Bayou Bites: Old Bay Recipes Unleashed

Seasonings are the essence of any dish. Salt, pepper, and herbs—they are the key to bringing food to life and enhancing natural flavors . However, for Marylanders, there’s only one seasoning that matters: Old Bay. The little yellow box with the red lid is a staple in kitchens across the state for good reason. It’s the perfect blend of spices to complement the bay’s delicious seafood offerings. Salty, garlicy, spicy, flavorful, and bold, there’s truly nothing like it, and it pairs with a range of foods from main dishes to snacks and even cocktails . Still, the best Old Bay recipes are those that let it shine and feature little to no other seasonings.

In my opinion, there’s never a bad time to add Old Bay to a dish. As a Baltimore native, Old Bay simmers up nostalgic feelings of being in the crab tent at my grandfather’s house or grillside with my dad while steaming shrimp. So, when summertime comes, nothing feels more appropriate than pulling out that yellow box and using it to spice up everything from breakfast potatoes to, of course, all things crab. In that vein, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite Old Bay recipes below. If you’re new to using Old Bay seasoning, I offer you this one piece of advice: More is more when it comes to Old Bay, so don’t be afraid to shake until your arm is sore.

Crab Dip

Ingredients

• 1 package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons Old Bay
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 pound lump crabmeat
• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, Old Bay Seasoning, and ground mustard in a medium bowl until well blended. Add crabmeat, then toss gently.
2. Spread in shallow 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese and additional Old Bay Seasoning.
3. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with assorted crackers or sliced French bread.

Steamed Shrimp

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 12 ounces light beer
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons Old Bay

Instructions

1. Add water, apple cider vinegar, and beer to a large stockpot.
2. Turn heat to high to bring to a boil. While waiting for the mixture to boil, add it to your steamer basket.
3. Once the mixture is boiling, place your shrimp into the steam basket and sprinkle the Old Bay over the shrimp. Cover and let steam for 5-6 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink all the way through.
4. Serve immediately.

Old Bay Wings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken wings
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Old Bay

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
2. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
3. Toss the dry chicken wings in the spice mixture until they are evenly coated.
4. Place wings in air fryer and cook in batches until all of the wings are crispy.
5. Add warm melted butter and Old Bay to a bowl and stir to mix.
6. While the wings are still hot, transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
7. Pour the Old Bay butter sauce over the wings and toss to coat them evenly.

Old Bay Potato Salad

Ingredients

• 2 pounds red potatoes unpeeled
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion, divided
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Old Bay
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan and cook potatoes until tender. Then drain them and let cool completely.
2. Mix mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and Old Bay in large bowl until well blended. Add potatoes, eggs, and most of the red onion to the bowl, then toss to coat well.
3. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
4. Sprinkle with chives, 1 tablespoon red onion, and Old Bay on top before serving.

Old Bay Bloody Mary

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons celery seed, divided
• 1 3/4 cups vegetable juice (I use V8; tomato juice can be substituted. See notes)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (shake the bottle first)
• 1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice, plus 1 wedge for rimming the glass
• 1-2 teaspoons Tabasco (2 gives a real kick)
• 1/2 teaspoon prepared horseradish
• 3 ounces vodka (I like Tito’s)

Instructions

1. On a small plate, use a fork to combine 1 teaspoon of Old Bay, paprika, and celery seed.
2. Run a lemon wedge around the top edge of two glasses, then dip the glasses into the spice mixture.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker or large liquid measuring cup halfway with ice.
4. Add the vegetable juice, Worcestershire, lemon juice, Tabasco, horseradish, 3/4 teaspoon Old Bay, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon celery seed, and vodka. Then stir to combine.
5. Add some ice to the glasses and divide the Bloody Mary evenly between the two.
6. Add any optional garnishes, then serve immediately.

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