The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us? Supermarkets have eagerly joined the sourdough craze, crafting their own versions of this beloved bread. But which store-bought loaves truly deliver that signature tang and airy crumb? As a food editor, I sliced through dozens of options to uncover the best supermarket sourdoughs worth your money.
What Makes a True Sourdough?
Sourdough is a naturally leavened bread that rises through wild yeast activity, not added raising agents. A quality loaf features a soft, springy texture with evenly distributed air pockets. Fermentation is crucial; improper baking can lead to 'tunnelling,' where large, uneven holes form. Swie Joo, head baker at The Palmerston, warns that 'sourdough' isn't a legally protected term, so some loaves might be standard yeasted bread with added flavourings. Genuine sourdough requires a live starter of wild yeast and bacteria, slow-fermented without commercial yeast. Always check labels: if yeast is listed, it's not authentic sourdough.
The Top 8 Supermarket Sourdough Loaves
1. Wildfarmed White Sourdough Bread
Best supermarket sourdough overall. Weight: 600g. Price: £4 at Waitrose.com. Why we love it: Made with regeneratively grown wheat, it's the only B Corp brand tested, offering great taste. Take note: It lacks a very open crumb. Co-founded by Andy Cato of Groove Armada and George Lamb, this luxury brand uses wheat from regenerative farms in France and the UK. Slow-fermented over 32 hours and hand-shaped, it boasts a slight tang and chewiness, perfect for bacon sandwiches. While not 'lifechanging' as claimed, it elevates supermarket bread quality and promotes sustainable farming.
2. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference White Sourdough Half Bloomer
Best supermarket sourdough for toast. Weight: 400g. Price: £2 at Sainsburys.co.uk. Why we love it: Affordable. Take note: It resembles conventional white toast and is drier than others. Despite a slow-fermented starter, it tastes more like high-end white bread with a soft texture and lack of crustiness. The crumb is fairly springy, making it a decent everyday option, especially when toasted.
3. Gail’s San Francisco Sourdough
Best runner-up supermarket sourdough. Weight: 650g. Price: £5 at Waitrose.com. Why we love it: Excellent crunchy exterior. Take note: Barely any change from a fiver. This artisan bakery loaf, sold at Waitrose, features a darkened brown crust with good chew and grains like spelt, emmer, and rye for standout flavour. It has the most open crumb on the list, sometimes overly so, and works well for breadcrumbs, though it feels extravagant for everyday use.
4. Bertinet Bakery Rustic Country White Sourdough
Best pre-packaged supermarket sourdough. Weight: 500g. Price: £2 at Waitrose.com. Why we love it: Uses heritage grains, made by artisan bakers, affordable. Take note: Not as crusty as unsliced versions. Based in Bath, this brand focuses on sustainably grown grains like wholemeal wheat and rye, with no preservatives. Slow-fermented and hand-shaped, it offers a nice tang and is ideal for toast, resembling a wholemeal loaf in taste and appearance.
5. Waitrose No 1 White Sourdough Bread
Best supermarket sourdough for flavour. Weight: 500g. Price: £2 at Waitrose.com. Why we love it: Great tangy flavour, affordable. From Waitrose's premium range, this pre-sliced loaf impressed with its intense tang and depth of flavour. While it lacks a crusty exterior like most packaged breads, it has good spring and makes excellent toast. Other flavours in the range include wheat and rye sourdough.
6. Exceptional by Asda White Sourdough Loaf
Best everyday supermarket sourdough. Weight: 500g. Price: £2 at Asda.com. Why we love it: Even crumb, affordable price. Take note: Pre-sliced means it's drier. This pre-packaged loaf exceeded expectations with a fairly even crumb and good structure, suggesting proper fermentation. The exterior developed well, and it offers a nicely tangy flavour from aged wild yeast, making it one of the better pre-sliced options.
7. Good Grain Bakery Gluten-Free Seeded Sourdough
Best gluten-free supermarket sourdough. Weight: 550g. Price: £6 at Ocado.com. Why we love it: Free from gluten and wheat, made with organic gluten-free flour. Take note: Quite dense, expensive. Gluten-free bread is challenging, but this cob-shaped loaf uses organic flours like quinoa and rice, topped with seeds. It's dense like most gluten-free options but is a decent replica enjoyed by those avoiding gluten.
8. Co-op Irresistible Slow Crafted White Sourdough Bloomer
Best supermarket sourdough with an evenly distributed crumb. Price: £3 at Coop.co.uk. Why we love it: Even crumb, affordable price. Take note: Not the highest rise. This dinky loaf has a low rise but a better crust than some tested, making great toast. Claiming a 39-hour slow fermentation from a 15-year-old starter, it features evenly distributed air pockets, though the rise suggests fermentation could be improved.
Your Questions Answered
What is the best supermarket sourdough? Artisan bakers excel, but for accessibility, Wildfarmed's white sourdough and Gail’s San Francisco sourdough lead with regenerative agriculture and heritage grains. Cheaper options like Lidl's bloomer and Asda's loaf surprised, but Waitrose's No.1 white sourdough stood out for flavour.
How I Tested
I analysed ingredient lists, tasting over 20 loaves from major supermarkets, including pre-sliced and branded options. Focusing on white loaves for consistency, I ate them plain, in sandwiches, and as toast. Criteria included:
- Crumb: Spongy, open with evenly distributed air pockets and springy texture.
- Crust: Good crusty crunch, noting any toppings.
- Taste: Sour and tangy notes, with earthy or nutty flavours for wholemeal types.
- Shelf life: Monitored freshness, staleness, and mould; sourdough typically lasts 2-3 days before staling.
Why Trust This Review?
Emma Henderson is a seasoned food editor, formerly of IndyEats, shortlisted for Guild of Food Writers Awards. She has extensively tasted sourdough, from artisanal to stodgy, ensuring rigorous testing of every loaf. For more insights, explore IndyBest's picks on supermarket olive oils, butters, pizzas, and whiskeys.
Meet the expert: Swie Joo, head baker at The Palmerston.
