Fake vomit is one of those props every prankster needs in the arsenal at least once, and the best part is you can whip up a convincing batch with stuff already sitting in your kitchen. Maybe you are the kid angling for a day off school, the street performer who wants to horrify a crowd, or you just want a movie-night gag that lands. Whatever your reason, you will have to get your hands a little “dirty” here. Below we share three tried-and-true recipes for realistic-looking puke, plus tips on what to do with your creation once it is ready.
We hope you use these responsibly, but consider this your educational guide on how to make fake vomit that looks (and smells) disturbingly real. There are several ways to fake a good up-chuck, and we will walk through our favorites.
What Real Puke Is Made Of (So Yours Looks Legit)
Real vomit is mostly stomach fluid and gastric acid mixed with partially digested food. No matter what someone ate, it always smells sour and sharp. People throw up from motion sickness, illness, or one too many drinks, and it is famously contagious: once one person goes, everyone nearby suddenly feels queasy too. Our goal is not to make anyone actually sick, but to recreate that nasty look and smell using ordinary household items. Once you nail the color, the chunks, and the sour smell, your fake vomit will fool just about anyone.
3 Good Recipes For Fake Vomit
Fake vomit comes together with a few pantry items. We have narrowed it down to three ways to make fake vomit, ranging from a full-on cooked batch to a fast microwave version. Let us know which one is your favorite!
Method 1: The Cooked Classic
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked oatmeal (the bulky base)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or ranch (color + sharp tang)
- 2 chopped string cheese sticks (the chunks)
- 1 uncooked egg (the slimy, stringy texture)
- 1 can split pea soup (that queasy green)
- A small handful of raisins (mystery chunks)
- 1 tbsp white vinegar (the sour smell)
- One large cooking pot
Process: Combine everything in the pot, cook on low heat for a few minutes until you can barely stand the smell, let it cool, then place it where it will cause the greatest effect.
Method 2: The “Missed The Toilet” Version
Ingredients: saltine crackers, a bowl or toilet, water, and a spoonful of wet cat food (or tuna) for the smell.
Process: Chew the crackers until mushy, spit them into the bowl or toilet, mix in a little water, then add the wet pet food and drape it over the toilet rim like you “missed.”
Method 3: The Fast Microwave Version
Ingredients: instant oatmeal, colored goldfish crackers (use the red and green ones), bread, applesauce or baby food, water, and a bowl.
Process: Combine oatmeal and torn bread in the bowl, pour water over until just covered, crush in the colored goldfish, stir in some applesauce, microwave for a couple of minutes, then add water and mix to the consistency you want.
What To Do With Your Fake Vomit
Once your masterpiece is ready, bag it up in a zip-top bag to transport it discreetly, or stage it in a toilet, hallway, or car floor for your victim to “discover.” Great acting sells the whole thing, so practice your gag-reflex sound, but do not overdo it. Fake vomit also pairs beautifully with the rest of our prank lineup: add a splash of edible fake blood for a scarier scene, dangle some fake snot for maximum grossness, or mail the whole disgusting kit inside one of our prank boxes. Feeling ambitious? A batch of homemade slime makes a slick, stringy add-on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make fake vomit smell realistic?
Smell is what really sells it. Vinegar, sour cream, and wet pet food are your secret weapons, since all three carry that sour, sharp odor people associate with real puke. A little goes a long way, so add gradually until it is convincing (but not unbearable).
Will fake vomit stain carpet or clothes?
It can. Split pea soup, applesauce, and colored goldfish contain dyes that may leave marks on light fabrics and carpet. To be safe, stage your prank on hard, easy-to-clean surfaces like tile or inside a toilet, or lay down a bag or plastic first. Clean up promptly to avoid setting a stain.
Which fake vomit recipe is best?
Method 1 (the cooked version) looks and smells the most authentic, so it is best when you have time. Method 3 is the fastest thanks to the microwave, and Method 2 is ideal when you want a “missed the toilet” scene. Pick based on how much time you have and where the prank is going down.
Use these wisely! All three methods are proven to gross out anyone who stumbles on them. As always, let us know how it went in the comments!