15 Sourdough Recipes That Use LOTS of Discard [empty your discard jar!] (2024)

A question I get asked all the time is "what's the best recipe to use up a LOT of sourdough discard?". So I decided to put a collection of recipes together that use at least 150 to 200g of sourdough discard in one go! This is sure to empty your discard jar!

This question gets asked so often in my Facebook Group of over 140,000 sourdough bakers - in fact, sourdough discard recipes are the most popular recipes shared in the group.

The sourdough discard recipes that use the most sourdough discard are sourdough discard waffles, muffins, crackers, pie crust and pizza dough.

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What You Need To Know About Sourdough Discard

Seeing as we are talking about sourdough discard, I've put together some facts that you need to know when dealing with discard!

  • Sourdough discard refers to the unfed portion of sourdough starter that is removed from the jar prior to feeding your starter. If you want the low down on all the sourdough terminology, this sourdough glossary is a great resource. This in depth post on sourdough discard vs sourdough starter is also helpful.
  • Do not use your sourdough discard for the first 7 days when establishing a sourdough starter. The discard you remove from the jar needs to be tossed prior to 7 days.
  • You can add discard from different days to the same jar.
  • Sourdough discard does not last indefinitely. It's a good idea to use up your discard within 2 weeks, otherwise it becomes sour and unpleasant tasting. You can read more about storing sourdough discard here.
  • Discarding is essential to creating a thriving sourdough starter because it ensures that you are not starving the yeast and bacteria in your jar. You can read more about why you must discard some of your sourdough starter here.
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Sourdough Recipes That Use LOTS of Discard

Here, I've listed 15 of my favorite recipes that will empty your discard jar in one go! Make sure you tell me your favorite sourdough discard recipe that uses lots of discard in the comments at the end of this post.

No Wait Sourdough Waffles

Sourdough waffles use a huge 200g of sourdough discard, and probably even better than that, is that they are so fast to make! You'll have breakfast on the table in no time! You might also like these sourdough chocolate waffles or sourdough cheese waffles that also use the same amount of discard.

Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe

No wait sourdough discard waffles are so simple to mix together! You'll be eating waffles in under 10 minutes with no compromise on that sourdough flavor you love!

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Discard Pancakes

This recipe is one of the most popular on The Pantry Mama website. Using 200g of sourdough discard, these fluffy sourdough discard pancakes will not disappoint!

Sourdough Discard Pancakes

The fluffiest pancakes you'll ever eat, made with your sourdough discard. Create a waste free sourdough routine by making these pancakes with your discard.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancake

This simple sourdough Dutch Baby pancake uses a big 200g of sourdough starter and is so quick and easy, you'll wonder why you didn't discover it sooner!

Sourdough Dutch Baby (German Skillet Pancake)

Indulge in a delightful twist on the classic German pancake with this Sourdough Dutch Baby. This fluffy, oven-baked pancake boasts tangy sourdough flavor, perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch treat.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Discard English Muffins

These sourdough English muffins use a huge 250g of sourdough discard which should definitely empty out that jar! They also freeze really well so they are a fantastic no waste solution to using your discard and then freezing for breakfasts during the week.

Sourdough English Muffins

Delicious sourdough English Muffins are a breakfast staple. This overnight recipe is so easy, even the kids can do it!

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Discard Pizza

Hands up if you love pizza? This pizza dough uses a big 200g of sourdough discard and is perfect for all kinds of pizza! It's a regular thing in my house, especially since we installed a wood fired pizza oven.

Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough

A quick and easy sourdough discard pizza dough that you can make anytime!

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Discard Crackers

Crackers are such a wonderful way to empty your sourdough discard jar. Most cracker recipes will use at least 200g of sourdough discard and can be made well in advance. I love making different types of sourdough crackers to suit different charcuterie boards and cheese platters - or just as a delicious snack!

Sourdough Discard Crackers with Rosemary + Parmesan Cheese

These simple sourdough crackers use a lot of discard - and taste amazing! They are the perfect accompaniment to a cheese platter or a quick snack on the go.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Crumpets

Sourdough crumpets are so easy! Just 3 main ingredients come together to create these English tea time favorites! And the best thing is that these sourdough crumpets use 200g of sourdough discard.

Sourdough Crumpets

Indulge in the delightful simplicity of homemade sourdough crumpets with this easy recipe. The tangy notes from the sourdough starter elevate these golden, fluffy crumpets, making each bite a perfect balance of airy texture and rich, fermented flavor.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Chocolate Chip Scones

Deliciously tender sourdough chocolate chips cones use up 150g of sourdough discard, which will make a nice dent in your jar and help you stay on top of it all.

