My Top 3 is a weekly post (for paid subscribers) where I count down three things I love in a random category. This week, we’re looking at my top three places to use Old Bay seasoning.

It started as a Maryland thing, but Old Bay seasoning is now fairly recognizable in the States due to it’s deliciousness and brandability. The Old Bay tin is recognizable and the cross promotions are popping up everywhere. There are Old Bay chips, Old Bay Goldfish, Old Bay nuts, and even Old Bay vodka. (I bet that last one is divine in a Bloody Mary.)

Old Bay, however, is most known as the spice you put on crabs. Go to any crab place and out come your crustaceans coated in spice. If you get them steamed on site at a market, you can see giant drums of the stuff. (Although, I have since learned that J.O. seasoning is what most crab places actually use.)

Old Bay and crab are an iconic duo. I love the two together, but I also love using this blend in many other ways. If something is missing from a dish, I tend throw in a few dashes of Old Bay.

For funsies, I’m throwing in some extra recipes related to my picks where Old Bay works really well.

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