What Is Old bay seasoning and How Can I Use It?
If old bay seasoning has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 38 recipes to try it in.
What is old bay seasoning?
Old Bay Seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices that is currently marketed in the United States by McCormick & Company, and produced in Maryland.
The seasoning mix includes mustard, paprika, celery seed, bay leaf, both black and red pepper, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, salt and ginger. It is regionally popular, specifically in Southern StatesGulf Coast. It is chiefly used to season crab and shrimp.
In addition to flavoring seafood, the seasoning is often used as a topping on popcorn, salads, eggs, fried chicken, french fries, tater tots, corn on the cob, and potato chips.
Quick facts
Where to find old bay seasoning: Old bay seasoning is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
- In Chinese
- 老湾调味
- British (UK) term
- Old bay seasoning
- en français
- vieille assaisonnement baie
- en español
- antigua bahía sazonar
Recipes using old bay seasoning
There are 38 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Joey's Grilled Hamburger Supreme
Joey's grilled hamburger supreme features Cajun-spiced beef patties topped with buttery sauteed mushrooms, sharp cheddar and tomato on an onion roll. The backyard burger upgrade you need.
Summer Corn Chowder
This is one of those recipes that is more of a guideline—I really encourage you to adapt the amounts and ingredients to your tastes. If you like it chunky, don’t puree it. If you like a thinner soup, add more chicken broth. If you don’t like heat, omit the cayenne.
Holly's Crockpot Seafood Cheese Dip
Crockpot seafood cheese dip loaded with shrimp, crab, and lobster melted into a base of cream cheese, sour cream, and processed cheese. Warm, scoopable, and built for a crowd.
Corned Beef & Cabbage (Stovetop)
Traditional Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe with tender brisket, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. The authentic stovetop method for St. Patrick's Day perfection.
Beer Battered Deep Fried Fish With Tarter Sauce
"This delicious fish is great to serve for lunch or for dinner. The beer batter is just the best!"
Crab (Imitation) Salad
Imitation crab salad just like the deli case: flaked surimi tossed with celery, a light mayo and sour cream dressing, Old Bay, and celery seed. A cool, creamy seafood salad for sandwiches, crackers, or a bed of greens.
Crispy Oven-Fried Onion Rings
Try these crispy oven-Fried Onion Rings. They are much healthier than deep fried rings, and still taste absolutely delicious. They are so easy to be addictive, but this time you don't have to feel guilty about it.
Frogmore Stew
Frogmore stew is the classic Lowcountry boil: red potatoes, smoked sausage, corn, and shrimp simmered in one Old Bay-spiced pot. Staggered timing means everything finishes just right for a dump-and-feast spread.
Quick Crab Supreme
Make your family seafood lovers with this quick and succulent dish that's easy to make and is hassle free!
Un-Fried Chicken-Daley
Oven-baked "un-fried" chicken coated in yogurt and seasoned Italian bread crumbs with Old Bay and Creole spices. Crispy, flavorful, and low-fat with no deep frying required.
Crab Cakes #2
Crab cakes cooked in a sandwich press with shredded crab, French mustard, Worcestershire, Old Bay, and bread cubes. The Maryland classic in 16 minutes flat.
Hearty Beef Vegetable Stew
Slow cooker beef stew with chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, and onion seasoned with Old Bay. Just dump everything in the crockpot and let it cook on high for six hours.
Un-Fried Chicken
Un-fried chicken: oven-baked chicken breasts with a crispy Old Bay, herb, and breadcrumb coating. Yogurt dipped instead of buttermilk dunked, for a lighter take on classic fried chicken.
Grilled Meat Loaf
Grilled meatloaf cooks a seasoned ground beef loaf in foil right on the coals, no oven required. Poke the foil to drain the grease, then top with canned tomatoes and bell peppers for a smoky backyard twist.
Salmon Corn Chowder
Salmon corn chowder with bacon, creamed corn, potato soup, and Old Bay seasoning. A thick, creamy chowder using canned salmon and pantry shortcuts for a fast weeknight bowl.
