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Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe

Sourdough Rye Bread recipe makes a light rye bread with a soft and tender crumb and chewy crust. The soft flavor of rye is enhanced by a dash of honey making it perfect for sandwiches or toast.

Rye Sourdough bread is delicious any time. It makes the most amazing corned beef sandwiches, and is delicious on a charcuterie board.

Angled view of a loaf of golden brown rye sourdough bread topped with oats on a cutting board - Hostess At Heart
Freshly baked Sourdough Rye Bread

Think you aren’t a Rye Sourdough Bread lover? I can’t wait to change your mind with this recipe for sourdough rye bread.

If you’ve only had dark or strong rye bread, I get why you think you don’t care for it. That was me. I always felt that the bread overpowered whatever you ate it with.

This rye sourdough bread recipe has a slightly sweet and mild rye flavor. And, even though this rye bread is made with a sourdough starter, it doesn’t have a strong sourdough tang.

Is rye sourdough recipe hard to make?

Once I had a handle on successfully making sourdough bread, I thought I was ready to make other flour varieties. And, I did until I tried making rye.

I ended up with such a wet sticky mess that guaranteed I wasn’t going to try it again and had me second guessing my bread making skills. I don’t want this to be your experience so let’s do this together.

Front view of a sliced loaf of light rye bread topped with oats. A slice lies flat in front of the loaf - hostess at heart

What is rye sourdough?

Rye is considered a “small” grain crop known as a “cereal grain” somewhat like wheat or barley. Unlike wheat, it is very low in gluten which is why I had my massive fail the first time I tried to bake with it.

Rye grain is ground to make rye flour which can be light or dark in color. It can also be strong in flavor or milder. Bread characteristics include a lower rise and the bread can be dense.

Rye sourdough is made using a sourdough starter. Rye flour becomes very active when introduced to sourdough starters because of its unique yeasts. Using a sourdough starter also helps rye to ferment and produce a lighter more tender crumb than other rye bread recipes.

Why this recipe for rye sourdough bread works

This recipe only uses about 17% rye flour which makes it manageable and the remaining flour is bread flour. Bread flour has a higher protein content that helps add structure to this recipe for rye sourdough bread.

Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe

Rye Sourdough Ingredients
  • Medium Rye Flour – This flour has a mild flavor.
  • Bread Flour – Because rye flour is so low in gluten, it needs to be combined with another flour to provide structure. Bread flour is great for producing a light and tender crumb.
  • Water – I use filtered water.
  • Honey – Sweetens the bread just a little bit adding a nice contrast to the rye flavor. I try and buy locally sourced honey and sweet clover is my favorite.
  • Salt – I prefer to use fine sea salt for baking. I find that it dissolves better and is less likely to leave pockets of salt.
  • Seeds and grains are optional. I used oats just on top of this loaf. More recommendations are included in the variations and additions section below.

How to make rye sourdough bread

Please note, that the printable recipe card has ingredient quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.

Step 1: Prepare the leaven (bubbly starter)

The day before you mix your bread dough you will need to feed and possibly increase your starter. I will often feed my starter in the morning with 1 tablespoon of starter, 100 grams of water, and 100 grams of flour (a 50/50 mix of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour). At bedtime (6 + hours later) I repeat this and in the morning your starter should be ready to go to work. You must do the float test to determine this.

Step 2: Mix

  1. In a bowl or glass measuring cup Add 260 grams of water that’s approximately 87°F, the honey, and the leaven. Stir to combine.
    • In a large bowl, add the bread flour and rye flour together.
    • Add the leaven mixture to the flour and mix by hand until all of the flour is incorporated.
    • Cover with a dish towel and let rest for 30 minutes.
Ingredients to make bread in a large mixing bowl
  1. After 30 minutes, sprinkle the salt over the dough and add the remaining 28 grams of 87°F water. Combine using a pinching motion. The dough will come apart but will come back together. Cover the dough and place it in a warm area for the fermenting (rising) process.
Freshly mixed sourdough in a bowl - Hostess At Heart

