Is Everything Seasoning Whole30? What You Need to Know

October 15, 2025 •

2 min read

According to Whole30's official rules, a surprising number of store-bought seasonings contain hidden ingredients like added sugar, soy, or sulfites that make them non-compliant. This is why answering the question, 'Is everything seasoning Whole30?', requires a careful examination of the product's ingredient list, as compliance is not guaranteed across all brands.

Quick Summary

Determining if an everything bagel seasoning is Whole30 compliant requires checking the ingredient label for non-compliant additives like sugar, soy, and MSG. While many simple versions are approved, pre-made blends often hide prohibited ingredients, so making your own is the safest bet.

Key Points

Ingredient Check is Key: Compliance is not universal across all brands of everything seasoning; always read the ingredient list to ensure there are no hidden sugars, soy, or additives.
Hidden Non-Compliant Ingredients: Watch out for anti-caking agents, artificial sweeteners, MSG, and soy derivatives, as these can be present in pre-made blends.
Homemade is Safest: Making your own seasoning blend from compliant individual ingredients like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt is the most reliable way to guarantee Whole30 compliance.
Label Reading Skills: Developing the habit of reading food labels for all seasonings and sauces is crucial for success on the Whole30 diet, as many processed foods contain non-compliant ingredients.
Compliant Brands Exist: Some brands, like Trader Joe's 'Everything But The Bagel Seasoning' and Noble Made, are typically Whole30 compliant, but checking the label for specific product variations is still recommended.

The popular Everything Bagel Seasoning blend is used in many dishes, but for those on the Whole30 diet, its compatibility is a common question. The answer depends on the specific brand, as the core ingredients are compliant, but many commercial brands add non-compliant fillers, sugars, or preservatives. This guide will explain the rules, how to read labels, and how to make your own compliant blend.

What are the Rules for Whole30 Seasonings?

Whole30 is a 30-day program that emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods and eliminates grains, legumes, sugar, dairy, and alcohol. Seasonings must also follow these strict rules, meaning they cannot contain added sugar, MSG, or sulfites.

Typical Everything Bagel Seasoning Ingredients

A classic everything seasoning blend typically includes compliant ingredients like white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and flaky sea salt. A blend made only from these ingredients is Whole30 friendly. However, commercial blends often add extra ingredients that may not be compliant.

Reading the Label: A Compliance Checklist

To check if a pre-made everything seasoning is compliant, examine the ingredients list. Look for safe ingredients such as seeds, dried onion, dried garlic, and salt, and potentially black pepper. Avoid red flag ingredients like any form of sugar, soy, or additives such as MSG or sulfites, as these make the product non-compliant. Some brands, like Trader Joe's 'Everything But The Bagel Seasoning' and Noble Made, are often compliant, but always verify the label.

Homemade Whole30 Everything Seasoning Recipe

Making your own everything seasoning ensures compliance and allows for customization.

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp white sesame seeds
2 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 Tbsp black sesame seeds (optional)
2 Tbsp dried minced garlic
2 Tbsp dried minced onion
1 tsp flaky sea salt (adjust to taste)

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
Mix well.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade Seasoning: Whole30 Compatibility


Feature	Store-Bought Everything Seasoning	Homemade Everything Seasoning
Ingredients	Often includes non-compliant additives.	Uses only Whole30 compliant ingredients.
Compliance Risk	High - requires careful label reading.	Low - guaranteed compliant.
Cost	Can be more expensive than homemade.	Generally more cost-effective.
Customization	Limited to manufacturer's ratios.	Highly customizable.
Convenience	Ready-made.	Requires brief prep time.
Flavor Control	Fixed flavor profile.	Adjustable flavor profile.

Whole30 is About Intentional Eating

Making your own seasonings aligns with the Whole30 philosophy of intentional eating and understanding your food. This provides control over your nutritional reset. While some store-bought options exist, the safest approach is often homemade.

Conclusion

Whether everything seasoning is Whole30 compliant depends on the specific product's ingredients. Due to the risk of hidden, non-compliant ingredients in many commercial blends, the safest approach is to verify brands with simple ingredient lists or make your own version. This helps ensure your diet follows the program's rules. For more information on Whole30 rules, visit the official website: https://whole30.com/.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is crucial because many commercial seasoning blends contain hidden non-compliant ingredients such as added sugar, soy, or anti-caking agents that violate Whole30 rules, making a product non-compliant.

Yes, Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel Seasoning is generally considered compliant because its ingredient list typically contains only seeds, dried aromatics, and salt. Always check the label for any recent changes.

You should avoid any form of added sugar (including dextrose), soy derivatives (like soy lecithin), MSG, and sulfites. These are common in many pre-packaged blends.

Yes, making your own seasoning at home is the safest way to ensure 100% compliance, as it gives you complete control over the ingredients used and avoids any potential hidden additives.

No, not all store-bought blends are non-compliant. Some brands, like Noble Made, create specific Whole30-approved products. The key is to always read the label thoroughly.

You should be wary of any pre-made seasoning mix, including taco seasoning, barbecue rubs, and seasoning salts, as these are frequent culprits for containing hidden sugars or other non-compliant additives.

A compliant blend includes white and black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and flaky sea salt. You can also add black pepper to taste.