My 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Mashed Potatoes

Sometimes, nothing beats creamy mashed potatoes, smothered in melting butter. But I wanted to mix things up. Could we add something a tad more exciting? As the universe would have it, I was scrolling on Threads and read a comment from Duff Goldman recommending Old Bay for seasoning mashed potatoes.

It was a eureka moment: Seasoning mashed potatoes as if you live in Maryland, like you’re eating a seafood boil instead of a side dish, seemed so brilliant that I immediately had to try it.

What Is Old Bay Seasoning?

Old Bay is a classic Mid-Atlantic seasoning blend originally created for seafood, and it’s often a pantry staple in the United States. It’s a seasoning mix of 18 herbs and spices with a bit of everything savory and warm, such as mustard, crushed bay leaf, paprika, and celery salt. 

The blend is aromatic and recognizable, bringing instant personality to anything it seasons, so consider this a fair warning. Old Bay alone can do quite a bit of heavy lifting in any dish. If you like your mashed potatoes classic and light, then Old Bay may be a bit too punchy for you. 

Personally, I find that Old Bay cuts through starchiness and buttery richness with celery salt and warm spices, while tasting fuller, rounder, and so much more satisfying. Plus, they get a pretty pop of color from the paprika in the seasoning blend.

Tips for Making and Serving “Maryland Mashed Potatoes”

• Grab your favorite recipe. To add Old Bay to your mashed potatoes, start with your go-to mashed potatoes recipe. For a slightly sweet upgrade, swap some parsnips for potatoes.
• Season at the right time. At the time you’d normally season mashed potatoes, season lightly with salt and pepper. (Old bay contains some sodium from the celery salt, so you may need to adjust the amount of salt you normally would add.) Then, sprinkle in Old Bay, a dash at a time. I find about a half-teaspoon per pound of cooked potatoes is a good measure. Taste and adjust accordingly to suit your palate. 
• Serve with more Old Bay. When it came time to serve the potatoes, I kept the seasoning on the table so my family could add more seasoning as they pleased. 

I was already a fan of Duff (he said on Threads he had bought a copy of my latest cookbook!). I became a bigger fan after reading and trying this tip. It’s no wonder the celebrity chef is such a fan of Old Bay, and I can now see why he made a hyperrealistic cake of an Old Bay tin. He even said he would even have the seasoning over cereal! I’ll just stick to potatoes, though.