Homemade Old Bay Seasoning (Easy Recipe)

Run out of Old Bay seasoning and don’t know what to do? No problem! Just use this recipe to make your own homemade version. 

This copycat Old Bay seasoning recipe doesn’t use the same 18 herbs and spices that McCormick uses. But it’s just as good!

When combined, the 14 spices in this version make an excellent Old Bay substitute.

Use it on your seafood, veggies, and meats. I promise you’ll love it. 

What Is Old Bay Seasoning? 

Old Bay seasoning is a McCormick spice blend created over eight decades ago. It contains a proprietary blend of spices to give it a robust, complex flavor profile. 

Marketed initially as a seafood seasoning blend, Old Bay is useful in many dishes. It’s safe to say it’s one of America’s favorite all-purpose seasoning blends.

You can easily recognize it by its signature bright yellow can with blue accents. 

The History of Old Bay 

Old Bay seasoning has been manufactured and sold by McCormick. However, they weren’t the blend’s original creator. 

That honor goes to German immigrant Gustav Brunn. While living in Baltimore, he created the seasoning blend in 1939 as a “shrimp and crab seasoning.” 

He sold it under the name “Delicious Brand.” It later became Old Bay seasoning in recognition of the Old Bay Line passenger ship. 

Today, McCormick owns the brand and the secret of its spice blend.

What Spices Are In Old Bay? 

Unfortunately, outside of McCormick employees, no one really knows all the 18 herbs and spices that make up Old Bay seasoning. 

That’s one secret that McCormick keeps fairly close to its chest. 

I’m not sure these ingredients are the same ones McCormick uses. Still, it’s a pretty great copycat recipe. Here’s what I use: 

• Celery salt
  
• Sweet paprika
  
• Smoked paprika
  
• Dry mustard powder
  
• Ground ginger
  
• Ground black pepper
  
• Ground white pepper
  
• Cayenne pepper
  
• Ground bay leaves
  
• Ground cinnamon
  
• Ground nutmeg
  
• Ground cloves
  
• Ground cardamom
  
• Ground allspice

How to Make Old Bay Seasoning 

To make Old Bay Seasoning, simply measure and combine all the ingredients.

Then, store the mixture in a clean, dry, air-tight container for up to 6 months! 

Ways to Use Old Bay Seasoning 

Here are some of my favorite ways to use Old Bay Seasoning: 

• Use it as a rub for fish, poultry, and other meats. 
  
• Work it into seafood and Cajun dishes, like gumbo or a crab boil.
  
• Use it to flavor roasted potatoes or grilled veggies.
  
• Sprinkle it over popcorn, or use it to season popcorn balls. 
  
• Stir it into chicken salad, egg salad, or tuna salad mixtures. 
  
• Add it to other foods, such as corn on the cob or French fries.
  
• Mix it with cream cheese or sour cream for a flavorful dip. 
  
• Sprinkle it over salads or on sandwiches and wraps. 
  
• Use it to flavor burgers, soups, stews, and more. 
  
• Add it to your favorite deviled eggs recipe. 

How to Store 

Store Old Bay Seasoning in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. Here are some of my other best storage tips for this DIY seasoning blend: 

• Keep it in the dark. Store the seasoning mixture somewhere dark, away from direct sunlight. 
  
• Don’t get confused! Clearly label the seasoning so you don’t confuse it with something else. 
  
• Add a date. That way, you know when it’s past its ‘best by’ date.
  
• Mind the heat! Don’t store the mixture near the stove or another heat source. 
  
• Resist the urge to chill it. Don’t store the mixture inside the refrigerator. 
  
• Dial up the freshness. Store it in a glass container to optimize its freshness. 

Finally, remember, your Old Bay seasoning is only as good as its ingredients. If they go out of date soon, your seasoning blend won’t last as long! 

More Homemade Seasonings 

Love making your own seasoning mixtures? Here are some more recipes to try: 

• Adobo Seasoning
• Fajita Seasoning
• Copycat McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning
• Copycat Taco Bell Seasoning
• Blackened Seasoning
• Mexican Seasoning