What percentage of sourdough salt should be added?

When it comes to sourdough bread, there are many ways to enhance its uniquely delicious flavor. Salt in sourdough bread is probably one of the most common and effective additions to most recipes. If you're wondering how much salt to add, then stick to the guide. Here is my guide to the percentage of sourdough salt you can use!

Table of Contents

The role of salt in sourdough bread

Salt plays an important role in sourdough baking. There are many reasons why sourdough bakers choose to add salt to their sourdough recipes.

• Salt is added mainly for flavor.
• Salt helps develop gluten in sourdough and is essential for good bakery resources.
• Improves fermentation.
• Allow your bread to toast in the oven.
• Saves bread.

Does salt kill yeast in sourdough bread?

Not at all. If this has happened, your dough will not rise at all and produce that perfect oven spring.

Salt is an important element of bread, whether it is sourdough bread or commercial sourdough bread.

Salt slows down fermentation, though not enough to affect the rise of your dough. It also regulates yeast activity so that fermentation does not occur too quickly.

While we all prefer fast fermentation, slowing it down isn't bad either, as it gives your bread time to develop its flavors.

Adding salt also prevents the yeast from using up all the sugars, meaning there are enough sugars available once your dough is ready for baking. This also ensures that your bread develops a lovely, brown crust.

Without salt, you can end up with a pale, underdeveloped crust.

Does salt affect sourdough starter?

No. Salt does not kill the sourdough starter, and if it does, the bread will not rise. However, there is no reason to add it to your starter.

If you accidentally add a bit of salt to your starter, just discard it and feed it with fresh flour and water as usual.

Salt will not kill your starter by itself unless you keep adding it to your starter. In fact, it will just slow your engine down.

Self-rising flour contains much less salt, so if you feed your starter self-rising flour, it won't kill it. However, you may want to avoid doing it regularly.

When to add salt to sourdough bread

The best time to add salt to sourdough bread is in autolyse, followed by water, the beginning of sourdough and flour. If you prefer not to add salt to the autolyse, you can simply add it a little before you start stretching and folding the dough.

How much salt should you add to sourdough bread?

The amount of salt added to sourdough is entirely up to you and your personal taste. However, you should try to use between 1-2%.

For example, dough with 500 g of flour may include 5-15 g of salt. Although you can reduce this to 5g if you feel the salt will be too much for your liking.

Do you need special salt for sourdough?

You don't need any special type of salt for sourdoughinstead you can use regular table salt from the grocery store.

However, if you are looking to bake an extra special sourdough bread, then you may want to opt for the extra special salt.

You can choose naturally dried sea salt or sea salt. This will improve nicely the taste of your dough. Adding salt helps preserve the color and flavor of the flour.

What happens if you don't add salt to sourdough?

If you forget to add salt to your sourdough, here are some things that can happen to your dough:

• Your dough will ferment faster since there is no salt to control the fermentation.
• It can easily be overdone.
• Your dough won't be as firm as it is salt to support gluten strength.
• You can end up with a wet, sticky dough that is difficult to handle.
• Your dough may not brown in the oven, as the yeast will have consumed the remaining sugars.
• Cooked dough will not last longwithout salt to preserve it.
• Your bread won't taste like the delicious sourdough bread you're used to.

The percentage of salt in sourdough

Don't be afraid to add a pinch of salt to your sourdough. Salt adds flavor and personality to your breads, so sprinkle sparingly!

For more on sourdough starter baking, check out ours sourdough recipe for beginners.

Sourdough Salt Percentage FAQ