Old Bay and Cajun seasonings are two of the most prominent regional spice blends in the U.S., with Cajun seasoning hailing from Louisiana and Old Bay coming from Maryland. While the two spice blends can often be used interchangeably, there are a few important differences to note when it comes to ingredients and flavor.

Old Bay and Cajun seasonings are often mistaken for each other because they have a few ingredients in common. However, Old Bay has a very specific recipe containing 18 different ingredients, and while Cajun seasoning has no single proprietary blend, it is typically made up of 10 or fewer ingredients.

Old Bay is a savory spice blend, with strong flavors of celery, salt, paprika, and mustard seed, that is traditionally used for seafood, poultry, salads, and meats. On the other hand, Cajun seasoning has significant amounts of red pepper, making it a spicier blend, traditionally used in Cajun cuisines like stews, sausages, and jambalaya.