Create Your Own Authentic Homemade Old Bay Seasoning Recipe

Spice enthusiasts always seek that perfect homemade old bay seasoning blend to elevate their culinary creations.

This legendary Maryland-born seasoning packs a punch of robust flavors that dance across seafood, meats, and vegetables.

Every home cook knows the magic of crafting spice blends from scratch.

You can mix simple pantry ingredients to replicate the iconic taste that chefs adore.

The combination of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, and other spices creates a symphony of flavor in mere minutes.

No store-bought version matches the fresh, vibrant taste of a homemade mix.

Unleash your inner chef and transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences with this simple yet powerful seasoning blend.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 5 kcal

Servings: 13

What’s in Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

• Paprika: Provides a warm, sweet foundation with vibrant red color and mild pepper flavor.
• Celery Salt: Delivers a savory, herbaceous note with balanced saltiness and aromatic depth.
• Black Pepper: Adds sharp, warming heat and complex spiciness to the seasoning blend.

• Mustard Powder: Introduces tangy, sharp undertones that brighten the overall seasoning profile.
• Nutmeg: Contributes subtle, warm earthiness with delicate sweet-spicy complexity.
• Cloves: Brings intense, warming aromatics with deep, slightly sweet undertones.
• Bay Leaves: Offer subtle herbal notes with mild woodsy and slightly bitter essence.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Provide gentle, background heat and subtle fruity pepper kick.
• Cardamom: Adds exotic, aromatic warmth with hints of citrusy and minty undertones.
• Ginger: Introduces bright, zesty warmth with slightly peppery and sweet characteristics.
• Allspice: Delivers rich, multilayered flavor mimicking cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove combination.

Tools for Mixing Old Bay Seasoning Yourself

• Mixing bowl: Small, perfect for combining spices.
• Whisk or spoon: Helps blend ingredients evenly and smoothly.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate spice measurements.
• Airtight container or spice jar: Keeps seasoning fresh and well-preserved.
• Funnel (optional): Helps transfer seasoning without spilling.

Mixing Your Own Old Bay Seasoning Blend

• Create Spice Blend

Grab your favorite mixing bowl and pour all your dry spices together. Whisk those delicious ingredients with enthusiasm, ensuring every particle gets mixed perfectly. The goal is creating a harmonious flavor explosion that will make your dishes sing.

• Pack and Store

Carefully transfer your magical seasoning blend into an airtight container. Choose a cool, dark spot in your kitchen where it can rest undisturbed. A pantry or spice cabinet works wonderfully for keeping your homemade seasoning fresh and vibrant.

• Elevate Your Cooking

Sprinkle this incredible seasoning on seafood for a zesty kick, dust it over roasted vegetables for extra excitement, or add a dash to soups and stews. Your new spice blend is incredibly versatile and ready to transform ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences. Let your taste buds dance with each flavorful sprinkle.

Spicing Up Your Old Bay Seasoning Batch

• Spice Intensity Adjustment: Tweak the paprika and cayenne pepper ratios to control the heat level, creating a milder or spicier blend based on personal preference.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Add dried thyme or oregano for an extra layer of aromatic complexity that elevates the seasoning's depth.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all individual spices are certified gluten-free to make this seasoning safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Salt-Smart Option: Reduce or omit salt for those monitoring sodium intake, replacing it with additional dried herbs for flavor enhancement.
• Preservation Tricks: Keep the seasoning away from direct sunlight and moisture to maintain its potency, and use within 3-6 months for optimal taste and aroma.

Ways to Serve Old Bay Seasoning Dishes

• Seafood Spectacular: Dust this homemade seasoning generously over freshly grilled shrimp, crab cakes, or baked salmon for an authentic Maryland-style coastal flavor experience.
• Snack Time Upgrade: Sprinkle the blend over popcorn, roasted nuts, or french fries to transform ordinary munchies into zesty, exciting treats that will impress family and friends.
• Vegetable Flavor Boost: Toss roasted vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes, or zucchini with this spice mix to elevate their taste and add a delightful kick to your side dishes.
• Marinade Magic: Mix the seasoning with olive oil and lemon juice to create a quick, flavorful marinade for grilled chicken, fish, or tofu that's bursting with robust, tangy notes.

Smart Storage for Old Bay Seasoning

• Spice Shelf Life Magic: Keep your homemade Old Bay seasoning fresh for 6-12 months when stored in a sealed glass container away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Cool & Dry Sanctuary: Choose a kitchen cabinet or pantry shelf that maintains consistent temperature and low humidity to prevent spice clumping or flavor degradation.
• Flavor Tracking Trick: Write the creation date on the container to monitor freshness and know exactly when it's time to whip up a new batch of this zesty blend.
• Smart Portioning Strategy: Prepare smaller batches every few months instead of large quantities to ensure maximum taste intensity and prevent potential flavor loss over extended storage periods.

Authentic Homemade Old Bay Seasoning Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Old Bay seasoning blends aromatic spices into a signature Maryland classic. Home cooks can easily craft this zesty mix with pantry staples, creating a versatile seasoning you’ll sprinkle on seafood, vegetables, and more.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tbsp (15 ml) celery salt
• 1 tsp (5 ml) paprika
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) black pepper
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) dry mustard
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground allspice
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground cardamom
• 1/8 tsp (0.625 ml) ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp (0.625 ml) ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp (0.625 ml) ground mace

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Instructions

1. Spice Preparation: Gather fresh, aromatic dry spices and herbs from the pantry, ensuring peak flavor potential.
2. Mixing Foundation: Select a clean, medium-sized bowl that allows comprehensive ingredient blending and thorough incorporation.
3. Precise Measurement: Carefully measure each spice component, maintaining the classic seasoning’s delicate flavor balance with accuracy.
4. Spice Integration: Softly sift paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and ground spices into the mixing bowl, preventing unwanted clumping and ensuring smooth distribution.
5. Flavor Fusion: Vigorously whisk the spice mixture for 60-90 seconds, rotating the bowl to guarantee complete flavor melding and uniform consistency.
6. Storage Selection: Transfer the vibrant spice blend into an airtight glass container or ceramic spice jar, using a funnel to minimize potential spillage.
7. Preservation Technique: Label the container with seasoning name and preparation date, then store in a cool, dark cabinet away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain robust flavor intensity.
8. Culinary Exploration: Experiment with the homemade seasoning by generously sprinkling over seafood, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or incorporating into marinades and cooking liquids for an elevated flavor experience.

Notes

• Spice Freshness Matters: Use recently purchased, high-quality spices with strong aromas to ensure a vibrant, authentic Old Bay flavor profile.
• Precise Measurement Technique: Employ a digital kitchen scale or level measuring spoons to capture exact spice ratios, preventing flavor imbalances.
• Sifting Strategy: Gently sift ground spices through a fine-mesh strainer to eliminate potential clumps and create a smoother, more uniform seasoning blend.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep the homemade seasoning in an opaque, airtight container away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight to preserve potency for up to 6 months.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 5
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg