Easy sourdough rye bread recipe - Sourdough&Olives (2024)

It’s about time I bake something with more rye, don’t you think? Most of the bread you find among the recipes on this blog contains mainly wheat flour.
For some strange reason, wheat flour seems to have a higher “status” than rye when it comes to baking. Besides, it is good for your health if you replace some wheat with rye
Despite that, bread baked with wheat flour seems to have a leading position on blogs (mine included), sourdough forums, and Facebook groups.
It’s weird because one of the most important reasons for baking with sourdough starter is that you get bread that tastes more.
I think you’ll agree with me when I say that sourdough rye bread tastes more than wheat. Still, most people seem to favor wheat bread.

Why is that?

One reason can be that it’s hard to bake bread with airy crumb if you bake with rye flour. Wheat flour is superior when it comes to that thanks to its high gluten content.
You also have to be more careful when kneading a dough with rye flour than with wheat flour. You can overwork it. Something that is quite hard with wheat dough.
Sometimes you don’t want bread that tastes too much, for example, if it is to be served to food.
Or perhaps some people just don’t like rye bread. What do I know?

Easy sourdough rye bread recipe - Sourdough&Olives (1)

I know one thing.

I like rye bread, and I think there are many of you who do the same.
So let’s start baking some great bread with a lot of rye.
When I say a lot, I don’t mean all rye. We will add some wheat flour, but only 40%. That gives you bread that is not so dense like bread baked only on rye tends to be.
If you don’t use your dough mixer, there’s no risk that you will overwork the dough. A few stretch and folds will be enough.

PREPARING THE DOUGH

As I mentioned earlier, I used both rye and wheat flour for this recipe.
The Protein content is 12.5% for the wheat flour and 8.5 for the rye.
The hydration is 75%. You may have to adjust that figure if you’re using stronger flour.
I’ve used my wheat starter (coaxed with some rye), but feel free to use a rye starter if that’s what you have available.
All ingredients were mixed, except the salt. After that I let the dough rest for an hour. I say rest and not autolyze. According to the hardcore sourdough aficionados, the starter is added after the autolyze. And I don’t want to mess with those guys.
After the rest, I added salt and performed the first stretch and fold.
I have described that process earlier in this recipe. Here you can also find an excellent video showing how to do.

Easy sourdough rye bread recipe - Sourdough&Olives (2)

BULK FERMENTATION

Try to find a warm place for the bulk fermentation, preferably 78ºF/25ºC. That can be tricky if you are living in the northern hemisphere at this time of year. I use to place the dough in the oven with the lamp lit. That works fine, but you have to be a bit careful. It can be too hot, so I use to open the lid now and then and check the temperature with a thermometer. I let the dough ferment for 4 hours.

FINAL RISE

The time required for the final rise depends on many factors. The surrounding temperature and the strength of the starter are just two of many. You can let it ferment at room temperature or in the refrigerator depending on taste and how much time you have. Fermentation in cold temperature takes longer of course, but it also gives more taste to the bread. The end result can be quite sour though, so if you don’t like that, you should consider letting the dough ferment at room temperature.
It’s almost impossible to give advice about the time required for the final rise. Therefore I have stopped doing that. Instead, I encourage my readers to observe and touch the dough. The finger poke test gives you a hint when it’s time to bake. I have described the test in an earlier recipe, and you can read about it here.

Easy sourdough rye bread recipe - Sourdough&Olives (3)

TIME TO BAKE

Preheat the oven to 480ºF / 250ºC. I have used a baking stone for the bread on the pictures, but you can also use a dutch oven with good result. If you don’t have any of those items, It’s OK to use an oven sheet.
Always score the loaf before baking. Otherwise, you may end up with some interesting but undesired forms on your bread.
Always use steam in your oven when baking bread. It doesn’t have to be anything advanced. An extra preheated oven sheet that you can pour some water on before you close the oven lid is OK. Steam prevents the surface from drying out and gives the crust a more pleasant color.
This bread needs about 35 minutes in the oven. You may have to lower the heat during the last 10-15 minutes.

Easy sourdough rye bread recipe - Sourdough&Olives (4)

This is not a fancy or spectacular bread. It’s just an ordinary, hearty sourdough rye bread. The kind of bread I want for breakfast. Like my best sourdough bread, It’s quite easy to bake. I just have to bake this more often.

Easy sourdough rye bread recipe - Sourdough&Olives (5)

Easy sourdough rye bread recipe - Sourdough&Olives (6)

Easy sourdough rye bread recipe

This recipe for a sourdough rye bread is quite simple. But it will give you bread with lots of taste and character from the rye.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 hrs

Cook Time 45 mins

Total Time 5 hrs 45 mins

Cuisine Bread

Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients

  • 300 gram sourdough starter 100% hydration
  • 600 gram water
  • 350 gram Wheat flour 11.5% protein content.
  • 500 gram whole rye flour 8.5% protein content.
  • 20 gram sea salt

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients except the salt. Make sure that all flour is hydrated. Let the dough rest for an hour.

  • Add salt and perform one stretch and fold. Perform 3 sets of stretch and folds in total during bulk fermentation, spaced out by 30 minutes.

  • Let the dough rest for 4 hours at a temperature of 78ºF/25ºC.

  • Lightly flour your work surface and dump out the dough. Divide it into two pieces with your bench knife. Flatten the dough gently with your hands. Form each piece of dough to a bâtard There's a link to an excellent video showing how to form a bâtard in the recipe notes

  • Let the loaves rise until they pass the the finger poke test. The time required depends a lot on ambient temperature so don't look at the clock.

  • Preheat your oven to 480ºF / 250ºC with two oven plates. One to bake the bread on and one just below. If you have a baking stone or dutch oven, use them.

