Heartbeat Hot Sauce Co. Darkside of the Grill - Shiitake Szechuan
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Heartbeat Hot Sauce Co. Darkside of the Grill – Shiitake Szechuan
Medium-Hot – 6/10
Bold. Savory. Unexpected.
Darkside of the Grill – Shiitake Szechuan is a collaboration born from fire, smoke, and a shared obsession with flavour. Created alongside BBQ authority Mel Chmilar—better known as Darkside of the Grill—this sauce was a long time in the making. The goal? To rethink what a “grill sauce” can be.
Instead of leaning into the expected smoky-sweet barbecue profile, we took a more dynamic, globally inspired path—one that elevates smoked meats and charred vegetables into entirely new territory.
Crafted in Thunder Bay, Inspired by the World
Since 2015, Heartbeat Hot Sauce Co. has been dedicated to producing small-batch sauces with maximum flavour and balance. What began as a home kitchen hobby quickly grew into a full-scale production facility in Thunder Bay’s South Core, where every recipe is developed, fermented, cooked, bottled, and packaged in-house.
Our process begins with traditional fermentation. We ferment our peppers to develop depth and natural complexity before blending them with a short list of premium ingredients. No added water. No thickeners. No chemical preservatives. Just clean, layered flavour and our signature silky texture.
Umami, Heat, and That Signature Tingle
Darkside of the Grill draws inspiration from Chinese hot pot and the electrifying sensation of Szechuan cuisine.
Earthy shiitake mushrooms form the backbone of this sauce, delivering rich, savory umami that clings beautifully to grilled proteins. Szechuan pepper adds its unmistakable citrusy brightness and gentle, mouth-tingling effect—creating a layered sensory experience that’s bold yet balanced.
Fermented habanero and cayenne peppers bring warmth and structure, rounding out the profile with a confident 6/10 heat level. The spice builds steadily, complementing rather than overpowering, allowing the mushrooms and aromatics to shine.
The result is a deeply savory, complex sauce that feels modern, international, and entirely at home over open flame.
Made to Transform the Grill
This isn’t a sticky glaze. It’s a flavour amplifier.
As Mel puts it:
“Whether you’re making some deadly wings soaked in it, or drizzling it over a smoky beef rib, it’s gonna work for you! She was made to mix up that already perfect smoked meat and add another realm to your cooking with just a splash.”
Try it:
Tossed with crispy grilled wings
Brushed over smoked beef ribs or brisket
Drizzled onto grilled Portobello mushrooms
Finished over flame-kissed eggplant or zucchini
Mixed into stir-fried noodles or rice
Added to dumplings or bao for an extra kick
It’s equally powerful on vegetables as it is on meat—making it a versatile companion for any grill enthusiast.
Small-Batch Integrity
Fermented habanero and cayenne peppers
Shiitake mushrooms & Szechuan pepper
No added water
No thickening agents
No chemical preservatives
Developed, produced, and bottled in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Darkside of the Grill – Shiitake Szechuan is not your typical BBQ sauce. It’s a bold departure. A meeting of Canadian craftsmanship and Asian-inspired flavour. A sauce designed to challenge expectations and reward adventurous cooks.
Turn up the heat. Step into the darkside.
Contains: Soy & Wheat
Red Bell Pepper, Onion, Distilled vinegar, Habaneros, Korean Pepper Paste (Fermented Rice Paste, Corn Syrup, Hot Pepper Powder, Water, Soybean Paste, Alcohol, Salt, Wheat Extract, Fermented Soy Seasoning, Garlic), Aged Cayenne Pepper, Lime Juice, Garlic, Non GMO Canola Oil. Shiitake Powder, Sea Salt, Szechuan Pepper, Cinnamon. CONTAINS: Soy, Wheat
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