A sourdough burger bun so satisfying you won’t ever go back to store-bought!
I’m really excited to share this recipe with you! I’ve been working on burger buns for years now and I think I’ve finally nailed it.
This bun is soft and chewy, making it perfect for holding lots of toppings. It won’t break or crack under the weight of a hefty, loaded burger like the dry store-bought buns do.
Sourdough is classically stretchy and this bun recipe is no exception. And like all my sourdough, it is traditionally leavened during two long, slow ferments. Two long, slow ferments means better digestibility, more unlocked nutrition, and great “real sourdough” flavor.
If you’re like me you’re always looking for a place to get a really good burger.
But the truth is a really good burger starts at home with grass-fed meat from a sustainable farm, organic produce, and a real sourdough bun. So ditch the restaurant and make yourself the burger of your dreams!
Watch me shape and bake this recipe on YouTube

Soft and Chewy Sourdough Burger Buns
Recipe yields 6 big buns (perfect for 1/3lb. burgers) or 8 medium-size buns (perfect for 1/4lb. burgers).
Ingredients
For the dough
- 420 Grams Bread Flour (3 Cups)
- 12 Grams Salt (2 t)
- 30 Grams Coconut Sugar (3 T)
- 125 Grams Active Sourdough Starter (1/2 cup @ 100%hydration)
- 295 Grams Water (1 1/4 Cup -adjust if needed)
For the egg wash
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 2 Teaspoons Milk
- 2 Teaspoons Sesame Seeds
Instructions
Start the dough the night before
- In a stand mixer or a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, coconut sugar, starter, and water into a thick sticky dough. In a stand mixer, use a dough hook and knead the dough gently for 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Do this for 4-6 rounds, just until the dough is well developed. If mixing by hand, stir the ingredients together with a dough whisk until incorporated. Let the dough rest for several minutes. With lightly wet hands, stretch and fold the dough 4-5 turns every 5 minutes for 4-6 rounds until it's smooth and stretchy. It should be fairly sticky. Cover the dough and let the dough proof overnight at room temperature (65-70℉).
The next morning
- Deflate the dough by doing a round of stretch and fold in the bowl. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.
- Gently roll and pat the dough into a log. Cut the dough into 6 or 8 equal portions. Working with one piece at a time, form nice tight balls of dough. Start by folding the top down to the center. Working clockwise with your right hand fold all the sides into the center and push them down firmly while turning the dough counterclockwise with your left hand.
- After 8 or so turns the dough should feel tight and rounded. Pinch the bottom of the bun and roll it gently in your hands to further shape it. Place the buns on a sheet of parchment paper atop a baking sheet to help you transfer the buns to a preheated baking stone once proofed.
- If baking on a baking sheet, proof the buns on parchment on the baking sheet — no need to preheat the baking sheet, in fact it might be wise to double the baking sheet to protect the bottoms from getting too dark.
- Once all the buns have been shaped, cover them and let them proof again for 3-6 hours (the proofing time will totally depend on the climate, activity of the starter, and so many other factors). You want the dough to rise to at least double if not triple its original size.
- Preheat your oven to 375°. If using a baking stone preheat the oven with the baking stone inside.
- Mix the egg yolk and milk together in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the top of each bun with egg wash. Sprinkle the buns with sesame seeds.
- Slide the parchment with buns atop onto the preheated baking stone. Bake the buns for 30 minutes. Remove them from the oven and from the parchment paper to a wire rack to cool. Let them cool completely, before pulling them apart if they are touching.
- Slice and top the soft and chewy buns with all your favorites! Enjoy your well-deserved burger!
Want to learn everything about sourdough? Well, I have the free guide for you!
Get inspired by finding all my other favorites in my Shop!
Laura
Tuesday 16th of February 2021
I made these buns for salmon burgers last night and they were so good! The family raved about them. Easy to make too! I sprinkled “Everything but the bagel” seasoning on top of the buns and it gave them a great flavor!
Butter For All
Wednesday 17th of February 2021
Hi Laura!
I'm so happy you liked them! The seasoning with salmon burgers sounds so good. I will have to try it!
Ethna
Friday 15th of January 2021
Hi! I love these buns! they taste great but mine have never been pretty, they don't shape like yours neither bake like yours, I have the question if its literally starter or Levain that you use in the recipe.
Butter For All
Sunday 17th of January 2021
Hi Ethna,
I'm so glad you love them! The shaping process takes a few tries to get the hang of. Keep practicing! Make sure you aren't ripping the dough during shaping, you want to just gently stretch it. Almost all my recipes can for freshly fed and active starter from the jar. No need to make an additional leaven when you have a perfectly good starter to use.
Happy baking!
Courtney
Jackie Hanlon
Friday 8th of January 2021
The coconut sugar turned my batter brown. Why are the ones you make white?
Butter For All
Saturday 9th of January 2021
Hi Jackie,
The sugar shouldn't color the final dough too much. I've personally been using coconut sugar for years without any problem. Can you tell me what brand it is?
Mitja
Wednesday 6th of January 2021
Can i make those sugar free?
Butter For All
Saturday 9th of January 2021
Hi Mitja!
Absolutely! You can adjust the amount of sugar or leave it out completely. I hope you love them!
Courtney
Chuck Panarella
Friday 11th of December 2020
This dough was really workable. I thought it would work good for pizza as I like Sicilian style. It was great. I increased the temperature to 425 degrees. Cooked it 5 minutes before putting toppings on. Then 20 more minutes. I have a picture of it on your Twitter feed. I cooked it on my square cast iron Dutch oven. Gave the bottom a nice finish. Parchment paper helps too.
Chuck Panarella
Tuesday 15th of December 2020
@Butter For All, I did make buns with the other half of the dough. They are so popular I need to double the recipe. Chuck
Butter For All
Friday 11th of December 2020
Wow, Thanks, Chuck!
Sounds incredible! I can't wait to see it!
I really appreciate your feedback,
Courtney