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I Finally Stopped Buying Everything Bagel Seasoning and Made My Own
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items That $6 jar of everything bagel seasoning runs out in a week when you put it on literally everything. If you're the person who shakes it on avocado toast, eggs, cream cheese, popcorn, and even salads, making it from scratch costs pennies and tastes t...
Sections
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Sesame Seeds and Base Ingredients for Homemade Everything Seasoning
Dried Herbs That Take Your Seasoning Beyond Basic
Mixing and Storing Your Homemade Seasoning Blend
Bread and Toast Bases Worth Your Homemade Seasoning
Avocados and Spreads for the Perfect Toast Foundation
Eggs and Proteins That Pair With Everything Seasoning
Sesame Seeds and Base Ingredients for Homemade Everything Seasoning
The foundation of a good everything bagel blend lives or dies on the sesame seeds. I was using stale ones from the back of my pantry for months and wondering why my mix tasted flat. Fresh seeds changed the whole thing overnight.
Grab these before your current jar goes stale. I used to buy cheap bulk seeds that tasted like cardboard. These actually have that nutty roasted flavor you want in a proper everything blend.
McCormick, Non-GMO Kosher Sesame Seeds, 1 oz Bottle
Toss a generous amount into your mix for that classic speckled look. My first few batches skipped poppy seeds and honestly looked sad. For anyone recreating authentic bagel shop flavor at home, don't leave these out.
McCormick Non-GMO Kosher Poppy Seed, 1.25 oz Bottle
Use this instead of fine table salt. The crunch makes all the difference when you bite into toast. I switched after a friend pointed out my homemade blend was dissolving into mush on warm bread.
Morton All-Natural Coarse Sea Salt, Finishing Salt 17.6 Oz
Keep this stocked because it disappears fast when you're making weekly batches. My ratio is about 2 tablespoons per batch, and skimping makes the whole mix taste one-dimensional.
McCormick spices impossible to open. Apparently, it's the glue
Swap these in for onion powder if you want visible texture in your blend. I started crushing them slightly with a mortar and pestle. Suddenly my seasoning looked like the fancy $14 jars at specialty stores.
McCormick Kosher Onion Powder, 7.62 oz Bottle
Dried Herbs That Take Your Seasoning Beyond Basic
Plain everything seasoning is fine, but adding a few dried herbs turned mine into something people actually ask me to make for them. My sister-in-law now requests a jar every time she visits.
Sprinkle just a pinch into your blend for a slightly herby twist. Perfect if you're someone who puts everything seasoning on cream cheese bagels. It bridges that gap between seasoning and herb butter.
McCormick Gourmet Organic Dill Weed, 0.5 Oz
Try adding a tiny amount for warmth without actual heat. I was nervous the first time but it just rounds out the flavor. Anyone who finds regular everything seasoning a little one-note should experiment here.
Simply Organic Crushed Red Pepper, 1.59 oz, 6 pack
Toss these in for color more than anything. My seasoning used to look brown and sad in the jar. A bit of green parsley made it look like something from a farmers market stall.
Great Value Parsley Flakes, 0.4 oz
Use freshly cracked pepper instead of pre-ground. The difference hit me when I did a side-by-side taste test. Pre-ground tasted dusty. Fresh cracked actually had bite and aroma.
McCormick Black Pepper Grinder, 1.0 oz Bottle
Snag this for days when you want a Mediterranean spin on your blend. I make a separate batch with Italian seasoning mixed in for pasta nights. Works on focaccia better than anything I've tried.
McCormick Italian Seasoning, 2.25 oz Bottle
Mixing and Storing Your Homemade Seasoning Blend
My first batch went stale in four days because I stored it in an open bowl like a fool. Proper containers and mixing tools saved me from wasting ingredients and money.
Keep your blend in these and it stays fresh for weeks. I label each jar with the date and recipe variation. For anyone making multiple flavors, having a dozen on hand means you can gift them too.