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Scones

These buttery sweet scones are made with 150g of sourdough discard and lots of chocolate chips! They are perfect as a breakfast treat or with a coffee shared with friends.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Muffins

These easy sourdough apple and cinnamon muffins are truly delicious and use up 200f of sourdough discard. Perfect for easy snacks or even a warming breakfast.

Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Muffins

These simple to make sourdough apple cinnamon muffins make a delicious snack any time of the day. Delicious crisp exterior and tender crumb are the secret to these successful muffins.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Granola

Sourdough Granola is such an easy way to use up a tonne of discard. I love making a big batch, so I use 4 x the recipe listed below which uses up 200g of sourdough discard in one go!

Plus, sourdough granola lasts a long time, so it's a great way to prolong the life of your sourdough discard. A bit like drying your sourdough discard, but much tastier!

Sourdough Granola

This easy recipe for sourdough granola can easily be tailored to suit your taste preferences and ingredients you have on hand.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Banana Muffins

Not only do these sourdough discard banana muffins use 200g of sourdough discard, they're also a great way to use up those brown bananas!

Sourdough Banana Muffins

Perfect in their simplicity, these easy to make banana sourdough muffins will be a family favorite. Want to mix things up? Why not try one of the 20 flavor additions suggested.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Banana Fritters

Decadent sourdough banana fritters are an unusual way to use up your sourdough discard. They are definitely classed as "sourdough comfort food" and make an indulgent dessert served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce!

Sourdough Banana Fritters

Crispy fried sourdough banana fritters made from either fed sourdough starter or discard. You can eat them plain or serve with ice cream and chocolate sauce for the ultimate comfort dessert!

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Batter

What better way to use up your sourdough discard than battering some fish or chicken, or even veggies? The recipe shows only using 50g of discard, but you'll need up to 200g or more if you are making a family sized batch of chicken or fish.

Sourdough Batter [for fish, chicken & vegetables]

Use sourdough discard to lightly batter fish, chicken, meat or vegetables. The perfect way to use up extra sourdough starter and create a tasty meal or snack with zero waste!

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Popovers

You might know these tasty treats as Yorkshire Puddings, but sourdough popovers are a quick and easy way to empty your sourdough discard jar.

Sourdough Popovers Recipe

These quick and easy sourdough popovers can be made using sourdough discard or active starter. They are a hearty, warm snack served with butter or can be used as side dish alongside roast meats, casseroles and soups.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Cornbread

These sourdough cornbread muffins make a fun side dish for almost any food! Using 200g of sourdough discard, they make a quick and easy bread alternative in a bind.

Sourdough Cornbread Muffins

Simple sourdough cornbread muffins that can be eaten plain with a pat of butter or a drizzle of maple syrup or served as a hearty side to your favorite comfort food.

Check out this recipe

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And if you'd prefer to make your sourdough cornbread in a cast-iron skillet, then check out this version of sourdough skillet cornbread.

Sourdough Carrot Cake

This deliciously moist sourdough carrot cake uses 200g of sourdough discard, which is sure to make a dent in your discard jar! It's well worth making, whether it's for a special occasion or a "just because" dessert!

Sourdough Carrot Cake

Delightfully moist carrot cake made using sourdough starter. It makes a gorgeous centrepiece for your next brunch or afternoon tea, as well as a stunning dessert. You can ferment the batter overnight or bake straight away depending on your timeline.

Check out this recipe

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Sourdough Pie Crust

What could be better than a tender, flaky sourdough pie crust? Well it's even better when you know that this sourdough pie crust will use 200g of sourdough discard! You might even like to try it with this sourdough apple pie or sourdough chicken pot pie. This sourdough pumpkin pie will use even more sourdough starter as it uses sourdough starter in both the crust and the filling.

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Sourdough Pie Crust Recipe

A tender, flaky sourdough pie crust that can be used for sweet or savory pies. You can use it for a top or bottom crust, or both! Ferment this pie crust for up to 48 hours for an even more tender and flavorful crust!

Check out this recipe

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15 Sourdough Recipes That Use LOTS of Discard [empty your discard jar!] (2024)

FAQs

How to use a lot of sourdough discard? ›

Sourdough Recipes That Use LOTS of Discard
  1. 2 Ingredient Sourdough Discard Crackers (No Roll Recipe) ...
  2. Sourdough Discard Waffles Recipe. ...
  3. Sourdough Discard Pancakes. ...
  4. Sourdough Dutch Baby (German Skillet Pancake) ...
  5. Quick Sourdough Discard Scallion Pancakes [with dipping sauce] ...
  6. Sourdough Meatballs. ...
  7. Sourdough English Muffins.
Oct 17, 2023

Is sourdough discard bad for you? ›

Yes, there are actually several health benefits to using sourdough discard in your cooking and baking. Sourdough discard is rich in probiotics, which can help promote a healthy gut microbiome and improve digestion.

