The Recipe for Old Bay spicesa Maryland favorite, is a concoction of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, ginger, and other spices that are just what you want to sprinkle on shrimp, crabmeat, fish, french fries, chicken… heck you can really tip this homemade spice mix on anything.
You may know Old Bay seasoning best as a must-have ingredient in a classic crawfish cookout. And that’s not inaccurate. But it’s so silly to think of it only in terms of seafood. Go on. Shake the spices on everything else…
Why our testers loved this
Testers sprinkle this on everything they can find, and with good reason. They loved that homemade Old Bay spice mix tastes authentic but contains no preservatives. Many of them look forward to adding this to their arsenal homemade food gifts be shared with friends and family.
Brenda C. “enjoyed that Freshness of the homemade versionwhat was rounded and complete.“
Notes on ingredients
- celery saltedThis adds a lot of saltiness to the Old Bay-style spice mix. Keep this in mind when seasoning your food as it may not need additional salt.
- Paprika-This gives the spice mixture a depth of flavor. We recommend normal paprika powder here.
- Ground Mace–This is ground from the outer shell of the nutmeg. You can substitute ground nutmeg if needed.
How to make this recipe
- Combine all the spices in a small bowl.
- Stir until everything is well mixed. Transfer to an airtight jar or container and store at room temperature for up to 2 months.
What can I use Old Bay Seasoning with?
– Mixed in with crab cakes, natch
– Sprinkled on candy corn cobs
– Shaken or stirred into a Bloody Mary
– Dumped on fries
– Incorporated into the flour for dredging fried fish or fried chicken
– Thrown into Seafood Gumbo
– Stirred into Spanish gazpacho
– Sprinkled on a baked potato
– Dusted delicately over naan
– Stirred into egg salad
– Shredded onto grilled fish destined to be wrapped in soft corn tortillas (i.e. grilled fish tacos)
– Reported in Hot Crab Dip
– Garnished with popcorn
– Wrapped in egg white omelettes
– Swirled into seafood soups and stews
– Swirled in homemade tartar sauce
– Dissolved in a brine for pork or poultry
– Sprinkled with breadcrumbs for pretty much anything
– Pounded into deviled eggs Squirted into chicken or turkey
– Mixed into the topping for onion rings
– Heaped on top of homemade potato chips
– Added to mayo for a quick dip
– Pureed with butter, garlic and Parmigiano-Reggiano and spread on warm bread
– Rubbed between the meat and skin of a hen before roasting
– Sprinkled on homemade tortilla chips while pulling them out of the oil
– Tossed with breakfast oven fries
– Added to stuffing or, if you prefer, to dressing (and we’re pretty sure you know the difference between them… right?)
– Combined with hummus
– All sprinkled on crayfish
– And, if you live in Maryland, waste yourself on pretty much whatever else you can eat
How long does it keep?
Like most spice mixes, it will keep for a few months if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Given the options listed above, we doubt it’ll last you anywhere near that long.
Where does the Old Bay spice come from?
The original Old Bay spice blend was created in 1940 by Gustav Brunn, a German spice maker who came to the United States as a Jewish refugee during World War II.
The spice mix was made in Maryland and originally sold under the name Delicious Brand Shrimp and Crab Seasoning before changing to Old Bay Seasoning. McCormick bought the rights to the spice mix in 1990.
Helpful tips
- For the strongest flavor, grind your own spices. Always measure spices after grinding.
- If you intend to use this spice blend frequently, double or triple the recipe.
- If you prefer to be more precise with your measurements, a “pinch” can be measured as 1/16th of a teaspoon.
- Store the spice mix in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
More great recipes for spice mixes
☞ If you prepare this recipe or any other dish on LC, consider leaving a reviewA Rating in starsand your best photo in the comments below. I love hearing from you.–David
Homemade Old Bay Seasoning
This Old Bay seasoning recipe is a blend of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, ginger, and other spices that are just what you want to sprinkle on shrimp, crab stew, fish, chips, chicken… heck can these really throw homemade spice mix on everything.
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid – a screw-top jar works spectacularly.
Store in a cool, dark place and use within a few months.
- Enlarge the recipe-If you intend to use the spice blend frequently, double or triple the recipe.
- storage– Old Bay Seasoning should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 2 months.
- Grind your spices –For the strongest flavor, grind your own spices. Always measure spices after grinding.
- Measuring a “pinch”–If you prefer to be more precise with your measurements, a “pinch” can be measured as 1/16th of a teaspoon.
Portion: 1tablespoonCalories: 7kcalCarbohydrates: 1GProtein: 0.2GFat: 0.4G (1%)Saturated Fatty Acids: 0.1G (1%)Polyunsaturated fat: 0.1GMonounsaturated fatty acids: 0.2GSodium: 3489mg (152%)Potassium: 16mgFiber: 0.4G (2%)Sugar: 0.1GVitamin A: 77ie (2%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 8thmg (1%)Iron: 0.2mg (1%)
If you make this recipe, take a picture and tag it with a hashtag #LeitesCulinaria. We would love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook and others Twitter.
Recipe tester reviews
Recipe © 2009 Todd Wilbur. Photos © 2021 David Leite. All rights reserved. All materials used with permission.
If you make this recipe, take a picture and tag it with a hashtag #LeitesCulinaria. We would love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook and others Twitter.
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