Old Bay Seasoning Recipe Substitutes All About It

NOTE: This post was updated on 9/15/20 to include new information. It was originally published on 6/5/19.

History of Old Bay Seasoning

Marketed by McCormick & Company in the United States, the renowned flavor mix called Old Bay Seasoning, initially came to Baltimore in 1939 when zest dealer Gustav Brunn had barely gotten away from Nazi Germany and cruised to the United States. By making use of a tiny flavor processor brought from his nation of origin, Brunn consolidated 18 flavors and herbs to make the now eminent formula known as Old Bay Seasoning. Despite the fact that it was initially branded “Delightful Brand Shrimp and Crab Seasoning” (how direct is that?), he later renamed his blend after a steamship line that ventured to every part of the Chesapeake around Maryland and Virginia. Many often wonder what exactly the Old Bay Seasoning is made of, but just like the Colonel’s top-secret formula of seasoning his chicken, the secret behind Old Bay’s seasoning is extremely guarded and not many are aware of the exact ingredients of its commended flavor mix. It is known that there are 14 remaining classified ingredients that make Old Bay Seasoning the amazing spice that it is. Nobody outside of Old Bay knows exactly what the remaining ingredients are, yet many copycat recipes have endeavored to figure out the flavoring code, which has usually ended with kitchen sleuths recommending a mix of celery salt, mustard, pepper, cloves, bay leaf or bay leaves, pimento, ginger, mace, cardamom, cinnamon, and paprika.

What is Old Bay Seasoning Used For?

It can be easily said that Old Bay Seasoning is not only great on seafood, especially crab cakes, but on everything else as well. Here are 10 ways you can use this seasoning outside of seasoning your seafood:

Cajun Seasoning

Cajun seasoning is an extraordinary Old Bay flavoring substitute. Pretty much the same as the latter, albeit normally spicier, Cajun seasoning blends are commonly more generally accessible. Contingent upon your degree of spice resistance, you might want to be careful when it comes to substituting. Cajun flavors can go from mellow to amazingly hot.

Seasoned Salt

There are numerous brands of seasoned salt in most grocery stores. They won’t necessarily compare to the taste of Old Bay, however, they often deliver a complex mix of seasonings that may approach what you’re looking for. Or, make your own.

1 tablespoon celery salt 1 tablespoon of paprika 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg