What to Eat with Sourdough – Spreads, Soups and Dips

How it works

What to eat with sourdough? Its sour taste suits rich, salty and sweet things alike. These 43 ideas cover spreads, toast toppings, soups, dips, sandwiches and uses for a loaf past its first day.

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Sourdough as a bowl

A bread bowl is a round loaf, often sourdough, with its top sliced off and the crumb scooped out. It holds chili, clam chowder and other thick soups and stews; a thin broth soaks through too fast. The bowl takes on the soup's flavor and is eaten last, and the bread scooped out of it is for dipping.

Toasted, plain or torn

Toast thick slices for wet toppings, so they hold up under eggs or beans. Leave the bread untoasted for soft cheese and sweet spreads. Tear it for soup and dips: rough edges hold more than a clean cut.

Put wet toppings on at the table. Toast goes soft while it waits.
Slice only what you will eat today and stand the loaf cut side down on the board.

Questions and answers

What goes with sourdough bread?

Salted butter first. Then tomato soup or clam chowder for dipping, sharp cheddar or brie, and olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a saucer.

What to put on sourdough toast?

Smashed avocado, poached eggs, ricotta and honey, or chopped tomato and basil. For something sweet, peanut butter and banana, or strawberry jam over butter.

What soup goes with sourdough bread?

Thick ones: tomato soup, clam chowder, beef stew, chili and butternut squash soup. Mussels in broth and shakshuka are for mopping up with torn pieces.

What cheese goes with sourdough?

Sharp cheddar, brie or fresh goat cheese on a plain slice. For melted cheese, make a grilled cheese, put out a baked camembert, or dip cubes of the loaf in cheese fondue.

What to do with stale sourdough?

Make French toast, croutons, a breakfast strata or garlic bread. Each one wants bread that has dried out a little.

All 43 ideas

Butter, cheese and sweet spreads 7

Brie Let it soften on the counter before you spread it.
Chocolate hazelnut spread A thin layer on warm toast, with sliced strawberries.
Fresh goat cheese Crumble it on and add cracked pepper.
Lemon curd Sharp and sweet on a plain slice, not toasted.
Salted butter Soft enough to spread, on a slice that is still warm.
Sharp cheddar Thick slices with a crisp apple alongside.
Strawberry jam Over butter, on toast that is still hot.

On a toasted slice 8

Baked beans Spoon them hot over thick buttered toast.
Chopped tomato and basil Rub the toast with a cut garlic clove first.
Egg in a hole Cut a round from the slice and fry an egg in the gap.
Peanut butter and banana Slice the banana on while the toast is still warm.
Poached eggs Set them on buttered toast and cut in so the yolk runs.
Ricotta and honey Spread the cheese thick and drizzle the honey over.
Sardines with lemon Mash them lightly on hot toast and squeeze the lemon over.
Smashed avocado Salt, lemon and a pinch of chili flakes on top.

Soups, stews and saucy dishes 9

Beef stew Thick slices on the side for the gravy.
Butternut squash soup Sweet soup and sour bread. Fry the slices in butter.
Carrot and ginger soup Serve the bread warm, with butter that melts in.
Chili Spoon it into a bread bowl, or push toast under it.
Clam chowder Ladle it into a hollowed round loaf and eat the bowl after.
Mussels in broth Grill the slices and use them to soak up the broth.
Roasted red pepper soup A swirl of cream on top and a slice for dipping.
Shakshuka Scoop the eggs and sauce straight from the pan with torn bread.
Tomato soup Tear the bread and dip it, or float toasted cubes on top.

Dips and oils 7

Baked camembert Bake it whole in its box and dip in strips of toast.
Basil pesto Stir in a little extra oil so it is loose enough to dip.
Cheese fondue Cut the loaf into cubes, each with a piece of crust.
Olive oil and balsamic vinegar Pour both into a saucer and dip torn pieces.
Olive tapenade Spread it thin, because it is salty.
Spinach and artichoke dip Bake it inside a hollowed loaf and dip the bread you cut out.
Whipped feta Pour olive oil over it and dip in toasted strips.

Between two slices 5

Breakfast sandwich Fried egg, cheese and bacon between toasted slices.
Chicken salad sandwich Toast the bread lightly so it holds the filling.
Egg salad sandwich Pile it on untoasted bread with lettuce.
Grilled cheese Butter the outside and cook it slowly so the middle melts.
Patty melt A thin beef patty, soft onions and melted cheese, pressed in a pan.

For a loaf past its first day 4

Breakfast strata Layer cubes with egg and cheese the night before and bake it in the morning.
Croutons Tear the bread, toss it in oil and bake until golden.
French toast Soak thick slices well. Firm bread holds together in the pan.
Garlic bread Slice the loaf, spread on garlic butter and bake it wrapped in foil.

Drinks 3

Fresh orange juice Cold and sharp beside eggs on toast.
Hot chocolate For dunking a slice with hazelnut spread.
Hot coffee With the first buttered slice of the morning.