My Story

This adventure all began with a Fathers Day from my wife.  In 2022 she gifted me a kit to make hot sauce.  I do the majority of the cooking at the house and enjoy creating great food for the family. I followed all the steps of the kit and used their peppers and seasoning.  It was..."mild hot sauce."  I knew next time I would do it my way.  Months later I noticed some ghost and habanero peppers in the fridge.  I decided to make a sauce for a friend who always "wants it hotter."  I delivered my creation to my friend the next day.  I didn't even try it as I suspected it was too hot for me.   Then the text messages started to come.  My friend (Derek C.), was adamant that he loved it and was his new favorite.  Furthermore, he urged me to make more and attempt to sell it.  It took a lot of convincing, but I finally thought, why not?  Everyone seemed to like it. 

First let me say, I would not be in this position were it not for the amazing support and encouragement from many friends and my family.  I am proud to produce this sauce in the heart of the Black Hills SD, where most of my family has resided for four generations.  I found a great facility with some great people in Sturgis, SD to begin brewing my creations.  Many of which have come about from talking with friends about flavors they love.  On my daily 90 minute commute to work, I am able to let these ideas bounce around.  The only way I was able to fund this endeavor was getting my side hustle on, I may have actually delivered you a meal if you live in Spearfish, SD!

I hope you enjoy the flavors I create.  I believe it is not good to simply just have heat.  If you include great flavor, you can create an amazing product.  I am working with local farmers and nurseries in the area so the majority of the peppers in Dakota Heat can be locally sourced.  I always insist upon only high quality ingredients.  I will only use purified water and Himalayan salt. 

If you have any ideas or thought of different flavor combinations, please email us and let me work on making it happen.  I have several different flavors to come, so please sign up for us to email the release of these new items.  There is much more to come.

Thank you all for your support, and I look hearing from you!!

Derek N   

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