Step 3: Fermentation

  • For the first 2 hours, set a timer for every 30 minutes. Pick up the edges of the dough and stretch them to the center. The dough will be loose and sticky. Wetting your fingers helps to keep the dough from sticking to your fingers. Cover and repeat in 30 minutes.
  • At the end of 2 hours, stretch and fold the dough and let it rise for one hour. Set another timer for 1 hour.
  • At the end of the hour sprinkle flour onto your working surface. Remove the dough from the proofing (bowl/container). Shape the dough into a round loaf and let it rest uncovered on your work surface for 30 minutes.
Bread dough sitting on a marble slab before shaping - Hostess At Heart
Dough slipped out of proofing bowl
  • Prepare a banneton basket or a bowl by lining it with a floured tea towel. Sprinkle the towel with flour and add oats to the bottom of the container.
A banneton basket lined with flour and oats next to a shaped loaf of sourdough rye dough. Hostess At Heart
Prepped banneton basket

Step 4: Shaping (envelope fold)

  • I perform what’s called an envelope fold on the dough. I always do this backward but it ends up the same.
    • 1st fold – Grab 1/3 of the dough closest to you and fold it back over the center.
    • 2nd fold – Take 1/3 of the dough on the right side and slightly stretch it and then fold it over the center to the right side.
    • 3rd fold – Repeat on the right side.
    • Final fold – Grab 1/2 of the dough furthest from you and stretch it toward you and over the previous folds.
  • Tighten the dough by cupping your hands and pulling the dough towards you in a circular motion until the loaf has a tight exterior. Flour your hands if necessary. Dough can be shaped in a round or oval.
  • Using a bench knife, flip the shaped loaf into the prepared banneton or bowl upside down meaning the top goes down into the bowl or basket first. That way when you turn it out for baking the top is nice and smooth. Dust the dough lightly with flour so the cover doesn’t stick and place it in the refrigerator for up to 18 hours.

Step 5: Bake

  • On the day of baking, preheat the oven with the covered dutch oven to 475°F.
  • Remove the bread from the refrigerator and carefully flip it into the dutch oven (I show you how). Score the bread with the lame or razor blade and put the lid on the pot. Place the dutch oven back into the oven and reduce the heat to 450°F. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the loaf reached an internal temperature of 206-211 °F.

Sourdough rye frequently asked questions.

Do I have to make a rye starter to make rye sourdough?

No, you do not have to make a rye sourdough starter. I use the same starter for all my sourdough regardless of the types of flour I use.

Can I use 100% rye flour?

No, not in this recipe. Rye flour doesn’t have enough gluten to maintain its shape.

Is rye bread good for you?

Rye bread is considered more nutritious than other bread. It’s higher in fiber and filling. It also has higher B vitamins than wheat bread.

Is it better to use cold or warm dough when making sourdough ryebread?

When mixing and fermenting bread I recommend a warm environment. Once this sourdough rye recipe is shaped and put into the refrigerator, it’s fine to remove it from the refrigerator right to the oven. There is no need to let it come to room temperature.

Why is my sour dough gummy?

Gummy sourdough is a sign that the starter wasn’t vigorous when it was used or that it wasn’t fermented long enough.

If your starter isn’t as strong as it used to be or just underperforms, see my post on Starter.

Bulk fermentation isn’t something that can be timed exactly. Your bread dough is done when it’s done. If patience isn’t your strong suit, I recommend that you put this loaf in the refrigerator and don’t even think about baking it for at least 12 hours.

How To Reheat and Store Sourdough Bread

Best Way To Store Sourdough Bread

Store sourdough at room temperature. Once the bread is cut you can store it cut-side down on a cutting board but never in plastic. I’ve also had good luck with linen bread bags. Wrapping it in a tea towel or Bee’s wrap works too.

Do not refrigerate sourdough bread. The condensation will create a gummy crust.

How Long Will Sourdough Bread Last?

The chemistry that occurs in sourdough makes it last longer and keeps it fresher than other fresh bread. Your bread should be good for up to 5 days. If it gets dry make homemade croutons!

Can I Freeze Sourdough Bread?

