Old Bay

Old Bay is a delicious blend of herbs and spices that is used in many seafood recipes like crab and shrimp. It actually originates right here in Maryland!

Close up of Maryland Crab Cakes on a white plate with lemons

What is Old Bay seasoning?

This is a popular seasoning that is made and manufactured by McCormick. It’s most popular in Maryland, New England, the south, the gulf coast, and the mid atlantic states. The blend of seasoning contains:

  • celery salt
  • black pepper
  • crushed red pepper flakes
  • paprika

Old Bay seasoning is usually used to season crab and shrimp; however, it can also be used as a topping for many other thing! Including:

  • popcorn
  • salads
  • eggs
  • corn on the cob
  • tater tots
  • french fries
  • chipped beef
  • baked potatoes
  • potato salad
  • guacamole
  • chips

It gets it’s name from a passenger ship line that cruised the Chesapeake Bay from Baltimore from Virginia. These ships carried spices made by the Baltimore Spice company.

Recipes that use Old Bay:

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