This Old Bay seasoning recipe is made with just 7 ingredients, in less than 2 minutes and is a great substitute for the original blend.
Whether you can't find it in your area, or you want to make your own spice blend at home, this Old Bay seasoning recipe is for you! It's made with only 7 ingredients you probably already have at home, and all you need to do is combine them in a bowl or jar.
The original seasoning is a mix of celery salt (which is made of salt and celery seed), spices (including red pepper and black pepper), and paprika. There are other spices that may be used like laurel leaves, mustard, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.
Old Bay seasoning is named after the Old Bay Line, a passenger ship line that plied the waters of the Chesapeake Bay from Baltimore to Norfolk, Virginia, in the early 1900s. Later, in 1939, a Jewish-German immigrant named Gustav Brunn started the Baltimore Spice Company.
The seasoning is used to season crab, shrimp, and fish, but also as a topping on popcorn, salads, eggs, poultry, French fries, tater tots, corn on the cob, dips, baked potatoes, potato salad, potato chips, and guacamole. I use it to make my beer-battered vegan fish and vegan shrimp (recipes coming soon!).
Ingredient substitutions
- Paprika: I used sweet paprika, but any type will do.
- Celery salt: I use store-bought, but you could make it at home by mixing salt and ground celery seeds.
- Cayenne pepper: add more or less depending on how spicy you want your seasoning. You can also use red pepper flakes.
How to make this recipe
- Combine all the ingredients and mix well.
- Store in an airtight container in a dark, cool place for up to 1 year.
You’ll find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.
Pro tips
- If you use whole spices, grind them into a fine powder and then measure for this recipe.
- Ground bay leaves are a common ingredient in this mix, but I omitted them as they're a hard-to-find. However, if you find it or want to grind dried bay leaves, go for it! I prefer to keep my spice blend simple and easy to make.
- When using it, remember it already has salt in it, so don't go crazy with the salt if you're using this seasoning in your recipes, just try first, and add more if needed.
- If you're trying to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet, it's a good idea to make this homemade, as you can add less celery salt if you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a mix of celery salt , spices (including red pepper and black pepper), and paprika. There are other spices that may be used like laurel leaves, mustard, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.
They have differences, but they can be used interchangeably in many cases. While the two include some of the same ingredients, the original Old Bay uses more spices and has a celery salt base. Cajun seasoning concentrates on paprika and usually has more heat.
Store it in an airtight container in a dark, cool place for up to 1 year. However, if you use fresh herbs, it will last for only 6 months. Never store spices near the stove because the heat causes them to lose potency more quickly. Sunlight can affect the flavor as well.
Old Bay Sesoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- â…› teaspoon nutmeg
- â…› teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients and mix well.
- Use it to make beer-battered vegan fish or any other recipe that calls for Old Bay seasoning. Store in an airtight container in a dark, cool place for up to 1 year.
Notes
- I used sweet paprika, but any type will do.
- I use store-bought celery salt, but you could make it at home by mixing salt and ground celery seeds.
- Add more or less cayenne pepper depending on how spicy you want your seasoning. You can also use red pepper flakes.
Laura says
Greetings to you!
I am sooooooooooooo excited to see this recipe. I have not had any commercial product since i had to get gluten out of my life and my system. Thank you so very much, I love it!!!
Adriana @ Simple Vegan Blog says
Hi Laura! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