Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

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Homemade Old Bay Seasoning Recipe
Old Bay Seasoning is a seasoning mix I have always  used sparingly, a pinch in tuna salad, a dash on fish fillets, that’s about it. When I recently discovered my tin can of Old Bay Seasoning seemed to be well past it’s prime. I thought mixing up a fresh batch of a homemade version would be a good idea.

Right off the bat I ran into a spice I didn’t have. Ground bay leaf is not something I generally have in my pantry. I decided to improvise by grinding my own in my spice grinder, but only after Googling at great lengths to see if it even safe to eat bay leaves. It seemed I vaguely recalled one of my parents telling me not to at one point. Turns out I was right it is really not recommended.   “Bay leaves may be eaten without toxic effect. However, they remain very stiff even after thorough cooking, and if swallowed whole or in large pieces, they may pose a risk of scratching the digestive tract or even causing choking”. If you do grind your own too, make sure to grind it down to a very fine powder, or easier still you can just order some from The Spice House.

Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustrd
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground bay leaf
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardemom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Store in an airtight container and store in a cool place. Use with seafood or chicken.

I am very happy with this Homemade Old Bay Seasoning, it  is very similar Old Bay, but it definitely has its own personality. I am not sure if it is because my tin of Old Bay was well past its use by date, but this mix has much more flavor!

Homemade Old Bay Seasoning Recipe

Here are a few other Spice Mixes you might like:

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5 Comments

  1. Several have had to undergo surgery due to eating whole bay leaves. The stem pierces the stomach or esophagus

  2. Thanks so much for the home made recipes for all the wonderful mixes. Home made is so much healthier for us and Taste so much better. I’m making up all your recipes this week and can’t wait to try them. Thanks again.

    1. I am so glad you are enjoying them! You are right, they are better in many ways, and I think it is fun to mix them up!

  3. Hi Jennifer…as a sidebar…Bay leaves, when steeped in hot water, make a tea good for upset stomachs. I love that you made your own seasoning…I’m definitely going to try it. Thanks!

    ~Nancy C
    @FarmersWifie1
    RunnningCreekFarm.com

    1. Hi Nancy!
      I did not know bay leaves can be used for stomach aches! I will definitely give that a try next time someone has an upset stomach in my house! Thanks