Mainstays Mason Jars 16 oz Regular Mouth 12 Pack
Use the medium bowl for tossing everything together. I used to mix in a mug and seasoning went everywhere. A proper bowl with high sides means nothing spills when you're stirring aggressively.
Kitchenaid Universal Set of 3 Plastic Mixing Bowls in Red
Grab a set that actually stays together in the drawer. I lost three mismatched spoons before these. The magnetic feature sounds gimmicky but it genuinely solved my junk drawer chaos.
Progressive Magnetic Snap-Fit Measuring Spoons Set
Pour your finished blend into jars without losing half of it on the counter. Learned this lesson after sweeping up sesame seeds for the third time in one week. Small investment, big payoff.
OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Multi-Purpose Funnel Set
Switch to these for larger batches you want to keep in the pantry. The seal is tight enough that nothing goes stale or absorbs fridge smells. Way better than the flimsy containers I was reusing before.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic Food Storage Container
Bread and Toast Bases Worth Your Homemade Seasoning
Putting fancy seasoning on cheap bread felt wrong, like putting premium gas in a broken lawnmower. Once I upgraded my bread situation, everything clicked.
Pair this with your homemade blend and the seed-on-seed action is ridiculous. Dense enough to hold toppings without getting soggy. For anyone tired of flimsy white bread collapsing under avocado, start here.
Dave's Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains and Seeds Organic
Use these when you want maximum everything flavor. Homemade seasoning on an everything bagel is almost overkill but in the best way. Weekend mornings only, because you'll want to sit and enjoy it.
Thomas' Everything Bagels, 6 count, 18 oz
Try this if regular bread makes you feel sluggish by 10 AM. Toasts up firm and holds toppings well. My energy levels genuinely improved when I made this swap three months ago.
Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9 Organic Sprouted Whole Grain Bread
Wrap your avocado and seasoning into these for a grab-and-go version. Perfect if you're the person eating breakfast in the car. I fold one up with cream cheese and seasoning at least twice a week.
Mission Carb Balance Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas
Get this for that tangy base that plays off the garlic and onion in your blend. The thick slices hold up to heavy spreading. Sourdough plus everything seasoning is a combination I wish I'd discovered years ago.
Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Sourdough Bread, 24 oz Loaf
Avocados and Spreads for the Perfect Toast Foundation
Not all avocados are created equal and I spent too long mashing unripe rocks onto bread. Getting the right ripeness and pairing spreads changed my entire morning routine.
Keep these in the fridge for mornings when your fresh avocados aren't ripe yet. Saved me from sad, hard avocado toast more times than I can count. The single-serve packs mean nothing goes brown.
WHOLLY Guacamole Minis Paste Classic 12oz 6 pack
Spread a thin layer under your avocado before adding seasoning. This trick came from a bagel shop worker and it adds richness without being heavy. Stock up because once you start, you won't stop.
Philadelphia Original Brick Cream Cheese
Swap regular mayo for this on toast days when you want something different. Sounds weird but a thin layer under everything seasoning creates this creamy, savory base. For anyone bored of plain avocado, try it once.
Customer reviews for Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo 12 oz
Bring these to work and spread on toast with seasoning for a desk lunch that doesn't require a microwave. I ate sad sandwiches for years before this combo entered my life.
Sabra Classic Hummus Singles 6-Pack, Vegan
Grab a bag and let them ripen on the counter for two to three days. Buying them rock-hard and planning ahead beats the disappointment of finding zero ripe ones at the store. Patience pays off here.
Great Value Avocado Oil, 25.5 fl oz
Eggs and Proteins That Pair With Everything Seasoning
Avocado toast alone left me hungry by 10 AM. Adding protein turned breakfast into actual fuel. My everything seasoning goes on eggs so often that the jar lives next to the stove now.
Fry one sunny-side up and hit it with your seasoning right when the whites set. The runny yolk mixes with garlic and sesame and it's honestly the best three-minute meal. Stock your fridge with these.
