The State’s Best Dish: Maryland’s Old Bay Wings

Old Bay is as synonymous with seafood as Maryland is with crab. Developed by German immigrant Gustav Brunn in Baltimore in 1939, Old Bay is a blend of 18 herbs and spices, including celery salt, paprika, mustard, and black pepper, which gives it its distinctive flavor.

The seasoning was originally created to flavor Chesapeake Bay blue crabs and became popular with local crab houses and seafood vendors. The classic Maryland crab feast involves covering crabs in a mixture of Old Bay and salt, then steaming them. This has made Old Bay a staple at crab feasts, a deeply ingrained tradition in Maryland.

While Old Bay was originally designed for seafood, particularly crabs and shrimp, it has since become a staple in a wide range of dishes. Marylanders use it on everything from French fries and corn on the cob to fried chicken and popcorn. It is often viewed as an essential part of the state’s identity, adding a distinct flavor that represents the Chesapeake Bay region.

For many Marylanders, Old Bay is a point of pride, much like the Chesapeake Bay itself. Old Bay started as a regional product, its popularity has spread nationwide and even internationally. McCormick & Company, a Maryland-based company, acquired the rights to Old Bay in the 1990s and has since expanded the brand with products like Old Bay hot sauce, snack foods, and other seasonings.

Beyond traditional uses in seafood, chefs and home cooks in Maryland and beyond have started incorporating Old Bay into a variety of creative dishes, such as Old Bay-flavored wings, potato chips, and Bloody Marys.

Old Bay is much more than just a seasoning in Maryland—it is a cultural icon that represents the state’s culinary traditions and pride. Its connection to Maryland’s crab feasts, Chesapeake Bay heritage, and seafood industry has solidified its place in the hearts of locals and has made it a beloved part of Maryland’s identity.

Enjoy our take on the classic this week with our Old Bay Wings!