After years of developing seafood recipes for a living, I have narrowed down the very best replacements for Old Bay Seasoning when the can in my pantry runs dry. Here are 6 Substitutes For Old Bay Seasoning.

Shrimp Boil on paper bag spread over picnic table

The savory, complex spice mix so familiar to seafood lovers around the globe adds full-bodied flavor to every dish it touches. But it can be difficult to find overseas, so I've developed my go-to list of replacements.

What's in Old Bay?

As you might suspect, Old Bay Seasoning originated in a seaside region - specifically, Baltimore, Maryland on the East Coast of the US. It was created around 1940 by Gustav Brunn, a German Jewish immigrant and spice-maker who fled Germany and started selling spices at the fish market in Baltimore. (If you want to read more about this trendsetter's remarkable story, check out this article from the NPR station in Washington DC for all the details.)

The popular spice blend contains an ingredient list that is top secret. But we do know that Mr. Brunn's unique flavor combination holds a few key ingredients, including:

celery salt (celery seed + sea salt)
red pepper
black pepper
paprika

We're also pretty sure the main ingredients have a few of these spices in the supporting cast:

bay leaves
ground mustard seed
nutmeg
mace
cinnamon
cloves
ginger

It's robust and complex and delicious on all sorts of seafood dishes and veggies.

What are the best Old Bay Seasoning substitutes?

After cooking with, and without, Old Bay for a few decades, here are my go-to substitutes for times when I don't have any of the spice mixture handy.

1. Cajun Spice Blend Seasoning

Pre-made Cajun Seasoning spice blends are a great substitute for Old Bay Seasoning. They share several common ingredients, and both offer a robust flavor profile, thought sometimes with more heat than Old Bay. So if you're sensitive to spice, start with ½ of the prescribed amount, then taste and adjust seasoning from there.

I've used several brands of cajun or creole seasoning mixes, my favorite is McCormicks Gourmet Cajun Seasoning. It's an excellent substitute for Old Bay and reasonably priced.

2. Seafood Seasoning

Your local grocery store likely carries a general seafood seasoning mixture near the fish counter, or in the dried spices aisle. Any blend of spices created specifically to season seafood will be a great option as a substitute for Old Bay. Paprika, celery salt, garlic and pepper are likely all included in the ingredient list, along with different spices that complement seafood.

Red Lobster Signature Seafood Seasoning has been my go-to pre-made spice mix for years. It's a good Old Bay Seasoning substitute in any recipe, and can be used as a 1-for-1 substitute for Old Bay in recipes.

3. Crab Boil Seasoning

Powdered crab boil seasoning (NOT the liquid mix) is another great option if you need a seafood seasoning in place of Old Bay. Most crab boil spice mixes will include paprika, salt, red pepper and lemon juice concentrate, among other herbs and spices. This is a particularly delicious mix if you're making a seafood recipe.

Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp and Crab Boil is my preferred ready-made mix for a crab boil. It's a mellow, tasty, well-rounded mixture that never lets me down. Use crab boil as a 1-for-1 substitute for Old Bay.

(This spice blend does include the flavor enhancer MSG, which has never been an issue for me. Just wanted to make you aware!)

4. Homemade Blackened Seasoning Blend

Another great option when you need an Old-Bay-like spice mixture, is to make a homemade version. I keep a small jar of homemade blackened seasoning in my spice drawer - it's the perfect mix of herbs and spices and adds a lovely heat to any dish it touches.

This blackened seasoning can be used 1-for-1 as a substitute for Old Bay in your recipe.

spices in bullits next to salt and pepper and sugar

5. Seasoned Salt

If your spice drawer includes a jar of Seasoning Salt, you already have one of the best options for creating your own seafood spice at home. Seasoned salt doesn't usually have an aggressive spicy flavor, so you may want to add a pinch of cayenne to the mix, along with a pinch of celery salt or celery seed, if you have it on hand.

Good old Lawry's is my go-to seasoning blend at home. It's solid and reliable on all sorts of dishes, including seafood, veggies, and crispy french fries.

Seasoned salt should be used 1-for-1 as a substitute for Old Bay.

6. Celery Salt, Paprika and Cayenne Pepper

If you're fresh out of Old Bay and any of the seasoning blend options above, let's whip up our own homemade Old Bay Seasoning substitute, shall we?

For each teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning called for in a recipe, substitute ¼ teaspoon of celery salt, ¼ teaspoon of paprika, a pinch of cayenne and a pinch of black pepper. Mix and use in place of one full teaspoon of Old Bay.

This simple ingredient list is probably already in your spice cabinet and a great substitute for Old Bay Seasoning in a pinch. To store, keep your spice mix in an airtight container for up to 9 months.

How do you use Old Bay Seasoning?

The possible uses of Old Bay Seasoning are endless! Soaking up the savory flavors of this popular spice mix can be as simple as brushing your white fish fillet with melted butter and sprinkling it with a dose of Old Bay, or adding it to melted butter for dipping your skewer of Argentine Grilled Shrimp.

But if you're really looking to make your seafood shine, try one of these Old Bay-flavored stunners:

6 Top Old Bay Seasoning Substitutes

What's in Old Bay?