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Everything Bagel Seasoning – Better than Trader Joes!

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Last updated on August 5th, 2020 at 07:36 am

This Everything Bagel Seasoning is perfect for you if you love a GOOD BAGEL covered in poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onion, garlic, and salt! Quit buying it at the store and make it at home with 5 simple ingredients and in less than a NEW YORK MINUTE!

side picture of bagel seasoning pouring out of a jar

Why are bagels called “everything?”

My favorite bagel flavor is the “Everything” bagel. If you have never heard of an everything bagel, stop right now and go get one, then come back and keep reading.  

It is also well-known that I love salt. I am a salt fiend! My husband thinks I need a salt lick tied around my neck because I like it so much.

He grew up not eating a lot of salt so I can see why he thinks I need professional help. Want to know the best way to cure a salt craving?

An everything bagel.

A bagel with this seasoning always has the most salt (aside from the salt bagel, yes there is one) and is WAYYYYY better than those sweet flavored ones that might as well be called “mature doughnuts.”

Sesame bagels are my second favorite due to my friend Scott who got me hooked on them while I lived in Orlando.

A bagel shop down from my office sold the best ones, so when I needed to suck up for a favor, I would bring some home. It works every time.

Just like my apple pie.

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overhead picture of bagel seasoning ingredients in a bowl

If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious easy Bagel Seasoning recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

What is in Everything but the Bagel Seasoning?

I love a flavorful spice mix and this one certainly fits the bill. It’s amazing how much flavor you can get from just a few simple ingredients.

I bet you already have them in your pantry.

  • minced onion
  • minced garlic
  • kosher salt
  • poppy seeds
  • sesame seeds

The minced garlic and minced onion are sometimes called “dried” or “dehydrated.” Just be sure to the ones that are actual pieces and not the powder version.

The texture of the mix is just as important as the flavors!

With regards to sesame seeds, you can buy them already toasted but they can be expensive. I buy mine in bulk and store them in the freezer until I am ready to use them and then just do a quick “dry toasting” in a pan before I add them.

A tip for getting sesame seeds cheaper, is to hit up the bakery section of your grocery store. I know a few people that work at Publix and the bakery will bag me up a few scoops for way less than the cost of a tiny spice jar. Some grocery stores will sell spices, flours, and nut in bulk. Check out these sections too!

You might not be able to find black sesame seeds at your local grocer but I have found them at Indian and Asian markets or of course online.

Black sesame seeds are not required, I just like the color contrast!

I would not recommend using table salt in this recipe. You want a larger flake or crystal-sized salt for the texture.

My “go-to” is Kosher salt but feel free to use flaked sea salt or pretzel salt.

  • dried onion in a bowl
    dried onion
  • dried garlic in a bowl
    dried garlic
  • poppy seeds in a bowl
    poppy seeds
  • salt in a bowl
    kosher salt
  • black sesame seeds in a bowl
    black sesame seeds
  • white sesame seeds in a bowl
    white sesame seeds

What is in Trader Joe’s Everything Seasoning?

I’m sure you have heard of Trader Joe’s and their beloved Everything Bagel Seasoning before and I keep seeing fights break out over the last bottle of it when I am at the store.

Seriously? 

Why go to all that trouble when you can just make your own and for a lot less money? What is in Trader Joe’s everything bagel seasoning that has everyone going crazy?

Once their brand became famous the craziness started catching on. You can now buy bagel seasoning blend at Walmart, Publix, Kroger, and even Amazon.

This Bagel Seasoning recipe has all the same ingredients yet mine doesn’t “fluctuate” as it mentions on their label. Even if there is a zombie apocalypse, my recipe will not vary.

I need that kind of stability in my life, don’t you?

everything bagel seasoning in a bowl with a whisk

What do you do with Everything but the Bagel Seasoning?

Try this Bagel Seasoning not only on bagels but these too!

  • everything bagel dip
  • avocado toast
  • scrambled eggs
  • boiled eggs
  • celery stalks with cream cheese
  • cucumber slices with cream cheese
  • popcorn
  • tomato slices
  • a BLT (my new fave way to eat it!)
  • hummus
  • guacamole
  • chicken, steak, pork, shrimp, and vegetables too
  • maybe add a little savory flavor to ice cream?!?

Is everything bagel healthy?

Not only is it healthy, but is it also gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free but also Keto, Paleo, and Whole 30 Compliant!

