Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/30/24
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 1/4 cup

Fans of Old Bay love to use the classic spice mix to season all kinds of seafood and other dishes, especially Maryland-style steamed or boiled crabs and crab cakes. It's also great on chicken, vegetables, and fries.

Old Bay-style seasoning mix in a bowl and in a jar, crabs in the background

The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

Whether you can't find Old Bay where you live or prefer to mix up spice blends to keep them fresh, save money, or customize them, it's easy to make copycat Old Bay from scratch. You won't be able to tell the difference between the real thing and this recipe—unless you want to tweak it and make it your own.

The great thing about making spice blends from scratch is that you can dial up ingredients you like and cut those that you don't like down or out. This is especially great if you or somebody you are cooking for needs to cut down on added sodium or has an allergy or aversion to a certain ingredient in the blend.

What Goes Into Old Bay?

While the exact ingredients are not revealed on the label or the brand's website, Old Bay reportedly has a mix of 18 spices. It has a complex savory flavor, with bay leaf, celery salt, dry mustard, and pepper at the forefront. Paprika and various other spices add depth and make this a well-rounded seasoning.

If you don't have every ingredient listed, make sure you include the most prominent ones and make substitutions sparingly if you want this to taste like a true copycat. Otherwise, feel free to tweak it however it suits you.

What's the Difference Between Old Bay and Cajun Seasoning?

While the two include some of the same ingredients, this Old Bay replica uses more spices and has a bay leaf, celery salt, and mustard base. Cajun seasoning concentrates on paprika and is a little spicier because of the cayenne pepper. In many recipes, they could be used as substitutes for one another, though each will contribute a distinctly different flavor to a dish.

Powdered vs. Whole Spices

You can use powdered spices or whole spices for this recipe. If you use whole spices, use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to grind them into a fine powder and then measure them. Whichever you use, remember that your blend is only as fresh as the spices that go into it.

What's the Deal with Ground Dried Bay Leaves?

The hardest ingredient to find for this blend is ground, dried bay leaves. You can sometimes find ground bay leaf at the supermarket, but you may have to grind it yourself. Be sure to use dried bay leaves, not fresh; they grind more quickly and thoroughly into a powder. It will take 15 large bay leaves to result in 1 tablespoon of ground bay leaf. It's a great way to use those broken bay leaves that are in the container.

Tips for Using Homemade Old Bay Recipe

While it's famously used for shellfish and other seafood, it works wonderfully on a wide variety of dishes. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Spice rub - Use it as a spice rub for fish fillets, chicken breasts or thighs, or pan-fried pork chops.
  • Season it up - Use it as a seasoning for a low country boil or crab boil. Sprinkle it on roasted or sautéed vegetables. Add it to your burger meat blend or stir it into mayo to top burgers.
  • Make it a dip or filling - Mix with sour cream to make an easy appetizer dip or use it in your deviled egg filling.
What You'll Need to Make This Old Bay-Style Seasoning Recipe
Spice grinders we recommend on a yellow background
A Handy Dandy Spice Grinder
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A Nice Set of Measuring Spoons
The Best Magnetic Spice Racks and Jars
A Spice Container

"This was easy to make and quite inexpensive if you have a well-stocked spice rack. The flavor and spice level were very close to the commercial mix. For the hard-to-find bay leaf powder, it takes approximately 15 large bay leaves to make 1 tablespoon of powder in a coffee grinder." —Diana Rattray

Old Bay-Style Seasoning Mix Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon ground dried bay leaves

  • 2 teaspoons celery salt

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika

  • 1 teaspoon ground celery seeds

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground mace

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Old Bay-style seasoning recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  2. Combine 1 tablespoon ground dried bay leaves, 2 teaspoons celery salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon sweet (or smoked) paprika, 1 teaspoon ground celery seeds, 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/8 teaspoon ground mace, 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/8 ground all spice in a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.

    Ingredients added to a glass bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

  3. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place. Use in your favorite recipes and enjoy.

    Ingredients stirred together with a spoon in the bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Victoria Heydt

How to Store Old Bay Seasoning Recipe

This mix will keep well for about six months when stored correctly in an airtight container. Never store spices near the stove because the heat causes them to lose potency more quickly. Store them in the dark, as sunlight—especially direct sunlight—can affect the flavor as well. Spice mixes can all look alike when several are stored together: Make sure to label any seasoning mix with the name, the date it was made, and the date it should be discarded.

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

You can change the amounts and proportions of the ingredients to your liking:

  • Make it spicy - Use more dry mustard and crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Less salty - Replace some of the celery salt with more celery seed.
  • For a smokier flavor - use smoked paprika and increase the amount.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
3 Calories
0g Fat
0g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 3
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 103mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 5mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 9mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)