master-cooks | What Exactly Goes Into Old Bay Seasoning?

Old Bay Seasoning is a distinctive blend of herbs and spices that has become a staple in American kitchens, particularly favored for its use in seafood dishes. The seasoning was created in 1939 by Gustav Brunn, a German immigrant, who settled in Baltimore, Maryland. Its unique flavor profile is both spicy and savory, contributing to its popularity for enhancing the taste of crabs, shrimp, and other seafood. The exact recipe is a well-guarded secret, but it is known to contain a mix of celery salt, which is made from ground celery seed and salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and paprika. These core ingredients are complemented by a variety of other spices such as mustard, nutmeg, cloves, bay leaf, allspice, cardamom, and ginger, contributing to its complex and aromatic profile. The combination of these spices provides a balanced heat and a burst of flavor that can elevate a wide range of dishes beyond seafood, including chicken, fries, popcorn, and even cocktails. Old Bay's versatility and distinctive taste have earned it a loyal following, transforming it into a cultural culinary icon, especially along the East Coast of the United States.

The history of Old Bay and the original recipe

Gustav Brunn arrived in America as a refugee. In 1938, he was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp in Germany. His wife successfully hired a lawyer to secure his release, and shortly thereafter, the Brunn family escaped to America. Once they settled in Baltimore, Brunn found employment with McCormick, but his time there was short-lived; he was dismissed after just a few days due to his Jewish background.

Determined to succeed, Brunn established his own business, The Baltimore Spice Company, which he operated alongside his wife Bianca and their son Ralph. The shop was ideally located near Baltimore's fish markets, and soon seafood vendors began visiting Brunn's store in search of flavors to complement the local crab catches. Recognizing a business opportunity, Brunn set out to create a spice blend tailored for seafood enthusiasts.

His original recipe combined 19 different herbs and spices, including celery salt, paprika, red and black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. The unique combination of spices provided a distinctive flavor to the local crab, and the complexity of the recipe made it difficult for competitors to imitate. Eventually, Brunn named his seasoning blend "Old Bay," inspired by the nickname of a nearby steamship line.

How to make a copycat version of Old Bay

Five years after Brunn passed away in 1985, McCormick acquired his company along with the secret spice blend that had become a beloved choice among local seafood enthusiasts. Although McCormick has kept most of the Old Bay recipe under wraps, the company has disclosed enough of the formula for home cooks and recipe creators to whip up convincing replicas of this sought-after seasoning.

Old Bay's vibrant orange mixture is rich in complex salty flavors. To create your own version, you'll need to familiarize yourself with your spice rack. Recipe developer Miriam Hahn's (spicy) take on a homemade Old Bay blend features a simple mix of 12 spices: celery seed, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, dry mustard, allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, ground cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Store this blend in an airtight container to add a kick to meats, vegetables, and side dishes. Hahn even suggests enhancing popcorn with a sprinkle of Old Bay.

What Exactly Goes Into Old Bay Seasoning?

The history of Old Bay and the original recipe

How to make a copycat version of Old Bay

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