  • Score the loaves in your preferred pattern and place them in the oven. Pour some water on the plate below and bake each loaf in 35-45 minutes.

  • Let the breads cool on wire racks.

Notes

For those who prefer to use a stretch and fold technique instead of running the dough into a dough mixer, you may findthis videohelpful. You can also look at one of myprevious recipes.

Maurizio from The perfect loaf has made an excellent video showinghow to form a bâtard.

Keyword sourdough bread

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Easy sourdough rye bread recipe - Sourdough&Olives (2024)

FAQs

What kind of olives are good in sourdough bread? ›

Honestly any olive will work. But mu favorite is Kalamata Olives. Their tender, buttery flesh goes so well with the texture of the bread. I have made this recipe with black olives like Niçoise, green olives like Picholine and Castelvetrano.

What happens if you add olive oil to sourdough bread? ›

Does olive oil make dough softer? Yes - adding olive oil to sourdough bread will result in a softer crust and crumb. The oil as a lipid coats the flour and inhibits the gluten network resulting in a softer, tighter crumb and softer crust. This can be a desirable outcome if you do not like tough, chewy sourdough crusts.

What is the difference between sourdough and rye sourdough? ›

Wheat sourdough possesses creamy coconut notes from lactones, while rye is less creamy and more tropical banana and pineapple-like with an additional citrusy / orange aftertaste. Rye sourdough produces an extra buttery taste and roasted malty popcorn flavor, though t is poorer in spiciness notes in comparison to wheat.

Is olive sourdough bread good for you? ›

According to some studies, sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic, which means that the fiber in the bread helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines. These bacteria are important for maintaining a stable, healthy digestive system. Sourdough is also lower in gluten than other forms of bread.

Why are Castelvetrano olives so good? ›

As mentioned before, its unique curing process paves the way for a remarkable flavor profile. Unlike other table olives, which often offer tart and pungent flavors, the Castelvetrano olive is characterized by a natural buttery and creamy flavor, complemented by a mild brininess.

What is the secret to good sourdough bread? ›

Top 10 Tips & Tricks for Making Sourdough
  • Use your sourdough starter at its peak. ...
  • Moisten the surface of the dough before baking for more rise. ...
  • Handle with care: be gentle with your dough. ...
  • Use sifted flour to make your sourdough less dense. ...
  • Soak your flour beforehand for a lighter loaf. ...
  • Just add water for softer sourdough.

What happens if I add honey to sourdough bread? ›

You'll find I use honey in many of my recipes. I love to use it in my no-knead 100% whole wheat sourdough bread because it makes it much softer and less dense than it would be without it. Subbing it in recipes that call for sugar is not usually as simple as a one-to-one sub, though.

Does honey affect sourdough? ›

Honey has enzymes that can impact the rise of the dough. This is especially true of raw honey. To minimize this, you can blanch the honey. Mix the honey called for in the recipe with some of the water, stir and heat to a boil.

What oil is best for sourdough bread? ›

By adding a little olive oil, this sourdough bread has a softer crust and so much flavor. The olive oil complements the typical sourdough flavor to produce a mellower bread with a beautifully even and moist crumb. Even though this is a high-hydration dough, it is not difficult to make and is very beginner-friendly!

Which is healthier, sourdough bread or rye bread? ›

As long as they're made with whole grains and have limited or no added sugar, both rye bread and sourdough bread are healthy bread options. Sourdough bread may be even healthier than regular bread because the fermentation makes certain vitamins and minerals easier for our bodies to absorb.

Is rye sourdough anti inflammatory? ›

Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet. The best sourdough and rye bread varieties to reduce gut inflammation are those made from whole grains.

Which is healthier sourdough bread or regular bread? ›

The bottom line is that sourdough bread made with whole grain flour may be a healthier choice than more common types of bread.

Is it okay to eat sourdough bread every day? ›

Is it healthy to eat sourdough everyday? You could eat sourdough every day, but it isn't necessarily healthy to do so. A healthy diet is characterized by balance and moderation. Whether or not it is healthy for you to consume sourdough every day depends on the rest of your diet.

Is sourdough bread anti-inflammatory? ›

Sourdough bread contains lactic acid, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Adding sourdough bread to your diet can help reduce inflammation and promote overall health.

Can diabetics eat sourdough bread? ›

People with diabetes can eat sourdough bread or any other bread that fits into their dietary plan. That said, because sourdough has a lower glycemic index than other bread varieties, it can be a particularly good choice if you're watching your blood sugar levels.

What tastes good on sourdough bread? ›

21 Delicious Combinations of Sourdough Add-Ins
  • Everything but the Bagel Seasoning & Cheddar. ...
  • Parmesan, Asiago & Hot Honey. ...
  • Sun Dried Tomatoes & Mozzarella. ...
  • Chocolate & Cream Cheese. ...
  • Cinnamon & Raisins. ...
  • White Chocolate & Almonds. ...
  • Honey Butter & Cinnamon. ...
  • Lemon & Rosemary.

What olive oil is best on bread? ›

This means that extra virgin olive oil is the best olive oil for dipping bread. Extra virgin olive oil is the freshest, least processed type of olive oil, which results in that grassy, peppery flavor that is a hallmark of olive oil.

What is the difference between queen olives and manzanilla olives? ›

We think of Spanish Manzanilla Olives as the martini olive workhorse, as they will almost always be available at your local grocery store even if Spanish Queens aren't. They have a similar taste to Queen olives but are smaller and a bit less firm. They have a slightly nutty flavor, which adds depth to the briny olive.

What type of olives are best to eat? ›

Castelvetranos taste like no other olive. The flavor is sublime, mild in a way that feels more like a warm ray of sunshine or the first breath of fresh air after a day in the office than anything else. They're creamy, as if someone injected it with little hits of butter that melt on your tongue.

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