Customer reviews for Eggland's Best Large White Eggs
Use this alongside your toast for a lighter morning plate. Crumble it on top of avocado with seasoning for a loaded situation. Perfect if you want protein without the heaviness of regular bacon.
Customer reviews for Applegate Naturals Hickory Smoked
Layer this on cream cheese toast with your blend and suddenly you're eating a $18 brunch plate for about $3. For anyone who misses going to brunch but not the prices, this is your move.
Customer reviews for Honey Smoked Salmon (TM) Original
Melt a slice on your toast before adding avocado and seasoning. The cheese creates a barrier so bread doesn't get soggy. Discovered this by accident and now it's mandatory on Saturdays.
Sargento® Ultra Thin® Swiss Sliced Cheese, 18 slices
Pair one patty next to your seasoned toast for a filling plate that keeps you full until lunch. I was snacking by 9:30 every day until I started adding protein. Problem solved.
Great Value Fully Cooked Original Turkey Breakfast Patties
Hot Sauces and Condiments to Layer With Your Blend
Sometimes seasoning alone isn't enough kick. I started layering hot sauces and drizzles on top and it opened up a whole new world of flavor combinations I rotate through weekly.
Drizzle this over seasoned avocado toast for a smoky, vinegary kick. Not too hot, just enough to wake you up. If your mornings feel monotonous, one zigzag of this fixes the boredom instantly.
Cholula Original Hot Sauce with Wooden Topper, 12oz.
Try a tiny splash mixed into your seasoning blend before storing. It adds umami depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is. Sounds strange, works brilliantly.
Kikkoman Soy Sauce Bottle
Squeeze this over cream cheese toast with everything seasoning. Sweet, spicy, savory, salty all happening at once. Brought this to a brunch potluck and three people asked me to make them a jar of seasoning.
Mike's Hot Honey Canada Spicy Gluten-Free Honey
Keep a bottle handy for days when you want something tangy on your toast. A thin drizzle over avocado with your blend creates a sweet-savory contrast. Works especially well on sourdough.
Trader Joes Trader Giottos Balsamic Glaze
Pair this with your seasoning on eggs for a breakfast that actually has personality. I went through a phase where every morning was Sriracha plus everything seasoning and honestly, no regrets.
Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, 9oz Bottle
Kitchen Tools That Make Morning Toast Faster
Mornings used to take me 20 minutes of fumbling around the kitchen. These tools cut that down to about 7 minutes. Now I actually sit down and eat instead of standing over the counter rushing.
Get a toaster with wide slots that fit thick bread without jamming. My old one couldn't handle Dave's Killer Bread and I'd have to smash slices in. This one fits everything without a fight.
Hamilton Beach 22810 2-Slice Keep Warm Toaster
Use this to pit, slice, and scoop in seconds. I used to hack at avocados with a butter knife like a caveman. For anyone who's ever sent an avocado pit flying across the kitchen, get this immediately.
OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer (White/Black)
Grab the serrated bread knife from this set. It cuts through crusty sourdough without crushing everything flat. My old dull knife was turning toast into sad, compressed rectangles.
Cuisinart, Kitchen Knife Set, 12-Piece
Fry your eggs in this for crispy edges that hold seasoning perfectly. Nonstick pans never gave me that golden crust. Worth the extra cleanup for anyone serious about their breakfast eggs.
Lodge, Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, 10.25 inch, Black
Keep this nested set in one drawer instead of scattered tools everywhere. Includes measuring cups and a colander. Saved me from digging through three drawers every morning looking for a tablespoon.
Joseph Joseph Nest 9 Plus, 9 Piece compact Food
Drinks That Actually Go With Seasoned Avocado Toast
Coffee was my default but some mornings it clashed with all the garlic and onion. Finding the right drinks to pair with savory toast made breakfast feel like a complete experience instead of random items on a plate.