Doll Show Shrimp & Eggs
Old Bay-seasoned shrimp folded into scrambled eggs with sautéed leeks, tomato, and cream cheese, finished in the oven until set. A fancy brunch-worthy egg dish that serves 3 in about 40 minutes.
Smiley Face Shrimp
Boiled shrimp marinated overnight in a fiery herb oil with hot sauce, Old Bay, garlic, basil, oregano, and thyme. A bold, zesty appetizer that feeds a crowd. Makes 25.
Deviled Crab Croquetts
Deviled crab croquettes with Old Bay seasoning, mashed potatoes, hard-boiled egg, and green pepper, rolled in cracker meal and fried golden.
David Sea Scallops with Shrimp Butter
This is my son's recipe for sea scallops, He is executive chef at the East End Cafe in Washington.
Shallow-Poached Sea Bass
Poaching can be done with or without a lid. Covering the pan will increase the temperature of the poaching liquid.
Quick Crab Cakes
Add something new to your Christmas platters with these scrumptious crab cakes that are sure to be a hit!
Collector's Camembert Pie
Showstopping Camembert pie with Old Bay shrimp, asparagus, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes layered under a golden homemade brioche crust. A savory French-inspired masterpiece for entertaining.
Maryland Crab Soup with Loaded Veggies
Maryland crab soup loaded with sweet lump crab meat, Old Bay seasoning, potatoes, corn, green beans, and carrots in a beef and tomato broth. The classic Chesapeake Bay vegetable soup.
Deviled Crab Croquettes
Crab croquettes made with mashed potatoes, chopped hard-boiled eggs, green pepper, and Old Bay seasoning, rolled in cracker meal and deep-fried golden. Ready in 30 minutes.
Crab Cheesecake
Savory crab cheesecake on a buttery cracker crust with Old Bay seasoning, Tabasco, and lemon, topped with sour cream. A showstopping Maryland-style appetizer that serves 12.
Oven-Finished Crabcakes with Old Bay
These Maryland-style crabcakes sear golden on the stovetop, then finish in the oven for tender centers. Old Bay seasoning, sautéed peppers, and fresh garlic pack them with classic Chesapeake Bay flavor.
Crab & Portabella Melt
Crab and portabella melt: grilled mushroom caps topped with tomato, Old Bay crab salad, and melted cheddar. A bread-free open-face that eats like a proper sandwich.
Hot Maryland Crab Soup with String Beans
Maryland crab soup with green beans, corn, carrots, and tomatoes in an Old Bay broth. A Chesapeake classic that uses sweet claw meat instead of pricey lump for big crab flavor.
Hopping John in a Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooker Hoppin' John with brown basmati rice, wild rice, black-eyed peas, collard and mustard greens, and stewed tomatoes. A hearty Southern one-pot classic.
Mini Crab Cakes with Herbed Aioli
A special recipe from Sur la table. You can form and chill the crab cakes up to 8 hours before cooking and serving. The aioli can be made one day ahead. Bring to room temp and whisk before using.
Pepper Steak--Old Bay Seasoning Version
Pepper steak stir-fry with Old Bay seasoning, round steak, bell peppers, mushrooms, and a glossy soy-cornstarch sauce served over rice. A quick weeknight dinner with Chesapeake Bay flair.
Maryland Crab Soup
Maryland crab soup with live blue crabs, beef stew meat, bacon, corn, tomatoes, and Old Bay. Slow-simmered Chesapeake Bay classic, sweet corn version.
Oven Baked Crab Cakes From the Sea Grill Restaurant
Oven-baked crab cakes with 2 lbs jumbo lump crab, cornflake crust, Dijon, and Old Bay. Crispy outside, tender inside, and no pan-frying mess. Restaurant-quality at home.
Easy Baked Stuffed Clams
Try this new and delicious seafood dish that uses clams, bread crumbs and a hot pepper sauce.
New Jersey Clam Chowder
New Jersey clam chowder: a Jersey shore split between cream and tomato, with bacon, chowder clams, Old Bay, and an unusual cream of asparagus base. Garnished with asparagus spears.
