Artificial Food Coloring Free Old Bay–Style Seasoning Blend
That golden, aromatic blend sitting in your spice jar might look like something off a store shelf, but it's built entirely from scratch — no mystery additives, no synthetic dyes, just real dried herbs and spices doing all the heavy lifting. Commercial seasoning blends are a surprisingly common source of hidden artificial colorings, used to make the mix look more vibrant or uniform, so making your own is one of the smartest swaps you can make in the kitchen. Ground turmeric brings that warm, earthy color naturally, while layers of thyme, oregano, basil, and ginger create the complex, savory depth you'd expect from a classic seafood-style seasoning. A touch of Ceylon cinnamon and optional cloves round out the blend with a subtle warmth that makes it genuinely special. Whisk everything together, seal it in a jar, and you've got a pantry staple that's ready to go on shrimp, corn, roasted potatoes, or anything else that needs a bold, coastal kick. It keeps for up to three months, so you can batch it ahead and reach for it whenever the craving hits — no label-reading required.
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Learn more →Ingredients
16 servings
- 2 tbsp celery salt
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves (optional)
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the celery salt, dried parsley, turmeric, ginger, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, Ceylon cinnamon, ground cloves (if using), and fine sea salt in a small mixing bowl and whisk until evenly blended with no streaks of turmeric remaining.
- 2
Transfer the blend to an airtight jar or container, seal tightly, and store at room temperature away from direct light and heat for up to 3 months.