Brew a cup of this alongside your toast. The light, slightly minty flavor cleanses your palate between bites. I switched from coffee on savory toast mornings and my stomach thanked me.
TAZO Organic Zen Green Tea, Caffeinated Tea
Grab one from the fridge if you want energy without coffee jitters. The citrus cuts through the richness of avocado and cream cheese. Perfect for anyone who crashes hard after their second cup of coffee.
CELSIUS Sparkling Orange, Functional Energy Drink 12 fl
Pour a glass of this with a squeeze of lime. The carbonation pairs with savory food better than flat water does. My European friends turned me onto sparkling water with breakfast and I never went back.
Topo Chico Carbonated Mineral Water, Twist of Lime, 16.9 fl oz, 18 ct
Brew this if you're a coffee-no-matter-what person. Medium roast doesn't overpower the seasoning flavors the way dark roast does. I learned this after years of dark roast drowning out everything else.
Starbucks Fall Blend Ground Coffee Medium Roast, Spice & Chestnut
Sip this for a sweet contrast to your savory toast. The mango and your garlic-onion seasoning shouldn't work together but the back-and-forth is oddly satisfying. Try it before judging.
Naked Boosted Smoothie Mighty Mango Machine, 64 fl oz
Snacks and Extras to Season With Your Homemade Blend
Once you have a jar of homemade everything seasoning sitting on the counter, you start putting it on things that have no business being seasoned. Most of these experiments actually worked out.
Shake your blend over a bowl of this while it's still warm. Cheese plus everything seasoning is dangerously addictive. Brought this to movie night and the bowl was empty in twelve minutes.
Smartfood Gluten Free White Cheddar Popcorn, 9.75 oz
Spread cream cheese on these and dust with seasoning for a two-minute snack that feels fancy. Perfect if you're the person who needs something to eat at 3 PM or you'll become unbearable.
Are Ritz Crackers Healthy? What a Dietitian Wants You
Bake these and roll them in your blend while they're hot. The seasoning sticks to the crispy outside and suddenly a healthy snack tastes like a cheat meal. Kids actually eat these too.
Green Giant Veggie Tots Cauliflower Cheese & Bacon
Peel a stick and dip it in a small dish of your seasoning. Sounds like something a five-year-old would invent but it's genuinely one of my favorite afternoon snacks. No shame.
Great Value Mozzarella String Cheese, 36 oz Bag, 36 Count
Dip these in hummus and then into your seasoning for a triple-layer flavor situation. Took these to a work potluck and a coworker literally asked if she could take the leftover seasoning home.
Stacy's Simply Naked Sea Salt Pita Chips
Gift and Packaging Ideas for Sharing Your Homemade Seasoning
People started asking me to make jars for them after tasting mine. Packaging them up nicely turned a kitchen hobby into a thoughtful gift that costs about $2 per jar but looks like $15.
Print custom labels for your jars and suddenly they look professional. I designed mine in five minutes using free templates. For anyone giving seasoning as gifts, this small step makes a huge impression.
Avery, Shape Labels, Round, 2 inch Diameter, White
Keep extra lids on hand because you'll go through them faster than expected. Nothing worse than having seasoning ready and no clean lids. Buy a spare pack now and thank yourself later.
Ball Regular Mouth 16oz Pint Mason Jars with Lids & Bands, 12 Count
Slip a jar into one of these with a ribbon and you have a gift that looks like it came from a craft fair. I gave these as holiday gifts last year and people genuinely thought I bought them somewhere.
Burlap Gift Bags with Drawstring 50 Pack Small Jute
Use these to write the blend name and date directly on jar lids. Quick, easy, and it actually looks charming in a handmade way. Faster than printing labels when you're making a batch for friends.
SHARPIE ULTRA FINE POINT PERMANENT MARKER
Wrap a strip around the jar lid for a pop of color. Takes three seconds and makes your homemade seasoning look intentional instead of thrown together. My neighbor thought I started a small business.
Scotch Expressions 0.59"x393" Green Washi Tape