My Story

How it started


This adventure all began with a Father's Day gift from my wife. In 2022 she gave me a kit to make hot sauce. I do most of the cooking at our house, so I followed every step, using their peppers and seasoning. It was... an average hot sauce. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing special either. I knew next time I would do it my way.


Months later I noticed some ghost and habanero peppers in the fridge and decided to make a sauce for a friend who always "wants it hotter." I didn't even try it, because I suspected it was too hot for me. Then the text messages started coming. My friend was adamant that he loved it and that it was his new favorite, and he urged me to make more and try to sell it. It took a lot of convincing, but I finally thought: why not?


Who we are


We're a family-owned company in Spearfish, South Dakota, nestled in the northern Black Hills, where most of my family has lived for four generations. We believe in hard work and a balance of fun, family and responsibility, and we're proud to support local farmers, beekeepers and other local businesses.


I brew my sauces in small batches at a great facility with great people in Sturgis, SD. Many flavors start as conversations with friends about what they love, and get worked out on my daily 90-minute commute. I funded this whole thing with a side hustle, so if you live in Spearfish, I may have delivered you a meal!


What makes our sauce different


Heat alone isn't enough. Add great flavor and you create an amazing product. I insist on high-quality, natural ingredients: only purified water and Himalayan salt. I'm working with local farmers and nurseries so most of the peppers in Dakota Heat can be locally sourced.


Have an idea for a flavor combination? Email us and let me work on making it happen. More flavors are coming, so sign up for our emails to hear about new releases first.


Thank you all for your support!

Derek N., creator of Dakota Heat

Get to know DAKOTA HEAT

Let us introduce ourselves and why we love what we do!

  • WHAT MAKES OUR HOT SAUCES STAND OUT

    Created using high-quality, natural ingredients for hot sauce lovers and those who are open to bold flavors to hellevate their food experience. Always made in small batches in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

  • WHO WE ARE

    We are a small company located in the heart of the Black Hills. We strive to use locally-sourced ingredients from well-established farmers and vendors. As a family-owned company, we are centered around family and community.

  • HOW WE GOT STARTED

    Honestly, it was a crazy story and I had no idea I would end up here a year ago. My wife got me a hot sauce making kit for Father's Day and even though it took a while to get around to using it, I finally went for it and used the recipes provided. When I did, I was outraged by the lack of flavor. It wasn't what I look for in hot sauce. It wasn't even good. So, in true fashion, I thought, "I can do better than that!" So, I got to work and created a few hot sauces for myself and my friends to try. The feedback was overwhelming. I couldn't believe all the great things everyone was saying about it. I was in a zone. I created more and more. My buddy really pushed for me to create a company around it, because he loved it so much. Other friends got on board and really encouraged me as well. Before I knew it, everyone was being so helpful and encouraging...how could I not create this with all this support I was getting?

  • A NOTE FROM DEREK N. THE CREATOR OF DAKOTA HEAT

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  • Dakota Heat, LLC

    810 North Main Street #135, Spearfish, SD 57783

    TheDakotaHeat@gmail.com

    (605) 340-0911