Old Bay seasoning substitute: UK, Canada, NZ & international alternatives

Old Bay seasoning is a quintessentially American spice blend that's not always readily available outside the United States. If you're cooking in the UK, Canada, New Zealand, or other international locations, finding a suitable substitute can be challenging.

Availability

• –Old Bay is available in some specialty American food stores
• –Online retailers often stock it
• –Some larger supermarkets may carry it
• –American food sections in department stores

Best UK substitutes

• –Schwartz Seafood Seasoning: A good alternative with similar spice profile
• –Masterfoods Mixed Herbs + Spices: Mix with celery salt and cayenne
• –Tesco Finest Seafood Seasoning: Available in most Tesco stores
• –Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Seafood Seasoning: Good quality alternative
• –Waitrose Cook's Ingredients Seafood Seasoning: Premium option

Homemade UK blend

• –2 tbsp celery salt
• –1 tbsp paprika
• –1 tsp black pepper
• –1 tsp cayenne pepper
• –½ tsp ground bay leaves
• –½ tsp ground allspice
• –½ tsp ground cloves
• –½ tsp ground ginger
• –½ tsp ground nutmeg
• –½ tsp ground cardamom

Where to find ingredients

• –Celery salt: Most supermarkets
• –Paprika: All supermarkets
• –Cayenne pepper: All supermarkets
• –Whole spices: Indian food stores or online
• –Ground spices: Supermarkets or specialty stores

Availability

• –Old Bay is more readily available in Canada
• –Found in larger supermarkets
• –American food sections
• –Online retailers

Best Canadian substitutes

• –Club House Seafood Seasoning: Widely available alternative
• –McCormick Good Pinch Seafood Seasoning: Good quality option
• –President's Choice Seafood Seasoning: PC brand alternative
• –No Name Seafood Seasoning: Budget-friendly option
• –Cajun Seasoning + Celery Salt: Mix for Old Bay-like flavor

Homemade Canadian blend

• –2 tbsp celery salt
• –1 tbsp paprika
• –1 tsp black pepper
• –1 tsp cayenne pepper
• –½ tsp ground bay leaves
• –½ tsp ground allspice
• –½ tsp ground cloves
• –½ tsp ground ginger
• –½ tsp ground nutmeg
• –½ tsp ground cardamom

Where to find ingredients

• –Celery salt: Most supermarkets
• –Paprika: All supermarkets
• –Cayenne pepper: All supermarkets
• –Whole spices: Bulk food stores or online
• –Ground spices: Supermarkets or specialty stores

Availability

• –Old Bay is less common in New Zealand
• –Some specialty American food stores
• –Online retailers
• –American food sections in larger stores

Best NZ substitutes

• –Masterfoods Seafood Seasoning: Widely available alternative
• –Herbs & Spices Seafood Seasoning: Good quality option
• –Countdown Seafood Seasoning: Supermarket brand
• –New World Seafood Seasoning: Supermarket brand
• –Pak'nSave Seafood Seasoning: Budget-friendly option

Homemade NZ blend

• –2 tbsp celery salt
• –1 tbsp paprika
• –1 tsp black pepper
• –1 tsp cayenne pepper
• –½ tsp ground bay leaves
• –½ tsp ground allspice
• –½ tsp ground cloves
• –½ tsp ground ginger
• –½ tsp ground nutmeg
• –½ tsp ground cardamom

Where to find ingredients

• –Celery salt: Most supermarkets
• –Paprika: All supermarkets
• –Cayenne pepper: All supermarkets
• –Whole spices: Indian food stores or online
• –Ground spices: Supermarkets or specialty stores

Availability

• –Old Bay is available in some specialty stores
• –Online retailers
• –American food sections
• –Some larger supermarkets

Best Australian substitutes

• –Masterfoods Seafood Seasoning: Widely available alternative
• –Herbs & Spices Seafood Seasoning: Good quality option
• –Coles Seafood Seasoning: Supermarket brand
• –Woolworths Seafood Seasoning: Supermarket brand
• –IGA Seafood Seasoning: Independent grocer brand

Homemade Australian blend

• –2 tbsp celery salt
• –1 tbsp paprika
• –1 tsp black pepper
• –1 tsp cayenne pepper
• –½ tsp ground bay leaves
• –½ tsp ground allspice
• –½ tsp ground cloves
• –½ tsp ground ginger
• –½ tsp ground nutmeg
• –½ tsp ground cardamom

Where to find ingredients

• –Celery salt: Most supermarkets
• –Paprika: All supermarkets
• –Cayenne pepper: All supermarkets
• –Whole spices: Indian food stores or online
• –Ground spices: Supermarkets or specialty stores

Availability

• –Old Bay is available in some specialty stores
• –Online retailers
• –American food sections
• –Some larger supermarkets

