Old Bay Seasoning
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Bring the bold, zesty flavors of Old Bay Seasoning to your kitchen with this simple homemade blend. Perfect for seafood, roasted veggies or any protein of choice, this blend captures the classic taste of Old Bay with pantry spices you likely already have on hand.
Easy Old Bay Seasoning Recipe
I’ve created many spice blends over the years, and lately I’ve been looking for just the right blend for my seafood recipes. After trying a number of different combinations of herbs and spices, this copycat Old Bay Seasoning recipe was born.
Old Bay seasoning has been a staple in kitchens for decades. It’s a popular blend of herbs and spices known for its savory, slightly spicy, and comforting flavor.
Originally created to season seafood like crab and shrimp, it has since found its way into everything from potato salad to popcorn. This homemade Old Bay Seasoning substitute delivers all the flavor of the classic blend with just a few simple spices!
Why I Love This Recipe
- It tastes just like the original. If you love the original McCormick Old Bay Seasoning, this blend is the perfect substitute.
- I always have the ingredients on hand. This seafood seasoning is made with pantry staples, so I always have the ingredients available to make a batch.
- You can customize it to your taste. Unlike store-bought blends, you can adjust the ratios of spices to create a taste that’s perfect for you!
Ingredients
- Celery salt: Adds a savory, slightly herbal saltiness that’s key to the blend.
- Paprika: Brings mild sweetness and a touch of warmth. You can use smoked paprika, hot paprika, or sweet paprika in this recipe.
- Ground mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy bite for a balanced flavor.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper brings just the right amount of kick.
- Ground bay leaves: Give an earthy, slightly floral taste.
- Ground ginger: Adds a hint of brightness and warmth.
Substitutions and Variations
Celery seed: You can try using celery seed and salt in place of celery salt. This will result in more celery flavor and a slightly coarser texture.
Cayenne: Want things spicy? Try adding a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
Warm spices: If you’d like your spice blend to have even more warmth, try adding warm spices like nutmeg, clove, or cinnamon.
How to Make Old Bay Seasoning
Making homemade spice blends is so easy! Here’s how we do it:
- Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Stir well until thoroughly combined. That’s it!
Tips for Success
Making your own Old Bay Seasoning is incredibly simple and easy. These tips will ensure success!
- Blend everything well. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure each bite has an even distribution of flavors!
- Store it properly. Keep your seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to extend its shelf life. It should stay fresh for about 6 months.
- Adjust to taste. Feel free to tweak the spice level to suit your preferences. You can add more black pepper for heat or extra paprika for a smokier, sweeter flavor.
FAQ
It depends on your taste, but a good starting point is 1 teaspoon per serving for seafood, poultry, or roasted vegetables. You can always add more if you want a stronger flavor.
Absolutely! To give it more heat, try adding a bit of cayenne pepper or increasing the black pepper.
This homemade blend is very similar to the popular spice blend created in Baltimore, but it allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking.
How to Serve
We love this smoky, savory spice blend at my house. These are some of my favorite ways to use it!
Mix it into avocado mayo for a delicious sandwich spread.
Use it to season fish, like this grilled bourbon salmon, crab cakes or crab legs, clam chowder, or any other seafood dishes.
Try it with corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, French fries, or other vegetable sides.
More Seasoning Blend Recipes
If you enjoyed this spice blend, be sure to try these other reader-favorites.
We love this Greek seasoning blend on grilled chicken and in salad dressings.
This Italian seasoning is perfect for pasta sauce or pork tenderloin.
If you’re craving Mexican flavors, give this fajita seasoning a try!
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ teaspoons celery salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
- Stir until thoroughly combined.
Notes
- Keep your seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to extend its shelf life. It should stay fresh for about 6 months.
- Feel free to tweak the spice levels to suit your preference. You can add more black pepper for heat or extra paprika for a smokier, sweeter flavor.
