Buy store-bought sourdough bread

When you want sourdough without any baking at all, several brands deliver genuine quality. The key is knowing which brands use real sourdough fermentation versus those that simply add vinegar or citric acid for flavor.

Top-Rated Brands

• Acme Bread Company — Bay Area/California. Thick crackly crust, open chewy crumb, pronounced tang. Among the best commercially available.
• La Brea Bakery — Widely available nationally. Stretchy bubbly crust, good tang. Frequently wins taste tests.
• Boudin — San Francisco institution. Classic SF sourdough tang. Available by mail order.
• Sprouts Bakery — Crisp crust, chewy inside. Good value at $3-5. Reheats well.
• Nature's Promise — Only 5 simple ingredients. Tastes artisanal at a grocery store price.

How to Spot Real Sourdough

• Check the ingredient list for "sourdough culture," "levain," or "sourdough starter"
• Real sourdough should NOT list commercial yeast as a primary leavener
• Avoid labels that say "sourdough flavor" or "sourdough-style" — these are typically acid-flavored regular bread

Tips

• Store cut-side down on a cutting board, not in plastic (which softens the crust)
• Sourdough freezes exceptionally well — slice before freezing and toast individual slices straight from frozen
• Refresh a day-old loaf by running the cut side under water briefly and baking at 375F for 5-8 minutes