Craft Your Own Zesty Old Bay Seasoning Recipe at Home

Spice up your culinary adventures with this incredible homemade old bay seasoning that captures the essence of coastal flavor.

Packed with robust herbs and zesty spices, this seasoning blend will revolutionize your kitchen creations.

Every pinch delivers a punch of authentic Maryland-style taste that store-bought versions can’t match.

The mix of paprika, celery salt, and secret spices creates a magical combination that enhances seafood, vegetables, and meats.

Home cooks love how simple it is to craft this versatile seasoning with ingredients already in their pantry.

Customize the heat and flavor profile to suit your personal taste preferences.

Grab your spice jars and get ready to elevate every dish with this incredible homemade seasoning blend.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 2 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

• Paprika: Provides a warm, sweet foundation with rich color and mild pepper notes.
• Celery Salt: Adds distinctive savory depth and classic seasoning profile.
• Black Pepper: Delivers sharp, zesty kick and aromatic complexity.
• Cayenne Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and vibrant red undertone.

• Mustard Powder: Contributes tangy, sharp flavor with earthy undertones.
• Dried Thyme: Brings delicate, woodsy herbaceous character to the blend.
• Dried Basil: Offers soft, sweet herbal essence with gentle green notes.
• Ground Nutmeg: Introduces warm, slightly sweet aromatic dimension.

• White Pepper: Provides smooth, less sharp pepper sensation with subtle warmth.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Injects vibrant, spicy spark and textural interest.
• Ground Cloves: Adds deep, intense aromatic warmth with mysterious undertone.
• Ginger Powder: Delivers bright, zingy accent with subtle sweet-spicy profile.

Tools to Mix Your Own Seasoning at Home

• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for blending spices smoothly.
• Measuring spoons: Precise tool for accurate ingredient portions.
• Whisk or spoon: Perfect for thoroughly mixing all spice components.
• Airtight container: Essential for storing seasoning and maintaining freshness.
• Permanent marker: Helpful for labeling the container with date and contents.

How to Blend Old Bay from Scratch

• Spice Blend Base

Create a foundation for your custom seasoning by gathering key dried ingredients that capture the essence of coastal flavor profiles.

• Mixing Process

Gently stir all selected spices together in a medium-sized mixing bowl, ensuring each component is evenly distributed for a balanced taste experience.

• Storage Strategy

Transfer the freshly crafted seasoning into a clean, sealed glass container that protects the delicate herb and spice mixture from moisture and light, preserving its vibrant flavor for several months.

• Usage Tips

Sprinkle liberally on seafood, vegetables, and protein dishes to add a zesty, memorable kick that reminds you of summer oceanside gatherings and classic maritime cooking traditions.

Spice Tweaks to Try in Old Bay Recipes

• Adjust the paprika and celery salt ratios to match your preferred flavor intensity and heat level.
• Use whole dried herbs and grind them just before mixing to enhance the seasoning's aromatic complexity and release more vibrant flavors.
• Sprinkle this homemade blend on shrimp, crab, chicken, or roasted vegetables for an instant flavor boost that transforms simple dishes into gourmet experiences.
• Keep your seasoning in a cool, dark pantry away from direct sunlight and moisture to maintain its potency and prevent clumping, ensuring maximum freshness for up to 6 months.

Ways to Use Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

• Sprinkle Seafood Delight: Dust this zesty blend generously over freshly grilled shrimp, crab cakes, or roasted fish to elevate their natural flavors with a classic coastal kick.
• Season Veggie Magic: Toss roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, or mixed vegetables with this homemade seasoning for an instant flavor boost that transforms simple side dishes.
• Flavor Bomb Snacks: Sprinkle the seasoning over popcorn, french fries, or homemade potato chips for a quick and addictive savory treat that will have everyone reaching for more.

How to Store Old Bay in Your Pantry

• Organize Spice Blend: Transfer the homemade Old Bay seasoning to a clean, dry glass jar with a tight-fitting lid to maintain maximum freshness.
• Maximize Flavor Retention: Keep the spice mix in a cool, dark pantry away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve its vibrant taste and aroma.
• Track Freshness: Label the container with the date of preparation and aim to use within 6 months for optimal flavor intensity and potency.
• Smart Usage Tips: Sprinkle this versatile seasoning on seafood, vegetables, and meats, or use as a quick flavor booster in marinades, soups, and dips while ensuring you use the blend before its peak freshness expires.

Authentic Old Bay Seasoning Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

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

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Description

Old Bay Seasoning sparks culinary magic with its blend of spices from Maryland’s coastal kitchens. Home cooks can craft this zesty mix with common pantry ingredients for authentic regional flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 tsps (20 mL) celery salt
• 2 tsps (10 mL) sweet paprika
• 1 tsp (5 mL) dry mustard
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) ground bay leaf
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) finely ground black pepper
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) white pepper or additional finely ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp (0.6 mL) ground ginger
• 1/16 tsp (0.3 mL) cayenne or to taste
• 1/16 tsp (0.3 mL) ground cloves
• 1/16 tsp (0.3 mL) cardamom (optional)
• 1/16 tsp (0.3 mL) cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Gather fresh, premium spices and dried herbs, focusing on quality and optimal flavor profile.
2. Mixing Setup: Choose a spacious, sanitized mixing bowl that allows comprehensive ingredient integration.
3. Spice Combination: Systematically layer spices from larger to smaller quantities, creating a strategic blending approach.
4. Thorough Blending: Utilize a whisk or long-handled spoon to meticulously incorporate all components, ensuring complete homogeneity and consistent coloration.
5. Texture Refinement: Agitate the mixture for 1-2 minutes, rotating the bowl to eliminate potential clustered sections and achieve a uniform, fine-textured seasoning blend.
6. Storage Technique: Transfer the seasoning into an immaculate, moisture-resistant glass container with a hermetic seal, protecting its aromatic essence.
7. Preservation Protocol: Mark the container with preparation date and contents, understanding the blend maintains peak potency for approximately 6 months when stored in a cool, shadowed pantry environment, away from direct heat and sunlight exposure.

Notes

• Spice Quality Matters: Use fresh, high-quality spices to ensure a robust and authentic Old Bay Seasoning flavor profile.
• Precise Measurement: Accuracy is key when measuring spices to maintain the perfect balance of flavors in your homemade blend.
• Thorough Mixing Technique: Gently whisk and rotate the bowl to break up any clumps and achieve a uniform, well-integrated seasoning.
• Proper Storage Strategy: Keep the seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency and aromatic qualities for up to 6 months.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 2
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 0.5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0.1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg