This seasoning goes on everything. For many of us, it’s the glue that holds our spice cabinet together, the secret to our homecooked successes – Old Bay Seasoning. It tastes salty, spicy and tangy with a range of herb and pepper ingredients that adds epic flavor to anything.
Old Bay seasoning is vegan. Old Bay seasoning is made from spices and celery salt and contains no animal-derived ingredients. It can be used in vegan dishes, in drink mixes like Bloody Mary’s and sprinkled on appetizers. The best vegan alternatives to Old Bay seasoning include Loisa Salt-Free Sazon Seasoning, Flavor God No Salt Seasoning, and Frontier Co-Op Cajun Seasoning.
Old bay has a few different varieties of seasonings – mostly spicy twists on the original recipe. In this article, we’ll take a look at the original Old Bay Seasoning and its spin-offs. We’ll also investigate a few other spices that contain zero salt, are labeled gluten-free and are vegan. Let’s dig in!
Contents
- Aren’t Most Seasonings Vegan?
- What’s In Old Bay Seasoning?
- Is Old Bay Seasoning Healthy?
- Healthy Vegan & Gluten-Free Alternatives to Old Bay Seasoning
- Loisa Salt-Free Sazon Seasoning
- Benson’s Salt-Free Table Tasty Seasoning
- Flavor God No Salt Seasoning
- Frontier Co-Op Cajun Seasoning
- Thrive Market Cajun Seasoning
- Good & Gather Salt-Free Southwest Chipotle Seasoning
- Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend
- Simply Organic All-Seasons Salt
- Weber Gluten-Free, Salt-Free Burger Seasoning
- FOD Map Paleo Powder
- Related Questions
Aren’t Most Seasonings Vegan?
Whether it’s Everything Bagel Seasoning or many, if not most, of the seasonings on the market today are vegan and made from a collection of dried herbs with some salt and sugar added for taste. There are some seasonings out there, though that contain animal products. Watch for label ingredients like anchovy paste, bonito (fish) flakes and dried shrimp – those ingredients are not vegan. Seasonings can sometimes contain milk products, too, like casein and whey.
How Is Old Bay Vegan When It’s A Fish Seasoning?
Sure, Old Bay Seasoning was made to be used on meat, but that doesn’t mean it’s not for vegans! There aren’t any animal products in the ingredients in Old Bay, so the seasoning by itself is safe for vegans to eat. You can put it in soups and use it to spice up salad dressing, or you could use Old Bay Seasoning to add a little zest to snacks like carrots and hummus.
What’s In Old Bay Seasoning?
That’s a secret. Truly. The entire ingredient list in Old Bay Seasoning hasn’t ever been publicized. All we know is that it is made from a special, confidential blend of 18 different spices and herbs. Old Bay has given us a couple of clues in their ingredient list, saying that their “spices” can include celery salt, black pepper and paprika.
The seasoning was invented and sold by a German refugee in Baltimore in 1939. He named his seasoning after a ship line in the Chesapeake Bay. McCormick & Company bought the recipe in 1990.
McCormick maintains a pledge on their website that the top eight allergens will “never be hidden under the notations of ‘spices’ or ‘natural flavors’”. The company says they always declare ingredients on their labels like gluten and animal products.
How do you use Old Bay Seasoning?
Old bay Seasoning was born in Maryland and the seasoning is a popular addition to everything. It was made to use as a seasoning for fish and meats. You can also sprinkle it on deviled eggs or on corn on the cob. Put it over popcorn, use it in a Bloody Mary, spice up cocktail sauce, or add it to breading when you’re making fried chicken. Use it in taquitos. Toss it into chowders and soups or sprinkle it over fries. The possibilities are endless!
Is Old Bay Seasoning Healthy?
You’ll want to avoid Old Bay Seasoning if you’re sticking to a low-sodium diet. In just one serving of the original seafood seasoning, you find 140 mg of sodium. That’s 6% of your daily recommended value of 2,300 mg of sodium per day.
When it comes to salt, the FDA has split up food into three different tiers: low-sodium, moderate-sodium and high-sodium foods. Health experts recommend you stick to a low-sodium diet (eating primarily or only low-sodium foods) to improve high blood pressure, kidney disease and other illnesses and body imbalances.
To stick to that low-sodium diet, you have to consume under 140 mg of sodium daily. That means you’ll reach your limit with just a ¼ tsp. serving of Old Bay.
