Description
Old Bay Seasoning sparks culinary magic with its blend of classic spices straight from Maryland’s coastal kitchens. Home cooks can easily craft this legendary seasoning mix, elevating seafood, vegetables, and countless dishes with rich, zesty flavor you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Spices:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) celery salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper
Secondary Spices:
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground allspice
Optional and Accent Spices:
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.625 ml) ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.625 ml) ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.625 ml) ground mace
Instructions
- Gather all dry spices and herbs from your pantry, ensuring they are fresh and aromatic for optimal flavor profile.
- Select a clean, medium-sized mixing bowl that provides ample space for thorough ingredient incorporation.
- Carefully measure each spice component, focusing on precise proportions to maintain the classic seasoning balance.
- Gently sift paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and other ground spices into the mixing bowl to prevent potential clumping.
- Use a whisk or fork to meticulously blend the spice mixture, ensuring comprehensive and uniform distribution of all ingredients.
- Continue mixing for approximately 60-90 seconds, rotating the bowl to guarantee complete integration of flavors.
- Choose a pristine, airtight glass container or ceramic spice jar with a secure lid to preserve the seasoning’s potency.
- Transfer the freshly crafted spice blend into the selected storage vessel, using a funnel if necessary to minimize spillage.
- Create a legible label indicating the seasoning name and preparation date for future reference.
- Position the sealed container in a cool, dark cabinet away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain maximum flavor intensity.
- Experiment with the homemade seasoning by sprinkling generously over seafood, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or incorporating into marinades and cooking liquids.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting paprika and cayenne pepper ratios for personal spice preferences.
- Replace salt with low-sodium alternatives to create a heart-healthy version of the seasoning blend.
- Grind whole spices fresh for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic depth in the homemade mix.
- Store in a dark glass container to preserve the spices’ potency and prevent flavor degradation from light exposure.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 6
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 364 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.4 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg