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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.

old bay seasoning

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.

Where found

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:
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

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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

Summer Corn Chowder

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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

Holly's Crockpot Seafood Cheese Dip

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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)

Corned Beef & Cabbage (Stovetop)

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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

Beer Battered Deep Fried Fish With Tarter Sauce

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"This delicious fish is great to serve for lunch or for dinner. The beer batter is just the best!"

Crab (Imitation) Salad

Crab (Imitation) Salad

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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

Crispy Oven-Fried Onion Rings

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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.

Easy Shrimp Newburg

Easy Shrimp Newburg

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Serve this rich and creamy shrimp over cooked rice, toast points or pasta.

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Frogmore Stew

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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.

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Quick Crab Supreme

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Make your family seafood lovers with this quick and succulent dish that's easy to make and is hassle free!

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Un-Fried Chicken-Daley

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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.

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Crab Cakes #2

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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.

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Hearty Beef Vegetable Stew

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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.

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Un-Fried Chicken

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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.

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Grilled Meat Loaf

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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.

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Salmon Corn Chowder

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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.

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Doll Show Shrimp & Eggs

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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.

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Smiley Face Shrimp

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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.

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Deviled Crab Croquetts

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Deviled crab croquettes with Old Bay seasoning, mashed potatoes, hard-boiled egg, and green pepper, rolled in cracker meal and fried golden.

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David Sea Scallops with Shrimp Butter

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This is my son's recipe for sea scallops, He is executive chef at the East End Cafe in Washington.

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Shallow-Poached Sea Bass

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Poaching can be done with or without a lid. Covering the pan will increase the temperature of the poaching liquid.

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Quick Crab Cakes

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Add something new to your Christmas platters with these scrumptious crab cakes that are sure to be a hit!

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Collector's Camembert Pie

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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.

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Maryland Crab Soup with Loaded Veggies

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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.

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Deviled Crab Croquettes

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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.

All 38 recipes

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