Soft Sourdough Hamburger Buns

Sourdough Hamburger Buns will take your burgers to the next level. They’re soft with an amazing flavor and texture thanks to the sourdough starter in the dough.

If you don’t already have one, I can show you how to make a sourdough starter and how to feed a sourdough starter.

Why you should make homemade Sourdough Hamburger Buns

We spend lots of time thinking about what type of meat (or meat substitute) we should use to make the burger, and what type of fixins to put on top of the burger, but what about the bun?

Most of us just buy packaged buns without even thinking about making our own. But I can tell you that these Sourdough Burger Buns will ruin packaged burger buns for you.

A good hamburger bun should be soft enough so you can bite into the burger without all the toppings squishing out. But the bun should also be substantial enough to hold up to the burger juices and toppings without disintegrating.

Scroll through the step by step process photos to see how to make Sourdough Hamburger Buns:

A timeline for making Sourdough Hamburger Buns:

• If your starter needs feeding, do that the night before or early in the morning of the day you want to make the dough.
• If you want to make dough the same day that you will bake, mix the dough first thing in the morning. This means your starter should probably be fed the night before. Allow the dough to ferment at room temperature during the day. By later in the afternoon the buns should be ready to bake and will be fresh for dinner.
• If you want to make the dough the day before baking, mix the dough in the afternoon. Allow it to ferment at room temperature during the day. Refrigerate the dough in the evening before going to bed.
• The dough can stay in the refrigerator for up to 2 days at this point.
• Take the dough out in the morning, shape the buns and set them aside to rise. The rise will take longer since the dough is cold.

If you want to make buns in under 4 hours, I highly recommend these Milk and Honey Hamburger Buns made with yeast. If you’re looking for a new burger recipe I think you’ll love this amazing Chicken Satay Burger with Peanut Sauce.

Now that your family is spoiled, you’ll probably need to make Homemade Hot Dog Buns too.

Since you’ve got your starter fed, peruse the entire list of My Best Sourdough Recipes. Have fun!

I know you hate to throw away that sourdough discard. Check out these recipes that use sourdough discard.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.

Print Recipe

4.61 from 243 reviews

Sourdough Hamburger Bun Recipe

By: Eileen Gray

Soft with an amazing flavor and texture, Sourdough Hamburger Buns will take your burgers to the next level.

Prep Time40 minutes mins

Bake Time15 minutes mins

Rising Time6 hours hrs

Total Time6 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

8 large buns

US CustomaryMetric

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 8 oz active sourdough starter (1 cup, 100% hydration)
• 2 oz warm water (¼ cup)
• 15 oz bread flour (3 cups)
• 6 oz whole milk (¾ cup)
• 1 oz unsalted butter (room temp)
• 1 oz granulated sugar (2 tablespoons)
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

• In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large mixing bowl, combine 8 oz active sourdough starter, 2 oz warm water and 1/2 cup of the bread flour to form a thick batter. Cover the bowl and allow the mixture to rise for 30-60 minutes.
• Warm 6 oz whole milk in the microwave to scalding. Add 1 oz unsalted butter to the milk and stir until the butter melts. Allow the milk to cool to 110°F. Add the milk, 1 oz granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons salt and 1 large egg to the sponge. Mix to combine.
• Add half of the remaining bread flour. Mix until the batter looks like thick pancake batter. If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook.
• With the mixer running, slowly add the remaining bread flour. Mix until the dough begins to gather on the hook and clears the sides of the bowl. Knead for 5 minutes. If mixing by hand, add as much of the flour as you can in the bowl then finish kneading in the rest of the flour by hand And then knead 5 minutes.
• Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. Knead to form a smooth ball. If the dough is very sticky sprinkle a little more flour as you knead. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning once to coat the dough. Cover and set aside in a warm spot.
• After 30 minutes uncover the bowl, lift one side of the dough and fold it into the middle of the dough. Repeat with the other three sides of the dough then flip the dough over. You're basically turning the dough inside-out to redistribute the yeast and strengthen the gluten. Cover the bowl and after 30 minutes repeat the procedure. Cover the bowl and after 60 minutes repeat the procedure again.
• Cover the bowl and after 60 minutes fold the dough one more time. By now the dough should be lively, elastic and airy. If the dough is still sluggish give it another hour or two at room temperature. If you want to finish making the buns the next day return the dough to the bowl, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next morning continue with shaping. Otherwise continue shaping the buns on the same day.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide the dough into 8 equal portions (see note). Roll each portion to a ball and set them a parchment lined baking sheet. Use the palm of your hand to flatten each ball to a disc about 1" thick.
• Cover the sheet pan and allow the rolls to rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour, longer if the dough is cold). Press a roll with your finger. If it springs right back it's not ready, if the dent slowly fills in the rolls are ready to bake.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 °F.
• Brush the tops of the buns with egg wash. Sprinkle each bun generously with sesame seeds. Bake until the buns are golden brown and feel light when lifted off the sheet pan, about 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Equipment

My Book

KA Stand Mixer

Kitchen Scale

Half Sheet Pans

Parchment Sheets

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Notes

Make 6 buns for 6 oz burgers (uncooked). For 1/4 lb burgers make 8 buns. For sliders make 12-16 buns.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bun | Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 462mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @eileen.bakingsense or tag #bakingsense!