Old Bay Classic Seafood Seasoning
Ingredients:
- Celery Salt (salt, celery seed)
- Spices (including red pepper and black pepper)
- Paprika
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ Tsp. / 0.6 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 140 mg / 6%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Old Bay French Fry Seasoning
Ingredients:
- Salt
- Celery Salt (slat, celery seed)
- Spices (including black pepper, red pepper, paprika)
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ Tsp. / 2 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 800 mg / 33%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Old Bay Hot Seasoning
Ingredients:
- Celery Salt (salt, celery seed)
- Spices (including paprika, black pepper)
- Red Pepper
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ Tsp. / 0.7 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 150 mg / 14%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Old Bay With Blackened Seasoning
Ingredients:
- Celery Salt (salt, celery seed)
- Spices (including red pepper and black pepper)
- Paprika
- Sugar
- Caramel Color
Nutrition Facts (per ½ Tsp. / 0.6 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 95 mg / 7%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Healthy Vegan & Gluten-Free Alternatives to Old Bay Seasoning
Loisa Salt-Free Sazon Seasoning
This Seasoning is labeled gluten-free and is salt-free. All ingredients are organic, and it also contains no animal ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Achiote
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Black Pepper
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.6 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Benson’s Salt-Free Table Tasty Seasoning
This all-purpose seasoning is labeled gluten-free, contains no animal ingredients and is salt-free and sugar-free.
Ingredients:
- Yeast Extract
- Carrot
- Red Bell Pepper
- Onion
- Arrowroot
- Lemon
- Citric Acid
- Celery
- Dill Weed
- Parsley
- Basil
- Allspice
- Paprika
- Silicon Dioxide
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.6 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Flavor God No Salt Seasoning
This seasoning is labeled gluten-free, low-sodium, paleo and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients:
- Garlic
- Paprika
- Onions
- Black Pepper
- Coriander
- California Chili Pepper
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Parsley
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.6 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Frontier Co-Op Cajun Seasoning
This spice is made from all-organic ingredients, is vegan and contains no gluten ingredients, though the packaging is not labeled gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Paprika
- Onion
- Garlic
- Marjoram
- Thyme
- Fennel Seed
- Cumin
- Cayenne Pepper
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.6 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Thrive Market Cajun Seasoning
This seasoning is gluten-free, vegan and made from organic ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Sea Salt
- Spices
- Dehydrated Onion
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Paprika
- Cane Sugar
- Ground Mustard
- Autolyzed Yeast Extract
- Safflower Oil
- Rice Concentrate
- Natural Smoke Flavor
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.7 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 115 mg / 5%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Good & Gather Salt-Free Southwest Chipotle Seasoning
Ingredients:
- Spices (including sweet chili pepper, chipotle chili pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, cumin, parsley and mustard)
- Garlic
- Onion
- Carrot
- Sugar
- Citric Acid
- Orange Peel
- Lemon Peel
- Oil of Lemon
- Natural Smoke
- Lime and Other Natural Flavors
- Extractives of Paprika
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.7 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend
This seasoning is not labeled gluten-free, but contains no gluten ingredients, no salt and no ingredients that come from animal products.
Ingredients:
- Spices (sweet chili pepper, chipotle chili pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, cumin, parsley, savory, basil, marjoram, bay leaves, mustard flour, rosemary, coriander)
- Dried Garlic
- Dried Onion
- Dried Carrot
- Sugar
- Citric Acid
- Dried Orange Peel
- Modified Corn Starch
- Rice Concentrate
- Lime Juice Solids
- Lemon Juice Solids
- Natural Smoke Flavor
- Lemon and Lime Oil
- Natural Flavor
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.7 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Simply Organic All-Seasons Salt
This seasoning is made from all-organic ingredients and has no gluten ingredients, though it is not labeled gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Sea Salt
- Paprika
- Cane Sugar
- Garlic
- Onion
- Celery Seed
- Oregano
- Rice Concentrate
- Turmeric
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.7 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 260 mg / 11%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Weber Gluten-Free, Salt-Free Burger Seasoning
Ingredients:
- Garlic
- Onion
- Spices
- Brown Sugar
- Chili Pepper
- Rice Concentrate
- Tomato
- Red Bell Pepper
- Caramel Color
- Natural Smoke Flavor
- Paprika Extractives
- Natural Flavors
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.6 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 1 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
FOD Map Paleo Powder
This all-purpose seasoning is labeled gluten-free, paleo-friendly and vegan.
Ingredients:
- Himalayan Pink Salt
- Guajillo Chili
- Black Pepper
- Oregano
- Basil
- Cumin
- White Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
Nutrition Facts (per 1/4 Tsp. / 0.7 g. serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0 %
- Sodium – 90 mg / 4%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Related Questions
Is Old Bay Seasoning gluten-free?
Old Bay Seasoning does not contain any gluten ingredients, but it is not labeled gluten-free. The seasoning’s manufacturer McCormick states on their website that they declare the presence of any of the top eight allergens in their products, but you won’t likely see the gluten-free label on the Old Bay Seasoning bottle.
Is Old Bay Seasoning Spicy?
Old Bay is a mild seasoning, with some spicy ingredients that could include red and black pepper. It also has celery salt and paprika and contains mustard powder.
Is Old Bay Seasoning Cajun?
Cajun seasonings share a lot of the same flavor profile as Old Bay Seasoning, though they originated in two different regions of America. Cajun seasonings are generally more spicy than Old Bay seasoning.