Copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

10 minutes mins

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5 from 5 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

This Copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix is made with lots of different savory spices with hints of warmth and a little spicy kick. Use it on seafood, on potatoes or corn on the cob – it’s perfect for many summer classics!

Copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix Recipe - Savory Nothings (1)

I love knowing how to make my own spice mixes – I first started with my gingerbread spice mix way back in time, because it was always so difficult to find it readily mixed at the store. Being able to whip up your own spice mixes can be so convenient if you can’t locate something, or if you just want to know exactly what’s going into your food!

I do have a hard time finding Old Bay Seasoning locally, so it’s something I do often make myself. It’s so great for all kinds of summer foods – and while it does have a lot of individual spices, it’s still incredibly easy to make!

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix Recipe - Savory Nothings (2)

Ingredient notes

  • Ground bay: If you can’t find ground bay leaves at the store (I looked in 5 stores and couldn’t locate them anywhere), use 10-15 whole dried bay leaves and grind them to a powder using a small food processor or high-powered blender.
  • Paprika: Feel free to use smoked paprika for a smokey hint.
  • Substitutes: I know, this is quite a bunch of different spices here. Bay, mustard, paprika, celery seed and pepper are the main flavors to me – if you can add these, you’ve got a good base. The cinnamon/allspice/nutmeg/mace/cloves/ginger/cardamom spices can easily be substituted with 2-3 teaspoons homemade or store-bought pumpkin pie spice or gingerbread spice mix for a similar flavor profile.
  • Heat: Feel free to adjust the chili flakes and cayenne pepper to your taste. As written, the mix has a mild kick (my 6 year old loves food seasoned with it, my 4 year old can’t handle it yet; my husband thinks I could increase the chili flakes x10000 ?).

How to make a copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix

This really is a non-recipe – you just need the ingredients, really. Combine everything in a small bowl and you’re good to go!

  • Copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix Recipe - Savory Nothings (3)

Recipe tips

  • I like using a small fork to mash up any lumps in the individual spices and to fully combine the mix. You can also use a small whisk, if you have one.
  • This makes a generous amount of spice mix for several uses (unless you’re making a large batch of shrimp boil, in which case you would probably need to double or triple the recipe). Feel free to cut it in half or less if you only need to use it once.

Storage tips

Store the spice mix in a clean, dry, tightly closed jar. I prefer keeping spices in a kitchen cabinet, where they are protected from heat and sunlight. Use the mix within 6 months.

Ideas for using

  • Use the spice mix for seafood dishes like a seafood boil, or use it in garlic butter with grilled shrimp. I have also used it in Sausage Foil Packets before and it was delicious!
  • It’s delicious to use on baked potatoes or to season potato wedges, roasted baby potatoes or roasted fingerling potatoes.
  • The seasoning mix also works great combined with butter for corn on the cob – I love air fried corn on the cob or grilled corn in foil!
Copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix Recipe - Savory Nothings (4)

More homemade spice mixes

  • Homemade Taco Seasoning
  • Homemade Fajita Seasoning
  • Homemade BBQ Rub
  • Homemade Italian Seasoning

Or browse all of my homemade pantry ideas.

PSIf you try this recipe, please leavea review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along onPinterest,FacebookorInstagram.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card

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Copycat Old Bay Seasoning

This Copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix is made with lots of different savory spices with hints of warmth and a little spicy kick.

Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

5 from 5 votes

Recipe details

Prep 10 minutes mins

Total 10 minutes mins

Servings 5 tablespoons

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon ground dried bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon celery salt
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground paprika regular or smoked both work
  • 1 teaspoon ground celery seeds
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • teaspoon ground mace
  • teaspoon ground ginger
  • teaspoon ground cloves
  • teaspoon ground cardamom
  • teaspoon ground allspice
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • crushed red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Store in a dry, tightly closed jar for up to 6 months.

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Notes

  • Ground bay: If you can’t find ground bay leaves at the store (I looked in 5 stores and couldn’t locate them anywhere), use 10-15 whole dried bay leaves and grind them to a powder using a small food processor or high-powered blender.
  • Substitutes: I know, this is quite a bunch of different spices here. Bay, mustard, paprika, celery seed and pepper are the main flavors to me – if you can add these, you’ve got a good base. The cinnamon/allspice/nutmeg/mace/cloves/ginger/cardamom spices can easily be substituted with 2-3 teaspoons homemade or store-bought pumpkin pie spice or gingerbread spice mix for a similar flavor profile.

I like using a small fork to mash up any lumps in the individual spices and to fully combine the mix. You can also use a small whisk, if you have one.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 13kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1397mgPotassium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 443IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Spice Mix

Cuisine: American

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Or browse all of my fish recipes.

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About Nora
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me! Learn more.

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Copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

Copycat Old Bay Seasoning Mix Recipe - Savory Nothings? ›

Some popular substitutions for Old Bay include crab boil, cajun seasoning, and celery salt mixed with paprika. When using a substitute, make sure to start with a small amount to begin with and taste as you go.