Yes! I often make up to 6 loaves at a time. Once the bread is completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It will be good for up to 3 months

How To Reheat Sourdough Bread

  • We make sandwiches and heat them briefly in the microwave.
  • You can freshen up or revive a loaf of sourdough by sprinkling it with a little water and putting it in a 250° F oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Toast it in a toaster or the oven. It makes amazing avocado toast!
A golden brown loaf of rye sourdough bread topped with oats on a cutting board - hostess at heart

Tips for the perfect homemade rye bread

  • This is a wetter dough so turning it like other sourdough recipes isn’t the same. Wet your fingers and lift it from the edges toward the center, more as a slapping technique instead of performing traditional stretches and folds.
    • This bread will gain structure but will never be as strong as non-rye sourdough bread recipes.
    • Most of the spring happens during baking so if it hasn’t noticeably risen after the overnight rise, don’t worry.
  • Rye likes a long fermentation so using the overnight sourdough method is perfect for this bread. You can refrigerate it for up to 19 hours before baking.
  • As tempting as hot bread is, you shouldn’t cut sourdough until it’s completely cool. Just let it sit on a cooling rack uncovered for 2 to 4 hours.

Sourdough rye recipe variations and additions

  • Add seeds or grains to the dough. Caraway, fennel, and coriander work well with rye. Rye bread is often topped with oats as I did here. You can also include the seeds mentioned above.
    • If you want to add seeds to the dough, add 1 to 2 tablespoons and add them with the salt.
  • Add seeds or grains to the bottom of the banneton before adding the dough so they bake on top as I’ve done with the oats in this recipe.
  • If you want a stronger flavor that’s found in other rye bread recipes, you can substitute the medium rye flour with dark rye flour 1:1.
  • Honey is a mild sweetener. If you are looking for a stronger less sweet flavor use molasses. Don’t use 35 grams, however. That would be overpowering. I would recommend about 14 grams or 1 tablespoon.

How to Serve Rye Sourdough Bread

I served small slices of this bread with warm brie and a dollop of fig jam on a charcuterie board. Amazing!

This bread practically begs for a hearty bowl of soup and makes the perfect corned beef sandwich. It’s the perfect side to Corned Beef at your St. Patty’s meal. It will also work for a traditional Reuben sandwich or any time you want a fresh, richly-flavored loaf of homemade bread.

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

A golden brown loaf of rye sourdough bread topped with oats on a cutting board - hostess at heart

Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe

Author: Julie Menghini
Sourdough Rye Bread recipe has a deep golden chewy crust with a soft and tender crumb tasting of light sweet rye.
4.12 from 9 votes
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Fermenting time 13 hours
Total Time 14 hours 25 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Keyword: Rye bread, Sourdough Bread, Sourdough Rye
Servings: 12 Slices

Ingredients
 
 

  • 300 gr bread flour
  • 60 gr rye flour
  • 72 gr active starter (leaven)
  • 288 gr water
  • 7 gr salt – fine sea salt
  • 35 gr honey

Instructions
 

Make the Leaven (bubbly starter)

  • The night before mixing the dough feed your starter by combining 1 tablespoon of starter with 100 gr of filtered water, 50 grams of all-purpose flour, and 50 grams of whole wheat flour. Stir to combine and let it sit in a warm spot.

Mix and ferment the dough

  • Using a large mixing bowl, blend the bread flour and the rye flour together. Add 260 grams of 80 °F water, the honey, and the active leaven to the flour. Cover the bowl and let the mixture rest for 30 minutes.
    After 30 minutes, sprinkle the salt over the dough and add the remaining 28 grams of water. Using a pinching motion, combine the water and salt into the dough. It may come apart at first but will come together. Pour the mixture into the proofing container.
  • For the first 2 hours, I set a timer for 30 minutes. After each 30 minute increment, I stretch the dough while turning the container about 6 to 8 times by pulling the outside of the dough up and then pushing it down into the center of the dough. This is called a stretch and fold technique.
    At the end of the 2 hours, gently stretch and fold the dough. Set the timer for 1 hour.
  • At the end of the hour, you should start seeing the dough developing air bubbles. Gently turn the dough 3 to 4 times being careful not to deflate forming air bubbles. Set the timer for 1 more hour.*
  • Lightly dust your working surface with flour. The dough is stickier and wetter than some sourdough recipes so I use a dough spatula to remove the dough from the container.
  • To shape the dough, flour your hands if necessary, and using a bench knife and one hand work the dough into a round shape by pulling it towards you in a circular motion. Adhering to the working surface helps create surface tension. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes covered with a dish towel.
  • You're now ready for your final shaping. We will fold the dough like an envelope. Dust your work surface if the dough sticks.
  • Fold the third of the dough closest to you up and over the middle third of the round.
    Stretch the dough horizontally on your right side over the third of the center and repeat on the left side.
    Finally, stretch out the third of the dough farthest from you and stretch it toward you over the previous folds and anchor it to the working surface. Pull the dough towards you in a circular motion until you have a tight surface.
  • Lightly sprinkle flour onto the surface of a bowl or banneton and sprinkle the bottom with oats if desired. Flip the dough into the prepared container, seam-side up. Lightly sprinkle the dough with flour and cover it with a tea towel. I then put the dough into a plastic grocery sack and refrigerate it overnight, 8 to 16 hours.

