Developing value-added lignin-based biomaterials for enzyme immobilization has drawn great attention. This study developed a cost-effective and eco-friendly one-pot strategy to synthesize the rod-like lignin@zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) hybrid nanomaterial by using lignin derived from lignocellulosic biofuel production. The incorporation of lignin into the ZIF-8 network not only altered the morphology, but also modified the surface properties of the material, making it an ideal support for enzyme immobilization. The synthesized nanoscale hybrid materials were used to immobilize beta-glucosidase (BG) with high immobilization capacity and about 92–166 mg/g of BG was immobilized through physical adsorption. The immobilized BG exhibited good stability, catalytic activity and recycling properties, and was reused under acidic conditions for more than 8 cycles with more than 60% activity kept. The as-prepared hybrid material can serve as a great carrier for immobilizing various biomolecules. •A one-pot strategy was developed to synthesize the rod-like lignin@ZIF-8.•The morphology and surface properties of lignin@ZIF-8 were characterized.•The immobilization capacity of lignin@ZIF-8 for beta-glucosidase (BG) was about 92–166 mg/g.•The relative activity of immobilized BG was more than 60% after 8 times reuse.