What is the closest thing to Old Bay seasoning? ›

Some popular substitutions for Old Bay include crab boil, cajun seasoning, and celery salt mixed with paprika. When using a substitute, make sure to start with a small amount to begin with and taste as you go.

What makes Old Bay seasoning so good? ›

The main flavor of Old Bay Seasoning is celery salt and paprika—a bit of smoke, a bit of sweet, and plenty salty. Although many people seem to be wishing for an Old Bay recipe without the salt, well, it's really hard to deliver on that one.

What gives Old Bay its unique flavor? ›

According to McCormick, Old Bay is a blend of 18 herbs and spices, making it versatile for use on fish, chicken, vegetables, and soup. The unique blend of spices includes (but is not limited to): celery seed, paprika, mustard, salt, red pepper, and black pepper.

Is there MSG in Old Bay seasoning? ›

OLD BAY Seasoning features a premium blend of 18 herbs and spices including celery salt, red and black pepper and paprika to add beloved, unmatched taste that enhances any chef-inspired recipe. OLD BAY Seasoning is Kosher with no added MSG.

Does Aldi have Old Bay seasoning? ›

Aldi also has some brand-name items at very low prices, like five-ounce cans of Old Bay Seasoning, a necessity in any Southern cook's kitchen, for a full $2 less than my regular store.

Is it okay to use expired Old Bay seasoning? ›

Dried herbs and spices don't truly expire or “go bad” in the traditional sense. When a spice is said to have gone bad, it simply means that it has lost most of its flavor, potency, and color. Fortunately, consuming a spice that has gone bad is unlikely to make you sick.

Is Lawry's the same as Old Bay? ›

While both Lawry's Seasoned Salt and Old Bay Seasoning are versatile spice blends, Lawry's is known for its savory and tangy flavor, suitable for a variety of dishes. It contains a combination of salt, sugar, paprika, turmeric, onion, and garlic powder, among other herbs and spices.

Why does Old Bay taste like celery? ›

THE MAIN FLAVOR INGREDIENTS IN OLD BAY CONSIST OF CELERY SALT, PAPRIKA, AND MUSTARD SEED.

Who originally made Old Bay seasoning? ›

Old Bay was invented in 1940 by Gustav Brunn, a German Jewish refugee in Baltimore. Before immigrating to Maryland, Brunn was a successful spicemaker in Germany where he specialized in making blends for sausages. His business was booming until Hitler came to power in 1933.

Does McCormick own Old Bay? ›

Spice giant McCormick currently owns the Old Bay brand, but they only bought the seasoning in 1990. According to Saveur, the blend was the brainchild of a German immigrant, Gustav Brunn, who lugged his spice grinder to the United States in the late 1930s and settled in Baltimore.

What is best to use Old Bay seasoning with? ›

Old Bay seasoning is an aromatic and savory blend of 18 spices that's used to season seafood including crab cakes, shrimp dishes and more. Old Bay can also be used on proteins such as poultry, beef and tofu, as well as vegetable-based dishes like these Maryland Boardwalk Fries or Old Bay Butternut Squash.

What does Old Bay seasoning contain? ›

According to the label, Old Bay Seasoning is a mixture of celery salt, spices (including red pepper and black pepper), and paprika. This incredibly vague description leaves a lot left to the imagination, but given how iconic it is, it's easy to understand why they do their best to keep the exact recipe a secret.

What spice replaces MSG? ›

Soy sauce is a good substitute, rich in umami. As with broth cubes, first check the list of ingredients to ensure that there is no MSG added. Oyster sauce, fish sauce (nam pla), and Worcestershire sauce can also be used to enhance the taste of dishes.

Is there shellfish in Old Bay seasoning? ›

This product is likely shellfish free.

Is there garlic in Old Bay seasoning? ›

Despite many people speculating that garlic powder was one of the secret ingredients contained in the recipe, Old Bay's makers have stated that their product contains no garlic, in response to a question from a customer with an allium allergy.

Which is better Old Bay or Cajun seasoning? ›

Cajun seasoning may be your best option if you enjoy a spicy kick of heat in your food. For a more mild, savory flavor, Old Bay could be your cup of tea.

Can I use creole seasoning instead of Old Bay? ›

Creole seasoning can also be a good Old Bay substitute if needed. Cajun seasoning blends are also a good alternative to Creole seasoning if you're looking for a more comparable flavor profile and have that in your spice cabinet.

Is paprika the same as Old Bay seasoning? ›

Paprika and celery salt is a great substitute for Old Bay seasoning. To make your own Old Bay seasoning, mix together paprika and celery salt. You can use this blend to season seafood, meats, vegetables, soups, and stews. Dial it to taste.

Are Old Bay goldfish coming back? ›

The Goldfish Old Bay Seasoned crackers are now back for a limited-time run at retailers nationwide for $3.69. In case you are unfamiliar with the wildly popular flavor, it comes with "the distinct blend of 18 herbs and spices and time-honored taste of Old Bay," Goldfish explained in a statement provided to Food & Wine.

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