5 Substitutes for Old Bay Seasoning
If you need Old Bay seasoning in a recipe but don’t have any on hand, you’re in luck! There are many great spices that can give your food that same delicious flavor. Here are some great substitutes for Old Bay seasoning including paprika and celery salt, Cajun seasoning, seasoned salt, crab boil seasoning, and Chinese five spice.

Old Bay Seasoning is a popular spice blend that originates from the Chesapeake Bay region in the United States. It is most commonly used to season seafood like crab cakes and shrimp boils, but can also be used on meats, vegetables, and in soups and stews.
Old Bay Seasoning is a classic American spice blend and is beloved for its unique mix of savory, sweet, and earthy flavors.
The base of the seafood seasoning is made up of celery salt and paprika, which are then blended with other spices like mustard, black pepper, cloves, allspice, and ginger. This mix of spices creates a flavor that is both complex and perfectly balanced.
Substitutes for Old Bay Seasoning
What happens if you run out of Old Bay in your spice cabinet when you need it?
Here are the best Old Bay Seasoning Substitutes for your seafood dishes. Look for these options at grocery stores or try making your own homemade Old Bay seasoning!
1. Paprika & Celery Salt
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.
To substitute one teaspoon of old bay seasoning, use 1/4 teaspoon of paprika and 1/4 teaspoon of celery salt.
2. Cajun Seasoning
If you’re looking for a spice blend that will give your food a similar flavor to Old Bay seasoning, try Cajun seasoning. This blend typically contains paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
You can use Cajun seasoning in any recipe that calls for Old Bay seasoning. Be careful with this one, as it tends to be spicier than Old Bay. Even so, it is a good substitute. Look for it at your local grocery store.
To substitute one teaspoon of old bay seasoning, use one teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
3. Seasoned Salt
Seasoned salt is another great substitute for Old Bay seasoning.
This blend typically contains herbs, spices, flavorings and sometimes MSG. Read the label if you want to avoid MSG. Use sparingly.
To substitute one teaspoon of old bay seasoning, use 1/2 teaspoon of seasoned salt.
4. Crab boil
Crab boil is a spice blend that typically contains ginger, chives, celery seeds, red pepper flakes, peppercorns, pickling spices, sea salt, and mustard seeds.
I recommend putting it into the water when boiling shellfish. It’s pretty similar to Old Bay and can offer a similar flavor profile.
You can use crab boil to season seafood, meats, vegetables, soups, and stews.
To substitute one teaspoon of old bay seasoning, use one teaspoon of Crab Boil.
5. Chinese Five Spice
If you’re looking for a spice blend that will give your food a similar flavor to Old Bay seasoning, try Chinese Five-spice.
This blend typically contains main ingredients including star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fennel, and depending on the recipe, one of three other ingredients: Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, or white pepper.
It’s a sweeter spice blend seasoning mix and great for poultry, seafood, or meat. I would recommend using smaller amounts first.
To substitute one teaspoon of old bay seasoning, use 1/2 teaspoon of Chinese five-spice.
Where Old Bay Originated From
Old Bay Seasoning was created in 1939 by Gustav Brunn. He started his own spice company and began selling his seasoning blend to local markets.
The popularity of Old Bay Seasoning quickly spread up and down the East Coast, and it has been a staple in American cooking ever since.
Old Bay Seasoning is a taste of the Chesapeake Bay that everyone can enjoy.
What is in it
This seasoning blend is a mixture of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and mustard seed, and it’s been a staple in the region for nearly a century.
Summary of Old Bay Seasoning Substitutes
Here’s a chart summarizing the best substitutes for Old Bay seasoning, including the pros and cons.
Substitute | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Paprika & Celery Salt | Simple to make, great for seafood and meats. | May lack the complexity of Old Bay’s unique spice mix. |
Cajun Seasoning | Rich flavor profile, easily available. | Spicier than Old Bay, may overwhelm some dishes. |
Seasoned Salt | Versatile and enhances flavor quickly. | May contain MSG, less complex flavor profile. |
Crab Boil | Authentic seafood flavor, enhances shellfish. | Specific to seafood; may not suit all Old Bay applications. |
Chinese Five Spice | Unique, aromatic blend adds depth to dishes. | Sweeter and less savory, best used in moderation. |
More Substitute Articles You Might Like
- Substitutes for Bay Leaves
- Substitutes for Chicken Base
- Substitutes for Dill
- Substitutes for Lemongrass
- Substitutes for Marjoram
- Substitutes for Nutritional Yeast
- Substitutes for Oregano
- Substitutes for Sage
Even More Articles About Substituting Ingredients
Conclusions
There are many great substitutes for Old Bay seasoning. Do your own research to find the perfect blend of spices for your dish. Some of my favorites include paprika and celery salt, Cajun seasoning, and Chinese Five-spice.
No matter which blend you choose, be sure to use it sparingly at first to test the flavors. Once you’ve found the right amount for your taste buds, enjoy the flavor in all your favorite dishes!
Don’t forget to join my newsletter list to get exclusive clean eating recipes and tips. The newsletter is 100% free with no spam; unsubscribe anytime.
About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is a certified holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.
My husband was recently put on a low sodium diet and I have been looking for seasonings to use to add flavor but not salt. I love the idea of using the five spice powder as a substitute for old bay in my crab salad sandwiches. I will add it judiciously.
Great yo know since my wife can’t eat nutmeg.