this recipe!)
  • Water
  • Butter
  • AP Flour
  • Potatoes (Red or Russet are best)
  • Mild Cheddar Cheese
  • Real Bacon or bacon bits (topping; optional)
  • Sour Cream (topping; optional)

Potato Soup from Scratch Recipe

Ingredients

32 oz. chicken broth

16 oz. water

1/2 stick butter

3 tsp. flour

6-8 large russet potatoes

8 oz. mild cheddar cheese

Bacon (optional; use as much as you desire)

Instructions

1. Begin by peeling and dicing six to eight large russet potatoes. The amount depends on your preferred thickness.

2. Boil the potatoes on high heat for 8-10 minutes or until tender when checked with a fork.

3. Set potatoes to the side (I put mine in the crockpot so I could easily reheat the soup later.) Add 16oz. of hot water.

4. In a medium pot melt 1/2 stick of butter on med-high heat. After butter has melted add three tsp. flour. Whisk together until thickened.

5. Add 32oz. chicken broth to butter/flour mixture. Bring to a boil then lower heat to med-low.

6. Add cheese 1/4 cup at a time until completely melted. Add additional seasonings (salt, pepper, creole, rosemary, thyme).

7. Cook bacon if desired. Add broth mixture to potatoes and gently stir.

Served best with grilled cheese!

If you enjoy these recipes I would love to hear from you! What are your favorite cold season meals?

Enjoy more from scratch recipes, motherhood, and homemaking posts from Little Wife in the Woods! Sign up to join the email list so you never miss a post!

Subscribe

Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date

*
dummy-img
Recipes

How to Make Your Own Breadcrumbs From Scratch

littlewifeinthewoods Feb 11, 2025
Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

Feb 7, 2025
How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

Feb 3, 2025
7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

Feb 1, 2025
[jetpack-related-posts]