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The blend of everything bagel seasonings has become wildly popular in home spice cabinets and it is easy to see why! The combination of garlic, onion, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and salt compliment many everyday foods. The blend gives flavor and texture to things like eggs, avocado toast, potatoes and fries, steaks, burgers, chicken, pretzels, crackers, popcorn, cottage cheese, and more.

Trader Joe’s brought this out of the boiling water and ovens of bagel bakeries and onto supermarket shelves for people to enjoy in their home using as little or as much as they like. Trader Joe’s does have lots of novel yet delicious spice blends on offer in their stores. Many of which I have see copycatted elsewhere. Case in point with bagel seasoning, other brands jumped on the bandwagon (some private label like Aldi).

Fair warning spice lovers. Not everything is created equal.

What is everything bagel seasoning anyway?

Funny thing, there is some controversy about the origin of the everything bagel. One story will tell you they have been in existence since 1977. Another report will suggest 1980 is the true birth year of this flavorful, highly textured seasoning covered the top of bagels. The combination of standard bagel flavors like salt crusted, poppy seed, sesame seed, onion, and garlic all work beautifully together and dare I say, it was bound to happen at some point.

So now in modern times we as consumers can buy this blend of what has fallen to the oven floor of bagel bakeries and swept into a neat and tidy jar ready to use liberally to our hearts desire.

McCormick’s Everything bagel seasoning vs. Trader Joe’s

I admit, McCormick’s isn’t an off brand. In fact I would wager any reader in the United States has something by McCormick’s in their spice cabinet right now. Trader Joe’s isn’t as widely available across the country so logistics play a factor as well.

Looking at the price per ounce and the fact that McCormick’s comes in a considerably larger size is something to consider if you go through this seasoning lightening fast. Trader Joe’s version is 2.3 ounces at $1.99. McCormick’s is 4.6 ounces $4.79. Price per ounce is very close. Size matters here because if you buy the Trader Joe’s version you know that bottle doesn’t last long. This seasoning blend is something a consumer would use liberally and perhaps daily if it becomes part of a breakfast routine.

Reading the label, both have the same ingredients. How much of each ingredient is where the difference lies. McCormick comes up short in the flavor department. It is more bland and when it comes to seasoning that is probably the last adjective anyone wants to hear about a product in the spice cabinet. If you do not have access to Trader Joe’s , McCormick’s is a fine option but you may find yourself adding more salt or garlic to it in order to get the flavor balance you expect.

Final thoughts of the battle of the bagel seasoning

The clear winner is Trader Joe’s. McCormick gets a red dot here.