Bake

  • Preheat the oven preheat to 475 °F and place my lidded pot inside to heat up.  You can use an enamel dutch oven or aluminum roaster.  You can also put the dough into a cold pot but I find I don't get the same golden color when I do that.
  • Remove the dough from the refrigerator.
  • Carefully remove the pot from the oven and remove the lid.  Carefully place the dough into the pot and score it with a lame.  I lift mine by the edges of the parchment paper and put the whole thing into the pot.  Replace the lid and place the dough in the oven.
  • Reduce the heat to 425 °F.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Remove the lid and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reads 209 °F to 211 °F.
  • Immediately remove the bread from the pan and put it on a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing. (2 to 4 hours).

Notes

*I usually have to proof my dough for the full 4 hours before shaping it.  You’ll want to start checking your dough for signs that it’s ready to shape after the 3rd stretch and fold.
The dough will feel much lighter and airy and it will release from the sides of the container when you do the turns. Also, the ridges left by the turn will hold their shape for a minute or two. These are signs that the dough is ready to shape.
Time doesn’t include making the leaven the night before mixing.
Make sure you test your leaven to make sure it’s ready to use before adding it to your flour. See how to do the float test.

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

I’d read “easy recipe” or “perfect for the beginner”. My recommendation is to try something other than rye until you get a little confidence. This overnight sourdough is my recommendation.

And, as always, I’m always here to help with your questions. It’s just flour, right?

More great sourdough recipes

Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!

Front view of a loaf of rye sourdough bread topped with oats sitting on a cutting board. - Hostess At Heart
Recipe Rating




sherry

Monday 6th of November 2023

Can this be baked in a pullman pan with the lid? I have this recipe in the works as I type. :) Will let you know how it turns out.

Julie Menghini

Tuesday 7th of November 2023

I've never made sourdough in a pullman pan, Sherry. Since sourdough usuallly gets a good oven spring I'm not sure how it will act in a pullman. You may get a very dense loaf? If you try it, I'd love to hear how it goes.

Irene

Saturday 14th of October 2023

I made this rye bread today and let it cool for 4 hours before slicing into it. I followed the recipe exactly as written. The bread is too wet and gummy. I don't understand why it didn't turn out.

Irene

Friday 20th of October 2023

@Julie Menghini, thanks for responding to my post. I weighed all the ingredients, and I did the float test with the starter before proceeding. I know rye flour can be difficult to work with as far as hydration is concerned but found the dough to be too wet even after all the S&F. Thanks anyway.

Julie Menghini

Sunday 15th of October 2023

I'm sorry that it didn't work for you, Irene. There's so many moving parts making sourdough, and using rye flour can be difficult. Was your starter vigorous passing the float test? Did you weigh your ingredients? Those are the two biggest culprits.

Pz

Friday 10th of March 2023

This loaf was spectacular. I've baked with rye flour in the past and found it challenging--but this recipe wasn't bad at all. I followed your ingredient list but dumped everything into a bread machine for mixing and kneading. At the end of the DOUGH cycle, I removed the dough and did four stretch-and-folds by hand, let it proof several hours (bulk rise) before shaping, put the shaped dough into the fridge, then baked it the next morning. PERFECTION! Thanks for doing all the hard work to formulate this simple recipe.

Julie Menghini

Friday 10th of March 2023

Thank you, Pz! I appreciate you helping me out with some bread machine tips since I don't have one but some of our bread bakers do.

Debi

Thursday 2nd of February 2023

This looks really yummy. I bet it will be great for breakfast with a big smear of salted butter.

Julie Menghini

Friday 3rd of February 2023

Thank you, Debi! We love it with a little fig jam too.

Lynn

Tuesday 24th of January 2023

Perfect way to use my starter! I've never done anything but standard sourdough before, so this was a real treat!

Julie Menghini

Friday 27th of January 2023

It was a great new bread for me too. Thanks, Lynn!

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