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What seasoning is most similar to Old Bay?


Old Bay seasoning is a popular blend of herbs and spices that brings delicious flavor to seafood, poultry, vegetable dishes, and more. With warm notes of celery salt and mustard seed balanced by earthy paprika and savory red pepper, Old Bay has a unique and iconic taste profile. If you don’t have any Old Bay on hand or want to try recreating those familiar flavors with spices you have in your pantry, there are a few seasoning blends that make suitable substitutes.

What is Old Bay seasoning?

Old Bay seasoning was created in Baltimore, Maryland by German immigrant Gustav Brunn in the 1940s. Originally developed for the crab and oyster houses along the Chesapeake Bay, the blend soon became a beloved seasoning for all types of seafood and other foods.

Today, Old Bay is mass produced by McCormick and Company and remains especially popular in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The seasonings in Old Bay include:

  • Celery salt
  • Mustard
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Paprika
  • Mace
  • Ginger
  • Allspice
  • Clove
  • Cardamom
  • Cinnamon
  • Black pepper

This mixture of spices and herbs delivers a tangy, slightly spicy, and robust flavor. Old Bay has an unmistakable taste that enhances shellfish, chicken, french fries, and more. Let’s look at a few seasoning blends that may provide a similar flavor.

Celery salt

One of the predominant flavors in Old Bay comes from celery salt. Celery salt is just that – ground celery seeds combined with salt. If you have celery salt in your pantry, you can use it as a primary replacement for Old Bay, keeping in mind it will be missing some of the other spices. Use celery salt on seafood, chicken, corn, eggs, tomatoes, and any savory dish you would normally season with Old Bay. Start with about half the amount of celery salt as you would use for Old Bay and adjust to taste. Keep in mind that celery salt will have a more concentrated flavor.

Onion powder and garlic powder

Onion powder and garlic powder make a quick and easy flavor substitute for Old Bay. Use them along with some celery salt to approximate the spice blend. Simply combine:

  • 3 tablespoons celery salt
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder

You can play around with the proportions to get the balance you like best. Onion and garlic powder add some warmth and savoriness similar to Old Bay without having to use the exact blend of spices. Sprinkle this combo on seafood dishes, chicken, eggs, corn on the cob, french fries, roasted potatoes, and more.

Cajun seasoning

Cajun seasoning mixes contain many of the same spices as Old Bay – garlic, paprika, black pepper, celery seed, oregano, and cayenne pepper. The emphasis on peppers makes most Cajun seasonings slightly spicier than Old Bay. But using a moderate amount can closely replicate the Old Bay flavor.

Look for Cajun seasoning blends without salt so you can control the amount of salt added. Or try making your own Cajun-inspired blend with these spices:

  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons celery salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Use this homemade blend anywhere you would normally use Old Bay – seafood, poultry, vegetables, eggs, corn, fries, and more. The mix of warm, earthy spices will remind you of Old Bay’s signature flavor.

Lemon pepper seasoning

Lemon pepper seasoning offers a similar citrus note as Old Bay thanks to the addition of lemon peel. Look for lemon pepper without salt added or make your own by combining:

  • 1 tablespoon dried lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons cracked black pepper

Combine this lemon pepper blend with other spices like garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne if you want to make it even closer to Old Bay. Sprinkle the seasoning on seafood, chicken breasts, cooked veggies, potatoes, and popcorn. The tangy citrus flavor pairs especially well with fish like salmon, tilapia, and cod.

Seafood seasoning blends

There are many pre-made seafood seasoning mixes on the market that make a quick and easy stand-in for Old Bay. Look for blends without salt added so you can control the saltiness. Good options include:

  • Seafood Magic
  • Jane’s Krazy Mixed Up Salt
  • Spike Seafood Seasoning
  • Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Seafood Magic

Most seafood seasoning mixes include celery salt, paprika, garlic, lemon, and pepper – similar to the taste profile of Old Bay. Use them in the same way you would use Old Bay – sprinkle on seafood before cooking, mix into crab cakes or seafood dip, rim shrimp and cocktail glasses, and add flavor to anything from chicken to corn on the cob.

Homemade Old Bay Seasoning Recipe

For an even closer match to Old Bay’s signature flavor, you can recreate it yourself with this homemade recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons celery salt
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon mace
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground bay leaves
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly in a small bowl.
  2. Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight for up to 6 months.
  3. Use in place of Old Bay to season seafood, poultry, vegetables, eggs, potatoes, corn, fries, and more.

This homemade version will give you the distinctive Old Bay taste you know and love. Adjust any amounts to suit your personal preference. You may want more heat from red pepper flakes or more tang from dry mustard. Play around with the blend to make it your own!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Old Bay go bad?

Properly stored, Old Bay can last up to 3 years before it starts losing its potency. Keep Old Bay in a cool, dry place in an airtight container away from light to maximize freshness and shelf life. Signs Old Bay has gone bad are faded color, dampness, and loss of aroma.

What do you put Old Bay on?

Old Bay is traditionally used to season shellfish like shrimp, crab, lobster, and oysters. It’s also excellent on fish, chicken, potatoes, corn, eggs, popcorn, and french fries. Sprinkle it on anything that could use a boost of tangy, salty, spicy flavor.

Is Old Bay gluten free?

Yes, Old Bay seasoning is certified gluten free. It’s made without wheat, barley, rye, or any gluten-containing ingredients. That makes it a go-to seasoning for anyone eating gluten free.

Is Old Bay vegan?

While the classic Old Bay contains a small amount of whey powder, there is also an Old Bay vegan variety. So either version can suit a vegan diet as long as you check the ingredients.

Where did Old Bay seasoning originate?

Old Bay seasoning was created in the 1940s by German immigrant Gustav Brunn. It was originally made for crab houses and restaurants along the Chesapeake Bay in Baltimore, Maryland to season seafood. Its popularity eventually spread across the country.

Conclusion

While no seasoning blend can perfectly replicate the signature taste of Old Bay, there are many suitable substitutes. Celery salt, onion and garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, and seafood seasoning mixes come close to delivering the same savory, slightly spicy, and citrusy notes. For an even nearer match, you can make your own homemade Old Bay with a blend of spices. Whatever seasoning you choose, you can liberally season seafood, chicken, veggies, eggs, potatoes, and more to approximate that distinctive Old Bay flavor. With its unique blend of herbs and spices, Old Bay stands as an iconic American seasoning, but these substitutes can work nicely when you need an alternative.