Best European substitutes

• –Herbes de Provence + Spices: Mix with celery salt and cayenne
• –Italian Seasoning + Spices: Mix with paprika and cayenne
• –Mediterranean Herb Blends: Mix with spices
• –Generic Seafood Seasonings: Available in most countries
• –Cajun Seasoning + Celery Salt: Mix for Old Bay-like flavor

Homemade European blend

• –2 tbsp celery salt
• –1 tbsp paprika
• –1 tsp black pepper
• –1 tsp cayenne pepper
• –½ tsp ground bay leaves
• –½ tsp ground allspice
• –½ tsp ground cloves
• –½ tsp ground ginger
• –½ tsp ground nutmeg
• –½ tsp ground cardamom

Where to find ingredients

• –Celery salt: Most supermarkets
• –Paprika: All supermarkets
• –Cayenne pepper: All supermarkets
• –Whole spices: Indian food stores or online
• –Ground spices: Supermarkets or specialty stores

Availability

• –Old Bay is less common in Asia
• –Some specialty American food stores
• –Online retailers
• –American food sections in larger stores

Best Asian substitutes

• –Generic Seafood Seasonings: Available in most countries
• –Cajun Seasoning + Celery Salt: Mix for Old Bay-like flavor
• –Mixed Herbs + Spices: Mix with celery salt and cayenne
• –Local Spice Blends: Adapt to Old Bay-like flavor
• –Homemade Blends: Best option for authenticity

Homemade Asian blend

• –2 tbsp celery salt
• –1 tbsp paprika
• –1 tsp black pepper
• –1 tsp cayenne pepper
• –½ tsp ground bay leaves
• –½ tsp ground allspice
• –½ tsp ground cloves
• –½ tsp ground ginger
• –½ tsp ground nutmeg
• –½ tsp ground cardamom

Where to find ingredients

• –Celery salt: Most supermarkets
• –Paprika: All supermarkets
• –Cayenne pepper: All supermarkets
• –Whole spices: Indian food stores or online
• –Ground spices: Supermarkets or specialty stores

International online retailers

• –Amazon: Available in most countries
• –eBay: Global shipping options
• –Specialty American Food Stores: Online ordering
• –Spice Retailers: Online spice shops
• –Gourmet Food Stores: Online ordering

Shipping considerations

• –Check shipping costs and times
• –Consider customs duties
• –Look for local alternatives first
• –Check expiration dates
• –Consider making homemade blends

Tips for online shopping

• –Read reviews before buying
• –Check ingredient lists
• –Compare prices and shipping
• –Look for bulk options
• –Consider making homemade blends

Essential ingredients

• –Celery salt (or celery seeds + salt)
• –Paprika
• –Black pepper
• –Cayenne pepper
• –Ground bay leaves
• –Ground allspice
• –Ground cloves
• –Ground ginger
• –Ground nutmeg
• –Ground cardamom

Substitutions for hard-to-find ingredients

• –Celery Salt: Mix celery seeds with salt
• –Ground Bay Leaves: Use whole bay leaves and grind
• –Ground Allspice: Use whole allspice berries and grind
• –Ground Cloves: Use whole cloves and grind
• –Ground Ginger: Use fresh ginger or ground ginger
• –Ground Nutmeg: Use whole nutmeg and grind
• –Ground Cardamom: Use whole cardamom pods and grind

Grinding techniques

• –Use a spice grinder or mortar and pestle
• –Grind in small batches
• –Don't over-grind
• –Store ground spices properly

UK adaptations

• –Use British herbs like thyme and oregano
• –Add a touch of Worcestershire sauce
• –Consider using English mustard powder
• –Add a pinch of sugar for sweetness

Canadian adaptations

• –Use Canadian herbs and spices
• –Consider using maple syrup for sweetness
• –Add a touch of vinegar for acidity
• –Use local seafood seasonings as base

Australian adaptations

• –Use Australian herbs and spices
• –Consider using native ingredients
• –Add a touch of lemon myrtle
• –Use local seafood seasonings as base

European adaptations

• –Use European herbs and spices
• –Consider using local ingredients
• –Add a touch of regional flavors
• –Use local seafood seasonings as base

Asian adaptations

• –Use Asian herbs and spices
• –Consider using local ingredients
• –Add a touch of regional flavors
• –Use local seafood seasonings as base

Finding Old Bay seasoning substitutes internationally can be challenging, but with the right ingredients and techniques, you can create authentic-tasting blends no matter where you are in the world. Whether you're in the UK, Canada, New Zealand, or anywhere else, the key is to understand the flavor profile you're trying to recreate and adapt it to the ingredients available in your region. Don't be afraid to experiment with local herbs and spices to create your own unique version of this beloved seasoning blend.