Everything Bagel Seasoning is a very popular pantry ingredient for many Americans. It’s super easy to make and can be sprinkled on most anything savory. This simple recipe includes the same 6 ingredients found in a bottle of Trader Joe’s “Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend” that so many people love! All you need are black and white sesame seeds, dried minced onion and garlic, poppy seeds, and flake salt. DONE!! Forget the store-bought version; make it yourself.
A Little Everything Bagel History
Well, in truth, it’s disputed with no clear data on who and when the seasoning was created. However, we do know that it was likely sometime in the early 1970s to 1980s and in the United States (New York). One story suggests that a bagel owner created the concoction while cleaning out leftover seasonings from the oven and decided to mix them and top a bagel. Several people over the years have made similar claims. Does it really matter, though? I guess not.
Seeds and Nuts Around the World
Sesame Seeds Have Been the Favorite
People all over the world have been putting all sorts of seeds and nuts on bread for centuries. In fact, sesame seeds were likely first cultivated in India 5,000 years ago. Thanks to the Silk Road about a thousand years later, those little seeds traveled the globe. They first appeared in Asia. The Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese fell in love with them. The Chinese add both black and white sesame seeds to their Shaobing flatbread. As the seeds traveled, other countries and cultures began using them to top their own favorite breads and dishes.
Along Came Other Seeds and Nuts
Other seeds and nuts began appearing in other foods. The Turkish Pide flatbread is topped with Nigella (black cumin seeds). Poppy seeds are less common worldwide but highly used as a paste in Eastern European countries. Czech kolaches are individual sweet pastries with a poppy seed paste filling. The Slovenian prekmurska gibanica is a tall pastry (like a Napoleon) layered with poppy seeds among nuts and dried fruit. Even Germany has the hamantashen which is a cookie-like pastry filled with poppy seeds. Yes, they are everywhere.
New York Style Bagel and Seasoning Influence
Poland has been a country of bagel bakers and consumers since the 14th century. Eastern European immigrants, particularly the Jewish population, brought the idea and their recipes to New York during the 19th century. Bagel shops were everywhere in New York by the early 1900s thanks to those immigrants. The traditional Polish Krakow bagel known as obwarzanek krakowski was/is topped with sesame seeds along with onion and garlic flakes separately. That’s why traditional New York bagels are often savory and topped with those seasonings. Leave it to an American to mix them up to make an “Everything Bagel” version.
My Everything Bagel Seasoning Inspiration
I must admit, I prefer sweet bagels for breakfast. So, I’ve never been a huge fan of Everything Bagel Seasoning on bagels. However, I do enjoy savory bagels at lunch eaten as a sandwich. A really good friend of mine absolutely LOVES “Everything Bagel but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning” from Trader Joe’s. In fact, before a Trader Joe’s opened in her hometown, she bought bottles and bottles when she found them on vacation in places where Trader Joe’s existed. So, in honor of all of you who can’t live without Everything Bagel seasoning… Trader Joe’s version that is, here it is… at least my version. By the way, I love the seasoning on other foods too like salads, grain bowls, and other breads; see my suggestions at the end of the post. 😉
Everything Bagel Seasoning Trader Joe’s Style!
This 6-ingredient seasoning recipe includes white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, flake salt, dried minced garlic (flakes), dried minced onion (flakes), and poppy seeds.
Combine the Ingredients
In a small bowl, add all the ingredients. You’ll need 2 teaspoons (8 grams) of white sesame seeds, 2 teaspoons (8 grams) of black sesame seeds, 2 teaspoons (12 grams) of flaked salt. This is what Trader Joe’s uses in the recipe, but you can use any kind of salt you have or like. Then, add 2 teaspoons (8 grams) of dried minced garlic, 2 teaspoons (8 grams) of dried minced onion, and 1 tablespoon (9 grams) of poppy seeds. You’ll notice that by weight the ingredients are equal except for the salt. Give the mix a stir until well combined. Taste the mixture and increase slightly any preferred ingredient you like best.
Final Product!
Can you pick out the individual ingredients? In the photo, you should see black and white sesame seeds which are small tear-drop shapes. The dried minced onion is a little bigger flake than the dried minced garlic. The poppy seeds are the smallest and tend to stick together (safety in numbers, I guess? 😊) Of course, the flake salt is easy to spot. I love the look of flaked salt in this seasoning mix. This is such a pretty mix if I do say so myself.
Storing Everything Bagel Seasoning
Store the Everything Bagel Seasoning mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to year. Keep in mind that the seasoning mix should keep as long as the expiration dates on the individual seasoning bottles. Thus, the newer and fresher the individual seasonings, the longer the mix will keep.
TIP: Stir the mixture well before adding it to a dish, particularly after the mixture has settled.
Everything Bagel Seasoning Usage Suggestions
This recipe makes about a ¼ cup (4 tablespoons). That’s enough to fill a typical spice bottle from a spice rack. Sprinkle it on bagels, homemade bread prior to baking, biscuits, toast, pretzels, avocados, eggs, sandwiches, popcorn, savory snack mixes like Chex mixes, lettuce-based salads, creamy salads (like potato or pasta), baked potatoes, roasted or grilled vegetables, French fries, grain bowls, etc. Consider using it as a final touch to your favorite grilled meats like steak, chicken, or fish.
Everything Bagel Seasoning Final Thoughts
This final thought is short and to the point. The individual components to this seasoning blend are commonly found in most pantries (at least in America and if you cook). So, why not put those ingredients to use and make a blend of your favorite flavors and use them for… well… most anything you like? This is a great way to keep stock in that favorite seasoning blend and add lots of flavor to your daily, simple dishes. We enjoy it and hope you do too. 😊
Check out my YouTube video (1 minute 46 seconds) on making this quick mix. “Everything Bagel Seasoning: Trader Joe’s SAME Ingredients and Lots of Flavor”.
Everything Bagel Seasoning: Same 6 Ingredients as Trader Joe’s Version
Ingredients
- 2 tsp (8 g) white sesame seeds
- 2 tsp (8 g) black sesame seeds
- 2 tsp (12 g) flaked salt
- 2 tsp (8 g) dried minced garlic (flakes)
- 2 tsp (8 g) dried minced onion (flakes)
- 1 tbsp (9 g) poppy seeds
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add all the ingredients. Give the mix a good stir until well combined. Taste the mixture and increase slightly any preferred seasoning.TIP: Stir the mixture well before adding it a dish particularly after the mixture has settled.
Video
Notes
Usage Suggestions: This recipe makes about a ¼ cup (4 tablespoons). That’s enough to fill a typical spice bottle from a spice rack. Sprinkle it on bagels, homemade bread prior to baking, biscuits, toast, pretzels, avocados, eggs, sandwiches, popcorn, savory snack mixes like Chex mixes, lettuce-based salads, creamy salads (like potato or pasta), baked potatoes, roasted or grilled vegetables, French fries, grain bowls, etc. Consider using it as a final touch to your favorite grilled meats like steak, chicken, or fish.
Check out some of my recipes in which you can add Everything Bagel Seasoning mix.
Hamburger, Hot Dog, & Hoagie Buns
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