What is the difference between sourdough and discard? ›

Only a small portion of the sourdough starter is reserved and fed during each feeding, the rest is referred to as discard, since typically it is thrown away. In efforts to reduce waste, discard is often collected from multiple feedings and stored in the fridge until enough is allotted to be used for discard recipes.

Why use sourdough discard in recipes? ›

Tenderizer: The acidity in sourdough discard weakens gluten development and reacts with chemical leaveners which results in soft and fluffy baked goods. Fermentation: Adding sourdough to baked goods also imparts the magic of fermentation.

What happens if I forgot to discard the starter before feeding? ›

If you don't get rid of the excess, eventually you'll have more starter than your feedings can sustain. After a few days, your daily 1/4 cup flour and water won't be enough to sustain your entire jar of starter, and your starter will be slow and sluggish, not much better than discard itself.

Do you discard every time you feed sourdough starter? ›

It would be best if you discarded some portion of your starter each time you feed it unless you want to continue to let it grow. Eventually, you need to discard the used “food” (flour and water) that's been used to sustain your starter during the last fermentation period.

Can I leave sourdough discard out overnight? ›

I left my sourdough discard out at room temperature for a few days. Is it okay? As long as your kitchen isn't too warm (I'd say 78°F or higher) your starter/discard will be fine stored at room temperature for at least a few days without feeding. The flavor will get more acidic the longer it sits.

Is discard the same as starter? ›

Active starter and discard both come from the same sourdough starter. However, they are in different phases. Active starter has been fed flour and water within the last 12 hours or so and is growing until it hits its peak. Once it begins to fall it is considered discard.

How do I know if my sourdough discard is good? ›

Kept in the fridge, sourdough discard will last several weeks. Similar principles apply to sourdough discard as they do to starter; black liquid on top is totally fine, but streaks of pink or orange mean that it's likely contaminated and should be tossed.

Do you feed discard in the fridge? ›

Where should I store my jar of sourdough discard? Store your discard in a jar in the refrigerator where it will continue to ferment, albeit very slowly, whereas at room temperature, it will ferment quickly and you will soon have very ripe discard on your hands that won't be useful for much of anything.

Does sourdough discard expire? ›

Sourdough discard will last indefinitely when stored in the fridge, but the longer it sits, the sourer it becomes. Therefore, I like to use my discard within 2 weeks.

Do you throw away sourdough discard? ›

Place your discard starter in a large bowl and add cold water, stirring to thin it to the consistency of milk; then pour it down the drain, flushing the drain with additional cold water. Will sourdough starter hurt your septic system? No, it shouldn't; it's simply organic matter and yeast.

Is eating sourdough discard healthy? ›

The best part about using leftover sourdough discard in your baking and cooking? You get the added benefit of fermented grains – making it easier to digest and better absorbed by the body.

Can you eat raw sourdough discard? ›

No, it's not advisable to eat raw sourdough starter. While some people claim to have healed their gut problems by eating probiotic rich sourdough starter, it's not really advisable. Raw sourdough starter contains uncooked flour which can harbor harmful bacteria among other things.

How to turn discard into starter? ›

So if you ever needed extra starter, you could take 30 grams of discard from the fridge, give it a good feed with 125 grams of water and 140 grams of flour, and then you have more active starter again. If it's been in the Fridge for like months. So it may take two or three feeds, strengthen it back up again.

Can I put all my sourdough discard together? ›

Can you add sourdough discards together in the same jar? Yes you can add sourdough discards from different days together in the same jar. You just need to make sure you stir it well and you don't leave it sitting in the fridge for too long. Sourdough discard should be used within two weeks.

How long can you keep sourdough discard before it goes bad? ›

You can store mature sourdough discard in the refrigerator indefinitely. As long as there is no mold, it is good to use. It may develop a grayish liquid on top called “hooch” which can be poured off before use or stirred in. If you stir it in, the flavor will become more sour.

Can you make more starter with sourdough discard? ›

Can sourdough discard be used as starter? While sourdough discard can't replace an active starter in a recipe that relies on a robust leavening agent, it can be revitalized and used to create a new starter.

Can you use 2 day old sourdough discard? ›

I don't recommend using starter discard from the fridge to make sourdough bread. Why? The discard could be sitting in the fridge for several days, up to 2 weeks, which is far too long without feeding in an environment that's too cold.

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