A mix of herbs and spices, Old Bay seasoning was initially used to add taste to seafood. However you may use the sweet, salty, and spicy mix of spices to taste chicken, salad, or stew.
Though thought about a cooking area pantry staple in numerous cooking areas, what do you do if you are all out or you can not utilize this all-purpose mix of herbs and spices? Well, in addition to making your own spicy blend, there are plenty of other mixes that serve as a good substitute for Old Bay spices.
About Old Bay Seasoning
Old Bay seasoning is a ready-made blend of herbs and spices chefs and home cooks utilize to add full-body flavor to meat, seafood, soup, chowder, stew, and salad. The seasoning is a bit spicy, a bit sweet, and a little bit mouthwatering, hitting all the best tastebuds.
According to the makers of Old Bay spices, the delicious mix includes 18 herbs and spices.1 However, the component list only includes celery salt (salt and celery seed), spices (red pepper and black pepper), and paprika.
Old Bay spices is Kosher and has no monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a mouthwatering taste enhancer and food additive typically discovered in commercial items.2 MSG is usually recognized as safe (GRAS), according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).3 However, there are reports of intolerances to the food additive.
You do not need to worry about MSG with Old Bay spices, however you might need to routinely inspect the label if you have food allergic reactions. The active ingredients tend to alter and some batches might contain common food allergens. Allergens are listed on all food identifies.2.
Old Bay Seasoning Nutrition Facts.
Full of flavor, Old Bay flavoring is not a considerable source of calories or vital nutrients. However, it does have salt. Nutrition info for 1/4 teaspoon (0.6 grams) of Old Bay spices comes from the USDA.4.
Calories: 0.
Fat: 0.
Salt: 140mg.
Carbohydrates: 0.
Fiber: 0.
Sugars: 0.
Protein: 0.
The small serving of Old Bay Seasoning provides 6% of the everyday value for salt. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines encourage keeping day-to-day sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams.5 High consumption of sodium increase your threat of establishing high blood pressure and heart problem.
Why You Might Need a Substitute.
Why would you need a substitute for Old Bay seasoning? There may be any number of reasons why you might be looking for something to change the Old Bay in your well-known crab cakes. It could be that you are all out of the flavoring blend or it is not available where you do your grocery shopping.
Or, you might require an Old Bay seasoning replacement because of food allergies. Considered a traditional seasoning blend, ingredients may alter. If you have a food allergic reaction, you need to read the food label each time you purchase Old Bay to look for allergens.
Though spices and food additives might trigger an allergic-like reaction, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology states a true spice allergy is uncommon.6 You might establish an itchy mouth after eating a specific spice, which is in some cases called oral allergy syndrome.
In any event, if mustard causes a scratchy rash or itchy mouth and your container of Old Bay flavoring notes mustard as an allergen, then you might require to find a various spices for your crab cakes. You may likewise be looking for an Old Bay spices alternative if you have issues about the sodium content in the prepared spice blend.
Finest Old Bay Seasoning Substitutes.
No Old Bay? Old Bay spices is a mix of herbs and spices.
Celery Salt and Paprika.
Celery salt and paprika are 2 of the main active ingredients in Old Bay spices. If you take place to have these spices in your cupboard, then you have a great substitute.
When replacing, mix 1/4 teaspoon of celery salt with 1/4 teaspoon of paprika. Utilize this for each 1 teaspoon of Old Bay flavoring. For a little heat, include a pinch of red pepper flakes or a shake or 2 of black pepper.
According to the USDA, 1/4 teaspoon (0.9 milligrams) of celery salt has 290 milligrams of salt, no calories, and no other nutrients.7 Paprika is likewise free of calories and important nutrients.8.
Celery Seed and Paprika.
To limit salt, use celery seed in place of the celery salt to mix with your paprika. The USDA keeps in mind that 1 teaspoon (2 milligrams) of celery seed has just 3.2 milligrams of salt per teaspoon.9.
Nevertheless, you may not get the complete flavor of the initial Old Bay spices without the salt. Adding other herbs and spices might be essential, like ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper, to get more of that Old Bay taste.
Cajun Seasoning.
Cajun spices utilize many of the same herbs and spices as Old Bay spices, including paprika, pepper, and celery salt. Though the mix of ingredients is a bit different, cajun spices works as an alternative for Old Bay.
You can utilize the very same amount of cajun flavoring in your dish as you would the Old Bay flavoring. However, remember that the cajun blend may be a bit spicier than the Old Bay.
Like Old Bay, cajun seasoning has no calories or other vital nutrients, however it has 130 milligrams of salt per serving (0.6 grams), according to the USDA.10.
Crab Boil.
Crab boil is a lot like Old Bay in that it is a mix of herbs and spices for flavoring seafood. However, crab boil is used to season the water when boiling shellfish. It has celery seed, paprika, chili pepper, and clove.
If you have crab boil spice blend, utilize the same amount of this spice as the Old Bay seasoning. Crab boil may include a bit more heat and a touch of sweet taste to your meal. Like Old Bay, crab boil has actually added salt and gives salt.