Not a salt free recipe by any means but by making your own spice blend you can control your level of salt. So feel free to back off the sodium quantities if you prefer.

I also add a little black pepper in mine but it is not a requirement. I just really like pepper too.

a bowl of everything bagel dip with chips

How long does Everything Seasoning last?

If you store it in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place it will last for 4 months.

But I usually use all of mine before then!

overhead picture of everything seasoning mix

try these other “everything” dishes!

other great homemade spice mixes

If you love this Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

pinterest image for everything bagel seasoning

Easy Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe

Everything Bagel Seasoning in a glass jar and spilling out on a wood table

Everything Bagel Seasoning Mix

Yield: 1/3 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Your favorite bagel topping of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onion, garlic, and kosher salt is within your grasp.  Make your own Everything Bagel Seasoning Mix at home with your own pantry spices!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons black and white sesame seeds (toasted)
  • 1 teaspoon crushed black pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix everything together and store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Notes

*If you like this recipe, please leave me a comment and rate it with some stars.  Thank you!

Recommended Products

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 19Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1058mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g

This nutrition information was generated via a third party, Nutritionix, and can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.

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© Jennifer Stewart
Cuisine: American / Category: Spice Mixes

If you like this everything bagel seasoning, you should check out my eBook of dip mixes that you can make from your spice cabinet. Most are not even on the blog!

@TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encourages and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Comments

  2. Beverly Kall says

    Thank you for this recipe! I am a T.J’s Everything But addict and my breakfast, every morning, was a Thomas’s Everything bagel with Sabra Garlic hummus and Everthing But topping. Alas, I was watching the weight creeping up and decided I needed to do something about it, so I switched from bagels to Quaker’s Low Salt brown rice cakes and am happy as a clam. 40 calories per rice cake and to me, just as delicious as the bagel.

    Reply

  3. Carlyle says

    I used to get loaded bagels but with raisins, cranberries and other fruits. Do you have a recipe for them?

    Reply

  4. A. Boseman says

    I used the recipe in my waffle batter and had fried chicken and drizzled with maple syrup and some more everything mix.

    Reply

  9. Crystal Green says

    This looks really good. I’m not much for seeds on my bagels, but this is worth trying.

    Thank you for sharing this with us on the #HomeMattersParty. We hope to see you again next week when we open our doors at 12 AM EST on Friday.

    Reply

  11. A says

    My favorite kind of bagel is the kind with the hole in the middle. How can I choose just one? Thanks for sharing with us on Creative Kids #TastyTuesdays

    Reply

  13. Charlotte Burkholder says

    Makes me think of when I worked in ICU and a co-worker and I would take turns fetching everything bagels and cream cheese from the cafeteria.Thanks for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-up. Please come back and join us again! Remember to leave your host a comment to increase the chance of being featured.

    Reply

  16. Ali says

    I’m envisioning this seasoning in a dip or dressing. I might also be motivated after seeing this to make some bagels this fall. This sounds like a great mix of seasonings all around! I’m definitely going to check out your other seasoning recipes.

    Reply

    • chubcheeks@bellsouth.net says

      You were right! The dip is going live tomorrow! Thanks for reading and I hope you sign up for my dip recipe book!

      Reply

  18. Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says

    You sound like my kindred spirit. I LOVE everything bagels! In fact, I have one for breakfast nearly every morning. Except since we’ve moved out to CA it’s been difficult to find great bagels with that perfect chewy texture #eastcoastgirl. I’m all about a good shmear of cream cheese, but I really love an Everything bagel with lox! I think in a past life I must have been Jewish. In any event, I love this seasoning mix you’ve given us! For better or worse, I could see myself repeatably dipping my finger into the jar like I do when the seasoning falls off the bagel and onto the plate.

    Reply

    • chubcheeks@bellsouth.net says

      Me too!!!! So glad you liked it! I spilled some on the table while I was doing the photoshoot and totally licked my finger and swiped it allup!

      Reply

  19. Demeter | Beaming Baker says

    Jennifer, you know I always love it when you release one of your homemade seasoning mixes! Hello: jerk seasoning? 🙂 Meanwhile, I’ve totally been in an everything bagel mood lately. Note that “lately” has been the past 3 months. Lol. As such, your seasoning is really making me drool. I’m thinking this seasoning could be on everything!! Chips? Toasted bagel chips? Maybe in a dip? Love this! Thanks for sharing about your family experience too. It was really nice to hear about that. 🙂

    Reply

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